Worksheet: Community Asset Mapping

Objectives:

Identify and map out assets or resources that already exist within your community that can help make your vision a reality.
Uncover hidden or overlooked assets/resources
Helps determine who your “community” is </aside>

Time Required: 90 minutes - 2 hours

Resources Needed: Large sheets of paper, markers or crayons, large surface/tables; digital whiteboard that can be used to collaborate.

Audience Setting: Community gathering, coalition, or organization

This activity can both be done in a virtual or an in-person environment, with a preference for an in-person setting.

Define Your Community:

Start by identifying who exactly your community is. This will help you narrow down the assets and resources you map out.

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Guiding Questions:

Is your community geographic or place-based? Is it a neighborhood, city, or region?
Is your community connected by an identity? Who do you represent? (LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, Hispanic/Latine heritage)
Are you connected through an institution or organization (school, union, faith-based)?
Are you connected through a shared problem or goal (advocates fighting to end hunger)? </aside>

Asset List Categories:

List out specific names, people, or places that are key to helping you achieve your vision. Add any relevant notes (contact information for organizations, who named them). Include any strengths or relevant skills that you may want to point out)

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Guiding Questions:

Who are the trusted leaders or connectors in this community?
What skills and knowledge do residents already have?
What local groups are regularly represented in community conversations/events?
Where do people naturally gather? </aside>

Category	Asset/Resource	Notes	Strength/Gifts
Individual
(formal & informal leaders, connectors, key advocates)	ex. Macy Gonzalez	Local Freelance Graphic Designer & Community Connector	Ability to create accessible and inclusive digital media; multilingual
Organizations
(Nonprofit, community-based orgs, faith groups)	Ex. Provecho Collective	Convenes stakeholders across the state; various committee spaces, connecter	Connected to diverse stakeholders in the food system, relationships with institutions, and community members
Institutions
(schools, libraries, colleges, government)
Physical
(meeting spaces, local businesses, transportation)

Map Relationships:

Use the list above to begin mapping out relationships between individuals, organizations, institutions, etc. Highlight any groups that should be connected by aren’t already.

Partnerships that already exist:

Ex. Macy Gonzalez —> participates in Provecho Collective’s Policy Committee

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Groups/individuals that should be connected by aren’t yet:

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Connect Assets to Issues:

Connect the assets/resources to the problems/issues identified through root cause analysis. Narrow down to assets that could realistically help address your main problem.