What's New at ICIC

The Strength of Small Business: Stories of Resilience and Impact

Despite the confluence of crises we’ve experienced in 2020, we remain convinced that building sustainable small business ecosystems in under-resourced communities in support of our shared mission of inclusive economic prosperity will continue to accelerate small business growth, create good-paying jobs and increase the flow of capital to those who need it most. We are pleased to share some of the ways in which we have succeeded in this pursuit.

IMPACT REPORT

ICIC's Inner City 100 List is Here!

Since 1999, ICIC has identified and celebrated the 100 fastest-growing firms in under-resourced communities through the Inner City 100 (IC100) award, and we’re excited to announce the 2020 IC100 winners. These companies are experiencing rapid growth—and making a meaningful impact on their cities and communities. They have created quality jobs for local residents and have been active in donating their time and resources to local organizations and charities. We are proud of the impact these firms have had on creating a healthy, inclusive economy in these challenging times.

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The New Face of Under-Resourced Communities

Our comprehensive, two-year research project is a first-of-its-kind study of concentrated poverty in America. The report ranks 450 American cities according to the level of economic disadvantage in their under-resourced communities.

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Small Business Resource Center: COVID-19 Crisis

As news about COVID-19 continues to evolve, we remain committed to supporting small businesses and driving inclusive economic prosperity. We know that small businesses, especially those in under-resourced communities, are likely to be hit the hardest, so we launched a resource center for our community.

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The Authority on Inner Cities

ICIC drives inclusive economic prosperity in under-resourced communities through innovative research and programs to create jobs, income, and wealth for local residents.

Founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City is a national nonprofit research and advisory organization and the leading authority on U.S. inner city economies and the businesses that thrive there.

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Learn More About ICIC

Work with ICIC

Inner cities are rich with opportunity. We help business, government and philanthropic leaders leverage local assets to transform communities. Our research team has helped to shape economic development strategies in more than twenty inner cities.

ICIC delivers the knowledge and the know-how to achieve sustainable economic and job growth.

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Support ICIC

Whether supporting one of our high-impact urban business programs or the entire organization, our partners know they are choosing to support an organization dedicated to transforming inner cities across the country. Our partners include Bank of America, Chevron, Kaiser Permanente, various foundations and individual donors.

Learn how you can support ICIC’s work

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What is an Inner City?

Inner cities are distressed urban and suburban areas of concentrated poverty and low income. Inner city residents represent 14% of the population—that’s 45 million people. Of U.S. residents living in poverty, 31 percent live in inner cities.

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Blog

03-19-21

Silence is not an option. We must stand up and stand together to Stop Anti-Asian Hate.

Julie Kent

It was one month ago when ICIC responded to the disturbing rise in racist rhetoric, harassment, and violence Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have experienced since the start of the pandemic with our commitment to proudly support and serve as an ally, resource, advocate, and partner to the AAPI ... Read More