What's New at ICIC

Structural Barriers to Small Business Success

Explore our interactive tool, created in partnership with Small Business Majority, that illustrates how structural racism affects the small business landscape in the U.S.

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Why I Give

Join the Alumni Network in celebrating ICIC’s 30th anniversary through the Why I Give campaign! Your generosity will help us break down barriers, expand opportunities, and empower more entrepreneurs to reach their full potential.

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Racial Equity in America's New Industrial Transformation

ICIC recently published "Racial Equity in America's New Industrial Transformation," a first-of-its-kind report that details the impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act on Black- and Hispanic-owned manufacturers. This pivotal study maps out the current landscape and charts a course for significant change to ensure that the benefits of America's industrial renewal are equitably shared.

read the report webinar replay

Regional Economic Connectivity: A Strategy to Build Opportunity in Distressed Communities

This report by ICIC and SRI describes regional economic connectivity as an economic development strategy for under-resourced communities.

read the report

What's Your Why?

To commemorate ICIC’s three decades of fostering economic growth and opportunity in underserved communities through groundbreaking research and programs, we are asking program participants, funders, nominators, and staff, “What’s Your Why?” Members of our ecosystem are responding by sharing what motivates them and how their “why” connects them to ICIC. These varied and impactful stories help us to reflect on our journey, fuel our mission, and shape our future.

view stories share your why

Our 2023 Impact Report is Here!

We are delighted to present ICIC’s Annual Impact Report – which showcases transformational journeys and the grit and determination of small business owners. The work of ICIC is more than just a commitment; it is a dedication to creating jobs, income, and wealth for local residents in underserved communities throughout North America. Through this report, we reunite with entrepreneurs who are the heart of the small business community and reflect on their inspirational stories, which give us a renewed energy to execute our charge. As we unveil our yearly Impact Report, it is a moment to celebrate small businesses, often the unsung heroes of our economy.

Impact Report

Supporting Small Business Growth

ICIC offers seven tuition-free development programs that serve small businesses throughout their lifecycle—from startup to succession. Learn more about how our programs can help your small business grow.

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The Authority on Inclusive Economic Prosperity

Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (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. under-resourced economies and the businesses that thrive there.

Learn More

Learn More About ICIC

Work with ICIC

Underserved communities 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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Events

10-15-24

Structural Barriers to Small Business Success Webinar

Join us for a live demonstration of the interactive map and a discussion on the applications and implications of this groundbreaking tool for policymakers, economic developers, and community organizers.

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Blog

09-23-24

Empowering Growth: Northern California Contractors Thrive After Participating in ICIC’s Building for Growth Program

ICIC

Some of the most recent graduates of ICIC’s Building for Growth (BFG) program hail from Northern California, demonstrating the program's regional reach and tailored support for local BIPOC-, woman-, and veteran-owned contractors. These business owners, equipped with new skills and strategies, are now securing larger contracts and streamlining operations to significantly grow their impact. LaSonia Mansfield shared, “Thanks to BFG's training, I have achieved many significant milestones, including securing my second prime contract and managing more than three contracts simultaneously.” Reva Murphy of Reva Murphy Associates added, “I needed to listen to the knowledgeable instructors to put into practice their insightful suggestions, business development concepts, and long-range planning skills critical to grow a business.” The program's success, made possible by sponsors like Intuit, The Home Depot, and PG&E, has empowered participants to transform their businesses while fostering a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Read More


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

Contact

PO Box 191297
Roxbury MA 02119
Phone: 617-238-1740

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