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.
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.
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
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.
Join us to learn more about the about the Building for Growth (BFG) in New Jersey program.
At ICIC, our commitment to supporting small business owners remains strong. In collaboration with M&T Bank, we recently hosted two dynamic networking events in Washington D.C. (September 24) and Baltimore (September 26). We welcomed more than 60 attendees at each event, fostering vibrant spaces for connection and relationship-building. Months of planning culminated in a seamless experience. Attendees not only engaged with one another but also enjoyed exciting giveaways, from business growth tools to a signed Baltimore Ravens helmet. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees rating their experience an impressive 4 out of 5. They reported making an average of five new business connections, highlighting the events' effectiveness in nurturing relationships within the community. As Greg Smith from M&T Bank noted, our collaboration aims to enhance financial education for small business owners, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed. These events exemplify what can be achieved when organizations unite for a common goal. We look forward to ongoing partnerships that continue to empower small businesses and foster lasting connections. Read More
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
Stay Connected
Sign up for our mailings and stay up-to-date on all research, commentary, and news related to ICIC as we continue to drive inclusive economic prosperity in America’s under-resourced communities.
© 2024 ICIC. All rights reserved.