Glossary

This glossary highlights complex terms that may have different definitions depending on the context, as well as those that are essential to understanding this toolkit’s content. In creating this resource, we reviewed other definitions from multiple sources and used them to craft plain-language definitions.

It involves speaking up for, supporting, or defending a cause, policy, or group of people.

  • What Is Advocacy? Definitions and Examples from the Alliance for Justice is a definition and short list of example advocacy activities from U.S. advocacy organizations.
  • Types of Advocacy from West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities gives brief definitions of three types of advocacy: self-advocacy, individual advocacy, and systems advocacy.

It makes existing resources explicit and creates a foundation for planning strategic advocacy and community development initiatives.

  • Participatory Asset Mapping, from the Advancement Project and Healthy City, is a thorough toolkit with in-depth information about why, when, and how to conduct asset mapping, including practical tools and advice on how to use and share what you learn during the process.
  • The Community Asset Mapping Guide from the National Center for Farmworker Health covers why and how to conduct asset mapping, including templates.

These activities can be individual or collective, political or non-political, and locally focused or part of broader efforts.

  • What is Civic Engagement? from Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement is a one-page summary of what civic engagement is and the values associated with it.
  • Civic Engagement, from Mesa Community College Center for Community & Civic Engagement, is a brief definition of civic engagement.
  • What Do We Mean By “Civic Engagement”? by Richard P Adler and Judy Goggin is a thorough exploration of the term, including references for those who want to dig even deeper.

Coalitions can vary in size and scope, from small groups focused on a specific issue to broader alliances addressing multiple community concerns.

  • Starting a Coalition from Community Toolbox, is a thorough discussion of why you may want to form a coalition, potential barriers, who should be involved, and how to get started.

Community partners can include (but are not limited to) Tribal organizations, community development nonprofits, public libraries, regional planning commissions, neighborhood civic associations, faith-based organizations, youth-focused nonprofits, environmental advocacy organizations, or parent-teacher associations.

  • ASTC’s Community Science Framework describes a series of attributes and outcomes often present in community science work informed by a review of current literature, as well as different approaches and program examples.

Decision makers are people in positions of power to introduce, deliberate, and enact socially impactful decisions. Decision makers are not always or necessarily elected officials, they may also include municipal department heads, political appointees, and non-elected officials.

This can include contacting elected officials, organizing grassroots campaigns, or providing information to policymakers to support or oppose proposed laws or regulations. Note that individuals working in other countries outside the U.S. should consult regulations for their own countries.

  • Lobbying from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, provides the legal definition for lobbying, including how it relates to 501(c)(3) status.

These groups often encounter barriers to participation in mainstream economic, political, or social activities, resulting in inequitable outcomes and opportunities.

  • Marginalized Communities from the Boston Medical Center offers a brief and clear definition of marginalized communities, as well as some alternative terms.

For example, a company’s paid leave allotment, a nonprofit board’s term limits, city zoning ordinances, and the U.S. Endangered Species Act are various types of policies.

  • Definition of Policy from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control provides a brief definition of policy and includes information about the relationship between policy and public health.

Policymaking processes often include multiple stages, which sometimes repeat: problem identification and definition, agenda setting, policy design, policy legitimization and codification, implementation, and evaluation. These stages can be undertaken and influenced by either top-down or bottom-up processes, or both—by central governance bodies like governments, by community members, or a mix.

It involves documenting risks, analyzing their likelihood and impact, and developing strategies to mitigate or manage them.

These issues often involve ethical, political, or economic dimensions and require critical interdisciplinary and intersectional analysis to inform decision making.

While they have a vested interest, they may not necessarily hold inherent rights or claims. In some contexts, “stakeholders” has a negative association in relation to the history of colonization.

  • Stakeholder Analysis from the Project Management Institute is a thorough discussion of stakeholder analysis and how to conduct it.