American Communities Trust (ACT) is dedicated to improving social and economic conditions in low-income communities by partnering with neighborhood organizations, residents, businesses, institutional stakeholders and funders to strengthen programs and initiatives which support healthy, safe and prosperous communities.

ACT was founded in 2008 in Baltimore, MD, and is currently working is six urban communities (St. Louis, Providence, New Haven, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Baltimore). We work with diverse teams of partners to address issues relating to community health & nutrition, educational opportunities, and workforce development.

Our goal is to have a long-term positive effect on distressed low-income communities by creating or strengthening programs and initiatives that improve living standards, economic opportunities, and educational outcomes. ACT supports place-based strategies to improve the physical environment of a community and coordinate support systems that work to integrate social and economic opportunities for low-income residents.

To help respond to the significant challenges faced by underserved communities, ACT utilizes a mix of community investment tools and services including grants, targeted initiatives, program-related investments and community development services. This flexible mix of financial and technical support is designed to create measurable and sustainable community benefits and enhance physical, social and economic investments being made in low-income communities.