Faith-based versus secular approaches to community development in African American communities: The case of Los Angele

This study compares African American-led faith-based and secular community development corporations in order to explore the hypothesis that although faith-based and secular CDCs appear to be similar, several factors may contribute to differential project outcomes. The study provides empirical research to inform recent scholarship that relies primarily on anecdotal evidence to support the claim that faith-based and secular CDCs are distinct. It also increases our knowledge about the factors that contribute to effective CDC project outcomes and responds to researchers who question the viability of the CDC model of community development.;The research employed both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the governance and operations of four well-established African American-led CDCs in the city of Los Angeles. Data on the CDCs and their affiliated institutions was collected from secondary sources, while primary sources were used to collect data during 47 semi-structured interviews with staff, board members, funders, and supporters.;The data was analyzed on both a micro-level and a macro-level according to several propositions about the factors that contribute to differential project outcomes. The analysis revealed that faith-based and secular CDCs had similar origins because they were among the first to respond with effective community development programs when natural disasters or social upheaval occurred in the city. Faith-based CDCs had this capacity at their inception because of their institutional ties with affiliated churches, whereas secular CDCs built their capacity by adapting to the social, economic and political environment of the city. The findings also revealed that church involvement in the governance of faith-based CDCs was not an impediment to operations, but that faith-based and secular CDCs governed effectively when the boards were run with democratic structures in place. The study also revealed that secular CDCs had to make their programs relevant to a growing Latino resident base, whereas faith-based CDCs did not because of their support among African American church members. The study concludes by discussing the importance of the findings for advocates of faith-based CDCs in society, members of the clergy, fenders, and planners.