October 8, 2025
In today’s Resourcing the Field newsletter, we examine some powerful approaches to build civic infrastructure systems, while advancing economic and racial justice goals.
We begin with an article on reparative capital. This is often reduced to a financial question, which, as authors dana fitchett, Jessica Norwood, and Vanessa Roanhorse note, is true in part—low-interest loans with long terms certainly help. But beyond that, they write, reparative capital requires a shift of mindset, values, and systems—such as different methods of underwriting risk. Resourcing the field in short involves more than shifting money; it requires changing the paths by which resources flow.
The other articles reinforce this theme. Charlotte Ren, Chao Guo, and John J. DiIulio, Jr. suggest time banking could be a powerful tool to meet the needs of a globally aging population. Such an exchange system of time and services not only generates more resources to meet community needs, it also creates a deeper sense of community itself.
Next, Alex Stone examines how to support new co-op businesses. Because co-ops have multiple owners, co-op startups often are unable to get federally guaranteed small business loans. Meanwhile, existing federal programs are at risk. But established co-ops earn hundreds of billions in revenue a year and could afford to finance new co-op business development. Stone sets out how they might go about doing so.
Finally, Philippa Rizopoulos and Kesi Foster write about public schools that act as community hubs, which offer classes to students’ parents and other services. The “community schools” they write about are nearly as common as charter schools but get far less attention. These schools offer a powerful means to leverage existing school facilities to stretch resources further and build community at the same time.
As you read these stories, I hope you find some inspiration—and perhaps get a few ideas on how to meet needs in your communities.
Steve Dubb
Senior Editor
Economic Justice
