Community Mapping Guide

NORC programs are built from the ground up to harness the assets of a community. Doing that successfully begins with identifying two broad categories of resources:

1) Individuals who live there and the organizations that serve them.
2) “Bricks and mortar,” the physical infrastructure of the community, including schools, health care facilities, grocery stores, pharmacies, and libraries.

Mapping these resources is a great way to create a visual portrait of community assets. It also helps to interest stakeholders in understanding their communities and empowers them to participate in decision-making processes. The following is a guide to mapping the resources in your community.