Purpose, Property Ownership, and Implications for Community Development (full report)

By Abbey Chambers

This study investigated the role that religiously affiliated entities (mostly churches and their associated nonprofits) play in shaping communities through their property ownership. Through a combination of quantitative analyses of property ownership data and qualitative inquiry among leaders of faith-based organizations across Indianapolis’ Near Northwest Area, Near Eastside, and Northeast Side, this study has investigated some of the logistics and dynamics of property ownership among these types of organizations. The understanding developed through this study may be useful to leaders at churches and other religiously affiliated entities, as well as development practitioners and community members, who are striving to improve the areas where they live, work, and serve.