Community Affairs is committed to assisting our stakeholders and the communities we serve to respond effectively to emerging challenges through the use of research, relationship building and resource development.

A truly strong economy is one that fosters growth and opportunity for individuals at all levels.

To support these objectives, the Community Affairs Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City promotes community development and fair and impartial access to financial products in the Tenth District.

The Community Affairs staff serves all seven states in the Tenth District through branch offices in Denver, Oklahoma City and Omaha.

While the Kansas City Fed tailors programs to the needs of its region, it shares goals with the 11 other Federal Reserve banks and the Board of Governors, giving it the ability to collaborate on successful programs that can be replicated regionally and nationally.

Created by Congress in 1913 to address periodic financial crises in the nation, the Federal Reserve System came to be charged with broader responsibilities, including fostering a sound banking system and a healthy economy.

Community Affairs was created in the 1980s mainly to help banks understand their responsibilities under the Community Reinvestment Act. But as it became active in development issues, Community Affairs forged new relationships with nonprofit community groups.

Over the years, the staff has sought out new opportunities for collaboration to assist low and moderate-income populations.

With more than 25 years of experience, Community Affairs departments have become integral parts of their communities, keeping a focus on what is happening in the nation’s diverse geographic regions, stretching far beyond Washington, D.C., and Wall Street.


Community Affairs at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Our strategic goals	Our mission	Our focus areas	Our history	Contact Us

Our strategic goals Community Affairs is committed to assisting our stakeholders and the communities we serve to respond effectively to emerging challenges through the use of research, relationship building and resource development. Research and Analysis Research is a key component in developing programs to address the needs of communities. Research not only serves local communities and partners but is broadly disseminated throughout the Federal Reserve System, providing insight to Fed policymakers. Relationship Building Community Affairs brings together community partners on a regional and national basis to share ideas and innovative approaches to issues. Across its seven-state region, the Kansas City Fed has joined with hundreds of partners to promote economic security in underserved communities. Resource Development As needs have grown, so has the role of Community Affairs, which has expanded its menu of educational programs, workshops and seminars to support not only community organizations but also consumers. Our mission A truly strong economy is one that fosters growth and opportunity for individuals at all levels. To support these objectives, the Community Affairs Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City promotes community development and fair and impartial access to financial products in the Tenth District. The Community Affairs staff serves all seven states in the Tenth District through branch offices in Denver, Oklahoma City and Omaha. While the Kansas City Fed tailors programs to the needs of its region, it shares goals with the 11 other Federal Reserve banks and the Board of Governors, giving it the ability to collaborate on successful programs that can be replicated regionally and nationally. Our focus areas Community Development Investments We implement programs in partnership with other regulatory agencies to provide community reinvestment training for lenders and to assist them in identifying community development investment opportunities. Consumer Financial Stability We develop programs that expand and strengthen the opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families to gain financial security through effective public policies and access to financial products. Economic Development We identify economic needs and promote successful models that assist communities with economic development, workforce development, small business and microenterprise development, and entrepreneurship. Neighborhood Stabilization We support housing and foreclosure solutions, strengthen neighborhood stabilization awareness, promote promising approaches to sustainable neighborhoods and develop and disseminate relevant and timely information. Sustainability for Organizations We conduct needs assessments of community development organizations and develop curriculum, networking resources and training sessions to strengthen the organizational capacity of board leadership and staff. Our history Created by Congress in 1913 to address periodic financial crises in the nation, the Federal Reserve System came to be charged with broader responsibilities, including fostering a sound banking system and a healthy economy. Community Affairs was created in the 1980s mainly to help banks understand their responsibilities under the Community Reinvestment Act. But as it became active in development issues, Community Affairs forged new relationships with nonprofit community groups. Over the years, the staff has sought out new opportunities for collaboration to assist low and moderate-income populations. With more than 25 years of experience, Community Affairs departments have become integral parts of their communities, keeping a focus on what is happening in the nation’s diverse geographic regions, stretching far beyond Washington, D.C., and Wall Street.