How Philanthropy Powers Land Bank Success 

Philanthropy plays a pivotal role in community revitalization and land reuse, quietly yet powerfully shaping the land banking field. Across the country, foundations and philanthropists are supporting innovative land banking practices and programs that help communities turn vacant properties into vibrant neighborhood assets. Here are four ways philanthropic support is making a difference for land banks and the communities they serve: 

1. Seeding New Land Banks 

In western Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County, officials from dozens of municipalities came together through the Steel Rivers and Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments to address widespread vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties. The Council of Governments assessed the financial impact of vacancy in their communities and developed a comprehensive business plan to articulate the vision for a regional, community-driven land bank. In 2017, Pittsburgh-based foundations including The Heinz Endowments and Hillman Foundation provided seed funding that led to the creation of the Tri-COG Land Bank and enabled the leaders to put the business plan into action This regional land bank now spans over 40 municipalities and school districts, redirecting tax-delinquent properties toward productive reuse. That early investment allowed local leaders to design a regional approach to tackling vacancy and deterioration and ultimately create one of the nation’s leading land banks. In 2022, Community Progress developed a strategic plan for the Tri-COG Land Bank to guide their work from 2023-2027. 

2. Spurring Strategic Acquisitions 

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, philanthropy made a bold investment to expand homeownership opportunities. In 2024, a private donor funded the Kalamazoo County Land Bank‘s acquisition of 60 properties for the Homeward Promise program. The Stryker Johnston Foundation in partnership with LISC made a $4.5 million grant to enable the renovation of those properties into high-quality rentals and prepare them for sale to the current occupants. By acting as the de facto developer covering acquisition costs, philanthropy absorbed the up-front risk so the land bank could prevent further property deterioration and provide long-term renters with an opportunity to build wealth through homeownership. This work has spurred additional investment in the program from the Kalamazoo County Foundation‘s Impact Investing Program.

3. Increasing Internal and External Capacity

In Newark, New Jersey, Prudential Financial continues to support wealth building opportunities for Newark residents through the Newark Land Bank (NLB). Through a partnership with Community Progress, NLB received financial support from Prudential to build capacity for its operations and the residents it served. NLB secured a mapping and parcel software that enabled the team to better understand its inventory and development opportunities and will be leveraged for a parcel condition survey.  In addition, through Prudential’s support, NLB developed informational videos for purchasers of land bank properties post-closing to support their journey and success as first time homeowners.

4. Strengthening National Infrastructure for Land Banking 

Philanthropy has also accelerated the growth of the land banking field nationwide. In 2020, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) made a pivotal early investment to launch the National Land Bank Network (NLBN) at Community Progress. Today, NLBN connects more than 350 land banks and land-banking programs across the country with peer learning opportunities, new research, policy support, and training. RWJF’s continued support has helped Community Progress build a strong national community of practice around land banking. 

What’s Needed in 2026—and Beyond 

Philanthropic investment has already done so much to move the field forward, but enormous opportunities remain to keep the momentum going. Land banks are natural partners for foundations who share similar goals for community revitalization and resilience. For example, funders interested in supporting climate resilience can support land banks initiatives for stormwater management or other climate-adaptive reuses of land. And national and local foundations focused on housing or economic mobility can partner with land banks to help increase the availability of safe, quality, affordable housing in disinvested communities. 

Each example above shows how crucial philanthropic support is. By underwriting planning, networks, or acquisition costs, funders are helping land banks create the conditions for long-term public investment. In an underfunded field, philanthropic partnerships multiply impact and inspire new models for community revitalization. We hope these stories spark ideas and enthusiasm. With supportive partners, land banks can turn more vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties into community assets and opportunities.