Natl Alliance of Community & Economic Developmen

Capacity Building:The Community Opportunity Alliance strengthens community developers ability to create real opportunity for the communities they serve. Our methods include: sharing replicable programs and interventions, passing funds from national funders to local, regional, and statewide organizations, offering technical assistance, and providing access to the training and information. We offer two technical assistance programs that build the community development field. Our Capacity Boost program strengthens local community development organizations by matching them with TA providers who specialize in community development and are located in their states or regions. This TA program empowers community development organizations to navigate challenges effectively and optimize operational efficiency, organizational growth, and impact. Our Thriving Networks program provides housing and community development associations with training, peer sharing, and technical assistance. The program fills a crucial gap in the field by addressing the specific needs and challenges of associations. In 2023, we provided over 2,300 hours of direct service to our members. This includes one-on-one assistance from Alliance staff, webinars, and peer-learning opportunities at our National Summit and Regional Caucuses.

NACEDA Virtual Summit Series: We held our National Summit on October 23-25, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. The summit brought together more than 200 community development professionals and partners from across the country. The content was primarily targeted to community development association professionals, exploring strategies and best practices for associations to advance prosperity in low-income communities. The 2023 Summit focused on the results of our national census of community-based development organizations; EPA Environmental Justice grants and opportunities for partnerships; best practices for associations; and building the capacity of local community development organizations. We toured outstanding Atlanta community development initiatives, where local leaders shared their best practices. Our Georgia member, Georgia Advancing Communities Together, was our co-host for the 2023 Summit.

Research/Publication: The Community Opportunity Alliance develops and disseminates critical research on the community development field, which we leverage to promote greater funding and support. Community developers and partners across the country also use our research to increase funding and support for their work. Our multi-year Grounding Values In Research initiative examines the financial health, activities, production, and leadership of local community development organizations throughout the United States. The results provide critical data to cultivate their effectiveness and promote greater funding and support. This public dataset is available to students and scholars. In 2023, the Urban Institute published The State of Community-Based Development Organizations based on the national census we commissioned. We released four Money Meets Community issue briefs that are based on the census findings. The issue briefs examine community development organizations activities, funding flows, geography and financial resources, and their financial health. Staff traveled to conferences across the U.S. to share the results.