With unprecedented federal funding available for new sustainable energy projects, NeighborWorks America wants to make sure that nonprofit affordable housing and community development practitioners remain on the leading edge. That means offering training courses that will give affordable developers the foundation they need to foster safer, more energy-efficient and sustainable homes. It also means providing technical support to network organizations seeking to build or to rebuild properties in this arena. 

Throughout NeighborWorks America's history, one priority has been to ensure network organizations are governed by strong leaders who serve on their boards. This priority led to the development of NeighborWorks' Excellence in Governance (EIG) program, which is designed exclusively for community development and affordable housing nonprofits.

The line of faculty members snaked around the meeting room at the NeighborWorks Training Institute in Chicago in August 2023. The task was to line up according to who had been a part of NeighborWorks America's premiere, professional training the longest. Peg Barringer, an economic development practitioner, and Ethan Pope, a community development professional who has taught courses on subjects from financial fitness for counselors to homebuyer education methods, stood together at the head of the line. 

While NeighborWorks America officially got its start 45 years ago, the first big NeighborWorks Training Institute (NTI) wasn't held until 1987, with the goal of offering affordable housing and community development staff a concentrated way to learn more about the things they knew — and the things they didn't. NeighborWorks' classes helped staff hone their skills and do more. So many people — 79,000 both inside the NeighborWorks network and out of it — have attended NTIs and stand-alone courses since NeighborWorks started keeping track in 2003.

While NeighborWorks America officially got its start 45 years ago, the first big NeighborWorks Training Institute (NTI) wasn't held until 1987, with the goal of offering affordable housing and community development staff a concentrated way to learn more about the things they knew — and the things they didn't. NeighborWorks' classes helped staff hone their skills and do more. So many people — 79,000 both inside the NeighborWorks network and out of it — have attended NTIs and stand-alone courses since NeighborWorks started keeping track in 2003.

A Native strategy. An aspirational training plan. Listening to the network and finding the programs that will help the most. With the start of a new year, NeighborWorks leaders look at some of the plans and goals in store. 

NeighborWorks' commitment to Native communities 

Mel Willie, NeighborWorks America's director of Native American Partnerships & Strategy, says that in 2023, the national nonprofit focused on developing a five-year Native strategy. "Now we're focused on launching it."  

There were cheers when the graduates walked up to the podium this week, as NeighborWorks America recognized the inaugural class of Advancing Leaders in Real Estate.  The graduates represented nine states and Washington, D.C., part of a pilot program to develop real estate leaders, particularly those of color, by offering technical assistance and project management training.  

There were cheers when the graduates walked up to the podium this week, as NeighborWorks America recognized the inaugural class of Advancing Leaders in Real Estate.  The graduates represented nine states and Washington, D.C., part of a pilot program to develop real estate leaders, particularly those of color, by offering technical assistance and project management training.  

NeighborWorks America's real estate convening marked the first chance that more than 160 staff from across the NeighborWorks network have had to be together in four years. In the days since, conversations started during the convening have continued and will continue throughout the year.