Natl Alliance of Community & Economic Developmen

Thriving Networks: In a showcase of impact and innovation, NACEDAs Thriving Networks Program delivered over 2200 service hours, leaving no less than 1300 individuals inspired and empowered in 2022. The program emerged as a dynamic force, propelling economic development trends to the forefront.Our unyielding commitment to progress led us to conduct groundbreaking research into the capacity of community organizations, unearthing their true potential and fostering a sense of purpose that resonated far beyond expectations.We hosted regional conferences, bringing together diverse voices to explore and address local needs and trends. These events served as epicenters of collaboration and camaraderie, igniting positive change. Dedicated exclusively to community development networks, our Program acted as the guiding compass, offering customized capacity building resources, transformational training, and unparalleled technical assistance. Our members came together in thrilling caucuses across the South, Midwest, East, and West Coast, creating a powerful network that amplified their collective impact.

NACEDA Virtual Summit Series: A dynamic alternative to in-person events due to pandemic restrictions. Drawing 267 registrants, the series provided training on executive leadership, communications, research, arts and community development, economic development, job creation, and capacity building for community-based development organizations. We look forward to hosting the 2023 NACEDA Summit in person. In addition to these distinctive endeavors, NACEDA also passionately advocated for federal funding to bolster housing and community development programs. This multifaceted approach showcases NACEDAs dedication to fostering collaboration and influencing policy decisions for the betterment of communities nationwide.

Research/Publication: NACEDAs Grounding Values research initiative is a comprehensive three-year study (2021-2023) focused on assessing the financial health, programs, production, and services of community-based development organizations (CBDOs) across the United States.The study serves multiple crucial purposes, including optimizing resource allocation, testing key hypotheses regarding how CBDOs address community needs and industry expectations, preparing our sector for social and economic changes driven by climate change, calls for racial justice, and shifts in local market conditions. Additionally, it aims to provide support to emerging diverse leaders in our sector, empowering them to navigate this pivotal moment in history. In Fall 2022, we successfully released our first major publication, The Financial Health of Community-based Development Organizations. This landmark report, based on tax data, presents a comprehensive overview of 5720 CBDOs in the United States, revealing assets worth $54 billion and annual revenue amounting to $28 billion. Notably, our project also undertook the first national census survey of CBDOs since 2005, and we eagerly await the publication of survey results by the esteemed Urban Institute in 2023.