Center for Urban and Regional Affairs to discuss Sustainability of Small to Mid-Size Neighborhood-based community development corporations
What: Center for Urban and Regional Affairs to discuss Sustainability
of Small to Mid-Size Neighborhood-based community development corporations
When: Noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 24
Where: Room 2-215, Carlson School of Management, 321 19th Ave. S. , Minneapolis
Who: Leaders of Twin Cities community development corporations
Contacts: Kaydee Kirk, CURA, (612) 625-2086
Bob San, University News Service, (612) 624-4082
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (03/06/2006) —The sustainability of small to mid-size neighborhood-based community development corporations (CDCs) will be the topic of the University of Minnesota Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) monthly forum on Minnesota housing issues and research. The free event will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, in Room 2-215 at the Carlson School of Management, 321 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Panelists include Steve Cramer of Project for Pride in Living, Nieeta Presley of the Aurora/St. Anthony Neighborhood CDC and Dawn Stockmo of the Fannie Mae Foundation. Paul Williams of the Twin Cities Local initiative Support Corporation (LISC) is the moderator.
Community-based development is most effective when motivated by interests and needs of community members in a neighborhood or “place.” Organizations that can maintain close ties with community members and evolve development and programming to reflect changes in the community are the most successful at this. Inherently, small to mid-size CDCs are the most nimble but it is also this size and often, narrow focus that makes these organizations most difficult to sustain - financially, and with the right skills and leadership to accomplish goals. The panelists will offer their perspectives on how CDCs (small, mid-size and large) can survive in this environment. Comments on how this issue plays out nationally will also be provided.
Those interested in attending should RSVP by Wednesday, March 22 by calling (612) 625-1551. For more information contact Kaydee Kirk at (612) 625-2086.