Spark CDI

05/07/2026

Join us on June 3–4! Register today at R2UOmaha.org

The Reignite2Unite Omaha Development Symposium is a collaborative event hosted by Front Porch Investments, Spark CDI and the Omaha Municipal Land Bank. Our three organizations share a commitment to supporting equitable development opportunities in the metro region through financing, education, community engagement and more.

The necessity of this type of event in our region is clear:
🏘️ Our metro has a shortage of safe, affordable housing
📈 The Omaha and Council Bluffs area needs an additional 100,000 affordable housing units by 2040 (source: bit.ly/41OeDvR)

To achieve this growth, elected officials, developers and other professionals in the housing ecosystem must work together to share resources and advance solutions. It takes all of us.

Join us June 3-4 to build a more prosperous future for all. Register today at R2UOmaha.org.

05/06/2026

70 new homes for seniors. One innovative vision for equitable development and housing in the Urban Core.

A 70-unit mixed-income senior apartment building is coming to downtown Omaha, bringing much-needed housing and stability for older adults in our community.

This kind of impact doesn’t happen by accident. It’s driven by leaders like Donell Brown, a Developer Academy graduate and coDA partner, who is turning vision into real, lasting change. Hoppe Development saw the need to create opportunities for older adults to live downtown, as well as an opportunity for a leader like Donell to impact the ecosystem.

This is what happens when local vision is backed with the right support. 70 units. 70 opportunities. A stronger Omaha.

ARTICLE:

Omaha's City Council approved TIF financing for a new 70-unit, 55-and-older apartment building near 22nd and Douglas. Developers say the project will support affordable senior housing and boost development along the downtown streetcar route.

05/06/2026

Learn how CDFIs offer flexible, affordable loans and coaching to support small businesses, housing, and community development projects.

This session will provide an overview of financing opportunities available through the Center for Rural Affairs and Spark Capital. We’ll cover the different loan funds, basic eligibility requirements, and walk through the application process. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and learn what to expect when applying.

📅 Wednesday, May 20
⏰ 12 PM - 2 PM CDT
💻 Free & Online
👉 Register now: https://bit.ly/4wdz2Z9

05/05/2026

Today, the new senior housing project at 2211 Douglas Street moved forward through the TIF process at City Council. The project is led by Donell Brown (a Spark coDA participant and Developer Academy graduate) in partnership with Hoppe Development, supporting emerging developers who are bringing real projects to life in our neighborhoods.

This development will deliver both affordable and market‑rate senior and intergenerational housing in the urban core, helping more residents age in place while moving our region closer to its housing goals. We’re grateful for the opportunity to see community-centered, mixed‑income development take shape where it’s needed most, especially as Age Friendly Omaha elevates conversations about housing for older adults across the city.

At Spark, we believe local developers + community voice should shape what gets built in our city.

Curious how coDA supports emerging developers? Learn more here: https://www.sparkcdi.org/coda

05/05/2026

Step inside the future of Omaha. Visit Future Lab anytime from May 1 to May 31, explore what’s possible, and share your voice to help shape what comes next.

05/02/2026

🎉 Day 5 of the Fremont Developer Academy! 🎉

What an incredible week of learning, connecting, and growing together. On our final day, the cohort came together for a networking breakfast and dove into conversations about funding sources, community supports, and resources to help bring their visions to life.

Now the real work begins, preparing their capstone projects, which will be presented on May 15th! 🚀

A huge thank you to our guest speakers and mentors for sharing your expertise and encouragement throughout this journey.

Here’s to the future developers shaping stronger, thriving communities. 🌱🏘️

05/01/2026

We had the honor of welcoming our friends from the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations all the way from Hawaii to Fremont, and what a week it was.

They joined us for the very first Fremont Developer Academy, diving into conversations, site visits, and hands-on learning alongside a powerful group of emerging developers. From day one, it felt less like a visit and more like a shared commitment, people coming together across geographies, united by a belief that strong communities don’t happen by accident.

A special thank you to Robin Danner and Garrett Danner for showing up with openness, curiosity, and a deep commitment to community. Your presence made this experience even more meaningful.

We’re grateful they made the trip, showed up fully, and poured into this experience with us. This is what building a movement looks like, learning together, growing together, and carrying those lessons back home to create lasting impact.

Fremont was just the beginning 🤝

05/01/2026

There’s something powerful about showing up for the places we share. 🌱

Join Keep Omaha Beautiful and The Fabric Lab for a Spring Community Cleanup along the North Omaha Trail. It’s a simple way to care for the neighborhood, connect with others, and be part of something bigger.

🗓 Saturday, May 9, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 2709 Bristol St, Omaha, NE

Litter supplies, refreshments, and snacks will be provided (while supplies last).

Come as you are, bring a friend, and help make the trail a little brighter for everyone.

👉 Sign up today by scanning the QR code or at https://bit.ly/4w4DBVq

05/01/2026

Exciting news! The Norfolk Developer Academy applications are officially open 🎉

Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started, this is your chance to dive into community development, build real skills, and be part of work that truly strengthens neighborhoods.

• Applications open: May 1 – June 10
• Academy dates: July 27 – July 31
• Apply here: https://bit.ly/3ODoO3r

04/30/2026

Day 4 of the Fremont Developer Academy!

Today, we tackled one of the biggest pieces of development, making the numbers work. From financing tools to understanding project feasibility, participants explored what it takes to turn a vision into something that can get built.

It’s not always easy, but it’s possible, and that’s what this week is all about. 📊🏗️

04/30/2026

🚐✨ Day 3 of the Fremont Developer Academy! ✨🚐

Today was Field Trip Day, and we got out into the community to see development in action. Our cohort visited four projects, two in Fremont and two in Blair, getting a firsthand look at what it takes to bring ideas to life. 🏗️

There’s something powerful about standing in the spaces where this work is happening, hearing directly from the people behind the projects, and connecting it all back to what we’ve been learning this week.

Huge thanks to our hosts and speakers for opening their doors and sharing their experience. This work is real, and so is the impact.
Onward to Day 4! 🌱

04/28/2026

Day 2 of the Fremont Developer Academy!

Today, we dug into the fundamentals of real estate basics, development processes, and the building blocks that make projects possible. More importantly, we had real conversations about what it takes to do this work in a way that truly serves communities.

Big thanks to our speakers for sharing their knowledge and lived experience. We’re learning a lot, and we’re just getting started. 💡