Community Opportunity Alliance

02/03/2026

We are pleased to highlight a funding opportunity from our member , The Coalition, with support from Truist Charitable Fund.

The Coalition is now accepting applications for its Community Quarterback for Small Business Grant, which supports nonprofit organizations working to strengthen and coordinate local small business ecosystems in under-resourced communities.

💰 Grants of up to $50,000
🧰 Includes technical assistance, advisory support, and ecosystem-building tools
📍 Open to nonprofits within [ AL, FL, GA, KY, MD, NJ, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA and WV.

🗓️ Applications are open through March 20.
🔗 Learn more and apply here: https://thecoalitiondc.org/cqg_smallbiz/

11/13/2025

The government may have shut down, but our advocates didn’t. Thanks to the People & Places 2025 partners and advocates who kept pressure on Congress and stood up for essential services, the shutdown is over but the work continues. We’re grateful for everyone who joined us on Capitol Hill and beyond. Your advocacy helped reopen the doors of government.

National CAPACD National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) The National Urban League

11/03/2025

Congrats to Housing & Community Development Network of NJ for launching a 501(c)4 Action Fund!

The Action Fund will be able to engage directly in the political process to identify and promote leaders who share key values. It will strengthen advocacy efforts, lobby, and organize community education initiatives to support policies that prioritize housing as a human right.

NEWS RELEASE 🗞️

Housing and Community Development Network Launches Action Fund to Advance Housing Justice

The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network) today announced the launch of its new 501(c)(4) organization, the Housing and Community Development Network Action Fund (HCDN Action Fund). The Network Action Fund will primarily focus on strengthening advocacy efforts around housing and community development by lobbying and organizing community education and awareness initiatives to support policies that prioritize housing as a human right. It will also be able to engage directly in the political process to identify and promote leaders who share these same values.

The HCDN Action Fund Board of Directors includes:

▪️ Chair: Carol Sainthilare, executive director, The Waterfront Project
▪️ Vice Chair: Staci Berger, president & chief executive officer, Housing and Community Development Network of NJ
▪️ Treasurer: Harold Simon, founding publisher, Shelterforce (retired)
▪️ Tracy Rogers, founder, Asbury Park Affordable Housing Coalition
▪️ Calandria Ortiz Resende, housing advocate
▪️ Mila Jasey, NJ Assemblywoman (retired)
▪️ Daniel Antonellis, president, Region Nine Housing Corporation
▪️ Frances O’Toole, chief development officer, Coming Home of Middlesex County
▪️ Brandi Johnson, executive director, Camden Lutheran Housing

The Action Fund will advocate for legislation, regulations, and public investment to improve access to affordable homes, support the work of community development corporations (CDCs), and revitalize distressed neighborhoods across New Jersey.

“I am honored to chair the HCDN Action Fund Board,” said Carol Sainthilare, executive director, The Waterfront Project and founder, Saint Impact Ventures. “This new chapter will allow us to build on decades of housing advocacy and engage more directly with the political process to create lasting change for our neighbors and communities.”

“New Jersey does not lack ideas to solve to our housing affordability, security and stability crisis. However, we are sorely missing the political will needed to implement bold, meaningful, long-term solutions to make sure everyone can afford to call New Jersey home,” said Berger, vice chair of the HCDN Action Fund and president & chief executive officer of the Network. “The Network Action Fund will give our members another tool to help them advocate for laws and policies, and support leaders who share our vision for stronger, affordable communities and to hold them accountable once in office.”

“It’s an honor to be part of the founding trustees of the HCDN Action Fund,” said Harold Simon, former publisher, Shelterforce Magazine. “It’s vital to be able to educate legislators and our fellow New Jerseyans about the important policies that move our state closer to having a decent, affordable home for every resident. I look forward to the work we’ll all be doing together.”

“This Fund creates a platform to ensure the voices of New Jersey’s communities are not only heard but acted upon,” said Daniel Antonellis, board member and president of the Region Nine Housing Corporation. “By uniting housing advocates statewide, we can help shape policies that truly reflect the needs of the people we serve.”

“Serving on the HCDN Action Fund Board gives us the opportunity to engage with policymakers and candidates from the very beginning of their public service,” said Calandria Ortiz Resende, housing advocate. “We can share priorities, evaluate commitments, and support policies and leaders who recognize housing as a human right and are ready to work alongside our communities to make it a reality.”

The HCDN Action Fund’s mission is to strengthen the environment for CDCs and ensure New Jersey communities have the resources they need to thrive.

tinyurl.com/HCDNActionFund

10/17/2025

Last week at the People & Places Conference, you could feel the momentum.

Community developers from five national networks came together with a shared purpose: to strengthen their communities and the field through collaboration, action, and belonging.

The sessions were rich with experience. The range of communities and organizations represented made every exchange more meaningful and every solution more relevant.

This gathering reminded us what community development truly means — people working together to build trust, opportunity, and hope.
We were honored to partners with National CAPACD, The National Urban League, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) and the Black Community Developers Group on .

Learn more: https://peopleplaces2025.eventscribe.net/

10/07/2025

Day 2 at was all about investing in our communities 💡

In a time of shifting priorities and tightening resources, today’s plenary reminded us what’s possible when communities lead the conversation on investment.

We’re reimagining what funding can look like — not just to close gaps, but to build lasting power, trust, and connection.

This work is about partnership. It’s shared responsibility. It’s how we create the future our neighborhoods deserve.

10/06/2025

is officially underway 🙌

Day 1 — let’s go!!

Hundreds of community leaders are coming together to connect, recharge, and set the tone for an incredible 3 days ahead.

Today we activated our gifts and ground ourselves in purpose and relationships, and the foundation of real change.

Tomorrow we turn toward our communities.

And on Tuesday, we take our collective voice to Capitol Hill to shape the future.

This isn’t just a conference. It’s a movement powered by people building opportunity, equity, and impact nationwide ✨

10/04/2025

✨ starts tomorrow!

✈️ Traveling to People & Places 2025? Here are a few tips to make the most of your experience:

✅ Pack your notebook + comfy shoes for Hill Day.
✅ Connect with fellow attendees using .
✅ Make time for networking breaks — some of the best insights happen in the hallway.

09/03/2025

True housing solutions lift both scale and community. This session, make sure your Senators know local developers must be at the heart of federal housing policy.

The bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 is an important step to expand housing access, preserve affordability, and address supply challenges.

As the bill advances in the Senate, we’re working to ensure community development organizations are part of the solution through:

👉Set-asides
👉Extended timelines
👉Operating support
👉Policies that strengthen local developers in disinvested areas

The people who are closest to neighborhoods have a meaningful impact and promote equity.

08/13/2025

Get the inside track from industry insiders and career development experts who have developed top talent in the community development field. They’ll break down exactly what works, where the opportunities are, and how to build the kind of network that gets you noticed and connected to the role that takes your career to the next level.

This isn’t theory — you’ll walk out with clear, actionable steps to move your career forward and how to make the connections to make it happen.

Meet the Speakers:
🌟Joseph McNeely - Development Training Institute
🌟Shirronda Almeida - The Mel King Institute for Community Building
🌟Joanna Wi******er - Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations - PACDC
🌟Yolanda Davila - PNC

08/05/2025

We are honored to welcome a true champion to the People & Places Conference! A renowned affordable housing leader, Diane Yentel is now President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. She is a powerful defender of nonprofits, protecting federal grants and loans and serving as lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit.

Diane will join us for a conversation on the essential role of community development nonprofits in civil society. We will explore how our field can build trust, foster connection, and help hold the fabric of democracy together. We hope you can join us!

📅 Early-bird registration runs through August 15!
🔗 https://lnkd.in/es4XPgrE

07/24/2025

How can you turn community voices into healthcare investment?

Community developers will share real-world examples of how they transformed resident voices into data that secured investments for housing and wellness infrastructure.

Meet the speakers:
✨ Colleen Flynn of Build Healthy Places Network
✨ Lea Whitehurst-Gibson of Virginia Community Voice
✨ Eddy Moratin of Lift Orlando
✨ Jennifer Fassbender of Reinvestment Fund

During this interactive session, you will learn how to:

✅ Translate lived experiences into compelling, fundable data
✅ Use a toolkit to develop impactful data that align with community goals
✅ Build equitable partnerships with healthcare providers through storytelling

Join us!
📅 October 5-7 | Washington, DC
⏰ Early Bird discount ends August 15 — register today: https://lnkd.in/g-UcN5pr

07/23/2025

New to Federal Advocacy and Capitol Hill? You won’t be doing it alone, and your voice will be stronger because of it.

At , we’re bringing our priorities straight to Capitol Hill. Join local community developers from across the country to make the case for serious federal investment in housing, small businesses, and the services our communities count on.

We provide everything you need to show up with confidence:
✅ Schedule meetings with your Members of Congress
✅ Virtual training before and in-person prep at the conference
✅ Support to shape your message and share your story effectively

You bring your experience. We’ll help you turn it into a tangible impact on policy.

📅 October 5-7 | Washington, DC
⏰ Early Bird discount ends August 15 — register today: https://lnkd.in/g-UcN5pr

View our current advocacy priorities here: https://bit.ly/PeoplePlacesAdvocacy