What's New

Nonprofits in the community development system have become important developers and owners of housing for low-and moderate-income people and those with specialneeds. While the nonprofit housing world is always evolving, the current recession is triggering a new round of activity that is demanding new configurations in many cities.

This paper—authored by Paul Brophy and published by Living Cities—focuses on the changes to CDCs’ business models that are underway, and on how Living Cities can advance the approaches that make good business sense.

The paper explores several intriguing strategies: the creation of partnerships among organizations to produce more affordable housing; new mechanisms for reducing the operational costs of housing producers; and the transformation of CDCs from housing developers into broader community improvement organizations.

Click to Download the Paper

In October 2009, the Surdna Foundation announced new programs to support its mission to help create just and sustainable communities: sustainable environments, thriving cultures, and strong local economies. To help inform its grantmaking to build strong local economies, the Foundation commissioned Mt. Auburn Associates to prepare a white paper on the current structure and challenges of the nation’s workforce and economic development systems. This paper was originally presented as part of a November 9th- 10th, 2009 Board of Trustees meeting.

Download the Report

Across the country, transit-oriented development projects (TOD) have improved community residents’ access to jobs, schools, services, and destinations, while linking businesses to regional economies.  In the Twin Cities, both local and national funders, including Surdna Foundation, have come together to support community groups and businesses along the corridor of a light rail line connecting Saint Paul and Minneapolis, fostering these neighborhoods as “places of opportunity that are accessible to people all income levels, reflect community identities, and link all people to local amenities and regional opportunities”.

Click the following links for more information:

• Central Corridor Funders Collaborative
• Community Leaders Address Light Rail Concerns, Minnesota Daily, Oct. 23, 2009

Surdna Foundation: 3^rd Annual Grantee Learning Retreat
October 19-21, 2009
Cleveland, OH
Renaissance Cleveland Hotel

For the past two years, the Surdna Foundation has brought together some 100 grantees supported through our Community Revitalization program to discuss current issues relevant to our work, such as transit-oriented development, affordable housing, greening community spaces, and leadership development. Each year, the event includes plenary speakers, site tours of key community development projects, topical networking sessions, as well as time for grantees to share best practices. This year's event is arranged according to three "learning" tracks -- transit-oriented development, adapting and responding to the current economic climate, and exploring new themes within the Foundation. Plenary Speakers this year include: Cleveland's Mayor Frank Jackson, Ron Sims, Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Andrew Watterson, Chief of Sustainability for the City of Cleveland, and Manuel Pastor, Director of the Program for Environmental and Regional Equity at the University of Southern California. All of these sessions make for an annual retreat that our current grantees will not want to miss!

This is an invitation only event. For more information, please contact Danielle Williams at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .