Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers

We're Hiring! Continue your journey with our team of collaborative, talented, and value driven professionals!

Learn more and apply!
Senior Loan Program Manager
https://jobs.minnesotanonprofits.org/jobs?country=&state=&city=&zip=&latitude=&longitude=&keywords=Metropolitan+Consortium+of+Community+Developers&city_state_zip=&locale=en&page=1&sort=relevance&job_id=93561

Today, our Chief Financial Officer Trish DeAnda met with Treasury secretary Janet Louise Yellen and Senator Amy Klobuchar!

Thank you to Secretary Yellen and Senator Klobuchar for their support of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and small businesses in Minnesota.

They engaged with business and CDFI leaders to share information and answer questions about efforts to support Minnesota businesses and business owners.

We appreciate this vital opportunity to connect government leadership with organizations to voice their needs and concerns!

As a consortium, we believe partnerships are vital. By pooling resources, sharing expertise, and expanding the reach of our programs, we can make a bigger impact. We proudly support impactful and innovative organizations working to advance racial and economic equity.

Member Spotlight!
Rondo Community Land Trust (Rondo CLT)

MCCD member, Rondo CLT stands out for their innovation. Rondo CLT is part of a growing movement aiming to redefine community development. Named after and based in the historic predominately African American neighborhood of Saint Paul, MN, Rondo CLT is developing tools and frameworks for a more human-centered and eco-friendly economy.

Rondo CLT believes that to make a real difference, we need to rethink our approach and create new paths that prioritize healing and fairness. Recognizing that capitalism often prioritizes profits over people and the planet is crucial for real equity.

Like us, Rondo CLT relies on partnerships with like-minded organizations. They are a member of MCCD and part of the Saint Paul Shared Ownership Collaborative, which includes West Side Community Organization, Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, and Model Cities Saint Paul. Together, they promote shared ownership in housing and business while building community power.

Read more about Rondo's reparative economic development framework, which reflects their best (and constantly evolving) thinking and practice.

A Reparative Economic Path to Effective and Just Community Development - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly For community development to succeed, community ownership and repair need to be put at the center. In Saint Paul, a community effort is underway to do just that.

Join the conversation and help shape critical feedback for the proposed QAP!

What is QAP?
Minnesota Housing's Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) describes how Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (HTC) are distributed to multifamily rental projects.

QAP Overview & Conversation Join MHP & MCCD for a QAP overview with Minnesota Housing and an opportunity to provide feedback.

We're Hiring! Continue your journey with our team of collaborative, talented, and value driven professionals!

Learn more and apply!
Shared Ownership Advisor

https://jobs.minnesotanonprofits.org/job/shared-ownership-advisor-minneapolis-minnesota-93230

A true testament to the power of collaboration! The Historic Coliseum Building stands as a beacon of service and community and we are honored to be part of the collaboration that supported the incredible minds behind the redevelopment.

A Coliseum Reimagined: Transforming the Soul of Downtown Longfellow Equitable, community-centered redevelopment is bringing new life to East Lake Street

We had a great training today!

Today's session was designed to deepen our understanding of the link between housing and health equity. Our training aimed to equip community development professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to address housing disparities and promote health equity across the state.

Speakers explored strategies for:
Improving access to safe and affordable housing
Addressing social determinants of health
Advancing health equity for all

Join us for our next training on July 17, Housing Finance & Development.

Thanks to everyone that joined today!

The 2024 Legislative Session has ended, we have lots to celebrate!

We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support from our members and community partners and can't wait to collaborate throughout the year to shape policy and funding initiatives for the next legislative session. Stay tuned, and we encourage you to join our member meetings and events to actively influence our priorities!

Key policy changes include:

•Fee-based lending for the ELP, Expanding Opportunity Growth •Fund, and Community Wealth Building Pilot.
•10% interest rate cap for these programs.
•Eligibility for tribal economic entities and CDFIs.
•Streamlined underwriting for the ELP.
•Free technical assistance grants.
•Automatic loan forgiveness for ELP (10%) and Community Wealth Building Pilot (15%).
•15% admin allowance for Small Business Assistance Partnership grantees.
•1% loan closing fee for the ELP and Expanding Opportunity Growth Fund.

Read the full 2024 recap: https://mccdmn.org/2024-legislative-update/

MCCD Business Advisors Luis and Zamzam joined Mayor Hollies Winston at State of the City, City of Brooklyn Park, MN - Local Government. A night full of energy discussing small business development progress, new initiatives, and new ideas!

“For too long, traditional economic development practices have inflicted economic, social, and political harm on BIPOC and low-wealth communities. At MCCD, we see shared ownership as an approach that repairs this harm and builds community wealth.”
— Elena Gaarder, CEO of MCCD

With the support of The Minneapolis Foundation and racial and economic justice at the core of our work we will continue to advance policy, create access to capital, and provide technical assistance to expand worker owned cooperative development.

$3.1 Million in Racial and Economic Justice Grants Awarded The Minneapolis Foundation today announced $3,184,900 in grants to 79 local organizations that are advancing racial and economic justice in the Twin Cities.

Today we co-hosted the 2nd annual Minnesota CDFI Coalition Day at the Capitol, with Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota and the MN CDFI Coalition!

It was a great morning connecting with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) from across the state and the field.

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in Minnesota have long been champions of filling financial and opportunity gaps deemed too risky by the private sector. With a mission-driven approach, CDFIs offer crucial support to small businesses and homeowners, particularly those within marginalized communities including Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, women, people with disabilities, and rural residents. As community-centered organizations, CDFIs continuously innovate to address challenges in our state.

Thank you to those that joined us! Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, NeighborWorks Home Partners, Neighborhood Development Center, Habitat for Humanity - Twin Cities, African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS) of Minnesota, Sunrise Banks, Initiative Foundation, WomenVenture, Community Reinvestment Fund, USA, First Children's Finance, One Roof Community Housing, HAP

We're thrilled to welcome Maria to our team as our newest business advisor! Maria brings a wealth of experience from her journey of owning, operating, and supporting small businesses across the Twin Cities. With over a decade of running her own family child care business and a transition into the nonprofit sector, she's ready to empower you on your entrepreneurial path.

In her free time, she enjoys the creativity of baking dog and human treats, biking the various trails of Minnesota and traveling the world.

Another busy day at the Minnesota State Capitol! Trish DeAnda, our Chief Financial Officer, and Zamzam Mohammed, our Business Advisor, testified today about our collaboration with DEED and initiatives to revamp existing DEED Small Business programs.

Trish highlighted, "Last fall, we convened a working group to consider changes to existing DEED Small Business programs, resulting in key themes like inclusive financing options, capped interest rates, and streamlined processes."

•Inclusive Financing: Introducing fee-based loans for better accessibility.
•Capped Interest Rates: Ensuring rates don't exceed 10%.
•Expanded Eligibility: Allowing tribal entities and CDFIs access.
•Streamlined Processes: Simplifying underwriting for entrepreneurs.
•Enhanced Assistance: Granting free technical support.
•Loan Forgiveness: Automatic forgiveness for qualifying borrowers.

Zamzam shared, "We are hoping this legislation will enact a change allowing for fee-based lending. Using state resources to offer fee-based lending has the potential to change financial opportunities for entrepreneurs that require an alternative financing model due to their faith or beliefs." She further emphasized the importance of supporting immigrant-owned small businesses, noting their significant contributions to communities and the need for adequate funding to stimulate economic growth and wealth-building opportunities.

Thank you Representative Hodan Hassan for carrying the bill!

Thank you Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for your input and willingness to help make these programs work better for everyone!

Thank you to all of the organizations that participated in the working group for their help in putting this bill together!

Only 9 weeks remain in the 2024 Minnesota legislative session!

Today, our housing infrastructure bond bill took center stage in both the House and Senate. Electra Skrzydlewski (Director of Shared Ownership at MCCD), Phoebe Trepp (Executive Director at Clare Housing), and Maggy Otte (Community Development Manager at Hope Community Inc.) testified on the need for increased investment in affordable housing.

Thank you State Representative Michael Howard and Lindsey Port for MN State Senate District 55 for authoring the bill and offering their complete support!

What are Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIBs)?

HIBs are special, limited obligation tax- exempt bonds issued by Minnesota Housing. The proceeds may be used to create permanent supportive housing, preserve affordable rental housing, invest in foreclosed rental properties and support community land trusts.

Since 2012, HIBs have preserved or created over 7,000 homes in Minnesota.

Vicky Gonzalez, MCCD Business Advisor, was out in the community today celebrating the rich history and growing diversity of Minnetonka’s business community! The State of the City event was held at The Marsh, the communities wellness and fitness center.

“Minnetonka is home to some of the world’s largest companies, new technology startups and family-owned businesses that were here long before the city,” said City of Minnetonka - Local Government's Mayor Brad Wiersum.

We are excited to share that Eva Song Margolis has joined our team as our Director of Advancement!

Using her expertise in community wealth building she will lead an integrated strategic vision that expands awareness of our impact , priorities, and engage diverse stakeholders.

Eva's commitment to social, racial, and economic justice shines through her work and board membership with Hmong American Farmers Association.

Outside of her profession, she enjoys reading, writing poetry, running, and learning kayaguem (a Korean stringed instrument).

Get to know more about Eva and her professional journey: https://mccdmn.org/eva-song-margolis/

There are some incredible things happening at the National Homecare Cooperative Conference in Dulles, VA!

Our team is participating in the conference, diving into the theme "Taking Flight - Caring into the Future." Over the past decade, the home care cooperative movement has soared, starting with just five cooperatives in 2014 and reaching a remarkable 21 today, including six incorporated in 2023!

We are at the conference with our home and community-based services (HCBS) co-op clients and a growing network of changemakers dedicated to enhancing job quality and the quality of care through employee ownership.

*What is Home and community-based services (HCBS)?
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), that support older adults and people with disabilities, encompasses a range of personalized care and support provided to individuals within the comfort of their homes and communities.

Cooperative Development Foundation

Creative Village Connections, Twin Cities Impact Cooperative, Advocate Care Solutions, Cardinal Comfort Care Cooperative, Minnesota Lifestyle Solutions

Rep. Michael Howard champions our housing bill, seeking an additional $500 million for housing infrastructure bonds—10 times more than Gov. Tim Walz proposed. This bill responds to the growing need for affordable housing, addressing issues like debt, maintenance, and security. This is crucial step toward housing for all!

"The expanded uses are important because about one-third of residents in affordable housing risk losing their home because operators can’t keep up with expenses." - Elena Gaarder, CEO of the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers.

What are Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIBs)?
HIBs are special, limited obligation tax- exempt bonds issued by Minnesota Housing. The proceeds may be used to create permanent supportive housing, preserve affordable rental housing, invest in foreclosed rental properties and support community land trusts.

Since 2012, HIBs have preserved or created over 7,000 homes in Minnesota.

Legislation seeks $500 million in housing infrastructure bonds to help meet state’s affordable housing deficit - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives A 2023 law provided an historic $200 million for housing infrastructure bonds, but more than twice the size of that one-time investment is now being sought.