STRENGTH MATTERS™

STRENGTH MATTERS™ is an innovative collaborative and learning community of three national networks of nonprofit owners and developers in the affordable housing field. Sponsored by the Housing Partnership Network, NeighborWorks® America, and Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future, it facilitates best practices, business collaboration and policy advocacy that advance the sustainability and mission of high-performing nonprofits.

Practice

• The CFO Working Group provides a unique forum for top financial officers from member organizations to develop best-in-class models and guidance for more consistent financial reporting and transparency.   With support from Novogradac & Co. and Vasys Consulting, the group has written and released fourteen papers on critical issues such as financial consolidation, development fee recognition, asset valuation and contingent liabilities.   For more information and copies of the papers visit www.strengthmatters.net.
• The Lender Working Group – comprised of top CDFIs and social investors/foundations - is identifying key performance indicators for underwriting investments in nonprofit housing organizations at the enterprise level. This research will lay the framework to demonstrate to investors and funders that the risk in lending to these organizations at the enterprise level can be quantified and mitigated through sound underwriting and monitoring practices.  

Partnerships

• More than 35 member organizations have joined together to create a performance benchmarking data warehouse in partnership with CoopMetrics. This innovative technology enables comparison of financial and operational information across peer organizations and properties, and creates an open-source environment for internal financial management reporting tools, speeding up the financial sophistication of the field to better match its growth. For more information contact Lexi Turner.

Policy

• The Policy Working Group – comprised of representatives from a cross-section of members from the three sponsoring networks - is developing policy recommendations for regulatory and statutory fixes that eliminate barriers to nonprofit sustainability.  A key goal is to support earned income, equity investment and the flexible deployment of reserves and capital on a portfolio and enterprise basis to fuel growth and scaled impact.