$12M MacKenzie Scott Donation

Innovative National Nonprofit Housing Intermediary Receives Transformational Grant from Philanthropic Gamechanger

BOSTON, MA – July 20, 2023 – Housing Partnership Network (HPN) today announced it received a $12 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, which it will use to power innovative solutions to address the nation’s affordable housing crisis.

“We deeply appreciate Ms. Scott’s generous gift and are honored by this investment which recognizes HPN’s thirty years of impact and will accelerate the next generation of ideas and innovation to advance our members’ work in the affordable housing field,” says Robin Hughes, who’s celebrating her one-year anniversary as President and CEO of the national nonprofit this month. “The creation of HPN’s new, aspirational strategic plan is underway, and these unexpected resources fuel our ability to think bigger than ever before.”

HPN is a national and global membership model that facilitates peer-to-peer learning and promotes policy, practice, and innovation that is based on the proven experience of 107 of the nation’s leading affordable housing and community development nonprofits.

“The board and staff are overjoyed and deeply grateful to receive this generous gift. As owners, lenders, builders, and other experienced practitioners working in different markets across the country, the Network is honored to be recognized for our collective impact and value to the field,” says Deidre Schmidt, chair of HPN’s board and president and CEO of member organization CommonBond Communities, which created and operates over 7,000 safe and stable homes with supportive services in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota. “This redoubles our commitment to doing more together."

Unrestricted grants are invaluable to nonprofits as they provide the flexibility and resources necessary to address the most pressing needs and pursue innovative solutions. Early takeaways from longitudinal research by the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) highlight the transformational power of MacKenzie Scott’s large, unrestricted awards to boost the ability of nonprofits, the third largest sector in the U.S., to advance their missions while challenging philanthropic norms.

HPN celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year. Its membership has, to date, collectively served almost 13 million people; developed, rehabilitated, or preserved over 500,000 affordable homes; and launched over a dozen successful social enterprises. HPN’s work has been recognized with honors, including the MacArthur Award for Creative & Effective Institutions, Fast Company Social Capitalist Award, Wells Fargo NEXT Award for Opportunity Finance. Learn more through video testimonials from members and partners.

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