It is a privilege to serve as the chairman of the NeighborWorks America board of directors. The board is committed to effective governance to ensure that NeighborWorks continues to carry out its vital mission.

This is a personal journey for me. My first professional experience in Washington, D.C., was as an aide to my congressman from the Bronx in New York City. The congressman was a very strong supporter of the Urban Reinvestment Task Force, which by an act of Congress in 1978 became the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, later to become NeighborWorks America. Through that experience, I gained an appreciation for the founding vision of NeighborWorks: empowering community residents, collaborating with local financial institutions and government leaders, and working to improve and transform their neighborhoods and quality of life.

NeighborWorks' founding vision is a powerful one. For more than 40 years, NeighborWorks has made a significant impact on neighborhoods and communities throughout the United States, in rural towns and urban centers, and everywhere in between. It's an extraordinary history of accomplishment. This past year was no exception.

Our accomplishments in fiscal year 2019 included:

• Counseling and educating more than 166,000 customers;
• Growing our network's rental home stock by 6,785 units to more than 173,000 rental homes owned; and
• Assisting more than 22,000 first-time homebuyers (mostly low to moderate income), thereby creating opportunity for families that not long ago believed the American dream was out of reach for them.

The work of the NeighborWorks network magnifies the impact of our congressional funding. In FY19, every appropriated dollar resulted in an additional $64 in investment in communities throughout the country, for a total of $9.65 billion.

The mission of NeighborWorks is as critical and relevant today as it was 40 years ago. Inadequate supply, accompanied by a resulting affordability challenge, only underscores the continuing need for NeighborWorks. On behalf of the board, I am confident that NeighborWorks will continue to carry out its mission with the creativity and dedication that have defined its history.

Martin Gruenberg
Board Chair, NeighborWorks America
Appointive Director, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

NeighborWorks America has been working in communities across the country for more than 40 years. I am grateful to have been here for half of that time, serving as president & CEO for the last two years. With each successive annual report, I have the opportunity to reflect on the many ways — old and new, familiar and innovative — that we have furthered our mission. This year's annual report is a staunch reminder: Our mission is more relevant than ever.

Over the last four decades, NeighborWorks America has grown and matured while working to overcome some of our nation's toughest housing and community development issues. Those trenchant challenges have included redlining, urban disinvestment, a shortage of affordable rental housing, recovery from natural disasters, barriers to homeownership and the financial crisis that triggered an epic foreclosure crisis. Despite the complexity and variety of issues facing America's communities, the unwavering and unimpeachable mission of NeighborWorks America has remained a guiding light in many communities.

Our mission is always front and center in the minds of our excellent leadership team — a cadre of professionals and experts who work tirelessly every day. We are focused on impact and results. We are dedicated to being effective stewards of the resources entrusted to us. And we are, above all, committed to empowering the NeighborWorks network — more than 240 local, independent nonprofit organizations that address the specific needs of their communities. NeighborWorks organizations form a network of excellence. They leverage each other's learnings and successes. They drive the innovation that helps improve the lives of America's families.

In September 2019, NeighborWorks America hosted a 40th anniversary event in Washington, D.C. For this special occasion, we assembled past leaders, partners and many of the network's executive leaders for a deep-dive examination of the unique structure and ethos that have informed our successes to date. I vividly remember a specific moment from that evening's reception. As it drew to a close, I looked out across a room filled with colleagues and partners I admire, and I was struck by the legacy of leadership and accomplishment that propels this organization to further excellence and innovation. Wherever I go, whomever I meet, I am proud to say we are working "to create opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their communities." I am encouraged by the confidence that Congress, our funders, our industry partners and our network executives have placed in us. We are experienced. We are strong. We are ready for what the next 40 years may bring.

As we look to the somewhat uncertain future for communities around the country, what I am certain about is that NeighborWorks America will remain committed to seeing that communities have the resources they need and are prepared to bridge ever-increasing gaps in homeownership and housing affordability. We will explore new models of service, expand our technologies and innovate for a new era.

I am grateful and proud to be joined by NeighborWorks America's exceptional board of directors, officers and senior leadership team in guiding this vital organization into a new decade of service to a mission that has proven worthy and durable during the country's most challenging times.

Marietta Rodriguez
President & CEO, NeighborWorks America