Become a Member

NeighborWorks America is not accepting applications at this time

The application period has closed. 

If your organization submitted an application, you'll hear back from us in early fall and before the calendar year has ended.

The resources below are informational only. We are no longer accepting applications to join the NeighborWorks network.

• Watch the April 27 webinar recording. Passcode: RF=T3heO
• View the PDF presentation from the April 27 webinar. 
• Read frequently asked questions.

Informational Resources

1. Take the organizational self assessment, which is intended to familiarize organizations with the requirements and expectations of NeighborWorks charter membership so you can see how well your organization aligns to the affiliation opportunity.  
2. Learn more about the affiliations process by reviewing the application instructions and other key documents to better understand NeighborWorks charter requirements and expectations as well as how to prepare for and navigate the application. 

Application Timeline

Applicants will be notified if they are being advanced to the final review (in the last quarter of 2023). 

• April 17–June 9, 2023 — Affiliation application opened in Grants Portal.
• May 15, 2023 — Applicants were strongly encouraged to submit part 1 early in the process, and NeighborWorks recommended submitting no later than May 15 to allow adequate time to complete part 2. 
• June 9, 2023 — Application closed at 8 p.m. ET. No late submissions were accepted. 
• June–September 2023 — NeighborWorks staff members reviewed applications.  
• October 2023–June 2024 — Applicants were notified in October and received an invitation for an on-site review. NeighborWorks conducted audits and on-site program reviews. 
• July 2024 — Chartering new affiliates/network members. 

Application Overview & Instructions

The documents and files below are informational only. 

• View the application instructions as well as the 10 appendices below. 
  1. View NeighborWorks' lines of business (appendix A instructions). This document references the major programs, products and services provided by an organization.  
  2. View guidance for the conduct of audits (appendix B instructions). NeighborWorks America, in accordance with Section 607(e) of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act, requires recipients of grant funds to provide an annual financial audit. 
  3. View Parts 1 and 2 of naming conventions (appendix C instructions). This document includes naming conventions to be used for all documents provided in parts 1 and 2 of the affiliation application. Please adhere to these naming conventions for both required and optional files to ensure better processing of your organization's application. 
  4. View guidance on board governance representation (appendix D instructions). NeighborWorks requires its network members to establish and maintain a board of directors that reflect a partnership among resident leaders, the private business community and public officials, in which at least one-third of board members are low-income residents or low-income representatives of the NeighborWorks network organization's service area. 
  5. View CDFI financial ratios overview for applicants who are CDFIs (appendix E instructions). As part of the affiliation application part 2, CDFI organizations are asked to provide the CAMEL ratios noted in this document. 
  6. View the PROMPT Program review process (appendix F instructions). NeighborWorks monitors the health of the network through an established organizational assessment process. This document provides an overview of that process. 
  7. View PROMPTWorks modules and objectives (appendix G instructions), which are part of the organizational assessment process. 
  8. View the parameters required for the conflict of interest policy (appendix H instructions). 
  9. View NeighborWorks America's reporting requirements (appendix I instructions). Members of the NeighborWorks network are expected to complete several reports every fiscal year. 
  10. View the board resolution template (appendix J instructions). This file must be uploaded as part of the affiliation application process. 

NeighborWorks often provides application questions in advance to help organizations prepare. These questions may change when applications open again. 

• View part 1 of the affiliation application questions.
• View part 2 of the affiliation application questions. 

The affiliation application has two parts: 

1. Part 1: Submit required threshold documents. Organizations must submit documents, including three years of audits and a board resolution stating an understanding and commitment to fulfilling the requirements of a charter member. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit part 1 as early as possible, and NeighborWorks recommends submitting no later than May 15 to allow adequate time to complete part 2. Once the documents have been verified, NeighborWorks will provide guidance on accessing part 2 of the application. Threshold documents include: 
   • Certificate of Good Standing. 
   • IRS 501(c)(3) letter. 
   • IRS Form 990. 
   • Three years of the organization's most recent consolidated audits. 
   • Brief description of your organization's mission and work. 
   • Attestation to NeighborWorks charter requirements. 
2. Part 2: Respond to questions. Complete application questions in Grants Portal (only available to applicants who submit the required threshold documents in part 1). The application closes on June 9 at 8 p.m. ET. No late submissions will be accepted. Application questions request information about the organization, including but not limited to history, mission, board, staff, service delivery, program budgets, production (2020 to current) and future of the organization in the following categories:
   • Organizational information. 
   • Organizational management. 
   • Board governance. 
   • Service area. 
   • Resource development and community support. 
   • Financial management. 
   • Program services. 
   • Lines of business. 

Affiliation Priorities

NeighborWorks anticipates affiliating up to five new network members in this current application process. All qualified applicants will be considered, and the application process is expected to be highly competitive. 

Priority will be given to applicants that: 

• Align with NeighborWorks' strategic plan goals, as evidenced by the applicant's mission and impact with housing being core to the organization's work. 
• Have a presence in geographic and programmatic/service gaps within the NeighborWorks network with special attention to those organizations serving underserved markets, Native or tribal lands, rural areas, and communities of color. 
• Take a collaborative approach to the work, including partnerships with local organizations, state associations and national intermediaries. 
• Have an intentional focus on issues of race, equity, diversity and inclusion in the organization and/or communities served. 
• Resident and stakeholder engagement are foundational to the design, implementation and evaluation of work. 

Filling geographic and programmatic service areas are top priorities. For information about current network members: 

• View our impact map. 
• Read stories about NeighborWorks network organizations. 
• View the network directory. 

NeighborWorks Network

The NeighborWorks network is a network of excellence comprising nearly 250 nonprofit organizations across the United States, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The network was born of the ideas and passion of individual residents who believed they could transform their communities. Local voices are critical to the success of the work of these organizations and their communities.
 
NeighborWorks network organizations serve diverse populations in rural, urban and suburban communities. Organizations offer diverse approaches to meet the unique needs of their communities and provide a range of strategic services. These include homeownership and financial capability counseling, residential and commercial lending, development of a variety of housing types (for sale, rental, new construction and rehab), post-disaster rebuilding, community engagement and resident leadership development, as well as community-based projects such as community gardens and revitalization projects centering on arts and culture.

Each NeighborWorks network organization benefits from our grants, technical assistance, training and other resources. Organizations are rigorously assessed against various organizational, financial and board governance standards and must maintain certain standards to remain within the network.  The network includes some of the very best community development and affordable housing organizations in the country which invest in results for the communities and individuals they serve. Our network focuses on collaboration through peer sharing and ongoing professional development so each group can improve, and the field as a whole can benefit.

For more information about the work of the network, please visit our Impact Map.