December 4, 2000: Neighborhood Networks 101
HUD-TV (2:00 - 3:30 pm EDT)
Deputy Secretary Saul Ramirez will kick off HUD's first-ever virtual Neighborhood Networks Conference at 2 p.m. on HUD-TV. The Deputy's remarks will be followed by a panel of HQ Neighborhood Networks team members from PIH, CPD and Multi-Family Housing who will present the very basics about starting a center. Topics will include how to organize what the community wants, which partners can participate and what technologies best suit their needs. Recent successes in NativeeDGE and HOPE VI will be presented along with best practices and lessons learned from across the country.

December 5, 2000: Utilizing Unspent TANF Funds
(1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET)
Neighborhood Networks centers and HUD staff can learn from the experts about utilizing unspent state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. TANF funds are state block grant "welfare" funds. Because of declining welfare caseloads, there is a surplus of $7.3 billion which Neighborhood Networks centers can potentially tap to support their programs and activities. This session will introduce participants to the basics of TANF and explain why there are unspent TANF funds, what activities can be funded with TANF money and how to access these funds. Participants will also learn whom to contact in their local areas and will hear from Neighborhood Networks centers that have obtained TANF funds for their programs. For further information on TANF funds, please click here.

December 6, 2000: Building Relationships with Partners
(1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET)
Neighborhood Networks centers can participate in a skill development session on building relationships with a variety of national and local partners and funders. This session will focus on how to develop partnerships, including identifying potential partners, the steps involved to create a partnership, and how to sustain the partnership. Presenters will also discuss how to develop relationships with national and community funders. Representatives from national partners will provide valuable information on how their organizations operate and how Neighborhood Networks centers can partner with them. For further information on Neighborhood Networks Centers, please click here.

December 7, 2000: Community Reinvestment Act
(1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET)
An important component to a center's sustainability is its ability to raise funds and build local partnerships. In this session, centers can learn more about an importance source of funding, the Community Reinvestment Act. Passed in 1977, the Community Reinvestment Act requires that banks and savings institutions take affirmative steps to help meet the credit needs of all communities they are chartered to serve, including low- and moderate-income communities. This session will provide participants with information on the basics of CRA, plus suggestions on how to build a relationship with local banks. Participants will also hear from Neighborhood Networks centers that have established working relationships and partnerships with banks in their communities.

December 8, 2000: Grant Writing
(1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET)
The Grant Writing session will allow participants to join experts in a discussion on how to write successful federal and foundation grant applications. The session will include tips on writing a grant application. Participants will also learn more about researching grants through local resources such as the Foundation Center and how to utilize the Internet to identify funding opportunities. The session will also provide general information on several federal and foundation grant programs relevant to centers. For more information on Grant Writing, please click here.

To resister for HUD's Neighborhood Networks Virtual Conference,
please call 1-800-925-8000.

Content Archived: January 20, 2009