UB's Schaefer Center and Enterprise Community Partners Recruiting Second Class for Certificate Program in Real Estate Development for Faith-Based Organizations
September 22, 2016
Contact: Public Affairs
Phone: 410.837.5739
With a highly successful first class now addressing some of the city's most important housing issues, the University of Baltimore's Schaefer Center for Public Policy, in collaboration with Enterprise Community Partners, is inviting faith-based groups in the Baltimore area to be part of the second cohort of the Faith-Based Development Certificate Program. An open house for interested organizations will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Dean's Conference Room in UB's Liberal Arts and Policy Building, 10 W. Preston St. Attendance details are listed below.
The Schaefer Center's work leverages three decades of experience in analyzing local issues and preparing professionals to lead nonprofits, government agencies and public-sector organizations. The Center collaborated with Enterprise to launch the certificate program in 2015 to address one of Baltimore's most persistent issues—affordable housing. The program shows faith-based groups in the Baltimore area how to develop their real estate holdings as affordable housing or community facilities. The inaugural class of 12 participants, from four faith-based organizations, went through five monthly training sessions and received technical assistance on a range of topics, eventually earning certification from the center.
Enterprise began its Faith-Based Development Initiative in the Washington region 10 years ago. FBDI provides intellectual and capital resources to support houses of worship in developing affordable housing and other needed community facilities that help create stable communities of opportunity. The certificate program brings together technical and financial experts with teams from Baltimore's houses of worship and other faith-based organization, with the goal of enabling a faith-based organization to navigate the development process.
"We are excited to once again offer this program with Enterprise Community Partners," said Ann Cotten, director of the Schaefer Center. "Last year's class proved there is a demand among Baltimore's faith-based communities for professional training and technical assistance that empowers them to develop their property and enhance their community."
"We at Enterprise look forward to continuing our work and partnership with members of the faith community in Baltimore that are working to do 'ministry beyond the walls' in ways that help meet the critical needs of Baltimore-area residents," said David Bowers, vice president and Mid-Atlantic market leader for Enterprise. "We are proud to be collaborating again with UB's Schaefer Center to bring students a high-quality experience."
To be considered for the program, organizations must compete a Program Intake Assessment Form, which will be processed by Enterprise Community Partners and the Schaefer Center in order to facilitate training and program content. The assessment forms are due by Nov. 18. Click here to fill out the form. The program fee is $1,000 per organization.
Registration for the free information session on Oct. 4 is available here.
Learn more about the Schaefer Center for Public Policy.
Learn more about Enterprise Community Partners and its Faith-Based Development Initiative.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.