Centri Tech Foundation

CENTRI TECH FOUNDATION(FORMERLY CENTRI COMMUNITIES) SUPPORTS LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS IN THEIR COMMUNITY BY BRINGING TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE ASSET BUILDING SOLUTIONS THAT YIELD LONG TERM ECONOMIC, HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL ENHANCEMENT TO ITS RESIDENTS BY LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS.

SOCIAL JUSTICE INNOVATION AWARDS: IN SEPTEMBER 2022, THE CENTRI TECH FOUNDATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MORGAN STANLEY, ANNOUNCED THE FIVE INAUGURAL WINNERS OF THE SOCIAL JUSTICE INNOVATION AWARDS. AWARDEES RECEIVED $250,000 AND BESPOKE SUPPORT TO FULLY DEVELOP THEIR INNOVATIONS. THEY ALSO WERE INVITED TO JOIN A 9-MONTH FELLOWSHIP COHORT DESIGNED TO FOSTER COLLABORATION, BUILD LEADERSHIP CAPACITY, AND INCREASE THEIR ACCESS TO NETWORKS. THE FELLOWSHIP COMMENCED WITH AN IN-PERSON CONVENING IN WASHINGTON, D.C., ON SEPTEMBER 27-29, 2022. FROM NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2022, THE COHORT CONNECTED WITH LEADING EXPERTS FOR STRATEGIC SESSIONS FOCUSED ON TECHNOLOGY, LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT. CONCURRENTLY, THE FOUNDATION LAUNCHED THE SECOND YEAR OF THE SOCIAL JUSTICE INNOVATION AWARDS COMPETITION. THE FOUNDATION INVITED NOMINATIONS FROM A NATIONAL NETWORK OF SOCIAL JUSTICE EXPERTS AND PRACTITIONERS ACROSS A BROAD RANGE OF DISCIPLINES AND ISSUE AREAS. IN JANUARY 2023, NOMINEES WILL BE INVITED TO APPLY FOR THE AWARDS, WITH THE EXTERNAL REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS SLATED TO BEGIN IN SPRING 2023. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN FALL 2023.

JUNIOR HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FELLOW:IN SUMMER 2022, THE CENTRI TECH FOUNDATION HOSTED TWO (2) JUNIOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FELLOWS. THE JHFP AIMS TO PROVIDE FELLOWS WITH STRUCTURED EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP A WORKING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND RESIDENT SERVICES. IN ADDITION, FELLOWS RECEIVE EARLY CAREER EXPOSURE AND PROFESSIONAL MENTORING AND LEARN WHAT IS REQUIRED TO SUCCEED IN A PROFESSIONAL WORK ENVIRONMENT. THE JUNIOR HOUSING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (JHFP) SERVES AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE CLASSROOM AND THE COMMUNITY. THE 10-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM INTRODUCES JHFP FELLOWS TO CURRENT ISSUES IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, PLACES THEM IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND, AND FACILITATES MEETINGS WITH LEADERS IN GOVERNMENT, THE PRIVATE SECTOR, NONPROFITS, AND PHILANTHROPY. THE FELLOW'S CHALLENGE IS IDENTIFYING A REAL-WORLD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROBLEM AND DESIGNING A SOLUTION DRAWING FROM LEARNINGS AND THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCE. THE PROGRAM CONCLUDES WITH A CAPSTONE PROJECT DEMONSTRATING THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE GAINED THROUGHOUT THE FELLOWSHIP. FELLOWS PRESENT THEIR CAPSTONE FOR FEEDBACK TO AN AUDIENCE OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, BANKING, IMPACT INVESTING, AND NONPROFIT EXECUTIVES. IN 2022, JHFP FELLOWS PARTICIPATED IN SITE VISITS TO CDCS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR. ON-THE-GROUND EXPERIENCES TAUGHT THEM HOW TO MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE WATER ACCESS AND QUALITY AND PROVIDED FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF HOW A DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ENGAGES IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TRANSACTIONS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT. IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND NEW YORK CITY, FELLOWS MET WITH POLICY OFFICIALS AND OTHER LEADERS INCLUDING THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING LENDERS, THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HOUSING FROM CHAIRWOMAN MAXINE WATERS HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES, THE RABEN GROUP, AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GROUP AT MORGAN STANLEY.IN SUMMER 2023, CTF WILL HOST 2-3 NEW FELLOWS. FUTURE PLANS FOR THE PROGRAM INCLUDE EXPANSION AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH HBCUS. NEW ACTIVITIES IN 2022 INCLUDED: THE LAUNCH OF DIGITAL INTEGRATORS PILOT PROGRAM, A COHORT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO CONNECT HOUSING RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES TO DIGITAL ACCESS, SKILLS AND WORKFORCE TRAINING THROUGH PILOT DEMONSTRATIONS (APRIL 2022); LAUNCH OF DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT MUNICIPAL INDEX, AN INTERACTIVE DATA TOOL THAT RANKS AND SCORES NEARLY 600 US CITIES' SHARED PROSPERITY (MAY 2022; UPDATE AUGUST 2022); ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE INAUGURAL WINNERS OF THE CENTRI TECH FOUNDATION'S SOCIAL JUSTICE INNOVATION AWARDS, A PROGRAM SUPPORTED BY MORGAN STANLEY THAT RECOGNIZES TECH-ENABLED SOLUTIONS TO PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE UNITED STATES,(SEPTEMBER 2022). IN ADDITION, TWO TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS CONTINUED TO GROW: THE CENTRI TECH FOUNDATION'S INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND THE JUNIOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FELLOWS PROGRAM PROVIDED PAID EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THROUGH RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON APPROACHES TO PROMOTE DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ECOSYSTEM IN THE US.

THE DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM: THE CENTRI TECH FOUNDATION SEEKS TO LEVERAGE INVESTMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY ACCESS AND ADOPTION TO BUILD AN INCLUSIVE DIGITAL ECONOMY. BY EXTENDING AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET TO EVERY AMERICAN NOT ONLY WHERE THEY WORK AND LEARN, BUT ALSO WHERE THEY LIVE, LEADERS CAN IMPLEMENT BOLD STRATEGIES THAT DRIVE TECHNOLOGY-BASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EXPAND PROSPERITY FOR ALL. THIS APPROACH IS CALLED DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT, A NEW MINDSET THAT BELIEVES WHEN PEOPLE ARE CONNECTED, OUR SHARED POSSIBILITIES ARE LIMITLESS. IN 2022, THE FOUNDATION FOCUSED ON LAUNCHING A NEW DATA-DRIVEN TOOL TO PROMOTE DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT FOR MUNICIPALITIES AND FACILITATE CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT WITH CITY LEADERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. THE DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT MUNICIPAL INDEX WAS LAUNCHED IN MAY 2022 TO SHOW THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON U.S. CITIES' OVERALL PROSPERITY. USING 16 INDICATORS FROM FOUR CATEGORIES TECHNOLOGY, SOCIOECONOMICS, EDUCATION, AND HOUSING, THE MUNI INDEX CAPTURES AND COMPARES A CITY'S OVERALL PROSPERITY AND DIGITAL EQUITY METRICS ACROSS NEARLY 600 U.S. CITIES WITH POPULATIONS OVER 65,000. TO DATE, USE CASES RANGE FROM MAYORS' OFFICES ENGAGED IN DIGITAL EQUITY PLANNING TO STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, NATIONAL INTERMEDIARIES AND ADVOCATES, AND PHILANTHROPY GROUPS.LOOK AHEAD 2023: IN 2023, THE CENTRI TECH FOUNDATION WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THE DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT INSTITUTE TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO THE TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE FOR ACCELERATED DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT, AS WELL AS QUALITY SUPPORT FOR LOCALLY-LED EFFORTS THAT RESULT IN SHARED PROSPERITY AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. THE INSTITUTE WILL PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE LEADING THE WAY TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO INNOVATION AND INCENTIVIZE NEW SOLUTIONS. IT WILL MAKE AVAILABLE PRACTICAL TOOLS AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, INCLUDING THE DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT MUNICIPAL INDEX TO MEASURE PERFORMANCE ACROSS CITIES, RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE, AND ADVANCE NEW MODELS. THE INSTITUTE WILL WORK WITH EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS TO ENHANCE AND AMPLIFY THE MUNICIPAL INDEX VIA ENGAGEMENT AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING. IN PARTICULAR, EMPHASIS WILL BE GIVEN TO LEVERAGING THE TOOL TO AID STAKEHOLDERS IN RESPONDING TO AND PREPARING FOR DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT AND PLANNING EFFORTS IN 2023. TO HELP CITIES PROGRESS ALONG THE INDEX, THE DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT INSTITUTE WILL PROVIDE RESOURCES, AS WELL AS ACCESS TO DATA AND EXPERT NETWORKS, ENGAGING STRATEGIC PARTNERS ACROSS GOVERNMENT, THE PRIVATE SECTOR, PHILANTHROPY AND NONPROFITS.

DIGITAL INTEGRATORS PROGRAM:IN APRIL 2022, THE CENTRI TECH FOUNDATION (CTF) LAUNCHED THE DIGITAL INTEGRATORS PILOT PROGRAM TO FOSTER COMMUNITY-LED INNOVATIONS IN DIGITAL EQUITY. THE FOUNDATION AWARDED $195,000 TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN FIVE U.S. CITIES, BOSTON, DETROIT, NEW YORK CITY, PHILADELPHIA, AND WASHINGTON, D.C., TO CONNECT DIGITAL SKILLS TO EQUITABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IN ADDITION TO RECEIVING INNOVATION GRANTS, PARTNERS RECEIVED ACCESS TO AN ONLINE PEER NETWORK, STRATEGIC GUIDANCE FROM CTF, ACCESS TO NATIONAL NETWORKS, AND RESEARCH SUPPORT FROM A RESEARCHER FOCUSED ON DIGITAL EQUITY. THE GOAL WAS TO HIGHLIGHT COMMUNITY BASED APPROACHES FOR DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT TO HELP INFORM LOCAL DIGITAL EQUITY PLANNING EFFORTS.THE PROGRAM MARKED THE FOUNDATION'S FIRST ON-THE-GROUND INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT, DEFINED AS A NEW MINDSET TO LEVERAGE INVESTMENTS IN DIGITAL ACCESS AND ADOPTION TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC JUSTICE IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY.THE DIGITAL INTEGRATORS GRANTEES' PILOT PROJECTS DEMONSTRATED HOW COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS CAN LEVERAGE BROADBAND ACCESS AND ADOPTION TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE AND MODERNIZE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY PROGRAMS. FROM DEPLOYING AFFORDABLE BROADBAND NETWORKS AND CONNECTING RESIDENTS ACROSS PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA, TO BUILDING A PIPELINE FOR DIGITAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN DETROIT, TO MODELING A 2-GENERATION APPROACH TO DIGITAL SKILLS LEARNING FOR FAMILIES IN WASHINGTON, DC, THE DIGITAL INTEGRATORS GRANTEES TACKLED A SPECTRUM OF CHALLENGES THAT CITIES FACE IN THE PROMOTION OF DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT.LOOK AHEAD 2023: THE INAUGURAL 2022 DIGITAL INTEGRATORS PROGRAM CONCLUDED WITH A PUBLISHED REPORT ON LESSONS LEARNED, INSIGHTS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SCALING AND INNOVATION (HTTPS://WWW.DIGITALINTEGRATORS.ORG/). IN 2023, CTF IS INCORPORATING THOSE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE 2022 PILOT PROGRAM FOR CONTINUED EFFORTS IN NEWLY IDENTIFIED CITIES. THE INAUGURAL DIGITAL INTEGRATORS PROGRAM AND THE FINDINGS DETAILED IN THE REPORT ARE BEING SHARED WITH COMMUNITIES AND LEADERS IN THEIR LOCAL DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS CONSIDERING SIMILAR MODELS FOR THEIR DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT AND ECOSYSTEM PLANNING.