It's no secret: 2025 was a year of change and unpredictability for nonprofits focused on housing and community development. Shifting federal priorities, staff reductions throughout the federal government, and new program guidance have raised questions for current and future projects. At the same time, the housing crisis is deepening as families and communities grapple with economic headwinds, including rising costs of living, inflation, and interest rates. How do we, as leaders, push forward with an eye to the important work that needs to be done and the worthy communities we serve?
Personally, I find inspiration from Brené Brown, researcher and author. One of her quotes I have kept close this year is “The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it’s about the courage to show up when you can’t predict or control the outcome.”
As the CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC), one of the largest community development and housing nonprofits in the country, I ask myself daily how my organization can show up every day as we evolve and adapt. And further, how we can use this moment as a catalyst to improve and drive forward the progress that our communities across the country need?
Our external response to the uncertainty and unpredictability in our world has centered on two key priorities: sharpening how we communicate our impact and ensuring that our work resonates with decision-makers, including those who may not historically have been focused on community development issues. What I’ve learned is that it is not enough to tout our investments and partnerships; we need to paint a much more vivid picture of how our work changes lives, creates opportunities, and strengthens local economies.
Over the past year, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the country, seeing firsthand how LISC’s work is making a difference. In Dallas, I visited the sites of Kiva East and Oak Lawn Place, two housing developments that are bringing 171 affordable housing units to a city where housing prices are increasing day by day. This is the heart of our mission—creating affordable housing in communities that need it the most. But we’re doing even more to transform communities. Kiva East will also be home to the Bezos Academy, a tuition-free preschool, setting children of all backgrounds up for greater outcomes from day one.
Across the country, LISC supports a range of community initiatives, including affordable housing, early childhood education, and programs that promote safety and justice, helping residents fully benefit from these investments. In Cleveland, I met with our local office—one of 36 regional LISC offices nationwide—to discuss investments we’ve made in both Parkside Homes, a project that aims to create paths to affordable homeownership, and Walton Apartments, a senior housing project for low-income individuals. These developments aren’t just about providing shelter; they’re creating opportunities for individuals and families to thrive.
We know that what we do matters, but we need to make sure others do, too. The nonprofit community can easily get bogged down with jargon that’s easier to dismiss than it is to understand. At LISC, one of our specialties is providing technical assistance—including both planning and implementation support—to local organizations, which can be a very misunderstood topic. Funds for “technical assistance” were discussed a lot this past year, and some were ultimately cut—in part because it’s easy to label these programs as extras. But on the ground, these programs provide critical support for staffing, financial management, and operational execution, forming the backbone that allows nonprofits to help solve big community issues like the housing crisis. This capacity is also essential for organizations working to strengthen community safety and justice, ensuring that local leadership, trust, and infrastructure are in place so residents can thrive.
Clearly communicating the impact of our work in a way that tells the whole story is essential to building trust with the communities we serve, reinforcing confidence with our partners, and securing public support from residents and lawmakers alike. When philanthropic, corporate, government, and community-oriented organizations collaborate, we can make a big impact and create solutions to the toughest challenges. We’re all ultimately pursuing the same goals—ensuring families have access to stable homes, prosperous communities, and pathways to opportunity.
This is also where public-private partnerships play a crucial role. One great example of government, nonprofit, and private-sector leaders working together is the New Markets Tax Credit program, which Congress made permanent last year. The administration just announced a new round of these important federal awards that incentivize public-private partnerships to drive economic growth in communities that need it most.
While 2025 presented new challenges, we’ve only become more driven and better stewards of our communities as we refocus and reevaluate the work we do every day. Clearly communicating the impact of our work in a way that tells the whole story is essential to building trust with the communities we serve, reinforcing confidence with our partners, and securing public support from residents and lawmakers alike.
Yes, we need federal elected officials across the political spectrum to protect funding for critical programs that advance this important work in their communities. We also need private-sector partners to invest in important projects that strengthen our communities and economy. And, we need our organizations to have the capacity to meet new challenges with courage and innovation.
We choose to work in this industry not because it’s easy, but because we care deeply about the results: making communities safer and more vibrant, growing economies where all people can thrive, and providing access to life-changing housing, health care, education, and jobs. By continuing to collaborate across sectors and focus on what works, we can strengthen communities, grow local economies, and create lasting pathways to opportunity.
Michael T. Pugh is president and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corp.