Membership Benefits

I couldn't do this work without the support of the National Community Development Association (NCDA) and its members. As someone new to community development, the NCDA's conferences, training, and peer support have been essential, providing me with valuable information and a sense of community. I'm amazed by what the NCDA accomplishes; their advocacy for our field has helped protect and even grow federal funding during challenging economic times. The return on investment for my membership dues has been incredible.

Membership in NCDA has multiple benefits such as receiving the monthly Washington Report which enables you to stay apprised of legislative actions and having access to topic specific trainings modeled for varying knowledge levels; not to mention having access to a support network of Community Development professionals that can help navigate the many nuances of the complex federal programs.

Joining NCDA has been one of the most impactful professional decisions I’ve made. As a member, I’ve gained access to practical training, valuable resources, and a national network of peers who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of community development. The connections and knowledge I’ve built through NCDA have directly supported my work and helped me grow as a leader in this field. Membership truly means being part of a community that shares your passion for building stronger, more resilient communities.

As a member of NCDA, I have not only gained a wealth of knowledge, skills and abilities for my work but also for my professional development in and of life in general. In addition, I have been afforded the opportunity to meet a diverse number of peers coming from different backgrounds but sharing the same passion for our communities. Those peers/colleagues quickly became lifetime friends. JOIN/ENGAGE with NCDA!! You won’t regret it. It’s the best inclusive and supportive opportunity for listening, learning and living in today’s everchanging world. It is for these reasons that I recommend you joining NCDA without reservation. “It’s truly an asset.” There is so much to learn and you will be supported every step of the journey.

My NCDA membership has been invaluable to both my career and the work of the City of Pasadena’s Housing Department. The greatest benefit has been the networking opportunities, where I’ve built lasting connections with colleagues nationwide to share program ideas and solutions. The training and conference sessions are timely, practical, and directly relevant to programs like CDBG and HOME, offering insight I can apply immediately. The legislative updates keep me informed on Congressional actions and provide opportunities to give feedback on regulatory changes, helping me serve my community more effectively.

As a small CDBG grantee, the Community Development Department has two people who need to know all the CDBG regulations.  We don’t have the staff to be specialized in certain areas.  NCDA has provided us with the training needed to better understand regulations and requirements to run successful programs.  NCDA adapts current trainings to the needs of the grantees and listens to our concerns to adjust and/or add trainings to their curriculum.  NCDA constantly updates us with new regulations, program updates and funding news. It is a great network of peers who are always ready to help with any questions without judgement. These are just a few reasons what being a NCDA member means to me and why we will continue to be members.  Come find out for yourself – you will be glad you did!

The benefits of NCDA membership have proved to be a gamechanger for my career, professional development, and training.  NCDA has afforded me limitless opportunities to expand my network of peers, prepared me for a new and more exciting role with the 9^th largest city in the United States and equipped me through the various in-depth training and conferences offered over the years.  Lastly, NCDA allows me the awesome opportunity to facilitate, train and equip emerging leaders, mid-career, and executive level professionals in the Community Development industry across the country.  I am forever grateful for my NCDA membership and the many benefits provided.

As a member of NCDA, I have been able to gain knowledge, experience, and support from others in the field all across the country. NCDA membership helps support you. The federal programs are complex, nuanced, and sometimes confusing. There really is no substitute for talking issues through with people that speak the same professional language and can help you cut through that confusion to get to the core principles underneath.

The City of Seattle membership in NCDA has proved invaluable for a wide range of issues.  The NCDA newsletter gives me early information about what’s happening with Congressional allocations giving me time to plan for potential increases or cuts in federal funds.  The member’s forum is a wealth of shared knowledge and critical policy and procedure examples to build upon. I look forward to best practices shared by panelists at our summer and winter conferences each year.  Best of all is the camaraderie and support from my colleagues all over the country who are “going through it” with the challenges of administering these funds to benefit our communities every day.