CONTENT Themes
The 2027 Summit sessions will be organized under five themes, each covering a different dimension of social purpose real estate.
ACCESS TO CAPITAL
Sessions on CDFI financing, catalytic capital structures, and public-private funding tools that make mission-driven real estate financially viable. This track takes on one of the most persistent barriers facing community developers in underinvested markets.
COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP & WEALTH BUILDING
Sessions focused on developing and sustaining community land trusts, multi-tenant nonprofit centers, and shared commercial spaces as long-term anchors of neighborhood economic stability. This theme surfaces replicable models, peer connections, and actionable strategies for community-controlled real estate development.
DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS IN SPRE
Sessions covering the full lifecycle of mission-driven projects, from site acquisition and community-centered design to construction, property management, tenant relations, and long-term stewardship. This theme digs into inclusive design principles, sustainable operations, and the day-to-day realities of running spaces that serve the community without losing sight of financial durability. Think practical frameworks for taking projects from concept through occupancy and beyond.
PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATIONS
Sessions on building the cross-sector relationships that make social purpose real estate possible, connecting nonprofit developers, community organizations, funders, public agencies, and private partners around shared goals. This theme centers interdisciplinary models where no single actor carries the full weight, reflecting CSN’s belief that we complete the ecosystem rather than compete within it. Think of strategies for forming durable coalitions, aligning mission across partners, and turning collaboration into lasting neighborhood impact.
POLICY & ADVOCACY
Sessions connecting local practitioners to state and federal legislation, zoning reform strategies, and community reinvestment frameworks shaping what is possible on the ground. This theme equips practitioners to advocate effectively for the policy conditions that support community economic development.