As we turn the page to a new year, I’m reminded that every fresh start is built on the foundation of what came before. The work we do at Purpose Built Communities is no exception. Neighborhoods shape us in fundamental ways, and history has shaped our neighborhoods. When neighborhoods are healthy and choice-filled, they can act as springboards for those who call them home.
Our first Impact Report is coming soon, and it is a deep dive into the stories, successes, and lessons from Purpose Built’s first 15 years of work. Behind the scenes, we’ve enhanced our ability to provide sophisticated support to the local Community Quarterback Organizations (CQOs) leading the revitalization of neighborhoods across the country. These strategic, local leaders are the secret sauce of our model – developing strategy and aligning resources and partnerships to achieve lasting change to put more people on a pathway to a happy, healthy, choice-filled life.
In 2024, one exciting opportunity we embraced was playing a pivotal role in supporting Maryland’s ENOUGH Act. This groundbreaking legislation, championed by Governor Wes Moore, represents a bold commitment to ending intergenerational poverty through community-driven, cross-sector strategies. Three of the applicants we supported, including our Network Member Cherry Hill Strong, were awarded ENOUGH grants to help advance their work. This program underscores what we’ve always known: when communities lead and are supported with resources and expertise, transformative change is possible. Our role in the ENOUGH Act is a natural extension of our mission to ensure that neighborhoods are more than just places to live—they’re pathways to opportunity. It’s also an opportunity to take our proven model to new heights, marrying our commitment to policy with our expertise in local transformation.
I’m energized for what lies ahead. This year will see us working closely with Network Members and Prospects, ENOUGH grantees, and other partners to put more people on a pathway to prosperity and opportunity. We will build on our experiences to develop new strategies to test in order to increase our impact in the coming years.
Purpose Built has always attracted people of goodwill—across sectors, backgrounds, and political philosophies—who are committed to solving local challenges and nurturing thriving communities that provide opportunity for all. While we are transitioning to a new administration this month, our work continues regardless of who is in the White House or Congress, and we look forward to identifying new opportunities to create a country where prosperity and opportunity are more broadly shared. We will continue to build on our work with those in both the public and private sectors for the benefit of neighborhoods and the people who call them home.
Thank you for being a vital part of this journey. Your generosity and belief in this work make it all possible. I’m excited to continue learning and evolving together to meet our vision to see an America where every neighborhood is a pathway to opportunity and prosperity for the people who call it home. Let’s move forward with courage, clarity, and hope as we tackle the challenges ahead.
Thank you,
Carol R. Naughton, CEO
Purpose Built Communities