@cnt.org
Center for Neighborhood Technology delivers innovative analysis and solutions that support community-based organizations and local governments to create neighborhoods that are equitable, sustainable, and resilient
Big challenges. Clear direction. CNT’s new Theory of Change and 5-year strategic plan centers on knowledge, power, and justice to drive measurable improvements in neighborhood conditions. Read more about it here: https://bit.ly/4u7GQua
After spending time last year collecting feedback from the Transportation Equity Network through surveys, interviews, and discussions during our annual meeting, we are happy to announce that the 2025 TEN Impact Report has been published on CNT’s website.
https://bit.ly/4aVmL1u.
Round two of community engagement on disaster resilience with Verizon has begun! We’re excited to share that we had a project kickoff with our friends and partners Stephanie Kinlock from Verizon Community Disaster Resilience initiative and Brandon Wong from Hyfi last week.
Thanks Eden Stiffman of Chronicle of Philanthropy for reporting on how we and other organizations have handled the federal contract recissions of the past year.
https://bit.ly/3Oa1PfB
It was great to be part of the group for Transit Equity Day yesterday - celebrating the birthday, and bravery when it came time to take her seat at the front of the bus, of Rosa Parks. We gathered at the lovely new Chicago Park district headquarters.
Thanks for the great video capture!
Yesterday we celebrated Transit Equity Day. Transit Equity Day honors Civil Rights Leader Rosa Parks and underscores that transit is a human and civil right. Hear from Nina Idemudia of @cnt.org
Big thanks and shout out to the Union of Concerned Scientists for organizing the Crossroads Convening in D.C. on January 15.
https://bit.ly/4aaZND7
Thank you to everyone for helping to spread the word about our Managing Director of Development & Communications job. Re-posting to bump it up - please apply by February 14. https://cnt.org/careers-and-opportunities
Missed our newsletter last week? It's right here: https://bit.ly/4653nO0
Congratulations, Adele Simmons on this lifetime achievement award from Climate Action Museum! Looks like another party worth attending this year.
In December Molly Wagner, AICP and Peter Haas traveled to Rockingham County, NC to support a team exploring RAMP–UP— Rural-Autonomous-Vehicle Microtransit partnership for Underserved Populations.
Learn more about the MATI program: https://bit.ly/4rdNyww
On Thursday, Cook County Government approved its first-ever Environmental Justice Policy. One of the first such county policies in the country, it was developed with community input. Cyatharine Alias spoke at a news conference to unveil the new policy last week.
Read it here: https://bit.ly/4qBNKpA
Our Elevated Works technical assistance and support program wrapped in December— and last week Steven Vance recapped his work via Cityscape Chicago with local community-based developers, now located in a beauitfully redeveloped space at 2811 W Fulton St.
https://bit.ly/4qvqkC3
Join the Center for Neighborhood Technology staff as our full-time Managing Director of Development and Communications! Please help us spread the word about this new role, job description and full details here: cnt.org/careers-and-...
Next week we’re presenting on our new accountability frameworks tool at the Crossroads Convening. It is free and there may still be a few spots left for the event Thurs 1/15 at MLK Library.
Our board vice chair Bo Kemp asks a tough question in the new Winter 2026 issue of Stanford Social Innovation Review: "How Will Your Nonprofit Survive?”
It’s behind a paywall but well worth a read if you’re a subscriber! Congrats, Bo, and thanks for the insight.
collage of photos from the past year and best wishes from CNT message
Best wishes for the New Year from Center for Neighborhood Technology! Thank you to all for continued partnership and support. We’re ready to advance equitable, sustainable solutions together 2026.
New tool in the works: alongside partners to develop a Flood and Sewage Vulnerability Tool, which aims to highlight neighborhoods at risk of and impacted by flooding. With this project we are centering residents’ experience to address flood risks and correct inequities. Read more: bit.ly/3KWkeLt
Comedy Clubhouse owner Mike Zelayed welcomed developers and technical assistance providers program to celebrate the Elevated Works program as it wraps up its current iteration.
Thank you to Mike and Comedy Clubhouse for hosting us!
Community conversations about the analysis will bring diverse perspectives into discussions of parking utilization and build momentum to boost affordable housing production in the wake of shifting local policy, create safer more walkable neighborhoods, and allow parking to align with market demand.
We are conducting a study of parking utilization at 10 properties to understand how more flexible parking ordinances have affected off-street parking utilization and parking patterns in surrounding neighborhoods.
Proud to be selected last month as a Local Data for Equitable Communities grantee, along with 29 other organizations nationwide.
Thank you to Milwaukee Water Commons for asking us to work on this project and a big shout out to former staffer Ryan Scherzinger, AICP who served as lead author on this report.
cnt.org/stories/publ...
Milwaukee is a model for the nation in many ways, however, access to water-related jobs and contracts for all in the Milwaukee water sector remains an ongoing challenge, according to our new report, ”Public Procurement and Contracting in Milwaukee's Water Sector.”
Local governments hold a tremendous amount of power and responsibility, anchoring nearly all public spending on water operations and capital improvements.
Last week, we helped Verizon launch their Disaster Resilience sensor initiative in Chicago. Thanks to our partners Hyfi, Greater Chatham Initiative and Grassroots Empowerment Mission and to all who joined us for the launch last Monday.
www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/c...
Emily Laflamme in front of bookshelf of awards at CNT
Thanks @chicago.suntimes.com and reporter @abbylmiller.bsky.social for today’s parking story that highlights our Stalled Out report among other sources chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Plus we had Corey Hendrix of the Bear TV show fame who led a panel, where speakers shared personal experiences and how these resources will lead to the empowerment of many Chicago communities.
The new network of smart flood sensors will be rolling out across Chicago to equip flood-vulnerable communities with the actionable data they need to stay safe, protect infrastructure, and build long-term resilience to severe storms.
