An expert in housing and philanthropy will bring ideas to tackle development challenges, such as planning for affordable housing, to the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday, April 23 as part of its Growing Smarter Speaker Series.
Rick Cohen, a thought-provoking author who once directed the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, will explore the role of nonprofit and private organizations in creating social equity as communities grow.
His talk, “Leveraging the Role of Organizations in Housing and Development,” is the latest in a series of presentations as part of the board’s 2009 series. Cohen’s focus on what nonprofits might bring to the discussion of diverse housing needs is of interest to the Planning Board as it prepares to approve a new housing plan and form recommendations for the 2009-2011 Growth Policy.
Cohen will make a case that the civic sector has an even greater role to play during times of economic crisis. He will cover what nonprofits, foundations and public agencies should be doing to address smart growth, affordable housing and social equity during the economic downturn, particularly in the dynamic communities of Montgomery County.
With governments strapped for funds, Cohen’s message about what foundations around the nation are supporting in the areas of smart growth is timely. He will lay out the opportunities he sees for partnership and collaboration between nonprofits, foundations and government in good planning and development and what government might look to nonprofits to accomplish.
Cohen writes for Nonprofit Quarterly magazine, the nation’s premier journal of nonprofit policy and practice, as national correspondent and editor of the widely read Cohen Report. Cohen’s writing advocates increased philanthropic giving and access for disadvantaged and disenfranchised constituencies.
Prior to directing the philanthropic organization, he served as vice president of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation in charge of national strategic planning, vice president of the Enterprise Foundation directing field programs, and director of Jersey City’s Department of Housing and Economic Development. Cohen continues to provide consulting services to nonprofits, foundations and government agencies. He also worked for the Trust for Public Land in New York City and began his professional career as a planner with Action for Boston Community Development, one of the nation’s original anti-poverty agencies.
When: Thursday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Park and Planning Headquarters auditorium, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring
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