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This past summer Trillium focused internally on building our technical and organizational capacity. Here are some highlights from our summer progress and events:
We Received our 501(c)(3) Status: This summer Trillium CLT received its 501(c)(3) non-profit exempt status from the IRS. This is a major step for our organization and means we can begin fundraising this fall. Big thanks to the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation; we would not have been able to get to this point without their generous support.
We Began our Site Development Feasibility Process: Trillium has been collaborating with non-profit developer Hudson River Housing to develop a feasibility process for development. This process will help us to evaluate different sites in Columbia County to find which are best suited for a pilot project. Through this process we will look at the site conditions, the development financials, and how well the site fits with Trillium’s mission and values. This collaboration is made possible by the Fund for Columbia County grant from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
We Finished CLT Technical Assistance Training: This month several of us completed a one-year technical assistance training program for community land trusts from Enterprise Community Partners. Through this program we got to regularly meet and discuss with other community land trust board members and staff from around New York State, as well as receive classes in development finance, CLT operations and maintenance, and homeowner/tenant support.
We Hung Out in Philmont: The Village of Philmont has been taking a serious look at their housing needs through a Housing Needs Assessment. This summer Trillium hung out at the Philmont Community Day to speak with residents and community leaders. In August, representatives from Trillium spoke to the Philmont Board of Trustees about Trillium and how the community land trust model could be one tool that addresses housing needs in Philmont. Let us know if you’d like Trillium to come to your community!
