how we work
Our work is in service to existing neighborhood-based organizations. While we assist with upfront formation of the MINT, we know that local leaders know their neighborhoods best and can ensure neighborhood priorities are driving the MINT operations.
We only get paid if we actually succeed in launching a MINT with you. Trust Neighborhoods has an incorporation fee only upon the successful completion of a MINT launch, and we have a long term performance fee if the MINT is financially sustainable and performing on impact. Our intentions are to set up something that lasts, and to not charge for plans and consulting that may result in no long term impact.
If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you!
where Mints can be meaningful
Criteria for a possible MINT
If you think a MINT could be meaningful in your neighborhood, we welcome introductions, and we have a typical process for working with a neighborhood towards launching a MINT.
Existing neighborhood organization
An existing neighborhood-based organization has capacity, legitimacy within the community, and real estate fluency.
High renter population
There are enough renter residents to make affordable and high-quality rental housing a priority, and the neighborhood based partner cares about its renting residents at risk of displacement.
Path of growth
Rents are likely to rise in coming years in a way that risks pricing out current residents. This path of growth might be driven by a revitalized downtown, education or medical centers, new employers, demand for walkable urban neighborhoods, or investments in nearby parks and transit.
Acquisition potential
A neighborhood can feasibly acquire enough properties at non-speculative prices and sufficient scale.
Partnership process
partnership timeline
This process comes out of our wanting to work closely with you as a dedicated community partner towards best serving your priorities.
If this sounds like you, contact us here!
Introduction and fit
We meet to introduce the MINT model, learn about the neighborhood’s priorities and determine a neighborhood fit with the above criteria. This may be several sessions.
Diligence
If it seems like the MINT model is a match with your priorities and our general four criteria, we do our homework to see if a MINT is feasible enough to dedicate our time and yours to a MINT formation process. This focuses on an analysis of real estate and the community. At the end of this diligence and matchmaking process, we both sign an MOU to work on forming a MINT together.
MINT formation
Trust Neighborhoods supports your organization with forming the MINT, working with residents, raising capital, and signing on any necessary partnerships. This includes our support on legal structure, project management, capital raising, resident workshops, governance, and securing any operational partnerships needed for development, property management and acquisition.
Operational support
With the launch of the MINT, we want to have the MINT driven and operating at the neighborhood level, but our team will stay available for support with impact and evaluation, access to connections and resources, and learning from peer networks and neighborhoods running their own MINTs.