About Us

Mission and Vision

Connected Communities is a CORES certified, non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the creation and growth of community-based programs, services and public policies that support measurable outcomes and opportunities for residents of affordable and mixed-income housing communities.

Connected Communities supports the communities we serve by acting as the backbone for collective impact. We work closely with our clients, community teams, and local partners to create structured, shared goals and build networks that engage resident leaders. Together, we fund and implement collaborative strategies and programs that prioritize community growth and well-being. Our focus is on six key outcome areas:

Housing Stability

Employment

Education

Community Engagement

Health & Wellness

Economic Mobility

Our Story

Since its founding nearly five decades ago, our affiliate, WinnCompanies, has pursued pioneering approaches to housing-based resident and community development services in affordable and mixed-income housing.

Are We Making A Meaningful, Measurable Difference In The Lives Of The People We Serve?

This question launched the creation of Connected Communities, WinnCompanies’ non-profit operating foundation partnership centered on genuine community development.

As a CORES certified organization, Connected Communities received this designation from Steward of Affordable Housing for the Future for its “robust commitment, capacity, and competency in providing outcomes-focused resident services in affordable housing.” This designation can be leveraged to qualify for Fannie Mae™ Healthy Housing Rewards-Enhanced Resident Services™ and is among the selection criteria for developers submitting competitive funding applications for low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) in six states.

Our Core Commitments

PEOPLE. We believe in people.

At Connected Communities, we empower our residents, team members, and community partners by providing the technology, tools, and training they need to understand, support, and actively engage with their communities. Through these collaborations, we foster innovative solutions, programs, and networks that drive community-led, positive change. By leveraging data and analytics through annual community surveys and results tracking, we identify challenges and meet people where they are, engaging all stakeholders to create opportunities for growth and development.

PLACE. We believe in community-driven solutions.

We help each community define success on its own terms, setting meaningful, localized goals for sustainable development. Our teams take an evidence-based, action-planning approach to address common structural barriers to housing stability, starting with initiatives that ensure fundamental housing stability. From this strong foundation, we work to build on the strengths of all stakeholders, prioritizing resident needs and opportunities across six key outcome areas: housing, economic mobility, employment, health, education, and community engagement. We also work to address other specific areas identified by the community.

PARTNERSHIP. We believe in collaboration and innovation.

Connected Communities partners with more than 3,000 high-impact organizations nationwide to help people and communities thrive. As a trusted partner to nonprofit service providers, community organizations, and advocacy groups, we collaborate to develop and implement impactful, innovative programs and solutions. Through linkage and service agreements, we expand our partners’ reach, capacity, and influence across our broad portfolio while utilizing their expertise to drive change, evaluate the effectiveness of their work, and cultivate mutually beneficial relationships.

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Team

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Careers

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Making a meaningful and measurable difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

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