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501(c)(3)

Often used as shorthand for a tax-exempt non-profit, Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code defines charitable organizations that are tax-exempt and may receive contributions that are tax-deductible to the giver. Not all non-profits are 501(c)(3) non-profits. Most foundations and corporations will only contribute to 501(c)(3)'s.

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ACCBO \ack'-boh\ Advisory Commission on Community Based Organizations

A committee of volunteers that advises the City on distribution of funds to community based organizations in the City. These funds are used by the organizations to pay staff and other expenses. There is an annual application process and there are eligibility requirements for organizations and activities.


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CARC \kark\ Capital Assets Research Corporation

Private for-profit collection agency which purchased delinquent tax water and sewer liens from the City of Pittsburgh. When property owners fail to pay, CARC can foreclose on the property, much of which is in low-income communities.


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CBO Community Based Organization

A neighborhood based non-profit organization dedicated to improving its community. Though some groups have staff, many are all- volunteer efforts. Activities range from neighborhood clean-ups to housing and commercial real estate development.

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CDAG \see'-dag\ Community Development Advisory Group

A term created by the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group to identify the regular series of meetings between community leaders and bank officials. Each bank has its own CDAG with PCRG which meets between 4 and 8 times a year. CDAG's are forums to discuss community needs and partnership opportunities with each bank.

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CDBG Community Development Block Grant

Federal funds provides to cities and counties and intended primarily to benefit low and moderate income communities. CDBG funds all or part of most government programs, loans and grant pools for community development.

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CDCP Community Design Center of Pittsburgh

A non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of design in Pittsburgh neighborhoods as a means of encouraging community reinvestment and citizen involvement, through grants and technical assistance to community-based revitalization organizations within the City of Pittsburgh, and broader educational programs such as the Renovation Information Network (RIN).

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CDFI Community Development Financial Institution

A non-profit organization which makes loans to businesses and others, usually as a strategy to create jobs. These loans are usually less expensive than a bank loan or riskier than the typical bank loan.

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CEDO \see'-doh\ Comprehensive Economic Development Organization

A non-profit entity or coalition of non-profit entities which are to engage and involve community residents and organizations in addressing community issues. Emphasis is placed on developing multi-neighborhood strategies. Funded by PPND.

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CRA Community Reinvestment Act

This federal law requires banks to serve the credit needs of low and moderate income communities where they take deposits. This law was designed to eliminate the practice of "redlining" in which some lenders circled certain areas and refused to lend money there. In Pittsburgh, PCRG has employed CRA to establish working relationships with Pittsburgh lenders.

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CSP Comprehensive Services Program

A special program under Pennsylvania's Neighborhood Assistance Program (see NAP). This is a state tax credit program in which for- profit companies receive tax credits for contributions to a non-profit community organization to address a comprehensive range of community issues. This is a very limited program with fewer than a dozen CSP partnerships Pennsylvania.

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CTAC \see'-tack\ Community Technical Assistance Center

A non-profit organization that provides guidance, support, training and information to non-profit community based organizations. CTAC is the author and publisher of this Do It Right! kit and other publications.

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DCA Department of Community Affairs

See DCED.

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DCED Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

This Pennsylvania state government department manages a variety of grant programs and other resources for community development. Formerly DCA, Department of Community Affairs.

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HAAC Housing Authority of Allegheny County

This governmental authority owns and operates public housing units in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, except for units in the cities of Pittsburgh and McKeesport which have their own housing authorities. HAAC also administers parts of the Section 8 rental housing program.

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HACP Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh

This governmental authority owns and operates public housing units in the City. It also administers parts of the Section 8 rental housing program.

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HDC Housing Development Corporation

A non-profit entity focused on development of rental or for/sale housing in low-income communities as a strategy to revitalize a neighborhood, town or city.


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HILP Home Improvement Loan Program

This low interest loan program provides funds to homeowners to make repairs and improvements. It is administered by the URA and has income eligibility limits.

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HMDA \hum'-dah\ Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

A federal law requiring financial institutions to report key information about mortgage loans. Using this information, community organizations are able to assess a bank's performance under the Community Reinvestment ACT (See CRA).

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HOPE VI Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere

A federally funded program to redevelop communities with high concentrations of deteriorated public housing. These projects are very large, involving hundreds of housing units and tens of millions of dollars. Local examples include Manchester, the Hill District and Allequippa Terrace.

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HRP Housing Recovery Program

A special mortgage loan program created by Pittsburgh's Urban Redevelopment Authority and available through local banks. Unlike most home mortgages which only lend enough money to buy a home, this program lends money to buy and rehabilitate a home which needs substantial repairs. (Do not confuse with PHRP.)

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HUD Department of Housing and Urban Development

A department of the U.S. Government with local offices in all major cities. HUD manages a variety of funds, programs and resources for community development, serving state and local governments, housing authorities, and non-profits.

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IDC Industrial Development Corporation

A non-profit entity focused on industrial development in low-income communities as a strategy to create jobs.

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LIHTC Low Income Housing Tax Credit

To encourage the development of affordable housing, state and federal governments offer incentives to real estate developers in the form of tax credits based on a percentage of a project's cost. When a non-profit is the developer, it may sell the tax credit to companies or individuals who want to reduce their taxes.

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LISC \lisk\ Local Initiative Support Corporation

A national non-profit organization with a local office for Southwestern Pennsylvania. LISC provides loans and other resources for housing and economic development projects.

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MBE Minority Business Enterprise

A For-Profit business which is certified by a government agency as being at least 51% owned by minority owners. (See also WBE.)


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MBE Plan Minority Business Enterprise Plan

A document explaining how a developer will seek out and employ minority businesses on a project. Often lumped together with a WBE Plan.

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NAP Neighborhood Assistance Program

A Pennsylvania tax credit program in which for-profit companies receive tax credits for contributions to non-profits. (See also CSP.)

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NBDR Neighborhood Business District Revitalization Program

This URA program provides funding and other resources to community-based efforts to improve small business districts. In 2000 it was renamed the URA Mainstreets Program.

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NEP Neighborhood Employment Project

A non-profit community based program to link residents to jobs. Activity may include placement, training, resume writing and interview tips.

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NOFA \noh'-fah\ Notice of Funds Available

A formal announcement from a government agency of available grant funds. The NOFA will list the type of grant, the amount available, the purpose of the program, eligible organizations, eligible activities, and the requirements and date for application. A Super-NOFA announces a number of different grant programs in one document.

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NPI Neighborhood Planning Initiative

A comprehensive community-based planning process for towns and neighborhoods. Developed by CTAC.

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NUSA Neighborhoods USA

This national non-profit is a coalition of grassroots community organizations. NUSA holds an annual conference which brings 1500 community leaders together. Pittsburgh hosts the NUSA Conference in May 2001.

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PCRG Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group

A coalition of over 27 community organizations, primarily from the City of Pittsburgh, which partners with bank, governments and other lenders to revitalize low and moderate income communities by increasing the availability of home mortgages and other types of sound affordable credit and banking services. This effort is based on the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), a 1977 Federal Law that requires banks and savings and loan associations to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low and moderate income communities. (See also CDAG.)

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PHFA Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

This state government agency manages a variety of loan programs and other resources to fund low- income housing development projects.

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PHLF \fliff or "Landmarks"\ Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation

A non-profit organization providing advocacy, education and a loan fund to support historic preservation.

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PHOP \pea'-hop\ Pittsburgh Home Ownership Program

A mortgage loan program created by Pittsburgh's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and available through local banks. It provides certain incentives and cost savings to make it easier to buy a home.

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PHRP \perp\ Pittsburgh Home Rehabilitation Program

This is a home repair and improvement loan created by Pittsburgh's Urban Redevelopment Authority and available through local banks. It is most often used by existing homeowners who wish to repair their homes. (Do not confuse with HRP.)

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PPND Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development

A primary funding source for community development organizations and projects. It is called an "intermediary" because it collects contributions from foundations and corporations, and then, with this combined pot of funds, makes grants to particular projects and organizations.

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RAAC \rack\ Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County

This governmental agency manages various programs, loan programs and development funds to stimulate housing and economic development in the County. It is similar to the URA in the City of Pittsburgh.

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RFP Request for Proposal

A formal announcement inviting qualified persons to propose a particular service or project. It is typically used to find qualified consultants. The RFP will usually describe the issue involved, the general type of service sought, and the qualifications required of respondents.


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RIN Renovation Information Network

A program of the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh (CDCP) which provides low-cost consultations with design professionals to homeowners planning renovations.

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SBA Small Business Administration

This agency of the federal government provides loans and other services to small businesses. It is a primary funder of the WEC.

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Section 8

A federally funded effort program which assists low-income persons by paying a portion of their rent based on the amount of their income. There are two (2) principle types of Section 8 assistance.

Site Specific Certificate

The Landlord holds a Section 8 certificate for the rental unit, and can rent to a qualified low-income person. The certificate stays with the unit when the tenant moves.

Voucher (or Portable Certificate)

The low-income person receives a certificate from the Housing Authority, which allows the person to choose their own housing. The certificate moves with the tenant.

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TA Technical Assistance

Guidance and information that can range from the general (board-building, effective meetings) to the extremely technical (low-income tax credits for housing projects). Technical assistance providers include non-profit, such as the Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC), and private for-profit consultants.

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TCB The Community Builders

A national non-profit organization which develops and manages affordable housing, usually in partnership with local non-profits.

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VPWG Vacant Property Working Group

A coalition of community-based organizations dealing with issues concerning the maintenance, acquisition and redevelopment of vacant properties in the City of Pittsburgh. VPWG is hosted by PCRG which serves as the fiscal sponsor for this unincorporated coalition.

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WEC Women's Enterprise Center

This non-profit program of the Allegheny West Civic Council provides training, technical assistance services and incubator office space to women starting or growing small businesses. It is funded in part by the SBA.

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WBE Women's Business Enterprise

A for-profit business certified by a government agency as being at least 51% owned by one or more women. (See also, MBE.)

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WBE Plan Women's Business Enterprise Plan

A document explaining how a develop will seek out and employ women-owned businesses. Often lumped together with a MBE Plan.

Have you come across an acronym or term that you don't understand? Nominate it for inclusion in Do It Right! Acronyms and Terms in Community Development. We'll do our best to include it.

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