1. Disseminate Public Information
2. Data Collection
3. Research on Issues of Concern
4. Identify Funding Sources and Provide Grantwriting Assistance
5. Promote Partnerships and Develop Collaborative Relationships Through a Community Development Network
6. Financial Management and Basic Accounting
7. High-Quality Training Programs
8. Design Assistance and Construction Management Services
9. Neighborhood Planning
10. Recruit Volunteers to Assist on Community Projects
11. Public Access Computer / Internet Site
12. Publish "Neighborhood News" Newsletter
13. Develop New Organizations

1. Disseminate Public Information - The NTAC responds to specific questions regarding available local, county, state and Federal community development programs and services. As a clearinghouse for this information, the NTAC is able to widely disseminate opportunities to partnering organizations. The NTAC supplies information regarding available funding, model programs and new local and regional opportunities for community development. The NTAC staff attempts to attend every neighborhood organization meeting to serve as an immediate source of information and advice and to strengthen our partnerships. This consistent involvement in the activities of all organizations improves our ability to work collaboratively with organizations on their community development projects. These meetings occur beyond the normal work day hours and are attended by staff on rotation schedule.

2. Data Collection - The NTAC assists organizations with conducting local resource inventories, needs / assets assessments and resident preference surveys. Data collection efforts by the East St. Louis Action Research Project have created and maintained an extensive geographic information system called EGRETS. This database is available on-line from the ESLARP web site. Data includes property conditions, land use, infrastructure assessments and building inventories. The extensive data enables local organizations to determine the extent of critical issues in the community and the level of local interest in addressing these issues.

3. Research on Issues of Concern - The NTAC conducts research on any topic of concern to local residents and organizations that will promote their community development activities. Past research has included documenting demographic trends, gathering examples of community development from other cities across the country and soliciting information from regional agencies. The research activities of the NTAC are greatly enhanced by the direct relationship with the University of Illinois, a leading research institution.

4. Identify Funding Sources and Grantwriting - The NTAC assists local organizations in identifying funding sources and writing successful proposals to public and private funding sources. Funding for NTAC's partnering organizations is critical to their success. Grantwriting is often cited as the most daunting task for groups that are trying to implement community revitalization plans. Rather than write proposals for groups that request assistance, the NTAC works with the organization to produce a proposal so that after the grant request is complete, the organization is trained in writing effective proposals and they are less intimidated by this necessary element of community development. The NTAC has found that after initial assistance with grantwriting, organizations are more likely to contribute more of their own time and expertise to raising funds.

5. Promote Partnerships and Develop Collaborative Relationships Through a Community Development Network - The NTAC helps organizations agencies in the Greater East St. Louis Enterprise Community establish contacts and network with regional and national funders and technical assistance providers. In another effort to build the capacity of NTAC's partnering organizations, the NTAC attempts to match specific organizations with groups whose work and mission can enhance the efforts of local organizations. NTAC sees this activity as critical to sustainable collaboration between groups to avoid duplication of services and to maximize community revitalization.

6. Financial Management and Basic Accounting - The NTAC supports local non-profit organizations with basic financial and management assistance. Sound financial management of non-profit organizations is critical to their success and longevity. Realizing that the majority of groups that partner with the NTAC are staffed with volunteers, the NTAC will, at the request of the organization, assist the group in maintaining their treasury. The NTAC does more than manage the groups' finances - they train the organizations in the importance of financial management and how to maintain good standing.

7. High Quality Training Programs - The NTAC develops and offers high quality training programs that meet the informational needs of local residents and leaders. Training programs in the areas of neighborhood planning, community development, non-profit management, grantwriting and municipal government are offered to groups at no charge to them. Participants of training programs receive handbooks and "how-to" manuals that provide usable information that they keep on hand to share with other residents. Proper training is a critical element of the NTAC's services because it works to build the capacity of local organizations, insure their proper management and shares the knowledge and expertise of the NTAC staff with the larger community. Many of the organizations do not and currently can not secure staff positions to assist with the daily management of the organization. The NTAC's staff expertise combined with a quality training program enables organizations to maintain their groups without individual staff. Seminar topics include proposal writing, marketing, and strategic planning.

8. Design Assistance and Construction Management Services - The NTAC formulates open space and building designs that meet the living, working and recreational needs of local residents and organizations. A staff design specialist offers design assistance, construction management, and architectural services pro-bono to local organizations on small-scale projects. The NTAC uses a "participatory" design approach where local organizations determine projects to pursue, work with the NTAC to securing funding for the project and then design the project in partnership with the staff architect. Very often the NTAC will conduct design charrettes with local residents so that they have the opportunity to control the design project and the NTAC truly adheres to what the community wants. In the past, the NTAC has served as consultant and construction manager on local projects that are funded by CDBG. For large-scale projects, the NTAC is able to refer organizations to design professionals in the region who may do pro-bono or reduced cost work for local non-profit organizations.

9. Neighborhood Planning - Provide maps of the Enterprise Communities as a presentation tool for organizations; assist organizations in the neighborhood revitilization planning process; and help implement plans by serving as planning consultants to organizations and municipal agencies involved in community planning.

10. Recruit Volunteers to Assist on Community Projects - The NTAC recruits student volunteers and interns to assist local organizations and agencies with specific organizing, service or development projects. This program will provide students from local and regional schools with quality internship experiences that expose them to the academic, professional and service opportunities in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and community organizing.

11. Public Access Computer / Internet Site - The NTAC maintains a public computer site with access to the full range of community development databases and resources via the World Wide Web. There is limited accessibility to technology for low-income communities where resources for expensive equipment may be scarce. Thus, the NTAC serves as an "open-door" for any individual or group who needs a computer to do research on the internet, use word processing software, or learn more about computing. It is quite common for residents to use the computers for creating resumes, researching grant opportunities on the WEB and for youth to visit the NTAC after school to play games on the computers. The NTAC also offers training on how to use the Internet to promote community development efforts and how to use common software programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel. Public access at the NTAC enables residents to use the on-line EGRETS data-base created by the University of Illinois' East St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP). This database contains parcel level information on land use, zoning, flooding and property conditions in the area.

12. Publish "Neighborhood News" Newsletter - The NTAC publishes a Community Development Newsletter highlighting the improvement efforts and activities of the city's neighborhood organizations, non-profits, religious institutions and municipal agencies. This publication will also feature upcoming NTAC programs as well as those of the University of Illinois. This newsletter is mailed to over 200 individuals in effort to help organization's promote their activities and network with groups throughout the Enterprise Community.

13. Develop New Organizations - The NTAC identifies and partners with new organizations that are interested in community development. These new groups represent neighborhoods, towns, a special population group or religious institutions. Through these partnerships, the NTAC is able to assess the extent to which (a) non-profits are concerned with community development issues and (b) the capacity and interest of these entities to address the issues. Together the NTAC and the new partnering organization develop a plan for providing technical assistance. This assistance will include any of the NTAC program activities in addition to assistance with incorporation and 501c3 tax exempt status.