Nonprofit Capacity Building Institute (NCBI) | Florida Housing Coalition
Florida Housing Coalition
Nonprofit Capacity Building Institute (NCBI)
Equipping nonprofits and their partners with the skills, the tools, and the confidence to move affordable housing projects from concept to capital to completion.
Purpose
A statewide training and certification system for nonprofit housing developers
NCBI builds organizational, financial, and technical capacity so nonprofits can meet lender expectations, execute projects, and sustain long-term affordability.
Now is the time!
Across Florida, local governments are advancing housing goals by making land available, providing funding, and encouraging nonprofit participation. Yet too often, nonprofits lack the infrastructure and financial readiness to turn opportunity into results.
System Challenge
Capacity gaps slow housing delivery
Without shared standards, opportunity costs rise and pipelines remain unreliable.
NCBI Solution
One shared standard for readiness
A structured certification framework aligning nonprofits, local governments, lenders, and developers.
Support for Nonprofits
To address challenges across local housing ecosystems, NCBI uses specialized certification tracks to align nonprofit and local government under a common standard for governance, financial management, and development readiness.
NCBI 101
Building Blocks – $349
Organizational Foundations for Emerging Nonprofit Developers
Unlocks: Board development, credibility, and access to capacity-building grants.
At the center of this system is our Lender Readiness Certification Program, the flagship program that ensures every participant meets the baseline criteria for lender confidence and project accountability. The Lender Readiness Certification Program includes three progressive certification levels: NCBI 101 (Building Blocks), NCBI 201 (Momentum), and NCBI 301 (Legacy), forming a complete pathway from organizational capacity to certified developer status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a nonprofit capacity building program for affordable housing?
A nonprofit capacity building program strengthens governance, financial systems, and development readiness so organizations can successfully plan, finance, and deliver affordable housing projects.
The Nonprofit Capacity Building Institute (NCBI) by the Florida Housing Coalition is designed specifically for the affordable housing sector in Florida, addressing the real-world requirements of public funders, lenders, and local governments. NCBI goes beyond theory by focusing on board governance, financial management, compliance, and development practices that directly affect an organization’s ability to execute housing projects.
By completing NCBI, nonprofits build the institutional capacity needed to move from concept to construction while aligning with statewide housing policy and funding expectations.
Who should attend nonprofit housing development training?
Nonprofit executives, board members, housing staff, and emerging developers involved in affordable housing development or planning benefit most from this type of training.
NCBI is particularly valuable for Florida-based nonprofits working with local governments, seeking SHIP, SAIL, or other public funding sources, or preparing to engage lenders, CDFIs, and development partners. Board members gain clarity on fiduciary responsibilities, while staff develop the financial and technical skills required to manage complex housing projects.
Organizations looking to strengthen internal alignment and deliver projects more effectively can also explore
our services.
What is lender readiness in affordable housing?
Lender readiness refers to an organization's ability to meet governance, financial, and project management standards required by banks, CDFIs, and public funders.
In practice, lender readiness includes having reliable financial statements, documented policies, experienced leadership, clear decision-making authority, and well-prepared development plans. These factors are closely reviewed during underwriting and due diligence.
NCBI’s Lender Readiness Certification, developed by the Florida Housing Coalition, helps nonprofits understand and meet these expectations, reducing delays and increasing confidence among funding partners.
Does completing NCBI guarantee funding or loan approval?
No. NCBI does not guarantee funding or loan approval, but it significantly improves readiness, credibility, and alignment with lender and funder expectations.
NCBI participants strengthen governance practices, financial documentation, and development processes that are commonly cited as barriers during funding and underwriting reviews.
While funding decisions remain independent, organizations that complete NCBI are better positioned to compete for resources and respond effectively to due diligence requests.
How is NCBI different from a housing conference or workshop?
Unlike one-time events, NCBI is a structured, multi-level certification pathway focused on long-term organizational capacity and real-world project execution.
Housing conferences and workshops often provide high-level information without accountability or follow-through. NCBI is designed as a progressive system, with each level building on the last to reinforce governance, financial discipline, and development readiness.
This approach reflects the Florida Housing Coalition’s commitment to producing consistent, project-ready nonprofit developers rather than isolated learning experiences.
Is NCBI appropriate for emerging nonprofit developers?
Yes. NCBI 101 and 201 are specifically designed to support emerging nonprofit developers building foundational capacity and development skills.
These courses focus on board readiness, financial systems, compliance, and development fundamentals such as feasibility analysis, zoning considerations, and capital stack basics.
For emerging organizations in Florida, NCBI provides a clear pathway from early-stage capacity building to becoming a credible and financeable development partner.
Why choose the NCBI Bundle instead of individual courses?
The NCBI Bundle offers significant cost savings while providing a clear, uninterrupted pathway to full Lender Readiness Certification.
Bundled enrollment ensures continuity across organizational foundations, development readiness, and advanced execution, allowing nonprofits to apply lessons in sequence rather than in isolation.
Completing the full NCBI pathway signals long-term commitment to governance, financial management, and development accountability in alignment with Florida Housing Coalition standards.
