Common Ground / NCLT

The work that Common Ground does in this community is outstanding. Not only do they construct/reconstruct houses, but they also construct partnerships in this community that have the potential of lasting beyond a lifetime. Through the Green Jobs Initiative and the Duluth Energy Efficiency Program, Common Ground has paved some of the first steps toward a more sustainable city of Duluth, and fortunately seems to have every intention of continuing beyond the development process.
I started working as an AmeriCorps Volunteer with Common Ground in September and there hasn't been a moment that I've felt like anything less than part of the family.

Common Ground has done nothing but put positive goals and connections back into the community. They are the one of the first resources a person can seek if they are faced with real life crisis. Choosing them as the recipient of this grant would give them that much need boost to physically and emotionally rebuild the sense of what it means to be a community.

The Common Ground is a great program. Not only does it take inmates and help them learn a trade to better their own lives, but it teaches us how to be more engergy efficient. As the world becomes more "green' we need more companies like this one to remind us to do our part!

Common Ground has a well deserved national reputation for constructing affordable, green, affordable housing, while providing comprehensive training opportunities to people who need them.

Common Ground realizes smart opportunities and strategically sets about making them happen. Adding DEEP and the Green Jobs Planning Initiative to their organizational portfolio ensures that the impact of Common Ground will be felt for generations to come.

Common Ground has a huge positive impact in our community on many levels. The organization improves our neighborhoods thru the rehab of distressed homes, providing affordable home ownership to many. Common Ground employs inmates helping reduce recidivism. It has been successful in securing and bringing funds to the Twin Ports which are used to provide energy efficiency improvments to many homes. The organization does many other great things and should be supported as much as possible.

Common Ground has a great track record for tackling problems and getting results. If they are selected, the investment will pay huge dividends. You would be funding a known quantity that has a great staff and a national reputation for green rehab. They have had a huge, positive impact in Duluth and will for generations to come.

Common Ground is great organization to work for and with. We are ever striving to do more for the community, the environment and for each other. We have a great cooperative spirit and a website would help us share this energy and assistance!

Common Ground has an extremely positive impact on our ever changing community. The Common Ground organization improves our community thru the Green rehabilitation of distressed homes. Common Ground get results.

Nerdery Challenge judges, choose Common Ground! This great organization needs to have a venue to showcase their wonderful work: from renovating foreclosed, dilapidated homes to leading the charge in the community for a weatherization program.

Exceptionaly generous individuals working for a organization that is in a community working to enhance the live's of individuals without any thought of personal gain .I can think of no group more worthy of assistance than "Common Ground".this award will give them the needed help to reach even more members seeking help .

Luckily through a friend I heard about common ground and the affordable housing they were working on. Without common ground i would still be renting an apartment in a bad neighborhood. Now I own my own home, my daughter has friends in the neighborhood and we take pride in homeownership. Thank you common ground.

Building affordable housing plus being GREEN always enhances a community. Common Ground has made this their goal. A web site would give them a wider audience to sent out information about their mission and a place for prospective donors and recipients to gain information about Common Ground. Common Ground " Rocks ".

L McLaughlin

Common Ground has proven themselves in the Duluth Community and beyond over the past five plus years as an effective and innovative organization and would be well deserving of technical assistance for the development of a website for their organization. They have been a pioneer in the construction and rehab of some of the most energy efficient and affordable housing units in the state, and likely the entire US. In addition they have taken the lead in developing diverse community partnerships that have resulted in the formation of the Duluth Energy Efficiency Program, DEEP, (which aims to accelerate residential energy efficiency throughout the city of Duluth and beyond), and has taken a lead role in the local Green Jobs initiative efforts. . Please consider Common Ground as a recipient of the resources available through the Nerdy Overnight Challenge. Thank you

I've met the staff at Common Ground, they are hard working and dedicated to their mission. Your investment of time will compound quickly in greater results to serving community.

Common Ground is a huge asset to the Duluth area and does great work. There is much to be done yet with Duluth's aging housing stock and weather that crys for energy efficiency. Please help Common Ground to spread the word faster with a great website; they are most deserving!

I know one of the staff members and she is sincere and dedicated to the improvement of the environment and community. Any program that promotes Green Jobs Initiative action, job skill development,dignity to individuals and development of the community deserves all the support we can give. Common Ground is a great example of a well thought out project benefiting people, community and the environment. I fully support the work that they are doing and believe that it would be a shame not to help this project reach its full potential.

Common Ground is a dynamic, growing, committed organization that needs the help of Nerdy Overnight Challenge to help articulate its mission, reach out to new partners and communicate all of the terrific things it is doing in Duluth and NE MN. We are a partner with Common Ground in their work on reclaiming vacant, foreclosed properties, serving as a state leader on using green development in single family homes- esp. in preserving and upgrading our older housing stock and in the creation of the new Duluth Energy Efficiency Program and the new Green Jobs Strategic planning effort. This small, low-budget operation has a tremendous staff, board and AmeriCorp member who have the energy, know-how and capacity to work together to get this project done within this time frame. I highly recommend Common Ground and urge the judges to select them.

Common Ground is an excellent and highly efficient organization and is worthy of your highest consideration. They are quite adept at leveraging funds to get the most benefit to the most needy.

Common Ground is more than a wonderful company. It is a "spirit". You can just feel it whenever you are in their office.
The philosophy of Common Ground not only benefits Duluth, but also the world. The environment is a major concern and it is a basis of their construction decisions. Their work is the best.
A great web site would not only greatly benefit this company, but all of us.

This is an organization that takes the worst, run down house on the block and turns it into one that any home owner could be proud of. They are on the front lines of energy efficiency and green construction. My bias is clear as I am the current Board Chair for Northern Communities Land Trust of which Common Ground is a key component.

As Common Ground branches into the realm of green program development and public education, a top-notch website is a high priority. I have participated in Common Ground's Green Jobs program, and can testify that their work is timely, on-target, and maintains a strong focus on getting results. I fully support their efforts.

Common Ground is an innovative organization that is at the forefront of developing affordable, green housing and preserving and updating the housing stock of Duluth all while helping people get into and stay in the workforce. I couldn't think of a better organization to get a website makeover.

Since 2005 they have been members of the Arrowhead Builders Association, being the general contractor for their nonprofit housing work. Their organization is about being "green" and assisting others to make that choice. They are leaders in green construction, energy conservation, and green economic development work. They are helping to create a community-wide weatherization program- the Duluth Energy Efficiency Program (DEEP), which assists homeowners in air sealing and weatherizing their homes, as well as giving out energy education.

Common Ground is now working with 120 community leaders, and I am one of them, to define the best means of moving toward a greener economy in the facilitation of the Duluth Green Jobs Initiative action planning process. Action plans are being created for Green Jobs Development in the areas of energy production, food systems, built environment, resource protection and transportation systems.

As a private-sector funded, member-supported non-profit, APEX has a foot in both the private sector and the non-profit worlds. This gives us a unique opportunity participate in various community-based initiatives and to witness the inner workings of countless businesses and non-profit organizations. As you might guess, we see some that work and some that don't. Common Ground is definitely one of the more successful organizations we have had the pleasure of working with, and the initiatives they have led and participated in have also been largely successful - and always to the benefit of our entire community. By helping them, you help all of us. Thank you for considering their application for the Nerdery Overnight Challenge.

Northern Communities Land Trust is a cutting-edge nonprofit organization in terms of its model to create a permanent pool of affordable housing, its focus on green construction, and its work in neighborhood revitalization. They are in need of -- and deserving of -- a cutting-edge web site to match. Not only does NCLT assist low-income people in achieving the dream of home ownership but it trains and employs individuals who might otherwise have difficulty attaining living-wage work. As a Northland Foundation grant recipient, NCLT has proven itself a mindful steward of its resources, and we have been pleased to watch the organization take on new challenges, grow, and thrive to benefit the people of our region. Please help this tremendous asset to the community gain a web site that will help them continue to grow in their worthy work. Thank you for your consideration.

If the good people of this organization could use all of their time to do what they do best, they could accomplish even more in our community than they already do. Unfortunately, their talents have to be split between making a difference here, and fundraising. Having a great web site would enable them to reach more donors in less time with more information, and then they could concentrate on the work they do so well. I know several of the folks involved, and have seen first hand the work they do. It is so impressive I am happy to donate personally, and hope you will help them as well.

When it comes to working for what is best for the community you can put Common Ground in the forefront. They work to improve buildings and people's lives. And, to put icing on the cake, they have a "green" mindset and make sure it is part of their intellectual and practical work.

Common Ground is an asset for Duluth; their work addresses social, economic, and environmental needs of the community. Expanding their reach via a new website will help further educate the local community, including the large university and college student population in the Duluth-Superior area.

I never thought owning a home could be affordable until I heard about a low-income housing program. Common Ground worked on the house that is now my home. It is fantastic. I have high quality windows/systems in the house that keep cost down and I know the house is safe for my family. Common Ground was willing to answer all of my questions and really cared about the job they were doing. I hope they feel that they are making a difference because Common Ground made my dream a reality! They really deserve a reward for all of their hard work.

Common Ground is an extremely innovative and cutting edge organization that is not only leading Duluth into the future of green construction and homeownership, but also convening community leaders from across the region to engage in creative problem solving in areas that affect us all. This organization is proactive, thoughtful, thorough, and truly committed to the ideals on which they were founded. They excel in every area in which they are involved, and are truly deserving of this website development.

Common Ground is helping make a huge impact in the Duluth community. I think the dream of owning your own home, for many, it is out of reach or overwhelming. Common Ground helps many worthy families reach that goal. Thank You Jodi and all the hard working folks at Common Ground for making Duluth a better place to raise a family!

Common Ground is that rare model of a responsible, flexible enterprise that adjusts to the needs of the community they serve. It has been exciting to see the social, economic and environmental benefits resulting from the training opportunities and other partnerships formed by Common Ground.

As a supporter of Northern Communities Land Trust, and a participant in the Green Jobs initiative, it has been heartening to see the impact of Common Ground on the greater community.

Candice Richards, UMD Facilities Management, Green Jobs participant, donor

I have known Common Ground since its inception. They have been an incredible, creative asset to our community. C.G. has brought new ideas, energy and vision to the Duluth area. They have given much to our low income community needs. I believe fully that C.G. would put your website to great use and benefit many people and organizations.

This fall we were fortunate to tour two of the homes Common Ground was refurbishing and were very impressed with quality and workmanship. They are doing a great job creating affordable housing for people and at the same time showing people energywise constuction can be used. A web site would help them accomplish their goal of providing energy efficient buildings and homes.

We partnered with Common Ground in 2005 for demolition services and to ensure reuse of removed materials when we remodeled a location for our store. Since then, I've spoken with general managers of food co-ops around the US and encouraged them to seek out similar partnerships in their own communities. Common Ground has a wealth of green building experience to share and a new website would help them do that.

Common ground has given many families the privilege of owning their own home. A friend who is a single mom was given the ability to purchase her first home and it was the most astounding adventure for her and her daughter. I work for a firm that deals with many lower income families and have seen the pride and smiles of familes who are able to have a home of their own. What a wonderful asset to the community
Barbara Tanski

Common Ground is a leader in utilizing green technology to help low/moderate income people realize their dream of home ownership. The quality of their construction work has greatly improved the older homes in Duluth and given a new face to our neighborhoods. Their leadership in incorporating energy conservation and solid construction techniques have made them a leader in the "green building" world. Their passion to help homeowners is well know to those who have benefitted from their resuse store and their donations of time, knowledge and supplies to Duluth homeowners. With a new website they could help others understand and utilize energy conservation and hopefully give other communities the enthusiasm to incorporate and emulate thier successes.

As a employee of Common Ground its a amazing thing to see a run down, even condemed houses taken from that state and transformed into beautiful, energy efficient houses not only is it amazing to see that transformation but also knowing that a deserving family will soon make that once lonely empty rundown house a HOME!! and home where many memories will be created. This is all possible from the hard work of ALL employees from the office staff to the crews working on the houses...i know that Common Ground deserves and would appreciate this help and that it would bennefit many families in the community for years and years to come!!!!

Common Ground has broad experience ranging from its history in the recycling of building materials, to construction of new homes, and the refurbishment of foreclosed homes. In all of its activities, Common Ground demonstrates that common sense sustainable practices yield sustainable benefits for the Duluth community. Providing a professional internet presence for Common Ground would further benefit the community by allowing more individuals and organizations to see the benefits of Common Ground's practices, assuring continuing support of a non-profit that is making lasting improvements to our region.

Common Ground gets things done. It's an organization that is sensitive to what's happening in the real world, and responsive to real need and changes. Providing them with a new web site would multiply their and your contributions.

Common Ground has been in the forefront of this community to assist in educating, motivating and facilitating in the recycling of materials and promoting green practices. Especially with the Green Jobs development with the City of Duluth. A professional website would help them in their efforts to help inform and promote their vision!

Common Ground is a very creative, committed, and energetic organization working hard to promote sustainable and ecologically oriented practices in the construction industry, while creating Green Jobs in the community. The Housing & Redevelopment Authority contracted with Common Ground to "deconstruct" obsolete public housing which was being removed as part of a major neighborhood revitalization/ transformation process through a HOPE VI redevelopment initiative. Their participation in this project not only allowed for significant recycling of reusable materials, it also created employment opportunities for residents whose neighborhood was being redeveloped, and created a significant community awareness of the importance of "green initiatives" and the economic viability of such efforts. I highly recommend Common Ground for selection in the "Overnight Website Challenge" and can assure you that they will be exemplary in their utilization of the outcome of such an effort!

Common Ground does EVERYTHING they can to make Duluth a more livable community. The benefits of a new professional website would be a tremendous catalyst to their goals. Through the use of Green Construction methods and creating Energy Efficient results for their projects, Common Grounds gets my vote for the Overnight Website Challenge!!!!

Common Ground has a positive impact on our Community. I think it is great that they train prison inmates with the job skills they will need to get a living wage job when they are released, I am proud they are making Duluth a better place to live one house at a time, and making homeownership possible to hardworking families that my not have otherwise had the privilege of owning a home, and have that home energy efficient. Common Ground is a great place to work, I am proud at how much we strive to help our community.

I've worked with Common Ground for several years disbursing construction funds on projects. The work they do is excellent, the homes are a fabulous value to the buyers, and they are ethical, smart and consciencious people. Our entire community benefits from the work these fine people do in our neighborhoods. Common Ground is committed to providing green construction and fitting that into a tight budget. You would be making an extremely wise choice in awarding Common Ground benefits through the Overnight Website Challenge. I can't think of a worthier community organization.

I sold one of the homes this organization worked on. Having Common Ground repair, remodel and save homes in this community is vital. They buyer was so impressed with this home he made an immediated decsion! Was fun to show a home that needed no appoligies and or "selling". Thier outstanding work speaks for itself. They create affordable clean and safe homes for many people who can not afford and deserve the services this compnay can provide. Please give them an opportunity to grow even more. Brenda Gregorich,Realtor, Coldwell Banker East West Realty Duluth, MN

As a participant in the Green Jobs Initiative process, I am amazed at the way the project is organized and the reach it stands to have as projects become realities. Common Ground's housing rehab work throughout the community increasingly blends neighborhoods. Through the Green Jobs project, Common Ground extends its reach by not only helping people live together, but helping us work together to better our community and thrive together.

Common Ground is an active catalyst in the Duluth community. It is providing leadership to create a community-wide weatherization program- to be called Duluth Energy Efficiency Program (DEEP). This is being done in partnership with the local natural gas utility (ComfortSystems) and the electric utility (MN Power). DEEP will be crafted to enhance the participation in the utility energy conservation programs, while assisting homeowners in air sealing and weatherizing their homes through these programs, as well as giving out low interest conservation loans and providing energy education. This is but one facet of the work Common Ground does in our community. They are very deserving of your help to put together a website to showcase the many things they are doing. It would help to make people in the community aware of what they are doing and opportunies they provide.

Common Ground has had an amazing impact on the community; renewing neighborhoods and providing the homes for families that are looking a new leash on life. They provide an invaluable service to the community and it needs to be ever
more visible as they embark on new projects that will continue to
provide jobs and positive community impact.

Common Ground has a committed staff and a 21st century Vision. With those assets they have become a community leader with a variety of leading institutions. This is why your web-services will extend their reach, accelerate our learning together and help them turn the Duluth Energy Efficiency Project into a state and regional model for responding to our climate, energy and economic challenges. Jodi Slick and her team lead with listening and follow with passion. Their leadership is a demonstrated community asset as we confront these urgent challenges.

As a spouse of an employee of Common Ground, I have been on the outside hearing in. I have listened to the different green projects going into these homes and the community. I think it is wonderful to offer these oppertunities to new home buyers. Everyone is busy these days and with the continued fast growth of Common Ground I think that it would be wonderful to get assistance in creating this web site. I hope you give serious consideration for this company.

I have worked with common ground going on a year now. I have seen many homes go from what would be demolition to a new start to a deserving family. The high standard they set building these homes is like no other non profit in the community. I should know, I hear it from the inspectors and subcontractors who visit not only our sites but other sites in the area. Common Ground asks us to put not only our muscle but our heart behind every nail, and that request is not hard to do when you see a husband and wife setting up a bed in there childens first bedrooms. This company has helped so many, not for money, but to give that deserving family a chance! By helping common ground, you are not just helping a construction company build a website, you are helping all those future deserving families start a new life!!!

Common Grounds is a very Green group. They provide a great service in lowering heating and cooling cost for all the homes they work on. Which when low income people get into these house they will be able to afford to stay in them for years. What a great group of people that run this organization. Please select them for your challenge because any thing they receive will be multiplied many times over into the community.

Jodi Slick and the J-team understand 21st technology and have proven they know how to get things done. If selected I'm totally confident they will work smoothly with their nerdery team. Post-launch there is a small community of rubyists and other developers that would be willing help with on-going support.

Common Ground partners with the Minnesota Department of Corrections in providing job related skills and training to state minimum security offenders that are nearing release from prison. Common Ground contracts with the department of corrections for the sevices of inmate work crews to assist with the construction and remodeling of existing homes in and around the Duluth area. This results in a program that is self supporting and does not rely on tax payer funds. Upon release, several of these individuals have gone on to find living wage jobs in the construction industry and become productive members of their communities. Common Ground staff have demonstrated their committment to reducing the shortage of affordable housing, building quality "green" housing and not the least of all helping offenders to reclaim their lives and become contributing members of society. Common Ground is deserving of any support you can provide toward their mission. Thanks

Common Ground is a leader in using Green methods to renovate houses. They are leading the way in turning foreclosed houses into energy efficient affordable housing for low-income people. A new website will increase their capacity to do even more innovative and high quality work!

Common Ground is an organization that is providing beneficial services to our Duluth area. They are drastically changing run-down houses into energy efficient homes, helping the environment by building green, sprucing up neighborhoods and ridding them of vacant houses that would possibly encourage vandalism and crime. Common Ground is providing a way for Department of Correction inmates, soon to be released, for learning carpentry skills that will help their chances of finding work when released, helping their self-esteem, and decreasing their chances of being incarcerated again which helps the tax payers. As the wife of one of Common Ground's carpenters, I have seen first hand the difference they have made, I have met the staff and find them to be enthusiastic, positive, dedicated and passionate in fulfilling their mission. They make their employees feel like a family all working towards a common goal. Common Ground is deserving of any help to improve and to increase their services. Thank you for considering them for the web challenge.

Common Ground is led by a Board of Directors and office personnel that have a passion for building green, conserving energy and helping the community. By completely rennovating condemned and/or foreclosed houses, we are breathing new life into old neighborhoods, one house at a time. By working with the Department of Corrections, Common Ground is giving hope to people who have made bad choices in the past. I'm fortunate to be working for such a good group of people in an organization that has integrity and high ideals.

The people with the Land Trust and Common Ground have proven to be professional and compassionate. I began the 2009 year with the idea that there was no way I would be able to afford a home. They gave me hope and guidance through a long and difficult process. With their assistance and willingness to help we moved into "our" home in June 2009. I applaud their mission. But what I really appreciate are the people that worked with me. They are a key part of why the agency is so worthy of support and continued success.

Commonground has gladly accepted the challenge of being a true leader in our community when it comes to building a sustainable economy. They almost never say no to leadership when an opportunity presents itself to help move us in a clean energy, clean water, clean air, clean economy direction. Although they do fantastic work, support from initiatives like yours would come in very handy, and help leverage the efforts of a great organization like Commonground.

At Common Ground, I have had the privilege to work with amazingly talented individuals who give their hearts to our mission. Although energy and fun pervade the atmosphere, there is deep respect for the seriousness of the work we do. I appreciate the wonderful testimonials that have already been written and can only add my personal appreciation for an opportunity to receive assistance on communicating the importance of developing sustainable communities to a broader audience.
The synergy that is possible between Common Ground and our own personal Nerd Team is limitless. However, giving our staff members 24 hours of Redbull and access to others with wry senses of humor could be the…

The Duluth office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is proud to consider Common Ground an excellent partner in revitalizing Duluth neighborhoods. We have supported their construction, green jobs and AmeriCorps initiatives....but unfortunately have not the funds allowable for website development that they so need for many reasons including effective communication and marketing with partners. The Nerderys could become an important new partner, helping Common Ground staff and supporters achieve success for SO many. Thank you for your consideration.