Frequently Asked Questions

 
 

What is a Community Development Corporation (CDC)?

A community development corporation (CDC) is a not-for-profit organization incorporated to provide programs, offer services and engage in other activities that promote and support community development. CDCs usually serve a geographic location such as a neighborhood, and their Boards are traditionally composed of residents or business owners living in the area served by the CDC, in addition to individuals with expertise in areas key to the organization’s mission. 

 
 

What is Greenwood Legacy Corporation?

Greenwood Legacy Corporation is a new Community Development Corporation (CDC) established to support and lead implementation of the Kirkpatrick Heights / Greenwood Master Plan. The CDC was formed based upon recommendations made by a Community Governance Working Group that met throughout 2023. 

 

Who serves on the founding board of Greenwood Legacy Corporation?

Greenwood Legacy Corporation was formed with a Founding Board of five (5) members. All five members served on an Advisory Committee that was selected earlier this spring following a public application process. 

Members of the Founding Board include: 

GLC BOARD MEMBERS
 

How were Founding Board members selected?

Board members were selected from among the members of a nine (9) person Advisory Committee. Efforts to establish the Advisory Committee were started in January 2024 following recommendations from the Community Governance Working Group. Advisory Committee members were chosen by a community-led selection committee, with selections being made based upon residency in the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood neighborhoods, identified priority skill sets, and an applicant’s commitment to implementing the Master Plan.

 

Will there be an opportunity for other members of the community to join the board?

Yes. The Founding Board serves as the body that will support further actions to establish Greenwood Legacy Corporation, including adopting Bylaws for the new organization that will govern how the CDC will function. 

Similar to how the Advisory Committee was selected, the Founding Board anticipates remaining Board seats will be filled through a public application process. The Founding Board members are legally responsible for voting to approve additional members of the Board. 

INTERESTED? CONNECT WITH GLC
 

Now that Greenwood Legacy Corporation has been established as a legal entity, what happens next?

The formal incorporation of Greenwood Legacy Corporation is just the first of many steps to establish a CDC that will support and lead implementation of the Kirkpatrick Heights / Greenwood Master Plan. This action establishes the legal governance mechanism, through the Founding Board, to make decisions on the work of Greenwood Legacy Corporation. 

The following areas of work will be the focus of the Founding Board for the next 3-6 months: 

  • Board Governance: The Founding Board will finalize its Bylaws, elect officers, and develop its timeline for soliciting applications for additional Board members. Any additional Board seats will be filled through a public application process. Additionally, the Board will work with legal counsel to prepare paperwork for seeking non-profit status. 

  • Staffing: The Founding Board will work with PartnerTulsa staff to identify critical initial staffing needs, and determine how these staffing needs will be met. It is expected that PartnerTulsa staff will continue to support the CDC and its Founding Board through an initial incubation period. Any new staff position opportunities related to the CDC will be posted publicly. 

  • Operations: The Founding Board will work with PartnerTulsa to develop a recommended budget and develop contracts to access funding dedicated by PartnerTulsa and the City of Tulsa for the CDC’s launch. 

  • Development Analysis: Working alongside PartnerTulsa staff, the Founding Board will begin evaluating the path to physical development within the Master Plan area, leveraging funding recently awarded through a U.S. Department of Transportation grant intended to support innovative approaches to financing development.

 

Who supported the creation of the Greenwood Legacy Corporation?

OPPORTUNITY ACCELERATOR

Led by the W. Haywood Burns Institute, the Opportunity Accelerator was a national grant received by PartnerTulsa through Results for America. Through this grant, the Burns Institute facilitated a community-led process that led to the creation of the Community Governance Working Group. The GLC has continued to leverage support from the Burns Institute as it initiates community engagement efforts and plans for the expansion of GLC’s Board.


COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE WORKING GROUP

A group of 30+ community leaders who met throughout 2023 to study community governance models. After visiting four (4) national best-practice community organizations (Hill CDC in Pittsburgh, PA; Jane’s Place and People’s Housing Plus in New Orleans, LA; and Russell: A Place of Promise in Louisville, KY), the Working Group recommended a CDC be established to support and lead implementation of the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan. The Working Group helped to recommend the structure for the application and scoring rubric for the Advisory Committee based upon their learnings from best-practice organizations.


COMMUNITY-LED APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

A sub-committee of the Community Governance Working Group volunteered to review applications for the Advisory Committee. These members were prohibited from applying to serve on the Advisory Committee, as they could not apply for membership and review the applications of other individuals.


ADVISORY COMMITTEE

A 9-member community body was selected in April 2024 following a public application process. The recommendation to form the Advisory Committee was made by the Community Governance Working Group to support establishing the CDC.


GABLEGOTWALS

Provided independent counsel to the Advisory Committee to draft the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for GLC. GableGotwals was selected by the Advisory Committee given their experience supporting the incorporation of Historic Greenwood Main Street, Greenwood Rising, and their broader work with non-profit, public, and real estate law. GableGotwals continues to advise the GLC and supports its application for 501(c)3 status. 


PARTNER TULSA

PartnerTulsa has provided staff support to the Advisory Committee, funding for legal services to support the formation of GLC, and funding for other necessary consulting services through its Operating Budget. PartnerTulsa will continue to support the launch of GLC, seeking to move the CDC from incubation to independence.


CITY OF TULSA

The City of Tulsa has provided $2,000,000 in funding to support the startup and launch of GLC. Additionally, the City of Tulsa approved $5,000,000 in the recent Improve Our Tulsa 3 program that will support future investments in the Master Plan area, and is supporting efforts to pursue major grants to support the Master Plan’s implementation.

 

 

What actions have occurred since the creation of the Greenwood Legacy Corporation in October 2024?

Since its incorporation in the fall of 2024, the Board of Directors for GLC has been focused on foundational actions to support the launch of the organization:

Completed Bylaws
In January 2025, the Board adopted GLC’s Bylaws, which govern how the Board and organization function.

Filed 501(c)3 Application with the IRS
In February 2025, the Board began working on the application for GLC’s non-profit status. This application was submitted in May 2025.

Launched National Search for Executive Director
In May 2025, GLC engaged Maneva Group to support a national search for its founding Executive Director. The search was kicked off by engaging members of the Community Governance Working Group to help inform the position description for the role.

Initiated Community Engagement Efforts
In June 2025, the Board hosted a Community Partner and Stakeholder Meeting to kick off public engagement efforts. The Board anticipates partnering with the Burns Institute to plan and host additional community engagement events in the coming months.

VIEW TIMELINE →
 
 

Now that Greenwood Legacy Corporation has been established as a legal entity, what happens next?

The formal incorporation of Greenwood Legacy Corporation is just the first of many steps to establish a CDC that will support and lead implementation of the Kirkpatrick Heights / Greenwood Master Plan. This action establishes the legal governance mechanism, through the Founding Board, to make decisions on the work of Greenwood Legacy Corporation. 

The following areas of work will be the focus of the Founding Board for the next 3-6 months: 

Board Governance
The Founding Board will finalize its Bylaws, elect officers, and develop its timeline for soliciting applications for additional Board members. Any additional Board seats will be filled through a public application process. Additionally, the Board will work with legal counsel to prepare paperwork for seeking non-profit status. 

Staffing
The Founding Board will work with PartnerTulsa staff to identify critical initial staffing needs and determine how these staffing needs will be met. It is expected that PartnerTulsa staff will continue to support the CDC and its Founding Board through an initial incubation period. Any new staff position opportunities related to the CDC will be posted publicly. 

Operations
The Founding Board will work with PartnerTulsa to develop a recommended budget and develop contracts to access funding dedicated by PartnerTulsa and the City of Tulsa for the CDC’s launch. 

Development Analysis
Working alongside PartnerTulsa staff, the Founding Board will begin evaluating the path to physical development within the Master Plan area, leveraging funding recently awarded through a U.S. Department of Transportation grant intended to support innovative approaches to financing development.

UPCOMING EVENTS →
 

How can I receive regular updates regarding Greenwood Legacy Corporation and the implementation of the Kirkpatrick Heights / Greenwood Master Plan?

 

You can sign up for our newsletter list for specific updates on Greenwood Legacy Corporation and the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan.

 
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