March 11, 2009

Erin Angell Collins, 202-220-6317, ecollins@nw.org

NeighborWorks® America Names Linda Cotton Perry
Director of Development and Communications Division

Washington, D.C. – Today NeighborWorks America named Linda Cotton Perry its Division Director of Development and Communications.  As director, Cotton Perry has direct management responsibility for resource development in the private sector, and for marketing communications, which includes media relations and NeighborWorks’ web sites.

Cotton Perry will work closely with NeighborWorks Chief Executive Officer Kenneth D. Wade, the Board of Directors, and lead management peers to set the strategic vision for development and communications and ensure its successful implementation.  As a frontline fundraiser and marketing strategist for the organization, Cotton Perry will be responsible for the ongoing development, refinement, and implementation of resource development and communications plans.  Cotton Perry is also responsible for diversifying the organization’s philanthropic income stream, and creating a marketing initiative that continues to build on the NeighborWorks brand.

Under Cotton Perry’s leadership, NeighborWorks will seek to create collaborative partnerships to strengthen housing opportunities and revitalize low- and moderate-income communities while developing deeper strategic alliances.

“Today, government entities, nonprofits and businesses are working together to develop collaborative partnerships around a shared mission for community benefit,” said Linda Cotton Perry, division director, Development and Communications. “NeighborWorks has an exciting and compelling mission that is shared across all sectors.  It’s our job to put together these partnerships and create a powerful connection to move our network forward.”

Before joining NeighborWorks, Cotton Perry served as the Vice President for Programs at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, where she was responsible for program and resource development and strategic management.  Prior to that, Cotton Perry was Assistant Vice President for External Relations in the Division of Development at The George Washington University, supporting an annual $80 million campaign.

Cotton Perry began her career as a journalist and served as Associate Publisher at The Baltimore Sun.

“I am honored to join NeighborWorks America, an organization of truly committed individuals doing important work for our nation,” said Cotton Perry.

About NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. Since 1991, we have assisted nearly 1.2 million low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the NeighborWorks network ― more than 230 community development organizations working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $15 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.