Our History
Since 1976, NeighborGood Partners has worked to strengthen communities through housing, lending, education, and community development. Founded as NCALL to address housing challenges facing farmworkers and rural families, the organization has grown into a regional leader in affordable housing, financial empowerment, and neighborhood revitalization. Through strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and a commitment to helping people build stable futures, NeighborGood Partners has positively impacted thousands of individuals, families, businesses, and communities across Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula over the past 50 years.
1955
The Formation of the National Council on Agricultural Life and Labor Research Fund, Inc. (NCALL)
Elizabeth Herring and Clay Cochran were notable activists and together with national church organizations concerned with rural living and working conditions, they formed the National Council on Agricultural Life and Labor Research Fund, Inc. (NCALL) as a lobbying organization that could speak for rural people. In 1955, NCALL Research Fund was formed as a primary source of information about the conditions and concerns of rural Americans, contributing to Congressional hearings, studies, academic analyses, and investigations.
1976
The Beginning of our Housing Mission
NCALL began its housing mission with a small but mighty team made up of Jeanine Kleimo as the first Executive Director, Joe Myer and later Karen Speakman, who were providing housing development services by holding workshops, conducting surveys, and organizing various housing corporations to address local housing needs.
1980 - 1984
New Executive Director
In 1981, Joe Myer was appointed by the board as the new Executive Director. It was at this time that NCALL became a Self-Help Housing Technical and Management Assistance (T&MA) contractor for USDA Rural Development. Throughout the 1980’s NCALL deepened its multi-family housing development technical assistance with more rental communities being developed by local nonprofit housing organizations in southern Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
1985 - 1989
The Growth of Housing and Education
In addition, NCALL was pivotal in the establishment of the Delaware Housing Coalition and played a major role in the retooling of Delaware’s Housing Development Fund into a Housing Trust Fund model.
Through the Community Reinvestment Act, several large settlements with banks were reached to provide attractive mortgages to low-and moderate-income households in the late-1980s and NCALL was asked to begin providing Homeowner Education and Counseling services in central Delaware. The curriculum, customer satisfaction, and households served were so strong that demand grew and NCALL’s homeownership counseling services were soon offered state-wide.
2000
NeighborWorks Charter & CDFI Designation
The early 2000’s saw major strategic decisions for NCALL: this included joining NeighborWorks America as a chartered organization and then becoming designated by U. S. Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The purpose of becoming a CDFI was to provide financing, capital, resources, and technical assistance for housing and community development projects throughout the Delmarva Peninsula.
2007
Meeting the Challenge of the Housing Crisis
The real estate foreclosure crisis in 2007 caused NCALL’s Homeownership Counseling to expand and add a significant Foreclosure Prevention Counseling component. This was followed by becoming a partner in the Stand By Me Financial Coaching initiative, a partnership between the United Way of Delaware and Governor Jack Markell, to educate the community about sound financial principles and practices.
2014
Supporting the Capital
2014 saw NCALL becoming the lead agency for a major planning and community development effort to strengthen and improve Dover’s downtown residential and business sectors. A Steering Committee of 25 organizations and representatives was organized and NCALL received a Planning Grant and then two 5-year Implementation Grants from the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, now the Regional Foundation. This effort and its many outcomes are breathing new life into Delaware’s State Capitol.
2018
New Executive Director
Karen Speakman
After 37 years of leading the organization, Joe Myer retired, and Karen Speakman was appointed as the new Executive Director. Her leadership has guided the organization through the Covid-19 pandemic with a commitment in diversity and inclusion, team spirit, a launch of a new name and brand, and preparing the organization for next century while building on the many services that NeighborGood Partners brings to our customers and communities.
2020
Meeting the Challenge of COVID-19
When the COVID-19 pandemic created new challenges for families, homeowners, small businesses and communities, NCALL adapted its services to continue meeting critical needs. Staff shifted programs and counseling to virtual and remote formats while helping customers navigate housing instability, financial uncertainty and access to available resources. The organization remained focused on keeping people connected to the support they needed during an unprecedented time.
2022
A New Name for a Growing Mission
In 2022, NCALL Research Fund became NeighborGood Partners, introducing a new name and brand that better reflected the organization’s expanding work and the communities it serves. While the name changed, the mission remained rooted in the same commitment to affordable housing, financial opportunity and stronger communities. The NeighborGood Partners name brought the organization’s housing, lending, education and community development work together under one identity.
2026
50 Years of Housing Impact
In 2026, NeighborGood Partners celebrates 50 years since beginning its housing mission. What started with a small team addressing rural housing needs has grown into a statewide and regional network of housing counseling, affordable housing development, lending, technical assistance, financial education and community development programs. Across five decades, thousands of families, homeowners, businesses and communities have been supported in building greater stability and opportunity.
50 years of service | $190.6 million in lending | 318 loans
The Future
Building What Comes Next
NeighborGood Partners enters its next chapter with the same belief that has guided the organization for 50 years: strong communities begin with opportunity, partnership and a safe place to call home. As housing needs continue to evolve, NeighborGood Partners will build on its history through affordable homeownership, community development, lending, financial empowerment and partnerships that create lasting impact for Delaware families and communities.
