Dear Friends-

I am writing to update you on our progress, thank you for your assistance, and ask for your financial support.

2008 has been an incredible year for MoveSmart.org. When it began, this fledgling project was little more than a concept paper and a blog. Thanks to our stellar board of directors, dedicated volunteers, and most of all your advice, guidance, and support we have made enormous progress.

Over just the past twelve months – and without a paid staff – MoveSmart.org …

• …built a working prototype of the site and surveyed more than 200 housing counselors across the region, giving us valuable feedback that is informing our current development.
• …was a finalist in the NetSquared Mashup Competition, winning more than $2,000, a trip to the N2Y3 Conference in Silicon Valley, and valuable feedback and insight from the best of the non-profit tech world.
• …built a partnership with the Chicago Technology Cooperative (CTC), Chicago's premiere non-profit web development firm. CTC is donating substantial pro bono development time to the project; MoveSmart.org will be the first example of their new mapping platform.
• …obtained 501(c)3 designation from the IRS, including a determination that revenues from our real estate professional services are "related business income" – and therefore tax exempt. Significant pro bono assistance in this effort was provided by board member Jay Readey and the firm of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, and we are eternally grateful to our former fiscal sponsor the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights.
• …drafted the privacy policy and terms of use for MoveSmart.org with the generous pro bono assistance of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
• …built and launched BroadShouldersUpdate.com in collaboration with Metropolitan Planning Council and the Neighbors Project. The site and embeddable widget aggregate the latest news from more than 20 housing and community development sites and are one-stop news resources for community development advocates in Chicagoland.
• …built and launched IntegrationAgenda.org in partnership with the Jane Addams Hull House Association, the Institute for Government and Public Affairs of UIC, and the Oak Park Regional Housing Center. The site is a collaborative effort to create and advance a 21^st century agenda for stable diversity and includes a wealth of social media tools to influence to incoming administration to prioritize integration.

The approaching year holds incredible promise for MoveSmart.org – just in the first quarter of 2009 we will launch of a fully-functional "beta" site as well as partner with a team of student consultants through campusCatalyst to develop a comprehensive business plan.

But in order to be successful, we need your financial support.

As our nation's financial crisis deepens, more and more homeowners return to the rental market due to foreclosure. It is imperative that all families be empowered with the tools to identify communities where they can be successful. Your tax-deductible donation will provide these families with customized information and guidance that removes the blinders of prejudice and ignorance, empowering them to make smarter decisions that at the same time build vibrant, diverse neighborhoods.

Thanks so much,

-Justin Massa
executive director and founder

p.s. You can learn more about MoveSmart.org, and watch our "Integration 2.0" introductory video, right here.