FORT WORTH, Texas — The Community Developers Roundtable (CDR), a proven program of Innovan Neighborhoods, officially and successfully launched its Fort Worth chapter on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, marking a major step toward championing locally rooted developers as small business leaders.

The launch event was made possible through the generous support of host sponsor Texas Wesleyan University, where it was held at the Baker Building. The event successfully gathered a diverse group of emerging and established nonprofit and for-profit real estate developers, community leaders, stakeholders, funders and partners dedicated to equitable and sustainable neighborhood growth.

The CDR program’s mission is to unlock homegrown opportunities by equipping local developers with access to critical capital, peer learning, strategic support and strong networks. The developers operate as small businesses deeply invested in their neighborhoods.

Maggie Parker, founder of Innovan Neighborhoods and the Community Developers Roundtable, addressed the attendees, highlighting the organization's history of success and the strategic importance of the Fort Worth expansion.

“Our two-year pilot program showed that equipping locally rooted developers with resources, networks and capital, they can drive lasting impact,” Parker notes. She emphasized the program’s vision, stating, “The Fort Worth expansion is about championing and empowering developers who understand the context of their neighborhoods, making them best positioned to build, revitalize and reinvigorate the places they call home which contributes to the economic vitality of Fort Worth.”

Event Highlights

The program officially launched with a dynamic event that included:



• Key Stakeholder Addresses: Attendees heard about the CDR’s established model and the vision for its application and impact across Fort Worth.
• Testimonials: Past cohort participants provided firsthand accounts, sharing the real-world impact they achieved after completing the program.
• Program Overview: A detailed, step-by-step overview of the application process for the inaugural Fort Worth Cohort was provided, officially opening the application window.
• Networking: Developers, funders and community partners connected, fostering the strategic relationships necessary for future community development projects.

With the successful launch of the Fort Worth chapter, the Community Developers Roundtable is now poised to move into its first cohort selection phase, building on its momentum to ensure that local real estate leaders have the capacity to create more affordable housing and vital community assets.

About the Community Developers Roundtable

The Community Developers Roundtable (CDR), a program of Innovan Neighborhoods, is a collective network and capacity-building initiative designed for non-profit and for-profit developers who operate as small businesses deeply invested in their neighborhoods. By offering a developer-led structure with ongoing support, accountability, and access to critical capital, CDR equips developers to create more affordable housing and vital community assets. Together, we foster thriving neighborhoods across North Texas and expand economic opportunity.

Download the Related Press Release here:, CDR Launches in Fort Worth