Strength Matters · Peer Recognition
The Frances Ferguson
Leadership Award
Honoring the individuals and organizations whose sustained, intentional commitment has shaped Strength Matters — and strengthened financial leadership across nonprofit affordable housing.
The namesake
About Frances Ferguson
Over a career spanning nearly 40 years, Francie Ferguson has had a significant impact on the affordable housing industry. Her work began with creating the Central Texas Mutual Housing Association — now known as Foundation Communities in Austin, Texas — and later brought her to NeighborWorks America, where she served as the lead for multifamily housing and helped strengthen real estate nonprofits across the country.
While at NeighborWorks, Francie saw an opportunity: bringing small-to-medium-sized affordable housing developers together with larger developers to foster the growth of smaller organizations and strengthen the overall industry. She took her idea to the MacArthur Foundation, where Debra Schwartz and MacArthur consultant Mary Vasys helped her sketch out the new initiative that would become Strength Matters. Together, they believed that convening nonprofit affordable housing developers around a common approach to strengthening financial management would position both individual organizations and the industry as a whole to attract more capital. They approached Housing Partnership Network and Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future — and the collaborative partnership that became Strength Matters came to be.
The award
What it recognizes
Purpose
To recognize the contributions of an individual or organization that has proactively contributed to the development, growth and continued relevance of Strength Matters in a sustained, intentional manner. The recipient is honored at the Strength Matters Financial Management Conference.
Eligibility
Any individual or organization that has made an enduring commitment to Strength Matters. Nominations may be submitted by anyone in the Strength Matters community, and self-nominations are welcome.
How nominees are evaluated
Criteria
Sustained commitment is considered across the contribution categories below. A strong nominee need not check every box — depth and consistency of impact matter most.
Service on the Advisory Committee
A current or past Advisory Council member who proactively informed the direction, design and deployment of Strength Matters programs and content.
Service on subcommittees
Provided subject-matter expertise on specific topical subcommittees or working groups.
Panel participation and leadership
Joined topical panels or served in spotlight speaker roles across venues including the Financial Management Conference, Boot Camp, and webinars.
Sharing materials and best practices
Offered formal or ad hoc peer exchange or technical assistance to the industry’s current and emerging leaders.
“Brand-raising” for Strength Matters
Helped elevate Strength Matters as the primary forum for learning and exchange among financial professionals in affordable housing development and management.
Fostering engagement and peer connection
Created the conditions for community building among professionals and attendees at virtual and in-person Strength Matters events.
Thought leadership
Bolstered Strength Matters through new insights and connections within the industry and among partners.
Research and technical papers
Authored or contributed to white papers, fact sheets, data development and other research supporting the work of Strength Matters.
Financial and/or staffing support
Contributed to the operational success of Strength Matters, including through resource development and in-kind human capital.
In good company
Past recipients
Gayle Lacroix
Chief Financial Officer, Volunteers of America Massachusetts
Submit a nomination
Nominate someone
Tell us about a colleague, partner or organization whose commitment to Strength Matters deserves recognition.
