City Transformation University
70 courses from 30 years of City Transformation work, for the investors, partners and local leaders renewing their neighborhoods without displacing the people who live there.
Choose your path Investors Partners Local leaders Supporters
Our vision
For 30 years, the City Transformation model has brought churches, city leaders, police, builders and investors together around one neighborhood plan, starting in West Dallas. City Transformation University turns that work into training anyone can use: 64 modules across seven tracks, from crime and safety to Opportunity Zone finance.
It is a tool, not a theory. Each module gives investors, partners and local leaders the steps, templates and examples to improve their own community and widen economic opportunity for the people who already live there.
What we hope to achieve
Take the City Transformation model to other communities through technology and local partnerships.
Document the lessons learned and best practices of the last 30 years, organized with the help of AI.
Show the body of Christ that change is possible when we work together.
Create a dedicated revenue stream for local ministries and missions.
Give young leaders proven practices and systems for impact in their own communities.
Encourage investors to back Opportunity Zone projects that are profitable and good for local partners and residents, without displacement: projects with an earthly and an eternal impact.
Course tracks
The full curriculum: six community tracks and the Opportunity Zone finance track. Choose a track to see its courses in the catalog, or see the full course list.
Get involved
Choose the role that fits you. Each one has its own training pathway and its own benefits.
Who it is for: Individuals, family offices and funds with capital gains to place in Opportunity Zones, who want returns and real community impact.
What you get
Who it is for: Marketplace leaders: developers, builders, lenders, foundations, corporations, CDCs and city officials who work alongside the investors and neighborhoods.
What you get
Who it is for: Individuals and small groups: pastors, nonprofit and ministry leaders, neighborhood associations and young leaders ready to lead change where they live.
What you get
Who it is for: Anyone who believes in the work and wants to spread the word, including local churches and ministries looking for a new source of income.
What you get
Pathway 1 · Investors & advisors
Ten one-hour sessions, in order. Offered as two half-days or ten weekly webinars.
Education only; not an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities.
1Deferral, step-up, the 10-year exclusion and the new map
Available
2Data-driven site selection with crime, blight and code maps
In development
3How the capital stack protects returns and residents
Available
4Cost-to-value gap sizing and the West Dallas record
Available
5Corridor repricing is the year-10 tax-free gain
Available
6Investment follows safety gains
In development
7Enforcement plus prevention: the biggest fear about OZ tracts, answered
Available
8No displacement; the resident-ownership exit
Available
9Fundamentals first; the investor document set
Available
10Exit mechanics and the ownership bridge
AvailablePathway 2 · Partners
Full modules that show each partner exactly where it plugs into an Opportunity Zone project.
The deal pipeline; resale and CDC purchase rights
Available
Tax credits, HOME, 0% PRI, rent-to-own
Available
Construction workforce; reportable jobs
In development
30-month clock, original use, timing
Available
Leverage and the corporate partner pattern
Available
The CDC as partner and exit buyer
Available
Where each dollar sits; state conformity
Available
Agency mapping, NEPA comments, environmental justice and fair compensation
Available
Companion funding; fiscal agents
In development
The baseline for impact reporting
Available
The safety partnership that protects a project
Available
A ready-made business for the fund
In development
Rescue, recover and rebuild in rural and coastal zones
AvailablePathway 3 · Local Leadership Teams
Pastors, nonprofits and steering committees take the whole model plus Track VII, and learn where the coalition sits beside the fund.
Step 1Shared vocabulary: the Five Phases
Step 2Explain Opportunity Zones accurately
Step 3What the fund can and cannot pay for
Step 4Where the coalition sits beside the fund
Step 5Full modules, chosen by local need
Step 6For compliance and finance staff
Co-founders
City Transformation University is built from the field work of its two co-founders: one who organized the city, faith and law-enforcement partners, and one who built the homes.
An urban specialist who organizes faith, business, city and law-enforcement partners around one neighborhood plan, and the author of the City Transformation curriculum.
A licensed builder and affordable-housing leader with more than 36 years in community development, who turned West Dallas land-bank lots into homes for working families.
Documented track record
Sources: City of Dallas City Secretary; Office of the Texas Governor; U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas; West Dallas Weed and Seed 2008 program narrative.
Tell us which pathway fits and we will send the schedule for the next cohort.
www.citytransformation.org · skinner.randy@gmail.com · 214-316-1356