Stephanie Murphy
Executive Director of Neighborhood Finance Corporation
smurphy@neighborhoodfinance.org
515-273-1372 direct or 515-229-7737 cell
DES MOINES, Iowa (January 6, 2025) – Stephanie Murphy, the Executive Director of Neighborhood Finance Corporation (NFC) in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, has been officially announced as the President of the National NeighborWorks Association (NNA). Murphy, a seasoned advocate for community development and homeownership, brings her wealth of experience and passion for housing equity to this prominent leadership role.
In addition to her new role, Murphy is the Executive Director of Neighborhood Finance Corporation (NFC). She has held this position since April 2014. Murphy has 35 years of housing and mortgage experience, and has been a leader in affordable housing policy and community initiatives. Her experience spans both the corporate and non-profit world. As Executive Director for the statewide non-profit group, the Iowa Home Ownership Education Project (IHOEP), Murphy collaborated with the Iowa Mortgage Help foreclosure prevention initiative that coordinated $2.5 million dollars in funding among 9 agencies across Iowa. Murphy has prior experience with NFC, having joined the organization in 1991 serving as their Vice President, Mortgage Loan Manager until her departure in 1996.
In addition to her new role as President of the National NeighborWorks Association Board of Directors, Murphy serves on the Fannie Mae Affordable Housing Committee, has experience serving on local housing and community development Boards and Committees including the Neighborhood Development Corporation in Des Moines, the Housing Fund for Linn County and the Linn County Alliance for Equitable Housing, and serves on her church lay leadership team. Her longstanding commitment to advancing housing initiatives and her deep expertise in the field position her to lead NNA with vision and impact.
“As the President of the NNA Board, I am honored to represent and serve almost 240 NeighborWorks America organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico,” said Murphy. “The NNA Board of Directors is composed of 27 impactful leaders of housing and community development organizations. At this critical time for housing and communities, I am committed to sharing our joint stories of impact as NeighborWorks America Organizations provide safe and affordable housing in rural, Native, urban, and suburban communities.”
NFC, under Murphy’s leadership, has been instrumental in revitalizing neighborhoods in Polk County and Cedar Rapids, Iowa through innovative lending programs and strategic partnerships with residents, governments, community-based organizations, lending institutions, and the business community. In 2024 alone, NFC helped create 87 new homeowners, preserved housing for 200 homeowners, and facilitated a total investment of over $30 million.
Murphy’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the housing sector, as communities nationwide face pressing challenges and opportunities in creating sustainable and equitable housing solutions. With her leadership, the NNA is poised to amplify its impact and continue its mission of fostering safe, affordable housing for all.
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About NeighborWorks America
For more than 45 years, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp., a national, nonpartisan nonprofit known as NeighborWorks America, has strived to make every community a place of opportunity. Our network of excellence includes nearly 250 nonprofits in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and on Native lands. NeighborWorks offers grant funding, peer exchange, technical assistance, evaluation tools and access to best-in-class training as the nation’s leading trainer of housing and community development professionals. NeighborWorks network organizations provide residents in their communities with affordable homes, owned and rented; financial counseling and coaching; community building through resident engagement; and collaboration in the areas of health, employment and education.
About National NeighborWorks Association
The trade association representing 239 organizations, 237 NeighborWorks organizations and two capital corporations, champions advocacy for funding and sound policies. NNA serves as the collective voice of NeighborWorks organizations, ensuring that member concerns, needs, and recommendations are effectively communicated to NeighborWorks America. By uniting these organizations, NNA strives to create stronger, more vibrant communities across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.
About Neighborhood Finance Corporation (NFC)
NFC is a 34-year-old non-profit mortgage lending organization with offices in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. NFC provides unique lending programs to facilitate targeted neighborhood revitalization through partnerships with residents, governments, community-based organizations and the business community. NFC Properties, a subsidiary, builds and renovates homes in Des Moines.
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