What The Neighboring Movement does

The Neighboring Movement is a Wichita, Kansas-based nonprofit founded in 2016 that operates community development programs designed to reduce social isolation and strengthen neighborhood-level relationships. Its flagship offerings are two parallel 14-week paid learning cohorts: the Community Animator Network (CAN), which trains residents in asset-based community development (ABCD), and the Faith-Based Animator Network (FAN), which adds a spiritual framing to the same methodology. Participants are paid $15-$22 per hour for roughly 5 hours per week, and graduates can continue up to a year as Community Builders in their neighborhoods. Supporting programs include the We Care KS pledge initiative (with a stated goal of 80,000 Wichitans committing to be good neighbors), the 8 Front Doors Challenge step-by-step guide, the ReCycle discernment tool, and the Wichita Activator Network, which targets impacting 20% of Wichita by 2030.

The underlying technology is conventional nonprofit tooling - Squarespace for the website and e-commerce shop, Google Forms for applications, Zoom for virtual cohort sessions, and EveryAction/QGIV for donation and pledge capture - rather than a proprietary platform. Differentiation comes from codified methodology: a content library that includes the 8 Front Doors Challenge (available in English and Spanish), the ReCycle workbook (also distributed as a printed booklet via United Methodist Discipleship Ministries), the Social Capital Jenga game, and the Key Ingredients of Neighboring self-paced online course. Outcomes are tracked via cohort metrics such as Holy Listening Conversations uncovering 120-140+ previously hidden neighborhood gifts per FAN cohort, attendance at community events (e.g., a Neighborfest with 150+ attendees), and pledge counts under the We Care initiative.

The business model mixes donations, grant funding, and modest product sales. Anchor funding is a four-year, $225,000 award from the Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute, which also names TNM a 2026 Weaver Awards Community Host; Health Forward Foundation's $4.9 million aggregate grant to 33 nonprofits (TNM's individual share not disclosed) provides additional context. E-commerce revenue comes from shop items priced $25-$99, while cohort programs are free to participants and productized through stipends rather than tuition. Go-to-market is community-led: recruits arrive through alumni networks, neighborhood events, and faith-community partnerships (Good Neighbor Experiment, WyCo Mutual Aid, Latina Lider), with a 1-10 person staff executing across Wichita and the Wyandotte County, Kansas expansion. Following the March 2026 transition in which co-founder Adam Barlow-Thompson stepped down and Amy Draut was appointed Interim Executive Director, the organization is operating under interim leadership while a permanent Executive Director search proceeds.

Name

The Neighboring Movement

Legal name

The Neighboring Movement

Website

https://neighboringmovement.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Neighboring Movement is a Wichita, Kansas-based nonprofit that trains residents in asset-based community development through paid 14-week cohorts (CAN, FAN) and operates the We Care KS pledge initiative, serving Wichita and Wyandotte County neighborhoods.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Local & Neighborhood Communities (BPAMABAG)

Keywords

• Community development programs
• Neighborhood engagement training
• Asset-based community development
• Community animator network
• Neighborship education

Headquarters

HQ city

Wichita

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donors contribute one-time or recurring donations through the organization's website. The organization encourages both one-time and monthly recurring donation support.
2. Grant Funding: Major grant from Weave: The Social Fabric Project at Aspen Institute providing $225,000 in startup funding over four years as a Community Host for the Weaver Awards. Previously received $4.9M in aggregate grants through Health Forward Foundation's Advocacy and Civic Engagement Learning Community with 33 nonprofits.
3. Product Sales: Sale of branded products including Social Capital Jenga ($25 digital download), Key Ingredients of Neighboring Online Course ($35), Activity Sheets ($40), and worship/small group bundles ($99).
4. Program Participant Fees (Negative - Paid to Participants): Phase 1 Animators are paid $15/hour for 5 hours/week. Phase 2 Community Builders are paid $20/hour for up to 5 hours/week. FAN Phase 1 pays $15/hr; FAN Phase 2 pays $22/hr for up to 5 hours/week. This represents a cost center rather than revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Neighboring Movement is a Wichita, Kansas-based nonprofit that delivers paid 14-week learning cohorts (Community Animator Network and Faith-Based Animator Network) to train individuals in asset-based community development and neighboring skills. It also operates the We Care KS pledge initiative to recruit 80,000 Wichitans as visible caring neighbors and sells educational tools and courses (Social Capital Jenga, Key Ingredients Online Course, Activity Sheets, Worship/Small Group Bundle) supporting neighborhood engagement.

Product overview

The Neighboring Movement is a Wichita-based nonprofit that offers a portfolio of community-building programs rather than a traditional software product. Its core offerings include the Community Animator Network (CAN) and Faith-Based Animator Network (FAN), both 14-week paid learning cohorts that train individuals in asset-based community development and neighboring skills. Supporting programs include the We Care KS initiative for pledging neighbors, the 8 Front Doors Challenge step-by-step guide, and The ReCycle discernment tool. Additional offerings include educational resources (Social Capital Jenga game, Key Ingredients of Neighboring Online Course at $35, activity sheets, worship/small group guides), a podcast series, and the Weaver Awards Kansas partnership with the Aspen Institute. Programs are delivered through in-person gatherings, virtual sessions, downloadable resources, and the organization's e-commerce store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Faith-Based Animator Network (FAN): A paid learning opportunity for individuals or small groups passionate about neighboring and ABCD from a faith-based perspective, forming Community Animators and connectors who are covenantally dedicated to their neighborhoods.
• Community Animator Network (CAN)
• We Care KS
• 8 Front Doors Challenge
• The ReCycle
• Wichita Activator Network (WAN)
• Good Neighbor Experiment (GNE)

Quantifiable outcome

• Goal: 80,000 Wichitans to commit to being good neighbors (20% cultural change threshold)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Weave: The Social Fabric Project at Aspen InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Four-year partnership making TNM one of 25 Community Hosts for Weaver Awards nationally. Weave provides $225,000 startup funding, training, tools, technical assistance, and ongoing support. TNM will identify local weavers, distribute 20+ microgrants annually, and convene weaving gatherings in Kansas.
• United Methodist Discipleship MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to publish The ReCycle as a printed booklet for faith-based audiences. Available for purchase through UM Discipleship Ministries Store. Extends reach of ReCycle tool to churches using the resource.
• Good Neighbor ExperimentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative faith-based neighboring initiative where FAN is offered as a paid learning opportunity. Good Neighbor Experiment provides congregation-wide journey framework integrated with FAN curriculum. Joint facilitator network spans Texas, North Carolina, Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma, Pacific Northwest, Kansas City, California, Wisconsin, and Arkansas.
• WyCo Mutual AidmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bring We Care initiative to Wyandotte County (Kansas City, KS area). WyCo Mutual Aid co-founded by CAN participant Kim Weaver. Joint goal of making caring visible in the community.
• Riverside Bohemian Coffee ShopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighborhood coffee shop owned by Sarah Jane (CAN alum) and James. Serves as community hub example of ABCD in action. Hosted FAN cohort gathering and exemplifies neighbor-run, neighbor-serving institution.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: Massive global nonprofit focused on housing and neighborhood revitalization through volunteer-driven, community-led builds. Comparable as a high-recognition, faith-affiliated community-building nonprofit, though housing-anchored rather than relationship-anchored.
• Points of Light: National civic engagement nonprofit mobilizing volunteers and supporting community-led action. Comparable as an established, larger-scale organization focused on civic participation and neighborly service.
• NeighborWorks America: Federally chartered nonprofit network of 250+ community development organizations focused on affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. Comparable as an established, broader-scope community development intermediary.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): Major national CDFI and community development intermediary funding place-based neighborhood work across the U.S. Comparable as a large-scale, grant-distributing community development organization with similar funder relationships.

Regional players

• Kansas Leadership Center: Wichita, Kansas-based nonprofit providing leadership training to civic, community, and faith leaders statewide. Comparable as a Kansas-rooted, cohort-based training organization in the community leadership space.

Emerging players

• Front Porch Forum: Neighborhood-level online community platform focused on local connection, helping neighbors share information and build relationships. Comparable as a community-connection tool, though technology-mediated rather than in-person-led like TNM.

Direct peers

• Weave: The Social Fabric Project (Aspen Institute): TNM's 2026 Weaver Awards partner and funder. Operates a national network of 'weavers' and Community Hosts to strengthen community connections, with virtually identical mission and target population to TNM but at vastly greater scale.
• Asset-Based Community Development Institute (ABCD Institute): Based at Northwestern University, this is the originating intellectual home of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) methodology that TNM explicitly uses. Most directly comparable as the framework-setter for TNM's core approach.
• Purpose Built Communities: National nonprofit supporting holistic neighborhood revitalization through cradle-to-career pipelines, with named 'NeighborHUB' functions. Comparable as a place-based community development organization focused on neighborhood transformation and resident leadership.
• The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation: Provides 'Turning Outward' community engagement methodology and training cohorts to civic groups nationwide. Directly comparable as a methodology-driven nonprofit training community leaders in structured frameworks for neighborhood change.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/neighboringmvmt
• Facebookfacebook.com/neighboringmovement
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/neighboringmovement

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Neighboring Movement