2021 Annual Report
Kôr Community Land Trust
Building Community
Dear Community Members,
The national Community Land Trust model was born out of the civil rights movement when sharecroppers in Georgia wanted the right to vote but could not vote without owning land. They pooled their resources and collectively purchased a working farm and in doing so started the first Community Land Trust. Since then Community Land Trusts have developed from across the nation as a way to create community control through community building.
In 2021, Kôr Community Land Trust saw the community come together around a need for affordable and sustainable homeownership in the City of Bend. Kôr built its first neighborhood, Kôrazón, thanks to the collective support of its homebuyers, supporters, in-kind contractors, and volunteers. Kôr's first homeowners moved into their homes, securing the stability that comes with an affordable, net-zero home.
The national Community Land Trust model was born out of the civil rights movement when sharecroppers in Georgia wanted the right to vote but could not vote without owning land. They pooled their resources and collectively purchased a working farm and in doing so started the first Community Land Trust. Since then Community Land Trusts have developed from across the nation as a way to create community control through community building.
In 2021, Kôr Community Land Trust saw the community come together around a need for affordable and sustainable homeownership in the City of Bend. Kôr built its first neighborhood, Kôrazón, thanks to the collective support of its homebuyers, supporters, in-kind contractors, and volunteers. Kôr's first homeowners moved into their homes, securing the stability that comes with an affordable, net-zero home.
Recognizing the importance of representation by the community served, Kôr’s Board of Directors grew to include low-income residents and Kôr homeowners. This inclusion ensures that those served by Kôr are part of the decision making driving the mission-based work.
Kôr's community building continued with the selection of homeowners for its second neighborhood, Crescita. And with each new homebuyer, Kôr is closer to realizing its vision of a sustainable, equitable community where everyone can afford to live where they work and play becomes a reality.
Thank you,
Jackie Keogh
Executive Director
Kôr's community building continued with the selection of homeowners for its second neighborhood, Crescita. And with each new homebuyer, Kôr is closer to realizing its vision of a sustainable, equitable community where everyone can afford to live where they work and play becomes a reality.
Thank you,
Jackie Keogh
Executive Director
The Building Blocks
- 5 net-zero homes built, with 26% of funds coming from in-kind donors.
- $12 a month is the average utility bill of Kôr homeowners.
- 80% women-led household, 20% Household of Color; 20% senior households; 20% households with disabilities in Kôrazón.
- 89 Households applied to Crescita, with 22% identifying as People of Color.
- 50% women, 40% low-income households, 20% Households of Color, 20% Kôr homeowners, and 10% immigrant households on Kôr’s Board of Directors
Building a Family
Brett is a Kôr Homeowner and serves as Secretary on Kôr's Board of Directors.
“I have the unique honor of having two connections to Kôr - I own one of the first Kôr homes, and since moving in I serve as the Secretary on their Board of Directors. But how did I get here?
When my wife Michelle and I were selected to purchase a Kôr home, the opportunity seemed too good to be true - a home in Central Oregon that would stay affordable and even be built to net-zero energy standards. But Kôr is an organization that stands apart. Throughout the pandemic, Kôr forged ahead against rising prices and supply issues to build the home we would start our family in. When our son Finn was born in the height of the pandemic, we worried about everything except where we would soon call home.
Our completed home has been a dream come true. The net-zero energy standards in our home are invaluable in the Central Oregon climate. Our solar panels mean that our electric bills are minimal, and the insulation means that cold nights or blistering days are no longer. The money we are saving on our utility bills is now going towards our son's college savings plan.
Every day I wake up inside my beautiful home, I see the amazing work that Kôr Community Land Trust does for our region. Michelle and I agree that without this affordability model, we would never be able to own a home. Kôr even helped us obtain a traditional mortgage. Shortly after moving in, I decided I needed to join the Board of Directors to help more families access Kôr homes."
When my wife Michelle and I were selected to purchase a Kôr home, the opportunity seemed too good to be true - a home in Central Oregon that would stay affordable and even be built to net-zero energy standards. But Kôr is an organization that stands apart. Throughout the pandemic, Kôr forged ahead against rising prices and supply issues to build the home we would start our family in. When our son Finn was born in the height of the pandemic, we worried about everything except where we would soon call home.
Our completed home has been a dream come true. The net-zero energy standards in our home are invaluable in the Central Oregon climate. Our solar panels mean that our electric bills are minimal, and the insulation means that cold nights or blistering days are no longer. The money we are saving on our utility bills is now going towards our son's college savings plan.
Every day I wake up inside my beautiful home, I see the amazing work that Kôr Community Land Trust does for our region. Michelle and I agree that without this affordability model, we would never be able to own a home. Kôr even helped us obtain a traditional mortgage. Shortly after moving in, I decided I needed to join the Board of Directors to help more families access Kôr homes."
Building a Team
“Playing a role in shaping my community has always been important to me, and it’s an honor and privilege to be part of the legacy of Kôr Community Land Trust. In 2013, I learned about Kôr’s goal to create affordable ‘green’ housing for our community and I was intrigued. I joined the founding Board of Directors and rolled up my sleeves. At the time we were “total start-up”, riding the thread of hope, aspiration, and inspiration as we developed organizational policies and shared the national land trust model as one of the solutions for the housing needs in our community.
It literally took years to get Kôrazón, our first community, off the ground. Today, Kôrazón supports five families living in beautifully crafted, energy efficient homes as they build their own sense of place in our City. As a board member - and I know I speak for the others who tirelessly volunteered hundreds of hours at the board table, fundraised, and forged community partnerships - that the notion of “neighbor” and “community” really felt like it meant something more to Kôr than just living in a house or an apartment. It felt like coming home.
Ten years after its inception, Kôr Community Land Trust now thrives with expert leadership, including a diverse Board of Directors, strength from culturally-specific partners, generous support from private donors, and funding from the City of Bend and the state. With Kôr’s next community, Crescita, now being constructed, and 42 more affordable homes slated for development, it’s with humble pride and gratitude that I thank the community for supporting Kôr in our vision. It can be done. It IS being done!”
Michael McLandress, Kôr Board Member, completed his 6 year term. He reflects on how far Kôr has come and his excitement for where it is going.
Building Resources
- 2021 Donors
Organizations:
Amazon Smile
Ambrose Law Group
Autzen Foundation
Benevity Inc
Brooks Resources
Central Oregon Association of Realtors
Central Oregon Health Council
City of Bend
Compass Commercial Real Estate Services
Crevier Family Foundation
Deschutes County
Deschutes County Commissioners
Duke Warner Realty
Ferguson Plumbing Supply - Bend
Hayden Homes
Housing Works of Central Oregon
JP Morgan Chase & Co
Meyer Memorial Trust
Michelle DesPres LLC
Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Housing and Community Services
Pacific Power Foundation
PGE Foundation
Republic Services
State Farm
Tech Soft 3D
The Shelter Studio
Umpqua Bank
Washington Federal
Wells Fargo
Western Title and EscrowIndividuals:
Anonymous Household
John Baker
Kip Barrett
Neil Baunsgard
Jenelle Brewer
Denise Chavira
Mary Chun
Elizabeth Churchill
Debi Corso
Brook Criazzo
Marianne Danaher
Henry Daniels-Koch
Graham Dent
Ellisse Dickey
Dennis and Marianne Doherty
Robert Durbin
Brian Durbin
Lilien Voong Durbin
Tom Elliott
Lauren Evans
Mark and Jean Farmer
Stanley Freeman and Cecilia Parajon
Tess Freeman and Mike Spellacy
Alex Freeman
Douglas Freeman
Kelsey Freeman
Roger Freeman
Tim Freeman
Howard Friedman
Laura and Ron Fritz
Regan Gage and Jesse Kurtz-Nicholl
Peter Geiser
Brett Golden
Leah Greenwald and Thad Betz
Christine Hart-Henderson
Anita Hopkins
Bill and Cindy Hull
Jay and Tory Junkin
Linda Kallal
Angelica Kaprielian
Elias Kassouf and Amanda Miko
John Kely
Dan Kemp
Brad Kent
Marlin Kontje
Jason Kropf
Sally Landauer
Terry Leggert
Brian Lorenz
Mary Virginia Love and Alan Sall
Dana Madison
Peter May
Michael McLandress
Ashley McLean
James Moody
Fiona Noonan
Jim Powell
Michael and Stacy Reger
Rick Hayes
Stephen and Carol Rooney
Ron Ross
Rhiannon Safford
Colleen Sinsky
Jack Spector
Ted Summerfelt
James Toll
Al Tozer
Tim Treloggen
William C. Tweed
Cory Vroom
Phil Warner
Emily Washburn
Lupita Wesseler
Eileen White
Gardner Williams
Building a Strong Position
- 2021 Financials
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Operating Income:
Donations $99,162 Grants $275,247 Other $653 Project Revenue $103,504 Total Operating Income $478,566 Operating Expenses:
Fundraising Expense $1,451 General & Administration $64,648 Personnel $134,501 Total Operating Expenses $199,149 Net Income $279,417 Assets:
Total Current Assets $1,570,333 Total Fixed Assets $784,427 Total Assets $2,354,760 Liabilities:
Total Current Liabilities $755 Total Long-term Liabilities $1,747,831 Total Liabilities $1,748,586 Net Assets:
Restricted Net Assets $328,138 Unrestricted Net Assets $278,036 Total Net Assets $606,174 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $2,354,760
2021 Board of Directors + Staff
Laura Fritz, Board President
Fritz Consulting
Brett Dery, Board Secretary
Camp Fire
Brian Durbin, Board Treasurer
Astor Investment Management LLC
Kipp Barrett, Board Member
Metrus Energy
Dianna Fischetti, Board Member
Street Dog Hero
Fritz Consulting
Brett Dery, Board Secretary
Camp Fire
Brian Durbin, Board Treasurer
Astor Investment Management LLC
Kipp Barrett, Board Member
Metrus Energy
Dianna Fischetti, Board Member
Street Dog Hero
Rick Hayes, Board Member
Brooks Resources
Dana Madison, Board Member
Para-Tech Satellite
Michael McLandress, Board Member
Brightwater Collaborative LLC
Dulce Pelayo, Board Member
High Desert Education Service District
Jasmine Wilder, Board Member
School Board Partners
Brooks Resources
Dana Madison, Board Member
Para-Tech Satellite
Michael McLandress, Board Member
Brightwater Collaborative LLC
Dulce Pelayo, Board Member
High Desert Education Service District
Jasmine Wilder, Board Member
School Board Partners
Jackie Keogh
Kôr Executive Director
Tess Freeman
Kôr Outreach Coordinator
Kôr Executive Director
Tess Freeman
Kôr Outreach Coordinator