This monograph shows that sustained, targeted investments in local systems change can dramatically improve community ability to revitalize poor neighborhoods. Launched in 1991 by an unprecedented collaboration among private foundations and financial services corporations, the National Community Development Initiative pooled $254 million in financial support (including funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) to invest in the financial, organizational, and political strength of nonprofit community development corporations. Two national community development intermediaries--the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and The Enterprise Foundation--were critical to organizing the local support needed to make the national program effective.