Don’s Thoughts

Thriving Communties

With more than 130 million Americans living in rental communities, the need for Thriving Communities is greater than ever, especially when we look at some of the challenges faced by residents:

• More than 50% are cost-burdened, or simply put, cannot afford their rent. They are spending more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, with 61% living paycheck to paycheck with no savings.
• The average renter moves every 15-16 months, meaning there’s little to no time to place roots in a home or community.
• More than 30% describe themselves as being depressed, and more than 50% as unhappy.

Through Thriving Communities, DLP can meaningfully and positively impact residents. We’ve developed a framework to define the essential elements of a Thriving Community Life.

For those who choose, this is an optional benefit provided as a part of Building Thriving Communities. All are welcome, participation is voluntary.

• Attainable Housing: Rent is below 30% of the area median income (AMI), bringing families above the rent-burdened threshold and affording more room for the basics of wellness, education, transportation, and leisure.
• Banking, Lending, and Investments: People can access financial literacy programs, community banking, loans, and investment opportunities targeting passive income through strong returns and distributions.
• Companies that Create Jobs: Jobs are available within the community to support residents. Job creation is primarily the product of entrepreneurial small businesses.
• Deep Connection: Residents are happy and fulfilled thanks to deep connections with others. These connections include family, friends, neighbors, and a deep connection to their purpose.
• Education: Education is highly valued, especially education to develop skills valued by society. Emphasis is placed on children’s literacy, especially reading at grade level.
• Family: Opportunities to deepen relationships and build extraordinary families, lives, careers, and legacies strengthen families.
• Government: Thriving Communities are aligned with and find allyship in local government, which offers critical support for the community's overall strength.
• Healthcare and Nutrition: Physical and mental fitness is considered paramount. Healthcare, nutritional food, and wellness education are available.
• Impact: People are living lives of significance, finding community with their neighbors, and making a difference in the lives of others.
• Jesus: People have the opportunity to build a relationship with God and may choose to accept Jesus as their Savior. They are invited to participate in small group discipleship and church. 

We have shared this vision with others and launched the concept at the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) in January 2023, but we are still in the early stages of defining success outcomes, and we invite your input. Here is what we have come up with so far:

Success Outcomes:

• Rent is affordable, aiming for less than 30% of the area median income, below the cost-burden threshold
• 84% of residents self-report feeling connected to their community
• 80% count at least two of their neighbors as friends
• 50% are involved in a club or group within the community
• 80% of residents renew their lease annually, affording greater opportunities to develop lasting connections
• 80% of students are reading at grade level by 3rd grade, thanks in part to educational initiatives within the community
• 50% of residents have three months of savings and an increased level of financial literacy

Our goal for Thriving Communities is ambitious. By 2030, we expect to make a positive impact on 1 million residents, with 10x that impact in 2035. By 2040, DLP Capital will have brought Thriving Communities to 25 million residents. I have full faith in my team and our ability to execute our mission.

If you’re interested in learning more about how we’re building Thriving Community Life for our residents, watch our recent Capital Dinner presentation in St. Augustine.

The Value of Discernment

At DLP Capital, we have 10 core values, beginning with Driven for Greatness and leading us through to Servant Leadership. Embodied by every member of the DLP Capital team, these values have become more than just words–they are the essence of who we are as an organization and a key to our never-ending pursuit of extraordinary execution.

Today, I want to introduce another core value that’s paramount to an extraordinary organization: the value of discernment.

In Proverbs 3:5-6 and James 1:5, we learn that discernment is a gift from God that refers to the ability to perceive and understand spiritual truths or make wise decisions based on God’s will. It involves evaluating the concepts of good versus evil, truth versus falsehood, and determining the optimal choices in alignment with God’s will.

The ability to exercise discernment and make sound decisions is foundational to creating a culture of trust, reliability, integrity, and overall performance within any organization. Without the ability to evaluate and gather information and make educated decisions, it is very hard to thrive, especially in a fast-paced organization, where there are not always clear written guidelines or an example to follow. Discernment starts with aligning your decisions around the values and goals of the organization. Those who exercise discernment can clearly navigate complex situations, making well-informed choices that support an organization’s overall values and goals, while driving performance.

Discernment is rooted in thoroughly understanding the values and goals that drive an organization or team. This means digging deep, asking the right–and sometimes tough–questions, and having a founder’s mentality to ensure you make the best or right decision. It is a value that requires discipline, practice, and the motivation to pursue excellence, even when it isn’t the easiest path forward.

If you’re interested in learning more about the essential role of discernment in business, here are some of my favorite books on the subject. 

• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't by Jim Collins
• The Effective Executive by Peter Trucker
• Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Ram Charan
• Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

Exciting Announcement: Halftime Institute Board of Directors

I’m honored to announce that I have accepted an invitation from the Halftime Institute to join their Board of Directors. If you’re not familiar with the Halftime Institute, they are a renowned global organization that empowers individuals to transform their lives and their purpose through self-exploration. As a board member, I’ll be focused on expanding the reach of their programming, helping incredible leaders get clear on their purpose and platform, and positioning themselves to make the biggest impact on what they were called to do. I’m thrilled to take on this responsibility and look forward to continuing to partner through our On Purpose Program, which I touched on in my last edition of Don’s Thoughts. 

This transformative program is designed to help participants zero in on God-given potential, guiding them through crystallizing their purpose and living intentionally to achieve their biggest goals. If you’re ready to start living On Purpose, I hope you’ll join me for the launch of the On Purpose Program at our Building an Extraordinary Family event next month at Dollywood. We’ve got an incredible line-up of engaging speakers who will be leading workshops and offering their expert insights. Our team has been working for months to put together this incredible event focused on strengthening families and I already know it’s going to be our best ever.

High Road Leadership Event in Oklahoma City

At the end of April, I had the honor of being invited to attend an exclusive event with some of the most influential Christian business leaders and visionaries. Led by leadership expert John C. Maxwell, Hobby Lobby Founder David Green, and Advance Your Reach Founder Pete Vargas, the High Road Leadership event was an unforgettable experience. This two-day event was focused on rising to a higher level of leadership in order to make “the impact that God has called you to make.”

As I listened to speakers and networked with other faith-driven leaders, it was a powerful reminder of what you can achieve with God’s guidance. It was incredibly inspiring to be part of discussions about making the world hungry for God and learning the keys to exponential growth. David Green, founder of Hobby Lobby, shared his founding story when it began as a 300-square-foot store selling picture frames that he was manufacturing. The event instilled in me a deeper sense of purpose and a commitment to lead with integrity, compassion, and faith as guiding principles in all my endeavors. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to be part of this group.

Taking on the Trailblaze Challenge to Benefit Make-A-Wish

Since 2022, the DLP Capital team has made an impact in a pretty unique way: hiking the foothills of North Carolina. For the third year in a row, I, along with 20 team members, spent the last few months training and fundraising for the Make-a-Wish Foundation’s Trailblaze Challenge—a humbling 28.3-mile journey.

They call the hike a challenge for a reason; it is a true test of physical and mental endurance–and that’s the point. No matter how tired we were or how much our bodies ached, there was a clear (though at times very distant) finish line to our suffering. The children helped by the Make-a-Wish Foundation can’t say the same. The Trailblaze Challenge is a tangible reminder that the daily challenges and discomforts many of us complain about pale in comparison to those battled by wish kids each and every day.

Serving as the title sponsor for this year's hike, DLP Capital raised over $50,000 to help make wishes come true for critically ill children–just shy of our goal of $52,500. With wishes costing an average of around $7,500, we were able to make an impact on the lives of at least six wish children and their families.

In recognition of the over $250,000 DLP Capital has fundraised for the challenge over the past three years, the Central and Western North Carolina chapter of Make-A-Wish honored us with our own star. The star Aquila RA 19h 40m 18s D15’ 32’ is now named DLP Capital, with the framed certificate from the International Star Registry proudly displayed in our St. Augustine office.

With your help, we can make an even bigger impact. Our team is still gathering donations via our fundraising page below. Every single dollar brings another child a step closer to seeing their wish come true.

DISCLOSURE

Statements are those of Don Wenner/DLP Capital only and are not guaranteed, nor should such statements be relied upon. Forward-looking statements are expressions and beliefs of DLP Capital and should not be relied upon. Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Nothing in this is a solicitation or offer of solicitation. All investments in any DLP Capital Sponsored Fund are to be made after review of the PPM, OA, and subscription agreement. DLP Capital is not providing tax advice. Consult your tax and legal professional before making any investment decisions.