1DROP Membership
Join the collective.
Less than 1% of real estate developers in the U.S. are people of color. We are here to change that statistic. Real estate development shapes who builds, who profits, and who benefits from new housing in our neighborhoods. For too long, systemic barriers have excluded underrepresented developers from having a seat at the planning table.
1DROP is not a developer itself. We are the foundation that replaces isolation with collective progress. We connect a powerful network of underrepresented developers of color across the Puget Sound region to the community, knowledge, capital, and technical support required to scale. Together, our members share experience, navigate the industry's challenges, and build with the confidence of a collective behind them.
We Support Developers at All Levels of Experience
Aspiring
The Definition: I have not developed any projects yet.
How We Support You (Apprenticeships): 1DROP pairs Aspiring developers of color with Established developers to get on-the-ground, real-world training.
You will support active projects from initial project acquisition to construction, sale, and long-term property management.
Emerging
The Definition: I am actively developing or have developed a few projects before.
How We Support You (Co-Development): To significantly reduce project and capital risk, 1DROP actively supports co-developing and joint venture opportunities.
We provide access to loan guarantees, balance sheet support, capital contributions, sweat equity, and targeted mentorship.
Established
The Definition: I consistently develop multiple projects.
How We Support You (Support Services & Tools): We offer immediate technical assistance to optimize your business operations and lower your overhead costs. Members leverage shared buying programs, templates, exemplars, reduced-price software licenses, and in-house support for bookkeeping, market analyses, and permit expediting.
What We Expect From Our Members
Regional Focus
You must live in or be actively building housing projects within the Puget Sound region (including King, Pierce, and Thurston counties).
Active Engagement
Members commit to consistent, in-person attendance for our core programmatic events, masterclass workshops, and community site visits.
Peer Exchange
A willingness to share project insights, collaborate on policy initiatives, and mentor the next generation of builders.
Our 5-Year Vision for the Puget Sound
Empower
40 to 60
underrepresented developers with mentorship, capital and resources
Build
2,750
new homes that strengthen local communities.
Create more than
7,000
living-wage jobs across the housing ecosystem.
Generate over
$1
billion in regional economic activity
How to Join
To protect the capacity of our team and maintain a high-quality environment for peer-to-peer resource sharing, the 1DROP member application is not publicly hosted on our website. Access to the standardized intake application is exclusively distributed to individuals who attend our mandatory monthly information session.
Attend the Info Session
We host a virtual info session every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM PST.
After attending, you will receive a personalized link to submit your profile for our quarterly rolling review.
Annual Dues
Dues are based entirely on your current stage of development and are payable only upon formal acceptance into the collective:
Aspiring Member: $149 / year
Emerging Member: $399 / year
Established Member: $499 / year
Operational Resources for Your Business
1DROP provides access to essential operational resources that help developers run stronger, more sustainable businesses through services like:
Branding and marketing
Construction administration
Automation support
Bookkeeping and business filings
We’re committed to removing barriers and creating pathways for developers to grow and succeed for the long term.
Senior Program Manager Keenan Grayson breaks down our Shared Services program.
Collective Knowledge for Your Growth
1DROP connects you with a trusted network of peers and industry professionals so you never have to navigate development alone. Our members gain practical, on-the-ground support through benefits like:
Direct Mentor Match: Learn face-to-face from experienced, established developers.
Real-World Insights: Access shared lessons learned from live, active projects.
Peer Troublshooting: Bring your design, capital, or permitting challenges to the group.
Community Connections: Build meaningful, long-term relationships across the housing ecosystem.
Senior Program Manager Keenan Grayson and Chief of Staff Rasheed Thompson share how 1DROP connects you to collective knowledge and peer support.