In 1994 the Community Division of the American Planning Association (a professional association organized to advance the art and science of planning and to foster the activity of planning ) convened a special symposium in Dallas, Texas. Sixty-five (65) grassroots community leaders participated and expressed a need to receive community building assistance.

These community building and planning professionals recognized the pressing need and committed to fulfilling this specific mission...thus, National Institute of Community Enlightenment (N.I.C.E.) was born.

N.I.C.E. Corp is a 501(c)(3) organization.