Former President Jimmy Carter established TAP in 1992 as part of The Carter Center where it operated until August 1, 1999, when it was transferred to GSU. TAP becomes the first piece in developing a university wide unit called The Neighborhood Collaborative (TNC) that will assist in implementing the GSU commitment to working in partnership with the community.

TNC is a model of inclusivity, collaboration, integration, and cooperation designed to bring about sustainable change in urban Atlanta's most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Community capacity building, volunteerism and creating unique partnerships among citizens, businesses, universities, service providers, faith organizations, government agencies and elected officials are TNC cornerstones.

The GSU/TNC mission is to increase the capacity of communities and neighborhoods to improve the quality of life through collaboration, multi-constituent integration, partnerships and cooperation.