Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio

What Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio does

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1949 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with additional offices at the Holloman Center for Social Justice in Cincinnati and a regional presence via the Miami Valley Urban League in Dayton. The organization operates as an affiliate of the National Urban League network and delivers programs across five core domains: workforce development (CCMEP/WIOA, SOAR), entrepreneurship (Entrepreneurship Center, including the Women of Color: Access to Capital Bootcamp), financial empowerment (Financial Empowerment Center, 700 Credit Club), youth development (Youth Programs, Building Futures, Urban Tech Collective, AALDP), and social justice advocacy (Holloman Center for Social Justice — Equitable Encounters, Urban Expungement, Reclaim Your Vote).

ULGSO does not sell products or services; its operating model is funded by individual donations (tax-deductible per 501(c)(3) status), government grants, corporate/foundation grants (including City of Cincinnati, US Bank, The Kroger Co. Foundation, Truist Foundation, Ohio Arts Council), and signature event fundraising (Annual Diamond Gala, Glorifying the Lions Luncheon, Guild Luncheon, Juneteenth Celebration, Career Fairs). Customer segments are programmatic beneficiaries — job seekers, entrepreneurs (especially women of color), financial empowerment seekers, youth, and social justice advocates — rather than commercial buyers.

Operationally, ULGSO runs 51-100 employees and reaches the Greater Southwestern Ohio region through direct service delivery at its physical offices, community events, partnership-based career fairs (notably with Cincinnati Works), and digital channels (website donations, email newsletter, social media). The organization is governed by an independent Board of Trustees and is not owned by a parent company or private equity sponsor; it leverages Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Program as an implementation partner for entrepreneur services.

Name

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio

Legal name

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio

Website

https://ulgso.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio is a 501(c)(3) non-profit affiliate of the National Urban League, delivering workforce development, entrepreneurship support, financial empowerment, youth programs, and social justice advocacy to underserved communities across Greater Southwestern Ohio from offices in Cincinnati and Dayton.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Community empowerment programs
• Workforce development services
• Financial literacy education
• Youth leadership programs
• Social justice advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission to end generational poverty through advocacy and empowerment programs. ULGSO is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
2. Government Grants: Grant funding from government entities including $430,000 from City of Cincinnati for Women of Color: Access to Capital Bootcamp and $300,000 grant for the Entrepreneurship Center.
3. Event Fundraising: Revenue from signature events including annual Diamond Gala, Glorifying the Lions Luncheon, Guild Luncheon, and community celebrations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers a portfolio of community empowerment programs and signature events to underserved residents of Greater Southwestern Ohio. Its service areas include workforce development (CCMEP, SOAR), entrepreneurship support (Entrepreneurship Center, including the Women of Color Access to Capital Bootcamp), financial literacy and credit building (Financial Empowerment Center, 700 Credit Club), youth development (Youth Programs, Building Futures, Urban Tech Collective), leadership development (AALDP), and social justice advocacy and expungement services (Holloman Center for Social Justice). Revenue is generated through donations, grants, and event-based fundraising rather than product or service sales.

Product overview

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO) is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of community empowerment programs and services. The organization operates as a multi-program service provider with distinct program areas including workforce development (CCMEP, SOAR), entrepreneurship support (Entrepreneurship Center), financial empowerment (Financial Empowerment Center, 700 Credit Club), youth development (Youth Programs, Building Futures), leadership development (AALDP, Urban Tech Collective), and social justice advocacy (Holloman Center for Social Justice). ULGSO also hosts signature annual events including the Diamond Gala, Glorifying the Lions Luncheon, Guild Luncheon, and Juneteenth Celebration. These programs collectively work toward the organization's mission to end generational poverty through advocacy and empowering individuals to establish careers, become entrepreneurs, build wealth, and develop as leaders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Holloman Center for Social Justice: A dedicated center focused on social justice initiatives including Equitable Encounters, Urban Expungement, Reclaim Your Vote, and The CSJ Blog.

Products and services

• AALDP (African American Leadership Development Program) Leadership development program designed to empower African American professionals and community leaders through structured training and development opportunities.
• Urban Tech Collective Technology-focused program providing training and resources for tech career development to underserved community members seeking technology-sector employment.
• Building Futures Youth-focused program aimed at developing future leaders and professionals through educational and leadership support activities.
• CCMEP (Comprehensive Case Management Employment Program) Employment and case management program helping individuals achieve career and employment goals, including a WIOA-aligned track.
• Community Partnering Center Hub for community partnerships and collaborative initiatives connecting ULGSO with other community organizations and stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurship Center Business development program supporting entrepreneurs with resources and training, including the Women of Color: Access to Capital Bootcamp.
• Financial Empowerment Center Financial literacy program providing workshops and resources designed to enhance financial literacy and support economic self-sufficiency.
• 700 Credit Club Credit improvement program within the Financial Empowerment Center focused on building credit scores.
• SOAR Program focused on specific community support and development initiatives within ULGSO's workforce and community portfolio.
• Youth Programs Comprehensive programs designed for youth development and engagement, supporting young people in the Greater Southwestern Ohio region.
• Holloman Center for Social Justice Dedicated center for social justice initiatives including advocacy, expungement assistance, civic engagement, and community organizing.
• Expungement Program (Urban Expungement) Legal assistance program helping individuals clear criminal records to improve employment opportunities and reduce reentry barriers.
• Annual Diamond Gala Annual fundraising gala celebrating the organization's community empowerment work and supporting program funding.
• Glorifying the Lions Luncheon Annual awards luncheon recognizing distinguished community leaders aged 65+ who have positively contributed to the Greater Southwestern Ohio community.
• Guild Luncheon and Fashion Show Annual legacy luncheon and fashion show hosted by the Urban League Guild, supporting ULGSO's fundraising and community engagement goals.
• Juneteenth Celebration Annual Juneteenth Block Party Celebration commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, with arts and community programming.
• Career Fair Job fair connecting job seekers with local employers, delivered in partnership with Cincinnati Works.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 75 years of service to underserved communities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Urban LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliation with the National Urban League organization headquartered in New York. ULGSO operates as part of the National Urban League network of over 90 local Urban League affiliates serving approximately 2 million people annually nationwide.
• Miami Valley Urban LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership with Miami Valley Urban League in Dayton, Ohio serving the broader southwestern Ohio region.
• Cincinnati WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Cincinnati Works to host career fairs connecting job seekers with local employers.
• Black Art SpeaksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Black Art Speaks to power the Holloman Center for Social Justice Art Unveiling at the Juneteenth celebration.
• Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business ProgramminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership providing business advisory services through the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Program for entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cincinnati Works: Partner agency focused on workforce development and career placement for underserved Cincinnatians; directly aligned with ULGSO's CCMEP and career fair initiatives.
• Urban League of Greater Chicago: Larger Urban League affiliate running the same program categories (workforce, entrepreneurship, housing, civic engagement) - benchmark for national affiliate best practices.
• Columbus Urban League: Ohio-based Urban League affiliate delivering workforce, youth, and economic empowerment programs; closest in mission, programmatic model, and geographic positioning to ULGSO.
• United Way of Greater Cincinnati: Regional community services nonprofit operating in the same Cincinnati metro, raising donations and funding partner agencies addressing similar economic mobility and education needs.
• NAACP Cincinnati Chapter: Local civil rights advocacy and community empowerment organization overlapping with ULGSO's Holloman Center for Social Justice agenda in Southwestern Ohio.
• YWCA of Greater Cincinnati: Regional nonprofit focused on economic empowerment, social justice, and youth development with overlapping programs (e.g., entrepreneurship support) in the same Cincinnati market.

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: National umbrella organization to which ULGSO is affiliated, providing shared infrastructure, advocacy, and standards across 90+ affiliates.
• HBCU Community Development nonprofits (e.g., UNCF): National nonprofit supporting African American education and workforce pathways with overlapping youth and leadership development mandates.

Others

• Greater Cincinnati Foundation: Regional community foundation that channels philanthropic dollars to nonprofits including ULGSO; potential funder and ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• National Urban Fellows: National organization developing leaders of color for public service; aligned with ULGSO's AALDP leadership program but operates at the national, not regional, level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UrbanLeagueGuildGreaterCincinnati
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/urban-league-of-greater-cincinnati

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors6 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio