The Works

What The Works does

The Works, Inc. is a Memphis-based nonprofit community development corporation founded in 1994 that operates an integrated portfolio of affordable housing, urban agriculture, food access, workforce, and health programs serving low- and moderate-income residents of Memphis, Tennessee. Its housing arm has delivered 120 affordable units (including Renaissance at Steele's 146 multi-family units, Peach Tree Senior Living's 79 senior units, and the 42-unit Northside Square mixed-use development), supported by a capital stack that aggregates HUD, Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Memphis Affordable Housing Trust Fund, CDFI (BlueHub, Hope Enterprise), and bank (First Horizon, Bank of America, Pinnacle, US Bank) financing. The Works, Inc. is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency that has served over 4,500 families with counseling and helped 458 avoid foreclosure.

Its regenerative initiatives arm operates Works Urban Farms (Certified Naturally Grown network spanning nearly 4 acres across USDA-designated Low Income/Low Access neighborhoods with 40 crop varieties), Memphis Native Tree Works (wholesale native plant nursery, 30,000 plants installed across 60 parcels and 14 community orchards), and Roots on the Ground (paid green-workforce training). The food arm distributes through Mobile Grocer (weekly routes to ~10 North Memphis neighborhoods serving 2,480 families), The Grocer (year-round storefront at 1400 Mississippi Blvd), and the South Memphis Farmers Market, paired with the Cooking Works nutrition curriculum. Community programs include Money Matters (financial literacy with Hope Credit Union), Project All Access (digital training with Innovate Memphis and Memphis Urban League), Dream Works Academy, and Move Your Body May wellness initiative.

Revenue is sourced from federal, state, and local government grants; affordable housing development fees, low-income housing tax credits, and HUD Housing Assistance Payments; individual donations via Donorbox; corporate and foundation grants (American Heart Association, American Forests); and program revenue from cooking classes, farm produce sales, and wholesale native plant distribution. The organization is privately held, governed by a board, led by President & CEO Roshun Austin, and is not a fit candidate for traditional PE/VC investment given its nonprofit structure. Its strategic significance lies in the complexity of its multi-party development financing and the integration of its service lines under a single beneficiary-serving umbrella.

Name

The Works

Legal name

The Works, Inc.

Website

https://theworkscdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Works, Inc. is a Memphis-based nonprofit community development corporation delivering an integrated portfolio of affordable housing, urban agriculture, food access, and workforce programs to low- and moderate-income Memphis residents, financed through HUD, state, CDFI, and philanthropic sources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food Services (624210), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Workforce & Job-Seeker Services (Community-Based) (EDAAAFAM), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Community development
• Affordable housing
• Urban agriculture
• Food access programs
• Financial literacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Government Funding: The Works receives significant funding through government grants, low-income housing tax credits, and public-private partnerships. Funding sources include HUD, Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Memphis Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and various federal and state programs.
2. Donations and Philanthropy: Individual donations and charitable contributions through Donorbox platform, supporting the organization's community development programs
3. Development Fees and Program Revenue: Revenue from development sponsor fees, property management services, and program fees for services like Cooking Works and financial literacy workshops

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Works, Inc. is a nonprofit community development corporation that rebuilds, restores, and renews Memphis neighborhoods through affordable housing development, food access programs (Mobile Grocer, The Grocer, South Memphis Farmers Market), regenerative initiatives (urban farms and native plant nursery), and community programs such as financial literacy, digital training, and wellness initiatives. Programs are offered free or at subsidized rates to vulnerable and underserved Memphis residents.

Product overview

The Works, Inc. is a nonprofit community development corporation offering an integrated portfolio of community development programs rather than a unified commercial product. The portfolio spans five interconnected areas: Housing and Development (affordable housing projects including Northside Square, Renaissance at Steele, Alpha Renaissance, and Lincoln Park); Regenerative Initiatives (Works Urban Farms, Memphis Native Tree Works, Giving Grove Community Orchard, Roots on the Ground training program); Food Programs (Mobile Grocer, The Grocer, South Memphis Farmers Market, Cooking Works nutrition education); Community Programs (Project All Access digital training, Money Matters financial literacy, Dream Works Academy, Move Your Body May wellness initiative); and Advocacy (Strategic Code Enforcement Management Academy, blight elimination, policy work). These programs work holistically to address housing, food security, health equity, financial empowerment, and environmental sustainability in Memphis neighborhoods.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mobile Grocer: A grocery store on wheels bringing fresh, healthy food options directly to underserved communities in North Memphis neighborhoods.
• Works Urban Farms
• Memphis Native Tree Works
• South Memphis Farmers Market
• The Grocer
• Dream Works Academy
• Roots on the Ground
• Cooking Works

Products and services

• Housing and Development Affordable housing development program encompassing single-family and multi-family residential projects, neighborhood revitalization, and mixed-use developments serving low and moderate-income families in Memphis. Includes Renaissance at Steele (146 units), Peach Tree Senior Living (79 units), Northside Square (42 units), Alpha Renaissance Apartments, and Lincoln Park Subdivision.
• Northside Square 270,000-square-foot adaptive reuse development of the former Northside High School delivering 42 units of affordable housing alongside workforce development, education, healthcare, arts programming, offices, retail, and community gathering spaces. Largest Black-led development in a majority-Black neighborhood in Memphis history.
• Works Urban Farms Community-rooted network of Certified Naturally Grown urban farms located throughout USDA-designated Low Income & Low Access neighborhoods, growing produce on nearly 4 acres using organic and regenerative practices. Produces 40+ crop varieties and distributes produce to local markets, restaurants, and retailers.
• Memphis Native Tree Works Wholesale native plant nursery with two facilities (native trees and wildflowers) supplying high-quality native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers to conservation organizations, research institutions, and civic landscaping projects throughout the Mid-South. Subsidiary of The Works, Inc.
• Mobile Grocer Grocery store on wheels bringing fresh, healthy food options directly to underserved communities in food deserts. Operates a weekly route serving approximately 10 different North Memphis neighborhoods with fresh produce, meats, and dairy.
• The Grocer Year-round neighborhood grocery store at South Memphis Farmers Market, located at 1400 Mississippi Blvd, offering groceries, local produce, and other locally produced items to the South Memphis community. Includes a Blood Pressure Station co-sponsored with the American Heart Association and First Horizon Foundation.
• South Memphis Farmers Market Seasonal farmers market featuring produce from local farmers and handmade items, operating Thursdays June through September each year.
• Cooking Works Nutrition-focused, curriculum-based food education program equipping participants with skills in nutrition, effective grocery shopping, and hands-on cooking techniques. Free classes held at The Kitchen at The Grocer using Cooking Matters curriculum from Share Our Strength / The Food Trust, with American Heart Association Healthy for Life curriculum added in 2025.
• Giving Grove Community Orchard Community orchards initiative in partnership with Giving Grove providing long-term food security, public green space, and climate resilience to Memphis neighborhoods through sustainable fruit and nut tree orchards. Supports 14 orchards across the Memphis area.
• Project All Access Digital training initiative delivered in partnership with Innovate Memphis and Memphis Urban League, serving individuals in digitally underserved areas to build online confidence and serve as a gateway for those new to technology.
• Money Matters Financial literacy workshop series as part of the Moving Klondike Forward initiative, providing knowledge on budgeting, saving, credit management, and navigating the housing market for homeownership. Participants can qualify for second chance banking accounts and $1,000 loans through Hope Credit Union.
• Dream Works Academy 4-week program equipping South Memphis residents with resources and tools to identify personal dreams, create actionable plans, connect with resources, and build confidence to pursue meaningful goals.
• Renaissance at Steele Wellness Clinic On-site clinic at Renaissance at Steele apartments providing residents with individualized wellness plans, screenings, consultations, and physician appointments in partnership with UT Health Science Center.
• Roots on the Ground Paid training program providing residents from underserved Memphis areas with skill-based education in plant production, tree nurseries, tree care, landscaping, and other green jobs through an intensive 4-week program.
• Move Your Body May Month-long initiative integrating fitness and body movement into urban communities through activities including zumba, tai chi, yoga, walking groups, line dancing, cardio aerobics, and community bike rides.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $50 million invested in Memphis community since 1998
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

49 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Neighborhood Preservation, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The Works, Inc. merged with Neighborhood Preservation, Inc. in January 2022, expanding services to include policy advocacy, Strategic Code Enforcement Management Academy (SCEMA), and Blight Elimination Steering Team. The combined organization focuses on collaborative efforts to resolve blight and property abandonment.
• Giving GrovecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bring food security, public green space, and climate resilience to Memphis neighborhoods through Community Orchards initiative. Memphis Native Tree Works team leads this work, supporting 14 orchards across the Memphis area.
• Wolf River ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to preserve and protect 38 acres of land near T.O. Fuller State Park through a conservation easement. The land supports educational purposes and the Memphis Urban Wood supply chain while protecting natural habitats.
• UT Health Science CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UT Health Science Center and Dr. Austin Dalgo to operate Renaissance at Steele Wellness Clinic, providing on-site health services including wellness plans, screenings, consultations, and physician appointments for residents.
• Wolf River ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreservation partnership to protect land near T.O. Fuller State Park, enhancing natural habitats and creating educational opportunities for underserved communities.
• Tennessee Receivership GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Works assists Tennessee Receivership Group with receiverships in Shelby County, focusing on code enforcement, anti-blight interventions, and coordinating neighborhood maintenance efforts.
• RegrazeminorOthersPartnership supporting regenerative initiatives and sustainable land use practices.
• City of Memphis Solid WasteminorOthersPartnership supporting sustainable material management and waste reduction initiatives.
• Nonconnah Creek Habitat RestorationminorOthersPartnership supporting habitat restoration and environmental conservation efforts.
• Klondike Smokey City Community Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in the Moving Klondike Forward initiative, working together on historic property transfers from Shelby County Land Bank and neighborhood stabilization efforts in North Memphis.
• Shelby County Land BankcoreOthersHistoric transfer of properties from Shelby County Land Bank in January 2020 as first step in neighborhood stabilization for Klondike community.
• Innovate MemphiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver Project All Access digital training initiative serving individuals in digitally underserved areas.
• Memphis Urban LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivering Project All Access digital literacy program to underserved communities.
• American Heart AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of Blood Pressure Station at The Grocer, providing free self-service blood pressure checks to support heart health in the community.
• UT Health Science Center at SoulsvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership to provide services at low or no cost through blood pressure station and community health programs.
• Christ Community CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership providing community health services.
• Shelby CaresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership supporting community health initiatives.
• Memphis Health CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership providing low or no cost services to community.
• Northside RenaissancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeadership and organizational partnership guiding Northside Square development with alumni and community engagement.
• Moving Klondike Forward Initiative PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComprehensive revitalization initiative with collective goal of growing Klondike from 600 to 1,200+ households by 2042 through no involuntary displacement and permanent affordability.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted Tennessee Urban Agriculture Sub-Committee meeting featuring presentations on sustainable and regenerative agricultural programs and funding opportunities.
• Tennessee Department of AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Tennessee Urban Agriculture Sub-Committee, advancing sustainable food systems.
• Xerces SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner presenting at Tennessee Urban Agriculture Sub-Committee meeting on pollinator conservation.
• RegronomyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner developing greenhouse operations for tomato production to drive innovation in local food supply chain.
• Olivet Fellowship Baptist ChurchminorOthersCommunity partner providing space and hospitality for Tennessee Urban Agriculture Sub-Committee meeting.
• ComCap PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developer of Peach Tree Senior Living alongside The Works, Inc. serving as sponsor and developer.
• Architecture, Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitect for Peach Tree Senior Living development.
• Montgomery Martin ContractorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor for Peach Tree Senior Living development.
• Northern, Inc.minorOthersProperty manager for Peach Tree Senior Living development.
• ComCap PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of Northside Square, the $81 million adaptive reuse of former Northside High School.
• LRK ArchitectureminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead design firm for Northside Square in partnership with Aaron Patrick Architects.
• Grinder, Taber & Grinder (GTG)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor for Northside Square development.
• Moore TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial tenant at Northside Square providing workforce development and education services.
• Literacy Mid-SouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial tenant at Northside Square providing literacy programs.
• Code CrewminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial tenant at Northside Square, CEO Meka Egwuekwe leads coding education programs.
• Collective BlueprintminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial tenant at Northside Square.
• Memphis Symphony OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial tenant at Northside Square bringing cultural programming to the development.
• St. Andrew A.M.E. ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Alpha Renaissance Apartments development.
• Share Our Strength / Cooking MattersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreator of Cooking Matters curriculum now supported by The Food Trust, used in Cooking Works nutrition education program.
• The Food TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent supporter of Cooking Matters curriculum used in Cooking Works program.
• American Heart AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthy for Life curriculum introduced in 2025 as part of Cooking Works electives.
• UT-TSU Shelby County ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNutrition education staff supporting Cooking Works with university-supported programming.
• Design Love StudiominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm that designed Lincoln Park Subdivision.
• Clean MemphisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Beautify The Block community events at Lincoln Park Subdivision.
• Memphis City BeautifulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Beautify The Block community events at Lincoln Park Subdivision.
• Midtown NurseryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale stockist for Memphis Native Tree Works plants.
• Urban EarthminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale stockist for Memphis Native Tree Works plants.
• Dan West PoplarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale stockist for Memphis Native Tree Works plants.
• Dan West H64minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale stockist for Memphis Native Tree Works plants.

Scale indicators25 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI and community development intermediary that finances affordable housing, small business, and community development across the U.S. LISC operates a much larger footprint and capital pool than The Works but shares the integrative CDC model in target geographies.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that develops and preserves affordable housing, advances health and resilience, and invests in community development. Operates an affiliated CDFI (Enterprise Community Loan Fund) and is one of the largest LIHTC syndicators, comparable to The Works' housing finance pipeline at substantially greater scale.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Global nonprofit that builds affordable single-family and multi-family housing for low-income families. Memphis Habitat operates locally, mirroring The Works' affordable single-family and homeownership counseling work, and the national organization serves as a model for the homeownership + housing counseling combination.
• NeighborWorks America: National network of 250+ community development nonprofits providing affordable housing, financial counseling, and community building. The Works is operationally similar to a NeighborWorks member organization in Memphis.
• The Reinvestment Fund: Philadelphia-based CDFI that finances housing, food access, and community development using LIHTC and impact capital. Comparable to The Works in deploying community development capital and operating food access and housing programs simultaneously, though at a substantially larger scale.

Emerging players

• Grounded Solutions Network: National nonprofit network focused on permanently affordable housing through community land trusts and shared equity models. The Works' affordability-preservation focus and Sliding Scale/community-based ownership elements make Grounded Solutions a thematically aligned peer.
• Center for Community Progress: National nonprofit focused on vacant property, blight elimination, and equitable community revitalization. The Works' Blight Elimination Steering Team and Strategic Code Enforcement Management Academy align directly with Center for Community Progress' specialty.

Direct peers

• Abyssinian Development Corporation: Harlem-based nonprofit CDC that integrates affordable housing development, community programs, and real estate as a community development anchor — closely paralleling The Works' five-pillar integrative model. Both organizations are Black-led CDCs executing large mixed-use developments.
• Phipps Neighborhoods: NYC-based nonprofit operating integrated programs in housing, education, workforce, and health across multiple sites. Comparable to The Works' multi-pillar model serving low-income urban residents with a similar program menu.
• Klondike Smokey City Community Development Corporation: Memphis-based CDC and explicit co-development partner of The Works in the Moving Klondike Forward initiative, with shared focus on North Memphis neighborhood stabilization, property transfers from Shelby County Land Bank, and resident-led revitalization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@theworksinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/worksinc
• Instagraminstagram.com/theworksinc_memphis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-works-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about The Works