Urban League of Rochester

What Urban League of Rochester does

The Urban League of Rochester, N.Y., Inc. is a 501(c)(3) civil rights nonprofit founded in 1965 and affiliated with the National Urban League. The organization operates 30+ programs across six service verticals: Youth Education and Development (including the Black Scholars™ recognition program, Early Recognition Program, and Project Heartwood), Equity and Advocacy (headlined by the INTERRUPT RACISM™ initiative, its annual Summit, INTERRUPTER Toolkit, and 12-month Cohort program, plus the RASE Commission with the City of Rochester and County of Monroe), Workforce Development (including YouthBuild and DOL-funded youth mentorship), Housing (delivered through the wholly owned Urban League of Rochester Economic Development Corporation / ULREDC, which owns and manages approximately 400 residential units and two commercial spaces across Monroe and Orleans Counties under HUD PRAC and LIHTC structures), Small Business and Entrepreneurship (Community Business Academy, PowerShift, and the SBA-partnered Rochester Women's Business Center), and Family and Children Services (EISEP in-home services for the elderly and related programs). Services are delivered free of charge to eligible beneficiaries primarily in the Greater Rochester area, anchored at the 265 N. Clinton Avenue headquarters and at off-site community partner locations.

The organization does not rely on proprietary technology; its stack consists of standard nonprofit and property management systems — Fund EZ for fundraising/CRM, Microsoft Business Central for general ledger, and RealPage for ULREDC property management. The single technology-driven product, the virtual INTERRUPT RACISM Summit, runs on the third-party Bevy conference platform rather than in-house infrastructure. Revenue is grant-driven and diversified across federal sources (DOL, HUD, SBA), state and local government (City of Rochester, County of Monroe), private foundations (ESL Federal Credit Union Charitable Foundation, a transformational Mackenzie Scott gift in November 2022), and a small stream of program fees, memberships, and event sponsorships. The annual operating budget is approximately $5 million (fiscal year ending March 31, 2025) with year-over-year fluctuation of $1–3 million tied to grant cycles. ULREDC's affordable housing operations contribute managed-services revenue from the ~400-unit portfolio. Headcount stands at approximately 68 staff as of August 2025, and the organization is mid-transition following the April 2026 announcement of a national search for its next President and CEO.

Name

Urban League of Rochester

Legal name

Urban League of Rochester, N.Y., Inc.

Website

https://urbanleagueroc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Urban League of Rochester is a 501(c)(3) civil rights nonprofit founded in 1965 that delivers 30+ workforce, education, housing, and equity programs to disadvantaged residents of Greater Rochester through its headquarters and ULREDC affordable-housing subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Services and Civil Rights Advocacy

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Community Housing Services (62422), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ), Housing Development, Construction & Rehabilitation Programs (BPAIANAB), Civic Participation & Leadership Development (Voting, Advocacy, Community Leadership) (EDAAADAL)

Keywords

• Civil rights advocacy
• Workforce development
• Affordable housing
• Youth education programs
• Community services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Grants: Primary funding from federal agencies including U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and HUD. Federal funding levels trigger Single Audit requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F.
2. State and Local Government Funding: Funding from City of Rochester and County of Monroe. Funding typically fluctuates up or down by $1-3 million annually.
3. Private Foundation Grants: Philanthropic contributions including transformational gift from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott (November 2022), and grants from ESL Federal Credit Union Charitable Foundation.
4. Affordable Housing Operations: Revenue from ULREDC subsidiary's affordable housing portfolio including HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties. Owns and manages approximately 400 residential units and two commercial spaces in Monroe and Orleans Counties.
5. Program Fees and Membership Dues: Modest program service fees, membership dues, and event sponsorship revenue from individuals and businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Urban League of Rochester is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civil rights organization that delivers over 30 community programs and services spanning workforce development, youth education, affordable housing, entrepreneurship and small business support, equity and advocacy, family and children services, and health equity. It serves African Americans, Latinxs, the poor, and other disadvantaged individuals in the Greater Rochester area through direct service delivery, grant-funded programs, and property management of approximately 400 residential units via its ULREDC subsidiary.

Product overview

The Urban League of Rochester operates over 30 programs across six core service areas: Youth Education & Development (including Black Scholars™ and Early Recognition Program), Equity & Advocacy (featuring the INTERRUPT RACISM™ initiative with annual Summit, Toolkit, and Cohort programs), Workforce Development, Housing (through ULREDC with L2P homeownership program), Small Business/Entrepreneurship (including Women's Business Center and PowerShift), and Family & Children Services. The organization functions as a civil rights nonprofit, not a software platform, providing community programs, events, and advocacy services rather than technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Black Scholars: Program providing recognition, assistance, and incentives to high school students achieving academic excellence with college and career readiness programming and scholarships
• INTERRUPT RACISM
• RASE Commission
• Young Professionals (ULRYP)
• Powerbrokers
• Early Recognition Program

Products and services

• Black Scholars A youth education and recognition program that honors high school students of African descent who achieve academic excellence with cumulative GPA of 'B' or better. Provides college and career readiness programming, scholarship opportunities, and alumni support, with an annual ceremony attracting over 1,300 student honorees.
• INTERRUPT RACISM A comprehensive antiracist educational initiative and grassroots movement to identify, interrupt, and dismantle processes of systemic racism. Includes the annual Summit, Toolkit, Cohort program, and community survey, and has engaged over 40 organizations and 400+ leaders across two cohorts.
• RASE Commission Commission on Racial and Structural Equity (RASE) - a joint initiative with Monroe County addressing systemic racism through working groups on policing, criminal justice, and mental health services.
• Workforce Development Programs helping adults attain economic self-sufficiency through good jobs, job training, and career opportunities. Includes YouthBuild programming and Department of Labor-funded youth mentorship for at-risk youth.
• Housing Programs Homeownership assistance and affordable housing development through ULREDC (Urban League of Rochester Economic Development Corporation). Includes the Lease to Purchase (L2P) program, the first of its kind in New York State, and management of approximately 400 residential units across Monroe and Orleans Counties.
• Small Business Programs Entrepreneurship and wealth building programs including Community Business Academy, PowerShift (for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses), and Small Business Directory, providing training, technical assistance, and capital access to underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• Rochester Women's Business Center Rochester's first Women's Business Center providing resources and support for women entrepreneurs, established in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• Family and Children Services Services supporting families including Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly (EISEP), Star Transportation, childcare programs, and developmental disability services.
• INTERRUPT RACISM Toolkit Antiracism resource library with articles, books, videos, and online resources organized into sections for First Steps, Personal Growth, Allyship, and Organizational Change.
• INTERRUPT RACISM Cohort 12-month cohort program for organizations and businesses to address racial equity within their teams, featuring Change Teams of up to 8 members receiving custom training and support.
• Lease to Purchase (L2P) Innovative homeownership program allowing tenants to lease properties for 15 years with option to purchase at year 16 for estimated $25,000-30,000, creating a fast track to owner equity. The first such program in New York State.
• Powerbrokers Community leadership initiative convening over 200 leaders to discuss and implement action steps for equity and justice, focused on RASE Commission recommendations.
• Early Recognition Program Academic recognition ceremony celebrating high school students of African descent in the Greater Rochester Area, attracting over 1,300 student honorees annually.
• INTERRUPT RACISM Summit Annual immersive learning experience for youth and adults designed to identify, interrupt, and dismantle processes of systemic racism, featuring national keynote speakers and attracting over 500 attendees. First held virtually in October 2020.

Quantifiable outcome

• 138 financial grant awards of up to $10,000 to small business owners through partnership programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ESL Federal Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 September 2022Presenting sponsor of the INTERRUPT RACISM Summit for multiple years. Provided $300,000 in COVID-19 small business stabilization grants distributed through ULR to 109 women- and minority-owned businesses.
• JPMorgan Chase & Co.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 October 2020Presenting sponsor of the inaugural 2020 Virtual INTERRUPT RACISM Summit, supporting the organization's flagship equity event.
• National Urban LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerULR is an affiliate of the National Urban League, the country's largest civil rights organization. Leverages national resources, research (State of Black America report), training programs, and advocacy support.
• Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerData analysis partnership for INTERRUPT RACISM Report and community survey. RIT faculty supported data analysis for 2020 equity recommendations report. Sponsored Early Recognition Program ceremonies.
• Trillium HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for COVID-19 vaccination efforts during Juneteenth Jubilee and ongoing community health initiatives. ULR acted as intermediary to schedule appointments and prioritize people of color for vaccination.
• WDKX RadiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Juneteenth Jubilee event, providing live radio broadcast onsite and ongoing community engagement.
• United Way ROC/FLXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for ROC the Day campaign, a community giving initiative.
• Saint Joseph's Neighborhood CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransferred Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) to ULR administration in December 2020. SJNC developed the program engaging 40+ organizations and 400+ leaders.
• Rochester Institute of TechnologymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing data analysis for INTERRUPT RACISM Report by Dr. Ammina Kothari and Dr. Katrina Overby. Annual sponsor of Black Scholars ceremonies.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: Parent affiliate network of which ULR is a member. Directly comparable as the largest U.S. civil rights organization with similar mission around economic empowerment, education, housing, and workforce development across 90+ affiliates.
• NAACP: Largest U.S. civil rights organization with overlapping focus on racial equity, advocacy, and community empowerment. Comparable in mission and federal/nonprofit funding model, though NAACP emphasizes litigation and legislative advocacy more than direct service delivery.

Direct peers

• Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh: Direct peer Urban League affiliate operating in a similar mid-sized post-industrial city. Comparable scope of workforce development, youth education, housing, and small business programs serving African American communities.
• Urban League of Philadelphia: Another Urban League affiliate delivering a comparable multi-program suite (employment, youth, housing, entrepreneurship) in an urban market with similar federal funding dependencies and civil rights mission.
• Urban League of Greater Atlanta: Peer Urban League affiliate delivering workforce, education, housing, and entrepreneurship programs. Comparable structure of multiple direct-service programs under one nonprofit umbrella with federal grant funding.
• Chicago Urban League: Larger Urban League affiliate with directly comparable programs in workforce, youth education, housing, and equity advocacy. Useful comparable for assessing ULR's program mix and federal contracting approach.

Regional players

• United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes: Regional funder and partner of ULR (ROC the Day campaign). Comparable as a community-impact nonprofit operating in the same Rochester geography with overlapping focus areas, but functions as a funder/convener rather than direct service provider.
• YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County: Rochester-based nonprofit delivering overlapping services in housing, childcare, youth development, and racial justice. Comparable as a direct-service nonprofit in the same metro area competing for similar philanthropic and government funding.

Others

• National Urban Fellows: Adjacent nonprofit focused on leadership development and racial equity in the public and nonprofit sectors. Comparable in mission alignment with ULR's Equity & Advocacy division and INTERRUPT RACISM Cohort program.
• PathStone Corporation: Rochester-headquartered nonprofit delivering workforce development, housing, and small business services to low-income communities. Directly comparable in program mix and target population, with overlapping federal funding sources (DOL, USDA Rural Development).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/urbanleagueroc
• Facebookfacebook.com/ulrochester
• Instagraminstagram.com/urbanleagueroc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ulrochester

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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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 Rochester