New Growth Innovation Network

What New Growth Innovation Network does

New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit founded in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, IL, that equips economic, community, and government leaders in U.S. small and midsized cities (populations of 50,000 to 500,000) with the insights, innovations, capital, and localized support needed to advance inclusive economic growth. The organization focuses on geographies and practitioners that are typically underserved by traditional economic development resources, with explicit emphasis on economically excluded communities and BIPOC wealth creation. NGIN is led by President and CEO M. Yasmina McCarty, with a leadership team spanning Insights and Innovations, Capital and Capacity, and Operations, and is governed by a Board of Directors including Kathleen Lee, Maurice Jones, David Warm, and Rodrick Miller.

NGIN delivers its mission through an interconnected portfolio of programs: the Small and Midsized Cities Hub (SMC Hub, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) anchors a suite that includes LEAP (Learn. Explore. Activate in Place) immersive site-visit leadership development, SCALE (Strategic Capacity for Advancing Local Economies) 12-month technical assistance, the SMC Hub Community of Practice peer network, the Economic Partnership Alliance with its interactive Playbook, the Advancing Economic Mobility (AEM) initiative supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Inclusive Recovery Initiative funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and the biennial Cityscapes Summit conference. NGIN also publishes research and practical resources such as Tech Equity in Action, Catalytic Capital for BIPOC Wealth Creation, and the Communication Resource Guide for Inclusive Economic Development.

The organization operates a community-led, grant-funded model with no fees charged to participants. Revenue is sourced from foundation grants (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Gates Foundation, Prudential Financial, Surdna Foundation, Siegel Family Endowment, Echoing Green) and federal agency grants (U.S. EDA, NSF), including a $5.5M EDA award in 2022. In 2025 NGIN engaged 222 leaders from 148 organizations across 47 cities and received a record-breaking 350+ applications for that year's programs. Strategic partnerships with Accelerator for America, RTI International, LISC, IEDC, HBCU CDAC, Brookings, and the University of Michigan extend its reach, including a 2026 partnership with RTI to support 22 EDA Recompete Pilot Program coalitions spanning Tribal nations, rural Appalachia, the Gulf Coast, and multiple U.S. regions. NGIN does not develop or sell technology products and has no public API, AI/ML product, or app.

Name

New Growth Innovation Network

Legal name

New Growth Innovation Network

Website

https://newgrowth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National nonprofit that equips economic, community, and government leaders in U.S. small and midsized cities (populations 50,000-500,000) with programs, technical assistance, peer learning, and capital to advance inclusive economic growth, funded by foundation and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Economic Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Smart Cities & Urban Innovation Programs (Digital Planning, Civic Tech for Cities) (BPAIANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Innovation Leadership & Leading Growth (EDABAAAO), SME & Entrepreneurship Development (Trade-Linked) (BPADAMAE)

Keywords

• Economic development programs
• Community wealth building
• Small city technical assistance
• Inclusive economic mobility
• Nonprofit capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: NGIN operates as a nonprofit organization funded primarily through grants from foundations including Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Surdna Foundation, Siegel Family Endowment, Echoing Green Foundation, and Prudential Financial. These grants support specific programs and initiatives such as the Small and Midsized Cities Hub, Advancing Economic Mobility, and Economic Partnership Alliance.
2. Government Grants: The organization receives federal government funding from agencies including the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and National Science Foundation (NSF) to support specific initiatives like the Inclusive Recovery Initiative and research projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

New Growth Innovation Network is a national nonprofit that provides programs, technical assistance, peer-learning networks, and research resources to economic, community, and government leaders in U.S. small and midsized cities (population 50,000-500,000). Its core offerings include the SMC Hub suite of programs, the LEAP immersive leadership program, the SCALE 12-month technical assistance program, the Economic Partnership Alliance, the Advancing Economic Mobility initiative, and the biennial Cityscapes Summit, all delivered fully funded to selected participants.

Product overview

New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) is a national nonprofit organization that operates as a program portfolio rather than a unified software product. The organization provides a suite of interconnected programs and resources for economic and community development leaders. Core programs include the Small and Midsized Cities Hub (SMC Hub), which encompasses LEAP (Learn. Explore. Activate in Place) for immersive professional development, SCALE (Strategic Capacity for Advancing Local Economies) for technical assistance, the Economic Partnership Alliance with its interactive Playbook, Advancing Economic Mobility (AEM) initiative, and the biennial Cityscapes Summit conference. NGIN also produces research reports and insight briefs on topics including tech equity, baby bonds and guaranteed income, housing policy, and inclusive procurement. The organization is funded primarily by foundations including Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Small and Midsized Cities Hub (SMC Hub): A suite of programs, technical assistance, resources, and tools to support economic and community leaders build healthy, thriving communities in cities with populations ranging from 50,000 to 500,000.
• LEAP (Learn. Explore. Activate in Place)
• SCALE (Strategic Capacity for Advancing Local Economies)
• Cityscapes Summit
• Advancing Economic Mobility (AEM)
• Economic Partnership Alliance
• Inclusive Recovery Initiative

Products and services

• Small and Midsized Cities Hub (SMC Hub)
• LEAP (Learn. Explore. Activate in Place)
• SCALE (Strategic Capacity for Advancing Local Economies)
• Economic Partnership Alliance
• Advancing Economic Mobility (AEM)
• Cityscapes Summit
• SMC Hub Community of Practice
• Inclusive Recovery Initiative
• Economic Partnership Alliance Playbook
• Tech Equity in Action
• Communication Resource Guide for Inclusive Economic Development

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1.8 million in direct financial support catalyzed for economic mobility initiatives
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RTI InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026NGIN is partnering with RTI International to support development and delivery of a national community of practice for EDA Recompete Pilot Program. RTI leads development and implementation while NGIN contributes expertise in capacity building, technical assistance, and supporting communities in accessing resources. Initiative supports 22 coalitions including Tribal nations and rural/urban regions.
• Accelerator for America (AFA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025NGIN selected AFA as strategic outreach partner to support the Small and Midsized Cities Hub, extend the community of SMC leaders, and uplift insights for innovative and equitable economic growth over three years. AFA brings Economic Opportunity Accelerators network of 700+ local leaders from 100+ communities across 37 states.
• LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGIN partners with LISC alongside IEDC and HBCU CDAC to equip organizations with training and capacity needed to strengthen local economies and advance shared prosperity. LISC is part of Equity Impact Investments initiative.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGIN partners with IEDC as part of Equity Impact Investments initiative to provide training to Community-Based and Economic Development Organizations to advance inclusive economies.
• Partnership for Southern EquityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGIN partnered with Partnership for Southern Equity to develop Communication Resource Guide for Inclusive Economic Development, providing glossary, resources, and data to support economic development practitioners.
• Broadstreet Impact ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing the Inclusive Cities Predevelopment Fund focused on flexible, early-stage capital tools for community-led projects supporting housing affordability and community wealth.
• Chicago TRENDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerField expert partner providing support for SCALE program's place-based projects, contributing expertise in commercial real estate development for small and midsized cities.
• Brookings InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolicy research partner supporting NGIN's work in inclusive economic development and economic mobility.
• University of MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner contributing expertise to NGIN's economic mobility work, including insights on baby bonds and guaranteed income research.
• BCT PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner conducting comprehensive economic landscape analysis for Multnomah County to provide data-driven recommendations for coordinated economic development efforts.
• Restorative Economics GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting NGIN's work in economic development and community wealth building strategies.
• Hope Credit UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NGIN's ecosystem supporting economic mobility and inclusive economic development efforts.
• State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting NGIN's economic development initiatives and knowledge sharing.
• The Democracy CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit providing community wealth building framework and expertise. Hosted workshop sessions at Cityscapes Summit on community wealth building's five pillars.
• Main Street AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Capital Absorption Framework discussions at Cityscapes Summit, focusing on helping communities move from passive recipients of investment to active participants.
• Center for Community Investment (CCI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing Capital Absorption Framework that helps communities attract, direct, and benefit from investment aligned with local priorities.
• HBCU Community Development Action CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Equity Impact Investments initiative to unite Community-Based and Economic Development Organizations to advance inclusive economies.
• Multnomah CountyminorOthersClient receiving comprehensive economic landscape analysis from NGIN and BCT Partners to provide data-driven recommendations for coordinated economic development efforts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation): National nonprofit community development intermediary that deploys capital and capacity-building to underserved places, including small and midsized cities. LISC is both a partner and the most direct peer to NGIN in mission and operating model.
• Living Cities: National philanthropic collaborative that works with mayors, ED leaders, and funders to drive inclusive urban economic outcomes. Highly comparable in role as an intermediary catalyzing practice, capital, and policy for inclusive local economies.
• Accelerator for America: National nonprofit that convenes city leaders and operates the Economic Opportunity Accelerators network. NGIN has a three-year strategic partnership with AFA, indicating close mission and audience overlap.
• The Democracy Collaborative: National nonprofit focused on community wealth building, anchor institutions, and inclusive local economies. A direct content/IP partner of NGIN (hosted Community Wealth Building workshops at Cityscapes Summit) and a clear peer in thought leadership and frameworks.
• PolicyLink: National research and action institute advancing racial and economic equity through policy. Comparable as a policy-to-practice intermediary working with cities and community-based organizations on inclusive economic development.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC): Largest membership association of economic developers globally. NGIN's Equity Impact Investments partner and a direct peer in serving economic development practitioners through training, convening, and capacity building.

Broad incumbents

• Brookings Institution (Metropolitan Policy Program): Major policy research organization producing influential work on regional economic development, inclusive growth, and place-based policy. A research/policy partner of NGIN and a broader incumbent with overlapping substantive focus.
• National League of Cities: National advocacy and membership organization serving municipal officials across all city sizes. Comparable audience (city leaders) and convening role, though with a broader, non-economic-development-specific remit.
• Smart Growth America: National advocacy organization working on equitable, sustainable, and inclusive urban and regional development. Overlaps with NGIN's work on equitable economic outcomes, particularly in midsized cities, and the Tech Equity in Action report's inclusion lens.
• Urban Institute: Major research organization producing evidence on economic mobility, housing, and inclusive growth. Comparable in audience (city and community leaders) and in producing research/insights that NGIN also publishes for the same practitioner market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nginetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-growth-innovation-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 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 New Growth Innovation Network