Cypress Hills Local Development

What Cypress Hills Local Development does

Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 in Brooklyn, New York, operating as a multiservice community development organization serving the East New York, Cypress Hills, City Line, Starrett City, and Spring Creek neighborhoods — a catchment of more than 200,000 residents. Following the July 1, 2024 merger with United Community Centers, CHLDC runs eight program divisions spanning youth and family services, careers and training (construction, transportation, technology certifications), college access and persistence, housing counseling (HUD-certified foreclosure prevention and tenant rights), public benefits enrollment, business partnerships, health and wellness (including the East New York Farms! urban agriculture initiative and the Protecting The East youth health program), and community organizing. Service delivery is anchored in physical infrastructure: an administrative HQ at 625 Jamaica Avenue, the Cypress Hills East New York Community Center at 276 Chestnut Street (housing a Kitchen Incubator and a Kingsborough Community College satellite), a housing counseling office at 3214 Fulton Street, and the recently integrated United Community Centers building at 613 New Lots Avenue.

The organization's business model is characteristic of a community development corporation: services are delivered free of charge to residents, with operations funded by a hybrid mix of philanthropic grants (most prominently the $8 million unrestricted MacKenzie Scott gift in December 2024 and a $200,000 TD Charitable Foundation grant in April 2025), city and state contracts with NYC DYCD and NYC DOE for afterschool, summer, and community school programs, and individual donations across multiple price points. CHLDC has developed or preserved 800+ units of affordable housing over its history, generating some project-related revenue alongside unrestricted giving. Distribution is omnichannel in a localized sense: school-based programs across 14 Community School District 19 sites, embedded Student Success Centers at Franklin K. Lane and Thomas Jefferson high schools, two main community centers, and direct neighborhood outreach.

Leadership transitioned on February 2, 2026, with Michael G. Johnson succeeding Michelle Neugebauer as Executive Director after her 40+ year tenure. The combined organization serves approximately 28,000 residents annually and has been recognized externally through MacKenzie Scott's transformational grant, GuideStar's Gold Seal, and BBB accredited charity status.

Name

Cypress Hills Local Development

Legal name

Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation

Website

https://cypresshills.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) community development nonprofit, formed via the 2024 merger with United Community Centers, that delivers free youth, workforce, housing, college access, public benefits, health, and organizing services to 28,000 residents of East New York, Cypress Hills, and surrounding neighborhoods annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120)

SIC

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), Housing Development, Construction & Rehabilitation Programs (BPAIANAB), Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE), Residential Education, Programming & Community Development (EDALACAC)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Youth and family programs
• Workforce training certification
• Housing counseling support
• College access programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Grants and Donations: Unrestricted gifts and grants from individual philanthropists and foundations. Includes the unprecedented $8 million unrestricted gift from MacKenzie Scott in December 2024. Also relies on ongoing donor support and community contributions.
2. Government and Public Funding: Partnerships with city agencies including DYCD (Department of Youth and Community Development) and DOE (Department of Education) for summer programs, afterschool programs, and community school services.
3. Donations: Individual donations from community members, supporters, and monthly recurring donors. Website provides donation options with specific impact levels ($25, $50, $100, $250, $500).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation is a nonprofit multiservice organization that delivers free community programs to residents of East New York, Cypress Hills, City Line, Starrett City, and Spring Creek. Its core offering includes afterschool and summer youth programs, early childhood education, workforce training in construction, transportation, and technology, college access and persistence counseling, HUD-certified housing counseling for tenants and homeowners, public benefits enrollment, business support for local entrepreneurs, urban agriculture, youth-led health outreach, and community organizing for housing and educational justice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• East New York Farms!: Urban agriculture and food justice program including three large urban farms, two farmers markets, paid internship program for 36-38 local youth, and support for 200+ home-based gardeners.
• Protecting The East
• College STEPS & Persistence
• Cypress Hills Verde

Products and services

• Afterschool Programs Safe, engaging afterschool programs for Kindergarten through 8th grade students supporting homework, STEM, arts, sports, leadership activities, and enrichment at no cost to families.
• Summer Programs Free, enriching summer experiences combining academics, recreation, field trips, arts, and hands-on learning to keep students engaged and supported during summer months.
• Early Learning Center Nurturing early childhood program for children ages 2-5 offering play-based learning, STEAM activities, literacy development, and family-centered support in a safe welcoming environment.
• Construction Training Hands-on construction training with industry-recognized certifications that prepare participants for careers in construction, site safety, and skilled trades, offered at no cost to residents.
• Transportation Training Professional driver and transportation workforce training program that prepares participants to launch stable careers in the transportation industry.
• Technology Training Technology training program focused on building in-demand digital and IT skills, certifications, technical support, and career readiness for community residents.
• Student Success Centers Dedicated college and career hubs located inside high schools offering one-on-one counseling, college and financial aid workshops, college trips, and peer mentorship.
• Youth Leaders Program Paid leadership opportunity where high school students mentor peers, support college access efforts, and develop professional skills.
• College STEPS + Persistence Year-round college persistence support that helps currently-enrolled students stay enrolled, navigate academic and financial challenges, and graduate from college.
• Public Benefits Enrollment Assistance Free one-on-one assistance navigating and applying for SNAP, cash assistance, transit discounts, energy assistance, childcare guidance, and emergency support.
• Housing Counseling for Homeowners and Tenants Free HUD-certified housing counseling for homeowners facing foreclosure, repairs, tax issues, or financial challenges, and for tenants dealing with eviction, landlord disputes, unsafe conditions, or hardship.
• Business Partnerships and Hire Talent Hire Talent connects local employers with CHLDC's trained, credentialed workforce candidates, while business counseling, workshops, and the LatinX in Business Program support local entrepreneurs and small business owners.
• East New York Farms! Urban agriculture and food justice program encompassing three urban farms, two farmers markets, composting initiatives, sustainability workshops, paid youth leadership, and support for 200+ home gardeners.
• Protecting The East (PTE) Youth-led community health initiative delivering sexual health education, HIV prevention, wellness outreach, and leadership development for East New York youth through peer education and community campaigns.
• Community Organizing Programs Resident-led organizing programs including Future of Tomorrow (youth-led equity organizing), Housing Justice & Economic Equity campaigns, the Coalition for Community Advancement, displacement prevention coordination, and the Basement Apartment Conversion Pilot Program.
• Affordable Housing Development and Community Development Community development activities that have delivered 800+ units of affordable housing in East New York and Cypress Hills, alongside small-homes energy retrofits, basement apartment conversions, and the Cypress Hills Verde sustainability initiative.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 28,000 East New York residents annually after merger
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 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 flagship, core and minor.

• United Community Centers (UCC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Effective July 1, 2024, United Community Centers merged with Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation. The merger unites complementary strengths: UCC contributed expertise in public health, early childhood development, and urban agriculture (East New York Farms!), while CHLDC brought strong economic and housing development, youth services, and college success programs. The combined organization serves 28,000 East New York residents annually with comprehensive services. All UCC staff were retained and three UCC board members joined the CHLDC Board.
• Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NYC DYCD for Summer Rising Programs and afterschool programming, providing funding and regulatory support for youth development services across multiple school sites.
• Department of Education (DOE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership with NYC DOE for Summer Rising Programs and Community Schools initiative, enabling school-based service delivery and integrated student support services.
• Kingsborough Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to operate a Kingsborough Community College satellite location at the Cypress Hills East New York Community Center, providing educational access for community residents.
• Community School District 19coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 14 schools in Community School District 19 to provide afterschool programs, summer camps, and integrated student support services.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• East Side House Settlement: Bronx-based multiservice settlement house providing education, workforce, and community development programs — comparable community-led multiservice model in NYC.
• Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF): NYC-based youth development and college persistence nonprofit serving low-income students — directly comparable to CHLDC's College Success division and youth services; led until recently by incoming CHLDC ED Michael G. Johnson.
• The Community Builders: Affordable housing developer and community development corporation with mixed-income and service-enriched housing — directly comparable to CHLDC's 800+ unit housing development and community organizing work; Johnson previously served there.
• Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation: Brooklyn-based community development nonprofit delivering housing, workforce, education, and cultural programs — comparable mission and multi-service model in an adjacent Brooklyn neighborhood.
• CAMBA: Large Brooklyn-based nonprofit providing housing, workforce, youth, and family services — directly comparable holistic service model and Brooklyn footprint serving similar low-income populations.
• Henry Street Settlement: Historic NYC Lower East Side settlement house offering youth, workforce, housing, and health programs — comparable comprehensive multiservice settlement-house model rooted in a specific neighborhood.
• Grand Street Settlement: NYC Lower East Side multiservice community organization delivering early childhood, youth, senior, and housing programs — directly comparable settlement-house structure and service array.
• Good Shepherd Services: NYC-based youth and family services nonprofit operating community centers, afterschool programs, and workforce training — directly comparable to CHLDC's Youth + Family and Careers + Training divisions.
• Asian Americans for Equality: NYC-based nonprofit combining affordable housing development with small business, immigrant services, and community organizing — comparable affordable housing + community development structure.
• Pratt Area Community Council: Brooklyn-based community development corporation offering housing, economic development, and youth services — directly comparable local CDC model in Brooklyn.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chldc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/CypressLDC
• Facebookfacebook.com/CHLDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cypress-hills-local-development-corporation
• Instagraminstagram.com/cypresshills1983

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Cypress Hills Local Development