Urban Economic Development Association

What Urban Economic Development Association does

Urban Economic Development Association (UEDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 1997 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. UEDA operates as a community and economic development intermediary in Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin, convening residents, nonprofits, government agencies, financial institutions, and minority-owned businesses around programmatic coalitions rather than selling a unified product.

The organization's portfolio spans three core programs and four fiscally-sponsored projects. Core programs are Bank On Greater Milwaukee (financial inclusion and banking access), Take Root Milwaukee (sustainable homeownership), and Capacity Building & Technical Assistance (organizational support for community groups). Projects include the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center (eviction prevention, with $61.1 million in temporary rent assistance distributed across 5,900+ households), the City of Milwaukee HUD Consolidated Plan 2025-2029 engagement, the Kin cross-racial relationship-building initiative, and the Milwaukee County Dine Out Program connecting minority-owned restaurants with senior meal services. Signature events are the annual Carnival Milwaukee fundraiser and the Emerging Topics in Economic Development professional development series. Brand-equivalent sub-brands include Bank On Greater Milwaukee, Take Root Milwaukee, Carnival Milwaukee, and the Emerging Topics Series.

UEDA's revenue model combines recurring membership dues from community and economic development professionals, foundation and government grants (Zilber Family Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank, Associated Bank, Bank On National, Erie Insurance, among others), and event fundraising. The only explicitly disclosed funding inflow is a $180,000 grant from the Zilber Family Foundation dated 2022-06-23. Operations are run by a small staff of 1-10 employees supplemented by Trinity Fellows, with reported 2025 scale metrics of 38% membership growth and 2,800+ people engaged across all programs. Distribution is regional and direct, delivered through coalition partners rather than commercial channels, with no software product, mobile application, API, or AI/ML components identified.

Name

Urban Economic Development Association

Legal name

Urban Economic Development Association

Website

https://uedawi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Urban Economic Development Association (UEDA) is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association founded in 1997 that convenes coalitions and fiscally sponsors programs addressing financial inclusion, homeownership, eviction prevention, and minority-owned business development in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from community and economic development professionals and organizations
2. Grant Funding: Foundation and government grants for specific programs and initiatives
3. Event Fundraising: Carnival Milwaukee annual fundraiser generates revenue to support operations

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UEDA is a membership-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that operates community and economic development programs in Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin. Its portfolio includes financial inclusion (Bank On Greater Milwaukee), homeownership promotion (Take Root Milwaukee), eviction prevention (Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center), capacity building and technical assistance for community organizations, HUD Consolidated Plan support for the City of Milwaukee, fiscal sponsorship of cross-racial dialogue (Kin), and a senior-meal vendor program (Milwaukee County Dine Out), delivered through coalition-based partnerships with member organizations, government agencies, and funders.

Product overview

UEDA is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of community and economic development programs rather than a unified software product. The core programs include Bank On Greater Milwaukee (financial inclusion), Take Root Milwaukee (homeownership), and Capacity Building & Technical Assistance. Additional initiatives include the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center (eviction prevention), City of Milwaukee Consolidated Plan (HUD planning), Kin (cross-racial relationship building), and the Milwaukee County Dine Out Program (senior meals). Events include Carnival Milwaukee (annual fundraiser) and the Emerging Topics in Economic Development Series (educational sessions).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bank On Greater Milwaukee: Financial inclusion coalition program helping unbanked and underbanked individuals access banking services and financial education
• Take Root Milwaukee
• Carnival Milwaukee
• Emerging Topics in Economic Development Series

Products and services

• Bank On Greater Milwaukee Coalition program that helps unbanked and underbanked individuals in Milwaukee access certified banking services, financial education, and safe account options through a network of partner financial institutions and counselors.
• Take Root Milwaukee Coalition program providing homeownership education, financial counseling, and resources to help Milwaukee residents buy, fix, or keep homes, addressing homeownership disparities in the region.
• Capacity Building & Technical Assistance Training and consulting services provided to community-based organizations to strengthen operations, strategic planning, board governance, and overall organizational capacity.
• Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center Collaborative eviction prevention initiative that connects Milwaukee tenants and landlords to trusted resources for rental housing issues, including temporary rent payment assistance.
• City of Milwaukee Consolidated Plan Five-year HUD planning project in which UEDA coordinates community engagement and strategic planning to help the City of Milwaukee assess affordable housing and community development needs.
• Kin – Fiscal Sponsor UEDA provides fiscal sponsorship to Kin, a project that facilitates cross-racial conversations and relationships to address segregation and inequality in Milwaukee.
• Milwaukee County Dine Out Program Program that connects minority-owned restaurants with Milwaukee County's senior dining program, delivering meals to seniors while providing contract opportunities and technical assistance to diverse food vendors.
• Carnival Milwaukee Annual UEDA fundraising event that celebrates diverse, locally-owned food enterprises through tastings and entertainment, generating revenue to support UEDA's mission.
• Emerging Topics in Economic Development Series Recurring professional development and educational series that explores current issues in community and economic development for practitioners in Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin.
• UEDA Membership Program Annual membership program for community and economic development professionals and organizations, providing access to networking, professional development, capacity building resources, and program participation; membership network grew 38% in 2025.

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Milwaukee County Department of AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020UEDA identifies potential vendors and provides technical assistance to help the County establish pathways for recruiting diverse food businesses. Partnership launched Dine Out Program to provide meals to seniors while diversifying vendors.
• The Business CouncilcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted to lead and implement the Milwaukee County Dine Out Program pilot with minority-owned restaurants. Staff had deep expertise working with minority-owned businesses.
• VIA CDCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted to lead and implement the Milwaukee County Dine Out Program. Provided technical assistance to help new vendors navigate County contracting processes.
• Bank Five NinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Bank On Greater Milwaukee and Department of Corrections to help justice-impacted individuals access vital financial services at Milwaukee Community Reintegration Center (CRC).
• Data You Can UsecoreTechnology or IntegrationProject partner for BOGM Financial Inclusion Map launched January 2025, showing Bank On certified accounts and gaps in access to banking.
• Community AdvocatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center and facilitated distribution of over $61.1 million in temporary rent payment assistance to more than 5,900 households.
• Social Development CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Rental Housing Resource Center, helping distribute $61.1 million in temporary rent payment assistance to households in need.
• City of Milwaukee - Community Development Grants AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDGA contracts with UEDA to assist with putting together the HUD Consolidated Plan 2025-2029, coordinating community engagement and strategic planning.
• Erie InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of Carnival Milwaukee 2026 fundraiser. Supports UEDA's mission through event sponsorship.
• Associated BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunder and sponsor of Emerging Topics Series and UEDA programs. Supporting community development initiatives.
• JPMorgan ChasecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunder and sponsor of Emerging Topics Series and UEDA programs. Supporting financial inclusion and community development.
• U.S. BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunder and sponsor of Emerging Topics Series and UEDA programs.
• Quad/GraphicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrinted 'Your Smart Money' Resource Guides in-kind for Bank On Greater Milwaukee program.
• YWCA Southeast WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Emerging Topics Series sessions and UEDA events.
• Hmong American Friendship AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2026 Bill Johnson Bridge Builder Award recipient recognizing contributions to community building in Milwaukee.
• Trinity FellowshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFellowship program providing emerging leaders to UEDA. Adam Bridges graduated from program after 2 years; Sehiry Tapia joined as second-year Fellow.
• Mueller CommunicationsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAssisted Kin project with new website development (www.wearekinmke.com) to support cross-racial relationship building initiative.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NeighborWorks America: A national network supporting affordable housing and community development through affiliated local nonprofits. Comparable to UEDA's Take Root Milwaukee homeownership coalition and broader community development mission.
• National Council of Nonprofits: A national network of state and regional nonprofit associations. Comparable to UEDA as a membership-based association serving community development practitioners, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): LISC is a national community development financial institution that supports local community developers — comparable to UEDA's role as a convener and capacity builder for community development in Milwaukee. Operates at much larger scale and across multiple geographies.

Regional players

• Heartland Alliance: A Midwest-based anti-poverty human services organization addressing housing, financial empowerment, and economic opportunity. Comparable to UEDA's eviction prevention work via the Rental Housing Resource Center and financial inclusion programs.
• Wisconsin Nonprofits Association: A statewide membership association providing capacity building, advocacy, and networking for Wisconsin nonprofits — closely mirrors UEDA's membership-based convening model for community and economic development practitioners in the same geographic region.

Emerging players

• Asset Funders Network: A membership network of funders focused on financial security and asset-building. Comparable to UEDA's Bank On Greater Milwaukee financial inclusion coalition and convening role among funders and practitioners.

Others

• The Business Council: A Wisconsin-based minority chamber of commerce contracted to co-implement the Milwaukee County Dine Out Program with UEDA. Comparable as an implementation partner focused on minority business development in the same regional ecosystem.
• Bader Philanthropies: A Milwaukee-based foundation supporting affordable housing, community development, and economic opportunity. Comparable as a Milwaukee-area philanthropic peer that funds and partners in the same community development ecosystem as UEDA.
• Zilber Family Foundation: A Milwaukee-based private foundation that has funded UEDA directly. Comparable not as a peer but as a key funder and ecosystem partner that shares UEDA's geographic focus on Milwaukee community development.

Direct peers

• Milwaukee Urban League: A Milwaukee-based nonprofit focused on economic empowerment, housing, workforce, and civil rights for African Americans and others in the community. Directly comparable to UEDA's mission of supporting financial inclusion, homeownership, and equitable community development in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UEDAofWI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uedawi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

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 Urban Economic Development Association