Community Matters
Community Matters is a Cincinnati-based nonprofit, founded in 1971, that delivers free wraparound education, food security, housing, and community development programs to approximately 2,000 Lower Price Hill families annually through a five-building campus and social enterprises.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersCincinnati, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Community Matters does
Community Matters is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1971 as the Lower Price Hill Community School (originally to address a 98% high school dropout rate) that delivers wraparound social services to approximately 2,000 families annually in the Lower Price Hill neighborhood, where 93% of households and 98% of children experience poverty. The organization operates across four programmatic pillars — family sustainability (Opportunity Hub, Community Market food pantry), education pathways (Education Forward adult GED program), community leadership (Neighborhood Action Team, LPH Community Gardens, The Collective), and neighborhood development (Community Supported Housing, LPH Thrives affordable housing initiative, The Sanctuary event venue, Washing Well laundromat) — delivered through a five-building renovated Saint Michael campus plus Outerspace community hub and partner sites. All core programs are free to residents; there is no proprietary technology platform and service delivery is relationship-based, leveraging 50+ years of institutional trust and formal resident governance including NAT Leaders seated on the board.
The revenue model is diversified across individual donations, foundation and government grants (Chemed Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation, Charles H. Dater Foundation, United Way Greater Cincinnati, City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County), corporate partnerships (P&G Fund, Duke Energy Foundation, PNC Foundation, Dollar General Literacy Foundation), in-kind contributions, and earned revenue from The Sanctuary venue rental and the Washing Well social-enterprise laundromat (priced 25–50% below conventional laundromats). The organization was renamed Education Matters in 2014, spun off a sister nonprofit Community Matters the same year to house community-based programs, acquired Healing Center Ministries in July 2020, and reunited both organizations under the Community Matters name in July 2022. The leadership team comprises Executive Director Mary Delaney (in role since 2016, working in Lower Price Hill since 2010), CFO Emily Eskridge (joined 2008), Chief Advancement Officer Patty Lee, Chief Operations Officer Jenna Hippensteel, and Chief Learning Officer Erica Ninneman, supported by an 18+ person staff of licensed social workers, instructors, organizers, and program assistants. Notable external recognition includes the 2014 Impact 100 grant ($109,000 for Washing Well) and the 2026 selection into Stand Together Foundation's Catalyst Ignite cohort (1 of 15 nonprofits nationwide, with up to $100,000 in matching funds).
Community Matters firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Community Matters
- Legal name
- Community Matters Cincinnati, Inc.
- Website
- https://cmcincy.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Community Matters is a Cincinnati-based nonprofit, founded in 1971, that delivers free wraparound education, food security, housing, and community development programs to approximately 2,000 Lower Price Hill families annually through a five-building campus and social enterprises.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Community Matters industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Services (Nonprofit Social Services)
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food Services (62421)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Housing Development, Construction & Rehabilitation Programs (BPAIANAB), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)
Keywords
Where Community Matters is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cincinnati
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Community Matters business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Monetary gifts from individuals through online giving (one-time or recurring), mail-in checks, stock donations, Donor-Advised Funds, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, and legacy/planned gifts.
- Foundation and Government Grants: Support from foundations including Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, Charles H. Dater Foundation, Chemed Foundation, Edward L. Hutton Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and government sources including City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
- Corporate Partnerships: Support from corporate entities including P&G Fund, Duke Energy Foundation, PNC Foundation, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, and corporate matching programs.
- In-Kind Contributions: Food, personal care items, household supplies, and other essential goods donated by individuals, businesses, and through registry programs (Walmart Spark Good).
- Earned Revenue - Venue Rental: The Sanctuary community space is available for rental for events including weddings, meetings, and community gatherings, generating rental income.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | All programs and services are free to community members |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Community Matters product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Community Matters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free community-based programs and social enterprises to Lower Price Hill residents in Cincinnati, Ohio. Offerings span four pillars: family sustainability (Opportunity Hub case management, Community Market food pantry), education pathways (Education Forward GED preparation), community leadership (Neighborhood Action Team, The Collective, LPH Community Gardens), and neighborhood development (Community Supported Housing, LPH Thrives, The Sanctuary venue, Washing Well laundromat). All core programs are free to participants; social enterprises generate earned revenue to support programming.
Product overview
Community Matters operates as a unified nonprofit organization offering community programs and social enterprises centered on four pillars: family sustainability, education pathways, community leadership, and neighborhood development. The core programs include Education Forward (adult GED education), the Opportunity Hub with its Community Market food pantry, and the Neighborhood Action Team for civic engagement. Social enterprises include the Washing Well laundromat, The Sanctuary event venue, and LPH Community Gardens. The organization also operates Community Supported Housing and the LPH Thrives initiative for affordable housing development. These programs and enterprises work together to address community needs holistically, with social enterprises generating revenue to support programming while providing essential services to Lower Price Hill residents.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Education Forward: A low-barrier, totally free program designed to work with adults to earn their GED or high school equivalency.
- Opportunity Hub
- The Sanctuary
- The Washing Well
- Community Market
- LPH Community Gardens
- The Collective
- Neighborhood Action Team (NAT)
Products and services
- Education Forward Free, low-barrier adult education program offering GED and high school equivalency preparation, college access support, and workforce training resources for adult learners in Lower Price Hill, with onsite childcare, transportation assistance, and emergency food.
- Opportunity Hub Family sustainability program partnering with neighbors on long-term goals aligned with family strengths, providing emergency support, goal navigation, and resource access with the Community Market food pantry as its entry point.
- Community Market Free, low-barrier, choice food pantry offering non-perishable foods, fresh produce, bakery items, dairy, and meats to residents of the 45204 zip code with no documentation required.
- Washing Well Community laundromat owned and managed by Community Matters providing affordable, accessible laundry services in Lower Price Hill, with prices 25-50% less than conventional laundromats and daily operations led by local residents.
- LPH Community Gardens Community gardens bringing residents together to engage in food growing and create green space, including the Victory Garden, Sassafras Garden, and home garden support throughout Lower Price Hill.
- The Sanctuary Historic community event venue in the second oldest former Catholic church in Cincinnati (built 1847), accommodating up to 350 people for weddings, meetings, and community gatherings with a commercial kitchen.
- The Collective Creative community group of Lower Price Hill residents collaborating on art projects, music, poetry, and community building activities, housed at the Outerspace community leadership hub.
- Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) Voluntary civic group of Lower Price Hill residents focused on leadership development, civic engagement, and community organizing, with compensated leadership roles and resident representation on the governing board.
- Community Supported Housing Supportive housing initiative with six apartments allocated to individuals previously unhoused or at risk of homelessness who require subsidized rents and additional support services.
- LPH Thrives Neighborhood development initiative investing in affordable housing, community spaces, and locally-owned businesses, including partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and Over-the-Rhine Community Housing.
Companies that use Community Matters
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Community Matters technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Community Matters partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Tez Yohannes / Fūl CafécoreSupported Tez Yohannes as technical assistance provider for three years to help launch Fūl Café at 2115 West 8th Street within Lower Price Hill Thrives development. Provided support for build-out and equipment purchases.
- Over-the-Rhine Community HousingcorePartnership to develop Lower Price Hill Thrives project, creating 47 permanently affordable apartments and three new commercial storefronts through renovation and construction of 11 buildings.
- Habitat for Humanity Greater CincinnaticorePartnership to renovate 10 single-family homes over 5 years to double the homeownership rate in Lower Price Hill. Joint effort to provide affordable homeownership opportunities.
- Cincinnati State Technical and Community CollegecoreLongstanding partnership providing college access programming and pathway support for adult learners in the community. Evolution of earlier partnership with Xavier University to bring college courses into the community.
- Freestore FoodbankcoreCore partner providing food distribution support and collaboration on food access initiatives. Community Market pantry operates as part of the regional food security network.
- Cincinnati Public SchoolscorePartnership with CPS ASPIRE program to continue GED programming in East Price Hill after Urban Appalachian Council closed in 2014. Ongoing collaboration for adult education services.
- Xavier UniversitycoreHistorical partnership dating to 1980s when college courses were brought into the community. Continued collaboration in educational programming and leadership development.
- Green UmbrellasupportingRegional sustainability alliance supporting environmental initiatives including community gardens and environmental advocacy.
- Community Learning Center InstitutecorePartnership on affordable housing development and community programming initiatives.
- Homebase CincinnaticoreCore partner addressing homelessness and housing instability in the community.
- Grow AppalachiasupportingPartner supporting community garden programming and food growing initiatives.
- Oyler SchoolsupportingLocal school partnership for youth programming and community engagement.
- Nehemiah Manufacturing Co.supportingCorporate partner supporting community initiatives and employment opportunities.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Community Matters competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Habitat for Humanity Greater Cincinnati: Affordable homeownership partner renovating 10 single-family homes in Lower Price Hill with Community Matters. Comparable as a Greater Cincinnati affordable housing organization partnering with place-based nonprofits on homeownership and neighborhood revitalization.
- Homebase Cincinnati: Cincinnati nonprofit addressing homelessness and housing instability, listed as a core partner of Community Matters. Comparable as a Greater Cincinnati housing stability and homelessness services organization working with overlapping resident populations.
- Working in Neighborhoods (WIN): A Cincinnati-based community development nonprofit focused on affordable housing, homeowner support, and neighborhood revitalization. Comparable to Community Matters as a place-based Greater Cincinnati organization offering wraparound housing, education, and community engagement services in distressed neighborhoods.
- Freestore Foodbank: Greater Cincinnati food bank and core partner providing food distribution support for Community Matters' Community Market. Comparable as a Cincinnati-area food security and social services organization, though operating at regional scale across multiple counties.
- Over-the-Rhine Community Housing: Greater Cincinnati affordable housing developer and partner on Community Matters' LPH Thrives project (47 affordable apartments). Directly comparable as a neighborhood-based affordable housing and community development organization operating in adjacent Cincinnati neighborhoods.
- East Lake Foundation: Atlanta-based place-based nonprofit operating the Purpose Built Communities model in East Lake, focused on cradle-to-career education, mixed-income housing, and community wellness. Comparable to Community Matters' comprehensive wraparound approach to transforming a single distressed neighborhood.
Broad incumbents
- Purpose Built Communities: National nonprofit network supporting place-based, comprehensive neighborhood revitalization across education, housing, health, and economic development. Comparable to Community Matters' wraparound, cradle-to-career community development model and serves as a potential framework donor and peer network.
- LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation): National community development financial institution supporting place-based nonprofits with capital, technical assistance, and grants for affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. Comparable to Community Matters as a backer of comprehensive community development at the neighborhood level.
- Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit focused on affordable housing and community development through investment, policy, and partnerships. Comparable to Community Matters' affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization work, though operating at national scale and serving a broader range of geographies.
- United Way of Greater Cincinnati: Major regional funder supporting Community Matters' programming and a broader portfolio of Greater Cincinnati social service and community development nonprofits. Comparable as a community-impact backbone organization funding many of the same wraparound service areas.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Community Matters social profiles
Digital presenceCommunity Matters financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Community Matters leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Community Matters funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Community Matters M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Community Matters
What does Community Matters do?
Community Matters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free community-based programs and social enterprises to Lower Price Hill residents in Cincinnati, Ohio. Offerings span four pillars: family sustainability (Opportunity Hub case management, Community Market food pantry), education pathways (Education Forward GED preparation), community leadership (Neighborhood Action Team, The Collective, LPH Community Gardens), and neighborhood development (Community Supported Housing, LPH Thrives, The Sanctuary venue, Washing Well laundromat). All core programs are free to participants; social enterprises generate earned revenue to support programming.
Is Community Matters a public or private company?
Community Matters is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Community Matters founded?
Community Matters was founded in 1971. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Community Matters based?
Community Matters is headquartered in Cincinnati, United States, in the North America region.
How does Community Matters make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Government Grants, corporate Partnerships, in-Kind Contributions and earned Revenue - Venue Rental.
Who are Community Matters's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Habitat for Humanity Greater Cincinnati, Homebase Cincinnati, Working in Neighborhoods (WIN), Freestore Foodbank, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing and East Lake Foundation. Broad incumbents are Purpose Built Communities, LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), Enterprise Community Partners and United Way of Greater Cincinnati.
Does Community Matters have an API?
No public API is recorded for Community Matters.
What industry is Community Matters in?
Community Matters's product category is Community Development Services (Nonprofit Social Services). Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIANAE, Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives), with a secondary code of BPAGAEAL, Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services. Its NAICS code is 81341 and its SIC code is 8300.