Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry

What Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry does

Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (UUUM) is a 501(c)(3) non-sectarian social justice organization founded in 1826 by Reverend Joseph Tuckerman, headquartered at the historic First Church in Roxbury (10 Putnam Street, John Eliot Square, Boston, MA 02119). It operates a portfolio of community-facing programs across three pillars: (1) Renewal House, a 24-hour domestic violence shelter providing confidential hotline, counseling, safety planning, and housing assistance — one of the first Massachusetts shelters to serve male survivors and providing LGBTQ-inclusive advocacy, partially funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and VOCA funding administered by MOVA; (2) Roxbury Youth Programs (RYP), an after-school, weekend, and summer academic-enrichment and youth-development program serving Boston-area youth of color, averaging 750+ monthly programming hours; and (3) Arts & Humanities programming that amplifies artists and historians of color via the Artist Spotlight Series and the RICH Roxbury artist directory (now in its fifth edition). Revenue is diversified across individual donations and monthly sustaining gifts, foundation grants (including Polly Thayer Starr Charitable Trust), government grants, tour ticket sales (sliding-scale $0–$10), space rental (currently limited through summer 2026), planned giving/IRAs, corporate matching, and securities gifts. Distribution is community-led: direct service on the UUUM campus, virtual Community Conversations, walking tours, congregational group visits, and a network of partnerships with community organizations (DeeDee's Cry, City Life/Vida Urbana, Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, RIAC, Paige Academy, Jane Doe Inc., Greater Boston Food Bank), supported financially and with volunteers by approximately 50 Unitarian Universalist member congregations in Greater Boston. Governance is via a Board of Directors (Rev. Chris Jablonski, Chair) with day-to-day leadership by Executive Director and Senior Minister Rev. Mary Margaret Earl; the organization employs 11–50 staff across program, development, facilities, and finance functions.

Name

Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry

Legal name

Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry

Website

https://uuum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1826

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UUUM is a 501(c)(3) non-sectarian social justice organization founded in 1826 in Roxbury, Boston, operating a domestic-violence shelter (Renewal House), youth enrichment program (Roxbury Youth Programs), and arts-and-humanities programming, supported by approximately 50 Unitarian Universalist member congregations in Greater Boston.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD), Civil Liberties & Constitutional Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAA), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Social services nonprofit
• Domestic violence shelter
• Youth enrichment programs
• Community ministry
• Arts humanities programming

Headquarters

HQ city

West Roxbury

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Individual Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors, monthly giving programs, and tribute gifts. Organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with EIN 04-2105897.
2. Event Ticket Sales: Revenue from tour programs and arts/humanities events including Roxbury's Meetinghouse Tour, Roxbury Ramble, and Makanda Project concerts with sliding scale pricing.
3. Space Rental: Revenue from hosting events at the UUUM campus (currently limited as Meetinghouse not taking new inquiries until summer 2026).
4. Government Grants and Funding: Renewal House shelter partially supported by Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funding administered by Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance (MOVA).
5. Foundation and Trust Support: Funding from foundations including Polly Thayer Starr Charitable Trust supporting arts and humanities programming.
6. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Estate planning donations, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), and legacy giving programs.
7. Corporate Matching and Stock Gifts: Corporate matching gift programs and gifts of securities through Charles Schwab account.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry is a non-sectarian 501(c)(3) nonprofit social justice organization that delivers three core program areas: (1) safe shelter and counseling for survivors of domestic violence through Renewal House; (2) academic enrichment and youth development for Boston-area youth of color through Roxbury Youth Programs (RYP); and (3) arts and humanities programming that amplifies artists and historians of color, including the Artist Spotlight Series and RICH Roxbury artist directory.

Product overview

UUUM is a non-sectarian, non-profit social justice organization offering a portfolio of interconnected community programs. Its work focuses in three core areas: (1) Safer shelter and workforce development programming for survivors of domestic violence through Renewal House Shelter; (2) Academic enrichment for Boston-area youth of color through Roxbury Youth Programs (RYP); and (3) Arts and Humanities programming grounded in social justice that amplifies artists and historians of color, including the Artist Spotlight Series and RICH Roxbury artist directory. The organization also provides historical and cultural Tours Programs, Community Conversations, and youth engagement through Seeing Me In the World. These programs are designed to work across race and place to dismantle racism and advance racial, economic, and social justice in Greater Boston.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Renewal House Shelter Emergency domestic violence shelter providing a 24-hour confidential hotline, safe housing, counseling, safety planning, and housing assistance for individuals and families fleeing violence. Free and confidential services; part of the Massachusetts network of safe shelter providers.
• Roxbury Youth Programs (RYP) Free academic enrichment and youth development programming for Boston-area youth of color, including after-school drop-in sessions Monday through Thursday 4:00–6:00 PM, weekend and summer programming, RYP Interns, and workshops covering cooking, money management, photography, SAT/ACT prep, science, music production, and career readiness.
• Arts & Humanities Programming Social justice-grounded arts programming that amplifies artists and historians of color in the Roxbury neighborhood, including the Artist Spotlight Series featuring local photographers, quilters, textile artists, poets, and mixed media artists.
• RICH Roxbury Artist Directory Fifth edition artist amplification project featuring independent visual and performing artists who live in or whose work impacts Roxbury, including jewelry designers, photographers, fashion designers, musicians, quilters, illustrators, and textile artists.
• Tours Program Historical and cultural walking tours of the UUUM campus and Roxbury neighborhood on a sliding-scale fee basis ($0–$10), including Roxbury's Meetinghouse Tour, Roxbury Ramble (Fort Hill and Sugar Hill areas), Roots of the 'Bury (Nubian Square public art), and Makanda Project concerts.
• Seeing Me In the World Youth engagement program inviting congregational youth in grades 8–12 to explore critical issues in Greater Boston through learning, connection, and shared purpose.
• Community Conversations Virtual community discussion series addressing issues facing communities of color in Roxbury and Greater Boston, featuring historians, community leaders, and experts on equity, housing, economic justice, and the racial wealth gap.
• Bridges of Understanding Program for individuals of all ages committed to building a more just and equitable society, featuring thought-provoking discussions, impactful readings, and hands-on activities exploring challenges of injustice and inequality, delivered through congregational group visits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 750+ youth programming hours per month through Roxbury Youth Programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DeeDee's CrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUUUM is working to build a circle of support for DeeDee's Cry, a community organization. UUUM's partnerships coordinator connects volunteers with DeeDee's Cry for grant-writing, social media promotion, community events, and other engagement opportunities identified by Founder/Executive Director Toy Burton.
• City Life/Vida UrbanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor over 50 years, City Life/Vida Urbana has been fighting for tenants' rights. UUUM invites member congregations to support their work including legal assistance at housing meetings, attending actions for tenants at risk of eviction, public letter workshops, and supporting legislation on rent control and TOPA.
• Louis D. Brown Peace InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUUUM supports the Peace Institute's Mother's Day Walk for Peace, with over a dozen UUUM member congregations participating annually. The Peace Institute provides services for survivors of homicide victims and organizes Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month.
• Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIAC supports refugee and immigrant communities in resettling and building self-sufficient lives. UU congregations can co-sponsor refugee families, organize donation drives, volunteer as citizenship and ESOL tutors, and participate in holiday toy drives.
• Paige AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1975, Paige Academy is the only independent Black school in New England, serving children up to sixth grade. UUUM supports this educational institution founded by Sister Angela and Brother Joe Cook, helping with fundraising, marketing, and community engagement.
• Unitarian Universalist Member CongregationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproximately 50 Unitarian Universalist congregations in Greater Boston provide both financial and volunteer support, viewing UUUM as one of their social action arms in Boston.
• Makanda ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA 13-piece jazz ensemble exploring compositions of Makanda Ken McIntyre. The group gives regular free concerts in Roxbury neighborhood and performs at UUUM events, adding music by other composers and collaborating with artists from other disciplines.
• Jane Doe Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMassachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. UUUM's domestic violence programs are proud members.
• Greater Boston Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewal House is a member of The Greater Boston Food Bank, supporting food security for shelter residents.
• African American Master Artists in Residency Program (AAMARP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram at Northeastern University where featured artists like Susan Thompson and Gloretta Baynes serve as artist-in-residence.
• Boston Lyric OperaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in arts programming featuring performances and cultural events at UUUM campus.
• Nubian Square Public Arts InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative contributing to Roxbury being noted as one of the most abundant areas in Massachusetts for public art, partnered with City of Boston, Madison Park Development Corporation, and Boston Arts Commission.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Casa Myrna Vazquez: Greater Boston-based domestic violence shelter and survivor services nonprofit, providing emergency shelter, counseling, and advocacy. Directly comparable to UUUM's Renewal House program in geography, mission, and target population.
• Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC): Boston-area nonprofit supporting refugee and immigrant resettlement and self-sufficiency. A core UUUM partner with overlapping volunteer and congregational engagement models.
• Paige Academy: The only independent Black school in New England, serving children up to sixth grade. A core UUUM partner with directly comparable focus on education access for Boston communities of color.
• Louis D. Brown Peace Institute: Boston-based peace institute serving survivors of homicide victims and organizing the Mother's Day Walk for Peace. A core UUUM partner with comparable community-led, UU-congregation-supported, Roxbury-rooted operations.
• City Life/Vida Urbana: Boston-based community organization fighting for tenants' rights and housing justice for over 50 years. A core strategic partner of UUUM and directly comparable in social justice, community organizing, and UU congregational support model.
• YWCA Boston: Boston-area YWCA providing domestic violence services, youth programs, and women's empowerment programming. Comparable in combining DV response with youth/family services in the Greater Boston market.

Broad incumbents

• Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program: Major Boston nonprofit providing health care and shelter coordination for homeless individuals. Comparable Boston-based, multi-program social services nonprofit with similar donor and government funding profile.
• Pine Street Inn: One of the largest Boston-area social services nonprofits, providing shelter, housing, and workforce development for individuals experiencing homelessness. Broader scale than UUUM but operates in overlapping service space in Greater Boston.
• Jane Doe Inc. Massachusetts statewide coalition against sexual assault and domestic violence, of which UUUM/Renewal House is a member. Functions as an umbrella, policy, and funding intermediary for DV service providers across the state.

Others

• Greater Boston Food Bank: Regional food bank serving Eastern Massachusetts, of which Renewal House is a member agency. Functions as an enabling infrastructure partner that supports UUUM's social service delivery rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/uuurbanministry
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2s5Y8m0brm_FpjeqaEjXzw
• Facebookfacebook.com/UUUrbanMinistry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unitarian-universalist-urban-ministry
• Instagraminstagram.com/uuurbanministry
• TikToktiktok.com/@uuurbanministry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry