Center for Neighborhood Technology

What Center for Neighborhood Technology does

Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is a Chicago-headquartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1978 by Scott Bernstein that develops proprietary analytical tools, research, and technical-assistance programs to advance sustainable and equitable urban communities in the United States. Its core technology portfolio includes AllTransit (a GTFS-based dataset covering 900+ U.S. transit agencies, claimed as the largest transit connectivity, access, and frequency dataset in the country), the RainReady methodology and My RainReady online assessment tool for urban flooding, the Housing + Transportation (H+T) Affordability Index, the Urban Flooding Baseline visualization tool, the Green Values Stormwater Calculator, GreenTRIP Connect (a California VMT/GHG model), and a suite of ETOD and parking calculators. CNT also stewards the Transportation Equity Network (TEN) coalition of 50+ community-based organizations and 77+ partners in the Chicago region, and operates the Elevated Works technical-assistance program for emerging near-transit developers.

CNT's business model is grant- and contract-driven rather than product-sales-driven. Revenue is generated through restricted and unrestricted foundation grants (MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, Energy Foundation, McCormick Foundation, Verizon, an anonymous family foundation) and government contracts with the City of Chicago, Cook County, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), and federal agencies such as the Federal Transit Administration. Individual and corporate donations, including through EarthShare workplace giving, supplement revenue. All public-facing tools, calculators, and publications are distributed free of charge. The go-to-market approach combines a community-led coalition model (TEN), a tool-first self-serve distribution model, direct sales of technical assistance and consulting engagements to municipal and regional governments, and earned-media-driven thought leadership.

CNT serves a hybrid set of customer segments: (1) municipal and regional governments needing transportation-equity, stormwater, and land-use planning support; (2) community-based organizations and nonprofits participating in TEN and RainReady networks; (3) emerging first-time developers served through Elevated Works; (4) foundations funding equity and climate programs; (5) academic and research institutions including University of Minnesota, UIC, and NC A&T; and (6) individual residents and property owners in flood-prone areas using RainReady homeowner tools. The organization has influenced measurable policy outcomes, including Chicago's 2019 TOD ordinance amendment, the creation of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), and the allocation of $6 million in ARPA funds to RainReady Calumet Corridor implementation across six municipalities.

Name

Center for Neighborhood Technology

Legal name

Center for Neighborhood Technology

Website

https://cnt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Center for Neighborhood Technology is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1978 that builds proprietary urban-data tools (AllTransit, H+T Index, RainReady, Urban Flooding Baseline) and provides technical assistance to municipalities, community coalitions, and emerging developers on transportation equity, flooding resilience, and equitable transit-oriented development, funded by foundation grants and government contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Sustainability Research and Analytics

NAICS

Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Information (51)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Active Transportation & Micromobility Infrastructure (Bike/Ped Networks, Shared Mobility Programs) (BPAIALAI), Traffic Management & Intelligent Transportation Systems (Signals, TMCs, Congestion) (BPAIALAC)

Keywords

• Urban sustainability research
• Transit equity analysis
• Stormwater management solutions
• Affordability index analytics
• Community development consulting

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: CNT is primarily funded through grants from private foundations. Major funders include MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, Energy Foundation, McCormick Foundation, and an anonymous family foundation. These grants support specific programs such as TEN, Elevated Works, and AllTransit development.
2. Government Contracts: CNT generates revenue through contracts with government agencies including the City of Chicago, Cook County, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). TEN has secured contracts with the City of Chicago, Cook County, and CMAP. Cook County awarded $6 million in American Recovery Plan Act funds for RainReady Calumet Corridor implementation.
3. Individual and Corporate Donations: CNT accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations. CNT is a member of EarthShare, enabling workplace payroll deduction giving. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 36-2967283).

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) develops proprietary web-based analytical tools and datasets for urban planning, transportation, water management, and housing affordability, and provides research, technical assistance, coalition management, and policy advocacy to government agencies, community-based organizations, foundations, and emerging developers. Core products include AllTransit (transit connectivity data for 900+ agencies), the H+T Affordability Index, RainReady, the Urban Flooding Baseline tool, and the Green Values Stormwater Calculator.

Product overview

The Center for Neighborhood Technology offers a portfolio of data-driven analytical tools, research publications, and coalition programs focused on creating sustainable and equitable urban communities. The core offerings include the Housing + Transportation (H+T) Affordability Index for measuring location efficiency, AllTransit for transit connectivity analysis, the Urban Flooding Baseline tool for flood risk visualization, and the RainReady program for stormwater management solutions. Additional tools include GreenTRIP Connect (California VMT/GHG calculator), Right Size Parking Calculator, Park Right DC, and Green Values Calculator. CNT also manages the Transportation Equity Network (TEN) coalition and provides the Elevated Works ETOD technical assistance program. The products function as independent analytical tools rather than an integrated platform, each addressing specific urban sustainability challenges in transportation, water management, housing, and climate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AllTransit: The largest source of transit connectivity, access, and frequency data in America, offering tremendous potential for planning applications to increase understanding of the value of transit.
• RainReady
• Transportation Equity Network (TEN)
• Elevated Works
• H+T Index

Products and services

• AllTransit The largest source of transit connectivity, access, and frequency data in America, providing station, stop, and frequency data for bus, rail, and ferry service for over 900 agencies to help planners, advocates, and researchers understand the value of transit and enhance service planning.
• Housing + Transportation (H+T) Affordability Index An analytical tool that offers an expanded view of affordability by combining housing and transportation costs, helping planners, policymakers, and community members understand location efficiency and total cost of living across regions nationwide.
• RainReady
• Urban Flooding Baseline
• Green Values Stormwater Management Calculator
• GreenTRIP Connect
• GreenTRIP Parking Database
• Right Size Parking Calculator
• Park Right DC
• ETOD Social Impact Calculator
• Transportation Equity Network (TEN)
• Elevated Works ETOD Technical Assistance Program A program providing coaching and technical assistance to emerging developers (first-time Black, Latine, and women developers) building near transit in Chicago communities experiencing displacement. Provided $1 million in coaching and TA to 28 projects with developers receiving up to $250,000 each in Chicago Recovery Plan ETOD Grants.
• MATI: Mobility, Access & Transportation Insecurity

Quantifiable outcome

• Cook County allocated $6 million in American Recovery Plan Act funds for RainReady Calumet Corridor green infrastructure, directly informed by CNT's RainReady plans
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Greenprint PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNT partnered with Greenprint Partners and Cook County to implement green infrastructure projects in six RainReady communities in the Calumet Corridor (Blue Island, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Dolton, Riverdale, and Robbins).
• University of Minnesota Center for Transportation StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies leads the MATI (Mobility, Access & Transportation Insecurity) initiative, selected by the Federal Transit Administration in 2023. CNT provides survey design, community engagement, and research methods support to MATI grantees nationwide across 12 states.
• University of Illinois at ChicagocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUIC leads a MATI project researching parents' ability to get children to daycare via transit, in partnership with Illinois Action for Children and Pace. CNT provides technical assistance and coaching on survey design, community engagement, and research methods. UIC completed year 1 (2024-2025) and was selected for a 2-year demonstration project.
• Hawai'i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead of MATI project in Honolulu with Hawai'i Public Health Institute and University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. CNT provides TA on survey design and community engagement. Addressing women's and children's access to opportunities through transit and pedestrian safety infrastructure. Selected for 2-year demonstration project.
• North Carolina A&T State UniversitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead of MATI rural cohort project in Rockingham County with Aging, Disability and Transit Services of Rockingham County, Clemson University, and NC State. CNT provides TA on survey design, community engagement, and research methods. Research and community engagement phase in fall 2025 - fall 2026.
• TransitCentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNT and TransitCenter co-wrote 'Equity in Practice: A Guidebook for Transit Agencies' and are now working directly with CTA and Los Angeles Metro to advance equity goals. This partnership represents deep strategic collaboration on transit equity research and practice.
• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTEN coalition works directly with CTA planners through community-led engagement. Monthly roundtables convened between CTA, CDOT, and TEN CBOs starting late 2025. CNT also provides feedback on City of Chicago's equitable TOD Policy Plan, which directly involves CTA.
• Elevated ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNT co-chairs the System Change Working Group of Elevated Chicago and directly manages the Elevated Works ETOD technical assistance program for the coalition. Elevated Chicago is a key partner in expanding equitable TOD across Chicago.
• Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLVEJO is a co-chair of TEN's Advocacy Committee and co-sponsor of the Southside Summit on Transportation. CNT and LVEJO work together on addressing negative outcomes of the Midwest's freight system on Black and Latinx communities.
• Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPC co-chairs TEN's Capacity-Building Committee and is a member of the Elevated Works technical assistance provider network. MPC advises Cook County on transit and bike plans with community group involvement.
• EquiticitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquiticity is a co-chair of TEN and leads the multimodal mobility hub project in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood. CNT works with Equiticity on transportation equity research and community-led planning.
• IFF (Institute for Family and Foundation)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical assistance provider in the Elevated Works program, offering real estate expertise to emerging developers building near transit in Chicago.
• Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul UniversitymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical assistance provider in the Elevated Works program, offering housing market analysis expertise to emerging developers.
• Lamar Johnson CollaborativemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical assistance provider in the Elevated Works program, offering architecture and urban design expertise to emerging ETOD developers.
• TYLin (Sam Schwartz)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical assistance provider in the Elevated Works program, offering transportation planning expertise to emerging ETOD developers.
• EarthShare IllinoismajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCNT is a member of EarthShare, a federation of the nation's most respected environmental and conservation charities. EarthShare Illinois enables workplace giving partnerships allowing employees to make tax-deductible payroll deductions directly to CNT through their employer.
• South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNT partnered with SSMMA to develop the Urban Flooding Baseline tool, helping with data collection and community engagement in the Calumet Region of Cook County.
• Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical assistance provider in the Elevated Works program and key community partner for equitable TOD in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.
• Active Transportation AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-chairs TEN's Advocacy Committee. Advocates for equitable and sustainable transportation in the Chicago region and participates in transportation planning processes with community groups.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• PolicyLink: PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing racial and economic equity in urban policy. It overlaps with CNT's equity-focused ETOD, transportation, and climate work, and competes for the same MacArthur-style foundation grants.
• Elevate Energy: Elevate Energy (formerly CNT Energy) is a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on energy efficiency, weatherization, and equitable clean energy — historically a CNT program that became independent. It overlaps with CNT in climate, housing affordability, and utility-side data work in the same Chicago market.

Broad incumbents

• Urban Institute: Urban Institute is a major national research nonprofit producing economic and social policy evidence. It overlaps with CNT's housing affordability, transportation access, and equity research, and serves the same government and foundation funders at a broader scale.
• Urban Land Institute: ULI is a global nonprofit membership organization focused on land use and real estate development, including TOD advisory work. Its advisory panels and technical assistance offerings overlap with CNT's Elevated Works ETOD coaching and ETOD ordinance work.
• Brookings Institution: Brookings produces urban policy research on housing, transportation, and inclusive economic development. It competes for similar foundation funding and policy-influencing agenda in metropolitan policy, and publishes comparable report-grade deliverables.

Direct peers

• Regional Plan Association: RPA is a nonprofit urban research and planning organization producing regional data tools and policy reports for the New York tri-state and beyond. Like CNT, it develops proprietary analytical products (e.g., PTNY, commuter index work) sold or given to government and civic audiences.
• Smart Growth America: Smart Growth America is a national nonprofit coalition advancing equitable, transit-oriented development and complete-streets policies. It mirrors CNT's combination of policy advocacy, technical assistance to cities, and data tools, and overlaps in government and foundation funders.
• Enterprise Community Partners: Enterprise is a national nonprofit that combines affordable housing development, place-based investment, and policy advocacy. Its ETOD and community development work in major metros directly overlaps with CNT's Elevated Works and H+T Index offerings to similar municipal and community customers.
• TransitCenter: TransitCenter is a foundation-supported nonprofit that researches and advocates for equitable urban transit. CNT and TransitCenter co-wrote the 'Equity in Practice' guidebook and are jointly engaging CTA and LA Metro, making TransitCenter the closest peer in mission, methodology, and customer base.
• Metropolitan Planning Council: MPC is a Chicago-based nonprofit research and policy organization on regional planning, transportation, and inclusive growth. MPC co-chairs TEN's Capacity-Building Committee and is an Elevated Works TA provider, making it a tightly coupled peer and partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CNT_tweets
• YouTubevimeo.com/centerneighborhoodtechno
• Facebookfacebook.com/CenterforNeighborhoodTechnology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-neighborhood-technology
• Instagraminstagram.com/cntchicago

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for Neighborhood Technology