Project for Pride in Living

What Project for Pride in Living does

Project for Pride in Living (PPL) is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1972 by Joe Selvaggio, providing integrated affordable housing, career training, and education services in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. PPL owns and manages approximately 1,600 units of affordable housing serving roughly 3,500 residents every night, with reported outcomes of 96% housing stability over 24 months and 85% job retention at 12 months for program graduates. The organization delivers 8+ career pathway programs including Property Manager, Building Operations Technician, HERC Operator Apprenticeship, Human Services, Office Specialist, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, and Sterile Processing Technician tracks, all provided at no cost to eligible participants and integrated with employer partners such as CVS, Walgreens, Allina Health, Hennepin County, and Aon. Education services include alternative high schools (MERC, ~120 students), the Diploma Connect adult diploma program, the LEAP youth program for opportunity youth aged 14-24, and the Access Program for computer and job readiness skills.

The business model combines rental income from housing operations with diversified fundraising: individual donations (including a monthly 'Keys to Community' program at $10-$100/month tiers), stock donations, legacy/planned giving, government grants and contracts, workforce program funding, housing development bonds, and the Minnesota State Housing Tax Credit program. PPL maintains 200+ employees across housing, career readiness, and education functions, with a 2024-2025 leadership transition bringing Karla Henderson in as CEO succeeding Paul Williams. Strategic priorities visible in recent activity include the RE-Seed Program (selling scattered-site properties to emerging BIPOC developers), the 3030 Nicollet mixed-use development with Wells Fargo and Cultural Wellness Center, and expanded apprenticeship pathways with corporate partners. Marketing and outreach operate through website, podcast (Race Place Policy), social media, community events, and an annual fundraising breakfast, with a stated focus on digital equity and culturally responsive programming for BIPOC communities.

Name

Project for Pride in Living

Legal name

Project for Pride in Living, Inc.

Website

https://ppl-inc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Project for Pride in Living is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that provides integrated affordable housing (~1,600 units serving 3,500 residents nightly), career pathway training across 8+ sectors, and education services to low-income and BIPOC communities in the Twin Cities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the website, mail, or phone. PPL operates a monthly donor program called 'Keys to Community' with tiered giving levels ($10, $25, $50, $100 per month).
2. Stock Donations: Donors can contribute stock or mutual funds to PPL. Account #: 7A 19433; DTC #: 0221.
3. Legacy/Planned Giving: PPL offers flexible planned giving options for donors including bequests and estate planning.
4. MN State Housing Tax Credit: The Minnesota State Housing Tax Credit program helps finance multifamily and single-family housing that is affordable throughout Minnesota. This generates revenue for housing development.
5. Government Grants and Contracts: PPL receives funding through government appropriations including workforce program funding, housing development bonds, and affordable housing property tax reform support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Project for Pride in Living (PPL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds and manages approximately 1,600 units of affordable housing serving 3,500 residents nightly across the Twin Cities, while delivering free career training and alternative education programs that place participants in living-wage jobs with employer partners such as CVS, Walgreens, Hennepin County, and Allina Health. PPL integrates housing stability with workforce pathways and adult/youth education to support low-income families and historically marginalized populations toward self-sufficiency.

Product overview

Project for Pride in Living (PPL) is a multi-service nonprofit organization offering three integrated service lines: (1) Housing Services - building and managing approximately 1,600 units of affordable housing across the Twin Cities serving 3,500 residents nightly, including homeownership programs through the RE-Seed initiative and the State Housing Tax Credit program; (2) Career Pathways - workforce training programs including Property Manager, Building Operations Technician, HERC Operator Apprenticeship, Human Services, Office Specialist, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, and Sterile Processing Technician pathways, all designed to place participants in living-wage jobs with employer partners; and (3) Education Services - alternative high schools (MERC), the Diploma Connect adult diploma program, the LEAP youth program, and the Access Program for basic computer and job readiness skills. Programs are delivered at PPL's Career Center, partner colleges (Minneapolis College, Normandale Community College, Bismarck State College), and employer worksites across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Housing Services Builds and manages approximately 1,600 units of safe, quality, affordable housing across the Twin Cities metropolitan area with wraparound support services to create stability; serves roughly 3,500 residents every night.
• Career Pathways Workforce training programs providing participants with skills to get and keep jobs, including Property Manager, Building Operations Technician, HERC Operator Apprenticeship, Human Services, Office Specialist, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, and Sterile Processing Technician pathways; free for eligible participants.
• Alternative High Schools (MERC) Alternative high school program serving youth who need alternative educational settings; MERC (Minneapolis Employment Resource Center) serves approximately 120 students annually.
• Diploma Connect Adult high school diploma program that allows students to combine existing high school credits with program credits to count toward graduation; one of 51 programs across Minnesota offering adult diploma credentials.
• LEAP (Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential) Youth program for opportunity youth aged 14-24 who have experienced public systems such as juvenile justice, foster care, homelessness, or young parenthood; provides a community-oriented supportive network.
• Access Program Computer and job readiness skills program teaching basic computer skills including Microsoft Office, email, internet basics, and job search assistance through the Access Lab.
• HERC Operator Apprenticeship Program Earn-and-learn apprenticeship with Hennepin Energy Recovery Center where apprentices work 28 hours/week while completing 12 hours of coursework through Bismarck State College, including Power Process Technology, heavy equipment training, and Special Boiler's License preparation at $33.38/hour.
• RE-Seed Program Program collaborating with emerging developers to purchase PPL's small, scattered-site properties at below-market prices with down payment assistance, reserve pools for maintenance, and property management consulting; piloted in 2023 with College House in South Minneapolis as first sale.
• Own Your Own Home Homeownership program helping individuals and families achieve homeownership through financial coaching and guidance; helped over 100 BIPOC households become homeowners in 2022, generating over $30 million in equity.
• State Housing Tax Credit Minnesota State Housing Tax Credit program financing multifamily and single-family affordable housing throughout Minnesota as part of the state's affordable housing ecosystem.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of residents maintained stable housing for 24 months or more
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Minneapolis CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for multiple career pathway programs including Property Manager Pathway, Building Operations Technician, Pharmacy Technician, and Phlebotomy. Provides classroom instruction and curriculum integration for workforce training programs.
• Normandale Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for Human Services Pathway and Aon Apprenticeship Program. Provides college coursework leading to associate's degrees for program participants.
• Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner for HERC Operator Apprenticeship Program. Hires apprentices for 40 hours/week at $33.38/hour while they attend Bismarck State College. Provides paid work experience and career pathway in energy operations.
• M Health FairviewcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner for Phlebotomy training program. Provides 3-week immersive clinical experience where participants work with real patients drawing blood at hospitals and clinics.
• Allina HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner for Phlebotomy training and employer partner for Pharmacy Technician Pathway. Provides clinical experience and externship opportunities for program graduates.
• Health PartnerssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare employer partner for career pathway programs providing employment opportunities for program graduates.
• CVScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner for Pharmacy Technician Pathway. Provides paid externship opportunities for participants preparing for PTCB certification and MN Board of Pharmacy license.
• WalgreenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner for Pharmacy Technician Pathway. Provides paid externship opportunities for participants preparing for PTCB certification and MN Board of Pharmacy license.
• Hennepin CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor employer partner for Office Specialist and Human Services pathways. Hosts externships, county site tours, and provides full-time employment for program graduates in various departments including Medical Examiner's Office.
• Ramsey CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner for Human Services Pathway and Office Specialist Pathway. Provides shadowing experiences and employment opportunities for program participants.
• Dakota CountysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner for Human Services Pathway providing employment opportunities in eligibility and support services roles.
• AoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOL-certified apprenticeship program partner. Operates 2-year earn-and-learn program with Normandale Community College. Apprentices work as full-time staff while pursuing associate's degrees in business. Roles include Business Support Analyst, Data Analyst, Project Management Analyst, and IT Business Analyst.
• Cultural Wellness CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for 3030 Nicollet development project. Helps area residents re-envision and re-imagine development possibilities. Partnered on community engagement and cultural programming for the mixed-use affordable housing and commercial development.
• American Indian Community Development Corporation (AICDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing development partner for Anishinabe housing campus (Anishinabe I, II, and III). Residential and supportive housing center for Native Americans experiencing homelessness.
• Wells FargocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial partner and community partner for 3030 Nicollet development. Rebuilt bank branch destroyed during 2020 unrest into affordable housing and new bank. Provides financing and supports wealth-building in BIPOC communities.
• First Independence BanksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Black-owned bank in the Twin Cities. PPL partnered to help bring the bank to the region, supporting Black financial institution access and community wealth building.
• Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEAP program partner for urban farming internship. Four Sisters Urban Farm internship exposes opportunity youth to farming, food systems, and land stewardship through NACDI's Food Sovereignty program.
• Us Creative WorkssecondaryTechnology or IntegrationWebsite redesign partner for 2018 website redesign project that won the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Dot.Org Award.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aeon: Minneapolis-based nonprofit that owns and manages affordable housing units across the Twin Cities and provides resident support services. Direct peer in affordable housing operations, scale, and mission to PPL.
• CommonBond Communities: Minnesota-based nonprofit providing affordable housing, career pathways, and resident services in the Twin Cities and beyond. Closely comparable to PPL in the integrated housing-plus-services model.
• Habitat for Humanity Twin Cities: Affordable homeownership nonprofit in the Twin Cities building, rehabbing, and financing homes for low-income families. Comparable to PPL's homeownership and RE-Seed pathways.

Regional players

• Pillsbury United Communities: Minneapolis-based nonprofit offering integrated human services, workforce training, and community programming. Comparable to PPL's career pathway and education service lines within the same geography.
• Northside Achievement Zone: Minneapolis Northside-focused cradle-to-career community partnership providing family support, education, and housing stability services. Comparable to PPL's education and family stability programs.
• YWCA Minneapolis: Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing housing, workforce development, and youth services. Comparable to PPL's multi-service nonprofit model in the same geography.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Housing: National nonprofit affordable housing provider operating 90,000+ units across the U.S. Broad incumbent peer to PPL's affordable housing service line at a national scale.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that develops and operates affordable housing and community development programs with extensive policy and capital-deployment capabilities. Comparable to PPL in affordable housing development and advocacy.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development financial institution supporting affordable housing, workforce, and small business programs. Comparable to PPL in integrated community development approach at a national scale.

Emerging players

• Urban Strategies Inc. National nonprofit implementing place-based community development, housing stabilization, and workforce programs. Comparable to PPL's integrated place-based approach with a HUD/Housing Choice footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PPLTwinCities
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXsuNolgbrVGT64rrmKR2DA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ppl.inc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-for-pride-in-living
• Instagraminstagram.com/ppltwincities

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Project for Pride in Living