What Pratt Center for Community Development does

Pratt Center for Community Development, founded in 1963 with a grant from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and affiliated with Pratt Institute, is the nation's oldest university-based advocacy planning organization. Headquartered at 63 Flushing Avenue in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, it operates as a private non-profit providing urban planning, community-engaged research, participatory action research, policy advocacy, and technical assistance to frontline community-based organizations and low-income BIPOC communities across New York City's five boroughs. Its core programs include the Made in NYC manufacturing support program (community of 1,900+ businesses since 2003), the EnergyFit energy efficiency retrofit initiative (including the EnergyFit NYC pilot launched with IMPACCT Brooklyn in 2022 and the EnergyFit Toolkit), and the Taconic Fellowship grant program for Pratt faculty, staff, and students. The organization also produces recurring policy research reports on topics including home flipping (Flipping Out), community land trusts (Gaining Ground), transit equity (Better Buses for Flatbush Avenue, 1,800+ rider survey), basement legalization (Housing Underground / BASE coalition), and racial equity in land use (Racial Equity Reports analysis).

The business model is non-profit grant-funded: revenue streams include foundation grants (Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Ford Foundation, Norman Foundation, Astor Foundation, New York Community Trust, Scherman Foundation, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, LISC/State Farm, Brooklyn Community Foundation, Booth Ferris Foundation, 11th Hour Project, Wells Fargo, German Marshall Fund), government contracts (NYC City Council, state agencies), and institutional support from Pratt Institute. All research outputs, toolkits, and resources are provided free of charge to community partners and the public, distributed via prattcenter.net, a Mailchimp newsletter, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Bluesky, and Substack, plus public events and earned media. The go-to-market motion is community-led: Pratt Center engages through long-standing partnerships with 25+ named CBOs and coalitions (CASA, Cypress Hills LDC, IMPACCT Brooklyn, Chhaya CDC, GOLES, Riders Alliance, Workers Justice Project, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, NYCCLI, SBRWA, RISC, Justice for All Coalition, among others) and has no commercial pricing, no subsidiaries, no venture or equity backing, and no public listing. Core technology is traditional: participatory research methodologies, GIS mapping (Community Land Trust mapping), and standard data analysis — with no AI/ML capabilities, APIs, or proprietary software platforms. Leadership includes Executive Director Alexa Kasdan and Director of Development and Operations Nepal Asatthawasi.

Name

Pratt Center for Community Development

Legal name

Pratt Center for Community Development

Website

https://prattcenter.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pratt Center for Community Development is a 1963-founded, Pratt Institute-affiliated non-profit advocacy planning organization providing community-engaged research, participatory planning, and policy advocacy to NYC community-based organizations and low-income BIPOC communities on housing, climate, and economic justice.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development and Advocacy Planning Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (81331), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

State/Provincial Housing, Urban/Regional Planning & Community Development (BPAIABAM), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC)

Keywords

• Community development
• Urban planning services
• Community research
• Housing advocacy
• Policy analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Grant Funding: Primary funding from foundations including Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Ford Foundation, and others for specific programs and initiatives.
2. Government Contracts: Funding from NYC City Council, state agencies for specific projects like EnergyFit pilot and technical assistance.
3. Pratt Institute Affiliation: Organizational support and infrastructure from Pratt Institute as a university-based center.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pratt Center for Community Development is a university-based advocacy planning non-profit that provides community-engaged research, participatory urban planning, policy advocacy, and technical assistance to frontline community organizations across New York City. Its work spans housing justice, climate equity, transit access, and economic development, delivered through grant programs, pilot initiatives, policy reports, and coalition-based advocacy.

Product overview

Pratt Center for Community Development is a university-based advocacy planning organization that offers a portfolio of programs, research tools, and fellowship opportunities focused on housing justice, climate equity, and economic development in New York City. The core offerings include the Taconic Fellowship grant program, the Made in NYC manufacturing support program, and the EnergyFit suite of energy efficiency tools (including the EnergyFit NYC pilot and EnergyFit Toolkit). The organization also produces policy research reports on issues including home flipping, community land trusts, transit equity, and racial equity in land use.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Made in NYC: A Pratt Center program that supports local manufacturers and makers in New York City. Launched in 2003, it has grown into a community of over 1,900 businesses providing skills-building, marketing platforms, and resources to small businesses.
• Taconic Fellowship
• EnergyFit
• BASE Campaign

Products and services

• Taconic Fellowship A grant program for Pratt Institute faculty, staff, and students that awards five to ten projects each school year with up to $12,000 in funding for work advancing racial, climate, and economic justice in New York City.
• Made in NYC A program supporting local manufacturers and makers in New York City, launched in 2003, with a community of over 1,900 businesses providing skills-building, marketing platforms, and resources.
• EnergyFit NYC An energy efficiency retrofit program for small 1-4 family homes that simplifies and reduces costs using a standard package of energy measures tailored to building types.
• EnergyFit Toolkit

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,053 homes analyzed for flipping patterns from 2021-2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NYC Community Land Initiative (NYCCLI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Coalition launched in 2013 anchored by New Economy Project, including dozens of CLTs and advocates working for community-controlled land and housing across NYC. Pratt Center collaborated on Gaining Ground report documenting CLT growth.
• New Economy ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Advocacy organization that explored CLTs as foreclosure prevention strategy post-subprime crisis. Key collaborator in NYCCLI coalition and Gaining Ground report.
• Riders AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authored Better Buses for Flatbush Avenue participatory action research with survey of 1,800+ bus riders. Collaborative research on transit equity.
• Workers Justice ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrooklyn-based worker center organizing low-wage immigrant workers. Partner in Mujeres Atrevidas documentary project documenting female workers' labor rights struggles.
• Cypress Hills Local Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in housing, climate, and economic justice work including EnergyFit programs, basement legalization advocacy, and brownfield planning.
• IMPACCT BrooklyncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity development corporation partner in EnergyFit Brooklyn testing phase starting 2022, working on energy efficiency retrofits.
• Chhaya Community Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in New York's Housing Underground study and co-founder of BASE coalition for basement apartment legalization advocacy.
• Center for NYC NeighborhoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in basement apartment conversion pilot program and home ownership support initiatives.
• East New York Coalition for Community AdvancementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of community organizations ensuring community voice in East New York rezoning process since 2015. Pratt Center provided technical assistance and alternative proposal development.
• Fifth Avenue CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvened Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice. Partner in Bridging Gowanus community planning process and subsequent rezoning advocacy.
• Bronx Coalition for a Community VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition led by Community Action for Safe Apartments working on Jerome Avenue rezoning. Pratt Center provided research and analysis on industrial preservation.
• Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed Bronx Coalition for a Community Vision in Jerome Avenue rezoning advocacy. Partner in housing and anti-displacement work.
• Pratt LibrariesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on 60th anniversary exhibition celebrating six decades of community development work in NYC.
• Graduate Center for Planning and the EnvironmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner at Pratt Institute collaborating on racial equity reports research.
• Racial Impact Study Coalition (RISC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition that led push for 2021 racial equity legislation. Collaborator on Making the Most out of Racial Equity Reports.
• Justice for All CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal coalition organized by Faith in New York ensuring equitable outcomes from Long Island City developments. Pratt Center provides technical assistance.
• Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance (SBRWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition leading two-decade fight to transform Sheridan Expressway corridor. Pratt Center provided urban planning and strategic advocacy assistance.
• Neighbors Helping NeighborsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in End Toxic Home Flipping coalition working on homeownership preservation.
• Tri-State Transportation CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in transportation advocacy including Sheridan Expressway transformation and BRT initiatives.
• Mothers on the MoveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of SBRWA coalition working on Sheridan Expressway transformation and South Bronx sustainable development.
• The Point CDCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of SBRWA coalition and partner in South Bronx community development and environmental justice work.
• Youth Ministries for Peace & JusticeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of SBRWA coalition and COMMUTE! coalition for transit equity.
• East New York Farms!minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural project and farmers market in East New York that Pratt Center supported through planning assistance.
• Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric community development corporation. Partner in Retrofit Bedford Stuyvesant pilot and community energy efficiency programs.
• Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organizing group that convened SPURA Matters visioning sessions for Seward Park Urban Renewal Area.
• City LoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighborhood history project that co-convened SPURA Matters community engagement process.
• National Employment Law ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolicy organization partner in One City/One Future coalition developing economic development policy blueprint.
• Align (formerly NY Jobs with Justice)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in One City/One Future economic development policy collaboration.
• Queens for Affordable HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of Queens-based CBOs ensuring new residential development creates affordable housing. Partner in Willets Point planning.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD): NYC-based coalition of nonprofit housing and community development organizations that conducts policy advocacy, research, and technical assistance. Direct peer on mission, geography, and operating model.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit focused on affordable housing and community development, combining research, policy advocacy, and on-the-ground program delivery. Comparable mission overlap with Pratt Center, especially on housing justice and community land trust work.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development nonprofit that finances and supports affordable housing, economic development, and community organizing, including LISC NYC. Closely comparable to Pratt Center as a nonprofit intermediary delivering technical assistance and capital to frontline CBOs.
• PolicyLink: National research and advocacy institute advancing racial and economic equity through policy change. Comparable equity-focused research, policy advocacy, and community partnership model.
• Center for Community Change: National community organizing and advocacy organization supporting grassroots groups on economic, racial, and housing justice. Comparable mission, advocacy approach, and CBO-support operating model.
• NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy: NYU-based academic research center producing housing and urban policy research with a New York City focus. Closely comparable as a university-affiliated research center generating policy-relevant NYC housing and planning data.
• MIT Community Innovators Lab (CoLab): MIT-based action research center supporting community-led development in marginalized neighborhoods. Comparable university-affiliated advocacy planning model with community-engaged research methodology.
• Center for NYC Neighborhoods: NYC nonprofit providing foreclosure prevention, homeownership support, and housing counseling, with documented Pratt Center partnership on basement legalization and home flipping work. Closely aligned on housing preservation and NYC focus.

Broad incumbents

• Urban Institute: Large national research organization producing economic and social policy research, including on housing, community development, and racial equity. Comparable research and policy advocacy function at greater scale and broader geographic scope.
• Regional Plan Association: NY-region urban planning and policy organization producing research and advocating for regional development, housing, and transportation. Comparable planning research and advocacy function with a broader regional lens.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/prattcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prattcenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/prattcenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/PrattCenterforCommunityDevelopment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Pratt Center for Community Development