SoBro

What SoBro does

SoBro (South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation) is a 501(c)(3)-eligible tax-exempt nonprofit organization founded in 1972 and headquartered at 555 Bergen Avenue in the Bronx, New York. It operates as a comprehensive community development corporation serving the South Bronx through four integrated program areas: Community Development (affordable housing development and management across 1,500+ units developed and 450+ units currently managed, brownfield remediation, urban planning, and commercial real estate development totaling 260,000+ sq ft), Business Services (MWBE/MBE certification assistance, government contracting support through a DOD-funded Procurement Technical Assistance Center that has facilitated $200M+ in client contracts since 1991, and small business lending), Education and Career Services (ESOL, GED, computer literacy, vocational training, job placement), and Industrial Business Services for all five Bronx Industrial Business Zones. The organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors and led by President and CEO Lourdes Zapata (since 2020).

SoBro's business model is a hybrid nonprofit structure combining multiple revenue streams rather than commercial pricing: donations and charitable contributions (federal tax ID #13-2736022); government grants and contracts (notably DOD/Defense Logistics Agency PTAC funding and NYC Department of Small Business Services for the Jerome Avenue Revitalization Collaborative and Operation Eco-Quality); affordable housing development and property management fees from its owned and managed housing portfolio; and transaction-based interest income from its wholly-owned CDFI subsidiary Credit Inc., which administers a revolving micro-loan fund (loans of $1,000-$20,000) to underbanked small businesses. All direct services to clients - business assistance, MWBE certification, education, career development, and housing intake - are provided free of charge, reflecting SoBro's community-anchor mission rather than a commercial pricing model. Distribution is direct, event-driven, and partnership-driven: in-person at headquarters, via Zoom webinars, through workshops and seminars, and through partner channels including Crotona Academy High School for youth programs. Selection criteria do not apply in a commercial sense; eligibility is generally tied to South Bronx residency, small business status in target zones, or MWBE certification status.

Name

SoBro

Legal name

South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation

Website

https://sobro.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SoBro is a Bronx-based nonprofit community development corporation founded in 1972 that delivers integrated business services, affordable housing, adult and youth education, and workforce programs to South Bronx residents, small businesses, and MWBE-owned enterprises, supported by donations, government grants, and a CDFI.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236115)

SIC

Operative Builders (1531)

akta.pro primary industry

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Affordable housing development
• Small business assistance
• Workforce development programs
• Government contracting support

Headquarters

HQ city

Bronx

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: SoBro is a tax-exempt public nonprofit (federal tax ID #13-2736022) that relies on donations from individuals, organizations, and corporations. The organization states that all contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
2. Affordable Housing Development and Property Management: SoBro develops, owns, and manages affordable housing units and commercial real estate. The organization has developed more than 1,500 housing units and currently manages over 450 units of affordable and special needs housing.
3. Government Grants and Contracts: SoBro receives funding from government sources including the Department of Defense (DOD) through the Defense Logistic Agency (DLA) for PTAC services, NYC Department of Small Business Services for various programs, and other government entities for community development initiatives.
4. CDFI Lending Revenue (Credit Inc.): Credit Inc. administers a revolving loan fund providing micro-loans ($1,000-$20,000) to small businesses in the South Bronx, serving as a certified Community Development Financial Institution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SoBro is a nonprofit community development organization delivering affordable housing development and property management, small business services (MWBE/MBE certification, government contracting assistance via its Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and micro-lending through its wholly-owned CDFI Credit Inc.), and education and career development programs (youth education, adult ESOL/GED, vocational training, job placement) to South Bronx residents and businesses.

Product overview

SoBro is a nonprofit community development organization (South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation) offering a comprehensive suite of interconnected programs and services focused on strengthening the South Bronx community. The portfolio includes Community Development (affordable housing, real estate, urban planning), Business Services (PTAC for government contracting, Credit Inc. CDFI for lending, MWBE assistance, entrepreneurial development), and Education & Career Services (youth programs, adult education, career development). Core programs like PTAC and Credit Inc. support SoBro's business development ecosystem, while real estate and urban planning initiatives drive community revitalization. The organization serves as the Industrial Business Solutions Provider for all five Bronx Industrial Business Zones and operates COVID-19 response programs including resource navigation and vaccination support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Credit Inc. A certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides business loans and technical assistance to qualifying Bronx small businesses, offering micro-lending from $1,000 to $20,000.
• SoBro PTAC
• Entrepreneur Assistance Center (EAC)

Products and services

• Community Development Affordable and special needs housing, commercial real estate, and urban planning initiatives including brownfield remediation and waterfront revitalization to make the South Bronx affordable, environmentally safe, and economically productive.
• Business Services (SoBro Center) Comprehensive business development programs including MWBE/MBE certification, procurement assistance, commercial real estate assistance, financing, and technical assistance for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Free government contracting assistance helping businesses identify opportunities, complete certifications, and navigate the procurement process with DOD, federal agencies, state and local governments, and prime contractors.
• Credit Inc. (CDFI Micro-Lending) Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing business loans ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 and financial literacy education to underserved small businesses in the South Bronx.
• Education and Career Services Programs including youth education, adult education (ESOL, civics, GED preparation), computer literacy, vocational training, and career development including job placement and training services.
• Real Estate Development Development of affordable and special needs housing (1,500+ units developed) and commercial/industrial properties (260,000+ square feet) in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan.
• Property Management Management of 450+ affordable and special needs housing units in the Bronx and Harlem, providing responsive and responsible management for residents.
• Urban Planning Integrates brownfield remediation, waterfront revitalization, green infrastructure, and public space planning to promote healthy, resilient, and equitable communities.
• Entrepreneur Assistance Center (EAC) Startup support for entrepreneurs from conception to launch, providing technical assistance, business counseling, business feasibility analysis, business plan development, MWBE certification assistance, and connections to capital and support networks.
• Youth Education Programs After-school programs, YouthBuild pre-apprenticeship for ages 17-24, Summer Youth Employment Program, and Learning to Work Program at Crotona Academy High School.
• Adult Education ESOL and civics education, adult basic education, GED preparation, computer literacy, and Spanish classes for the South Bronx adult population.
• Career Development Job readiness, skills training, customer service certification, security guard license training, and job placement services for community residents.
• Industrial Business Services (IBSP) Industrial Business Solutions Provider for all five Bronx Industrial Business Zones, offering incentives, financing, recruitment, training, and government navigation for industrial businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ students served since 1972
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supportive.

• Sun River HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for COVID-19 vaccine administration. SoBro, in partnership with Sun River Health and Allure Pharmacy, vaccinated residents and employees, hosting 6 vaccine administrations and distributing 436 vaccines.
• Allure PharmacycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for COVID-19 vaccine administration with SoBro and Sun River Health. Allure Pharmacy helped distribute vaccines to vulnerable residents.
• West Side Campaign Against HungercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to fight food insecurity. SoBro delivered 60 boxes of fresh produce and nonperishables to housing site Diego Beekman in partnership with WSCAH, one of NYC's largest food pantries.
• Consortium for Worker EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoBro was selected as one of 15 nonprofit organizations in NYC to support local residents as Resource Navigators during COVID-19 public health restrictions, in partnership with the Consortium for Worker Education.
• NYC Health + Hospitals (Test & Trace Corps)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoBro participates in citywide contact tracing program initiated by NYC Health + Hospitals' Test & Trace Corps to identify and isolate COVID-19 cases.
• NYC Mayor's Office of Housing Recovery OperationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted by the Mayor's Office to connect New York City residents to critical resources for safe isolation during COVID-19. SoBro uses trauma-informed, culturally respectful approach.
• Monadnock ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for New Roads Plaza Apartments - a 95-unit low-income and supportive housing project in Morrisania section of the South Bronx.
• NYC Department of Small Business ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding source and collaborator on Jerome Avenue Revitalization Collaborative and Operation Eco-Quality initiative, supporting auto businesses during rezoning.
• Jerome Avenue Revitalization Collaborative (JARC) MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoBro collaborates with BCDI/BronXChange, SBS, BCC, Davidson Community Center, CB4, CB5, The Bronx PIC, WHEDCO, UAMA, The BJT Merchants Association, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Meta Bronx, and Spring Bank as part of JARC.
• Global Credit Express (Ex-Im Bank)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU partner for MWBE business development services, providing access to export financing resources.
• The Metropolitan District Supplier Diversity CouncilsupportiveStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU partner for MWBE certification and supplier diversity services.
• Lehman College SBDCsupportiveStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU partner providing small business development center resources and support.
• NYC Department of Environmental ProtectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Operation Eco-Quality for environmental compliance assistance to auto businesses along Jerome Avenue corridor.
• United Auto Merchants AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Operation Eco-Quality and Jerome Avenue revitalization efforts supporting auto-related businesses.
• NYS Department of Environmental ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Operation Eco-Quality focusing on mitigating business displacement, ensuring auto business survival, and environmental compliance.
• NYC Department of TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in development of Roberto Clemente Plaza, a 17,000 sq ft public plaza at 3rd Avenue and 149th Street in the Bronx.
• NYC Department of Design and ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in development of Roberto Clemente Plaza public space project.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Abyssinian Development Corporation: Harlem-based CDC operating affordable and supportive housing, workforce development, and youth education programs. Direct programmatic peer with NYC focus.
• The Point CDC: Hunts Point, Bronx-based community development corporation focused on youth development, arts, and economic development. Shares SoBro's South Bronx geography and integrated community-anchor model.
• WHEDCO (Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation): Bronx-based community development corporation operating affordable housing, early childhood education, youth programs, and economic development services. Closest geographic and programmatic peer to SoBro.
• Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation: Brooklyn-based CDC providing affordable housing, education (public school operation), and economic development. Comparable multi-service integrated model to SoBro.
• Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association: Long-standing South Bronx community development corporation providing affordable housing, workforce development, and youth services. Directly comparable to SoBro in mission and Bronx footprint.
• Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation: One of the nation's oldest CDCs, providing affordable housing, workforce development, and small business support in Central Brooklyn. Comparable integrated CDC model to SoBro.
• Fifth Avenue Committee: Brooklyn-based community development corporation building affordable housing and providing economic development, tenant organizing, and adult education services. Direct comparable to SoBro's housing + community development focus.

Others

• Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD): NYC membership coalition of 100+ nonprofit CDCs, including SoBro and its peers. Provides policy advocacy, capacity building, and sector coordination; an ecosystem counterpart rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI and intermediary that funds and supports local CDCs including SoBro's peer organizations. Provides capital, technical assistance, and grants to community developers across the country.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit focused on affordable housing development and community development financial services. Operates a CDFI and partners with local CDCs on housing and community development initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sboedc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuH9aIVYdnK-2-e4Y-sP4uQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SoBronxNY
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sobro-south-bronx-overall-economic-development-corporation
• Instagraminstagram.com/sobroedc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 SoBro