Youngstown CityScape

What Youngstown CityScape does

Youngstown CityScape is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation dedicated to revitalizing greater downtown Youngstown, Ohio. Founded in 1998 as a Visual Improvement Committee and formally incorporated as a nonprofit in 2005, the organization functions as the designated center-city CDC, strengthening the connection between downtown, the Youngstown State University campus, and adjacent neighborhoods through strategic partnerships. Its portfolio includes the annual Streetscape Planting Day (drawing approximately 1,000 volunteers), the Holiday Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting (revived in 2009), Beautification Awards (now in its 20th year), Grass Roots Gala, First Fridays, Pilates in the Park, Wick Park improvements, the Mahoning Valley TreeCorps free tree program, the Sidewalk Squad maintenance crew, and the CityScape at Briel's community gardening resource center (acquired 2021). It maintains over 74,000 square feet of public greenspace and serves residents, businesses, visitors, and municipal partners in the Youngstown area.

The organization's revenue model is multi-stream: individual and corporate donations and sponsorships (with five public tiers ranging from $150 Friend to $2,500 American Beauty Level), foundation and government grants (ARC, USDA Forest Service / Inflation Reduction Act, Youngstown Foundation, Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, Karr Foundation, Rotary, Andrews Foundation), merchandise sales via the CityScape Swag e-commerce storefront (flowers, mums, wreaths, notecards, greenery), the Downtown Difference Makers membership society ($500-$1,000), planned giving, and a multi-million dollar Capital Campaign. Core customers/beneficiaries include downtown residents, local businesses and property owners, neighborhood groups, and the City of Youngstown municipal government. The organization operates with 1-10 employees and is heavily dependent on its volunteer base (nearly 1,000 per major event) and a broad partner ecosystem including YNDC, Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership, Healthy Community Partnership, Mahoning County Land Bank, Community Corrections Association, YSU, and dozens of corporate sponsors (Mercy Health, Covelli, DeBartolo, WesBanco, Akron Children's, Rotary).

Youngstown CityScape is not a technology company. Its infrastructure consists of a WordPress website with integrated e-commerce, Constant Contact email distribution, and active social media channels (Facebook, X, Instagram) with 11,000+ combined followers. The organization does not develop proprietary software, AI/ML capabilities, or APIs; its value creation is fundamentally community-based, grounded in volunteer mobilization, grant administration, project management, and on-the-ground beautification work. Distribution of services is direct: events in physical locations, e-commerce pickup, and partner-coordinated program delivery (e.g., TreeCorps tree planting requests handled through Adam Lee at the program email). As a private nonprofit governed by an independent board of directors, Youngstown CityScape is not subject to PE/VC investment, and its operating trajectory is determined by fundraising capacity, volunteer engagement, and municipal/funder relationships rather than market-driven growth mechanics.

Name

Youngstown CityScape

Legal name

Youngstown CityScape Community Development Corporation

Website

https://youngstowncityscape.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Youngstown CityScape is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation that revitalizes greater downtown Youngstown, Ohio through volunteer-driven beautification programs (Streetscape, TreeCorps, Wick Park, CityScape at Briel's), annual events, and partnerships with the City of Youngstown, YSU, and regional nonprofits, funded by donations, sponsorships, grants, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Arts, Culture & Creative Placemaking Enterprises (BPAGALAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE)

Keywords

• Community development nonprofit
• Urban beautification programs
• Downtown revitalization services
• Volunteer-driven events
• Urban forestry initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Youngstown

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, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: The primary revenue stream is individual and corporate donations and sponsorships. Sponsorship tiers for Streetscape range from $150 (Friend) to $2,500 (American Beauty Level), with benefits including logo placement on signs, social media recognition, and Youngstown Business Journal ads. The Downtown Difference Makers membership program offers $1,000 full membership and $500 associate membership (for individuals age 40 and under). General donations are accepted online via PayPal or by mail.
2. Merchandise and Swag Sales: Youngstown CityScape operates an e-commerce storefront (CityScape Swag) selling seasonal flowers, mums, wreaths, greenery, notecards, mugs, and holiday items. Products are sold at set unit prices (e.g., mums $8–$27.50, notecards $5–$20, wreaths $33–$41). This revenue supports beautification programs and nonprofit operations.
3. Grants: Youngstown CityScape receives government and foundation grants for specific projects. For example, a $187,500 Appalachian Regional Commission grant (matched by $187,500 in project value) was used to renovate the former Briel's Flowers and Greenhouse property. Additional grants include USDA Forest Service / Inflation Reduction Act funding for the Mahoning Valley TreeCorps program.
4. Planned Giving: Youngstown CityScape offers planned giving options including bequests through wills or living trusts, life insurance beneficiary designations, retirement plan designations, and charitable gift annuities. Proceeds support the organization's endowment fund at the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley and long-term operational stability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Youngstown CityScape is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation that revitalizes greater downtown Youngstown through volunteer-driven beautification programs (Streetscape, TreeCorps, Sidewalk Squad), annual community events (Holiday Parade, Beautification Awards, Grass Roots Gala, First Fridays), the operation of a community greenhouse (CityScape at Briel's), urban forestry/tree planting initiatives, public park improvements (Wick Park), and branded merchandise sales (CityScape Swag). Revenue is generated through corporate sponsorships, individual donations, foundation and government grants, capital campaigns, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

Youngstown CityScape is a nonprofit community development organization operating a portfolio of beautification, community outreach, and economic development programs. The core offering consists of annual events and volunteer programs including Streetscape (annual planting day), Beautification Awards, Holiday Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting, Grass Roots Gala, First Fridays, and Pilates in the Park. Physical facilities include CityScape at Briel's (community gardening resource center) and ongoing improvements to Wick Park. The merchandise line (CityScape Swag) includes notecards, seasonal flowers, wreaths, greenery items, mums, and holiday merchandise. Supporting initiatives include TreeCorps (free tree planting), Sidewalk Squad (maintenance), Downtown Discount Card, and the Downtown Youngstown Partnership stakeholder group. The organization functions as a convening body connecting community stakeholders rather than operating a traditional software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1,000 volunteers participate in a single Streetscape Planting Day, covering over 74,000 square feet of public greenspace
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• YNDC (Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025YNDC is a co-lead partner in the Mahoning Valley TreeCorps initiative alongside Youngstown CityScape, Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership, and Healthy Community Partnership. TreeCorps aims to restore and sustain the urban tree canopy in Youngstown and Warren, Ohio, improving health and environmental outcomes. Funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and USDA Forest Service.
• Trumbull Neighborhood PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-lead partner in the Mahoning Valley TreeCorps initiative. Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership handles tree planting requests within the city of Warren, Ohio (contact: 330-599-9275), while Youngstown CityScape handles requests for the city of Youngstown.
• Healthy Community PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Co-lead partner in the Mahoning Valley TreeCorps initiative. Healthy Community Partnership also leads the Active Transportation Team, which kicked off the East Federal Safer Streets Demonstration including creative crosswalk installations, partnering with YSU Guin Fit, Youngstown CityScape, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, ms Consultants, and the City of Youngstown.
• Mahoning County Land BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in the CityScape at Briel's project, providing space to grow native plants to beautify vacant parcels. Also a long-standing partner in Wick Park improvement projects. The Land Bank receives space at the Briel's greenhouse to grow native plants, supporting both economic development and community beautification goals.
• Community Corrections Association (CCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in the CityScape at Briel's greenhouse project, providing job training for CCA's female clients who serve as a workforce at the greenhouse. Also partners with CityScape on the Sidewalk Squad program for downtown maintenance, providing employment and community service opportunities.
• City of YoungstowncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey municipal partner for park maintenance, holiday parade coordination, TreeCorps tree planting, Wick Avenue Improvement Project, BUILD/SMART2 Corridor Project, and Sparkle Youngstown holiday lighting. The city provides ongoing operational support and co-sponsors major events.
• Youngstown State University (YSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner involved in multiple projects: Youngstown Day event (co-hosted in Sarasota, FL), Wick Park outdoor fitness equipment installation, Wick Avenue Improvement Project evolution into the $10.8M BUILD Smart2 Corridor Project, and annual Streetscape events. YSU Guin Fit program collected survey responses during the East Federal Safer Streets Demonstration.
• Eastgate Regional Council of GovernmentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the East Federal Safer Streets Demonstration project led by the Healthy Community Partnership's Active Transportation Team. Provided planning and coordination support alongside ms Consultants and the City of Youngstown.
• Mahoning Valley Historical SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with CityScape to install four historical and architectural markers providing information about Youngstown's Central Square and its cornerstone buildings and monuments. Also co-host of the annual Youngstown Day event in Sarasota, FL.
• Lux Yoga & PilatesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for the Pilates in the Park summer outdoor series at Wean Park. Lux Yoga & Pilates leads 45-minute mat Pilates classes during the events, which also feature local vendors, food trucks, and specials at downtown restaurants and bars.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC): YNDC is a fellow Youngstown-based nonprofit focused on neighborhood revitalization, vacant property reclamation, and community development. It is a direct operational partner in TreeCorps and shares CityScape's center-city mission, donor base, and federal grant ecosystem, making it the closest local peer.
• Downtown Cleveland Alliance: Downtown Cleveland Alliance is a nonprofit management organization running events, beautification, public-space programming, and Special Improvement District services in downtown Cleveland. Highly comparable as an Ohio-based CDC focused on downtown activation, event programming, and BID/SID-style services.
• Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC): 3CDC is a private nonprofit real-estate developer and community development corporation redeveloping downtown Cincinnati through property acquisition, public-space programming, and event activation. Comparable as an Ohio-based CDC combining capital campaigns, real-estate activation, and downtown events.
• Downtown Pittsburgh Partnership: Downtown Pittsburgh Partnership is a nonprofit steward of downtown Pittsburgh, delivering events, public-space maintenance, beautification, and BID services. Comparable peer in a post-industrial Rust Belt city running similar beautification, event, and stakeholder coordination programs.

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): LISC is a national nonprofit CDFI providing capital, grants, and technical assistance to place-based CDCs nationwide. Comparable as a funder and capacity-builder for CDCs like CityScape, including urban greening and downtown revitalization programs.
• Main Street America:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/YoCityScape
• Facebookfacebook.com/youngstown.cityscape
• Instagraminstagram.com/ytowncityscape
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youngstown-cityscape

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

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 Youngstown CityScape