Belair-Edison Neighborhoods

What Belair-Edison Neighborhoods does

Belair-Edison Neighborhoods Inc. (BENI) is a Baltimore-based nonprofit community development organization founded in 1991 that serves approximately 18,000 residents of the Belair-Edison neighborhood in Northeast Baltimore. The organization delivers an integrated suite of community revitalization services across four core pillars: Community Organizing (Resident Market Leader Programs, block beautification, neighborhood events), Homeownership Counseling (first-time homebuyer workshops, pre/post-purchase education, foreclosure prevention), Small Business Development (Main Street corridor support, facade grants, pop-up retail, entrepreneurship workshops via Operation Hope), and Marketing/Asset Promotion (neighborhood branding, resident attraction campaigns). Supporting programs include the Buy In Belair-Edison down payment grant ($2,000-$5,000), the BENI BOOST exterior repair grant (up to $10,000), a home improvement deferred loan program, and a foreclosure intervention buying program.

Name

Belair-Edison Neighborhoods

Legal name

Belair-Edison Neighborhoods Inc.

Website

https://belair-edison.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Belair-Edison Neighborhoods Inc. (BENI) is a 1991-founded Baltimore nonprofit serving 18,000 residents through homeownership counseling, small business development, community organizing, and Main Street revitalization programs funded by government and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ), Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Neighborhood revitalization programs
• Homeownership counseling
• Small business development
• Community organizing

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

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, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Government Grants: BENI receives funding from foundations including Meyerhoff, Goldseker, and Abell Foundations, as well as government funding from Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development through Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative. Funding also includes grants from corporate foundations like Wells Fargo Foundation.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations from individuals and corporate partners. They participate in Amazon Smile program where 0.5% of purchases are donated to the organization.
3. Program Services: BENI provides homeownership counseling, small business development workshops, and community organizing services. They charge nominal fees for events like the Beer & Wine Festival ($20-$25 tickets) and Sip and Paint fundraiser ($35 per ticket).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Belair-Edison Neighborhoods Inc. (BENI) is a community-based nonprofit that delivers integrated neighborhood revitalization services, including homeownership counseling, small business development support, community organizing programs, and marketing/asset promotion for the Belair-Edison area of Northeast Baltimore. The organization supplements these services with named grant and loan programs, including down payment assistance, exterior repair grants, and home improvement deferred loans for residents and small businesses in the community.

Product overview

Belair-Edison Neighborhoods Inc. (BENI) is a community-based nonprofit organization offering community development services as a single integrated offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The organization's core services include Community Organizing, Homeownership Counseling, Small Business Development, and Marketing/Asset Promotion. Supporting programs include the Buy In Belair-Edison down payment grant program, Rapid Equity Building Program, Home Improvement Deferred Loan Program, Foreclosure Intervention Buying Program, and BENI BOOST exterior repair grants. These programs work together to attract residents, support homeownership, retain current homeowners, and revitalize the Main Street commercial corridor.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Organizing Programs Resident Market Leader Programs, block beautification projects, and neighborhood events designed to foster community involvement in Belair-Edison. Targeted at active residents, volunteers, and Resident Market Leaders in Northeast Baltimore.
• Homeownership Counseling Housing counseling services including first-time homebuyer workshops, pre- and post-purchase education, foreclosure prevention, and financial capability programs. Targeted at prospective homebuyers and current homeowners in Belair-Edison.
• Small Business Development Support for local businesses including Main Street revitalization, facade improvement grants, pop-up retail opportunities, and entrepreneurship workshops. Targeted at small business owners along the Belair-Edison Main Street corridor.
• Marketing and Asset Promotion Neighborhood marketing campaigns, community branding, and promotional materials designed to attract new residents and businesses to the Belair-Edison community. Targeted at prospective residents, homebuyers, and small businesses.
• Buy In Belair-Edison Grant Program Down payment assistance program offering $5,000 grants for homes on select target blocks (2700 Chesterfield, 2600-2800 Brendan, 2600 Kentucky, 3400 Parklawn) and $2,000 for any home in the neighborhood, funded through the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative. Targeted at owner-occupant first-time homebuyers on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Rapid Equity Building Program Financial tools and education to help renters become homeowners in Belair-Edison through equity building strategies. Targeted at renters seeking to transition to homeownership in the Belair-Edison neighborhood.
• Home Improvement/Home Repair Deferred Loan Program Deferred loans for current homeowners to make external repairs and maintenance improvements without major household expense impact. Targeted at current Belair-Edison homeowners needing repair financing.
• Foreclosure Intervention Buying Program Program to restore foreclosed homes to homeownership through intervention in real estate transitions. Targeted at foreclosed property situations and prospective buyers of formerly foreclosed homes.
• BENI BOOST Exterior Repair Grant Grant program providing up to $10,000 for homeowner exterior repairs including roof, windows, and fascia. Requires budget counseling and no delinquencies. Targeted at current Belair-Edison homeowners needing exterior repairs.
• Main Street Grant Programs Various grant programs supporting Main Street businesses along 3200-3500 Belair Road and 3200-3300 Erdman Ave, including facade improvements and COVID-19 relief assistance. Targeted at small business owners on the Belair-Edison Main Street corridor.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,289 clients helped through counseling program with 20 first-time homebuyer workshops in 2017
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

13 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, major and core.

• Fulton BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2019Partnered with BENI and Brehms Lane Elementary for the annual Father and Son Breakfast event, providing financial empowerment workshops.
• Northeast Housing Initiative (NEHI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2019Plans to renovate 80 vacant homes in the 4x4 Community through a Community Land Trust model. BENI celebrated NEHI's grand opening in January 2020.
• CivicWorksmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2018Partnership for building facade improvement project along 3201-3215 Belair Road. CivicWorks is a nonprofit that operates Real Food Farm and other community programs.
• Baltimore Light CitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2018BENI was one of 14 Baltimore neighborhoods selected for Light City's immersive artist-in-residence program. Featured artist Ada Pinkston created illuminated visual art projects in 2018.
• St. Ambrose HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor housing development partner that has renovated homes in Belair-Edison. BENI works with St. Ambrose to provide renovated properties to prospective homebuyers. 13 homes were renovated in 2017 with 4 more under construction.
• Healthy NeighborhoodscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides prospective homeowners with low-interest mortgages and home renovation financing. Partner in homebuyer incentive programs and neighborhood revitalization efforts.
• Baltimore City Main Streets ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState program that supports commercial corridor revitalization. BENI serves as the Main Street organization for the Belair-Edison business corridor.
• Art with a HeartsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts organization that collaborated on mosaic project at Brehms Lane Playground and other art installations throughout the community.
• Afya Public Charter SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for art projects and community engagement. Also operates Brehms Lane Public Charter School in the neighborhood.
• Blue Water BaltimoresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization partnered on community beautification and urban farming initiatives.
• Operation HopesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for small business development workshops. Provides entrepreneurship education and resources to community members.
• Morgan Community MilesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in community events including the Black Panther Movie Premier Extravaganza at The Senator Theatre.
• TargetsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner that contributed employees to help build the KaBOOM! Playground in Herring Run Park with 200+ community volunteers.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Northwest Baltimore Neighborhood Investment Center: Place-based CDC serving a different Baltimore submarket with similar housing, business, and community revitalization programs. Comparable model and service mix but non-overlapping geography.

Direct peers

• CivicWorks: Baltimore nonprofit delivering community service programs including Real Food Farm and youth employment. Direct peer as a Baltimore-based nonprofit partner that has co-implemented facade improvement and community projects with BENI.
• St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center: Baltimore nonprofit housing developer and partner of BENI that renovates and builds affordable homes. Comparable as a community-based housing developer providing counseling, rehabilitation, and homeownership pathways in the same neighborhoods.
• East Baltimore Development Inc. (EBDI): Community development intermediary focused on revitalizing East Baltimore neighborhoods. Comparable in mission and structure as a place-based nonprofit pursuing housing, economic development, and community engagement in defined Baltimore geographies.
• Central Baltimore Partnership: Coalition of Baltimore stakeholders working to revitalize a defined set of central neighborhoods. Comparable as a place-based nonprofit coordinating housing, business, and community development initiatives with limited geographic scope.
• Healthy Neighborhoods Inc. Baltimore-based nonprofit providing low-interest mortgages and home renovation financing for neighborhood revitalization. Direct peer as both deliver counseling and capital to drive homeownership in targeted Baltimore neighborhoods, including Belair-Edison.
• LIVE Baltimore: Citywide Baltimore nonprofit marketing neighborhoods to prospective homebuyers and connecting them to incentives. Comparable in mission to drive citywide homeownership and is an explicit BENI referral/tour partner.
• Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore (NHS Baltimore): Affordable housing and community development nonprofit offering counseling, lending, and rehab services across Baltimore neighborhoods. Comparable in services (homebuyer counseling, rehab financing) and target demographic.
• Southeast Community Development Corporation (Southeast CDC): Baltimore-based CDC delivering housing counseling, rehab, and commercial corridor revitalization in Southeast Baltimore. Direct peer in mission, service mix, and target geography segment.

Emerging players

• ReBUILD Metro: Baltimore-area nonprofit focused on vacant property acquisition, rehab, and community land trust development. Comparable in target geography and growing CLT/rental strategy that could intersect with BENI's NEHI partnership.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BENI_News
• Instagraminstagram.com/belair_edison_neighborhoods

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Belair-Edison Neighborhoods