Fifth Avenue Committee

What Fifth Avenue Committee does

Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC) is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development organization founded in 1978 that advances economic, social, and racial justice in New York City through an integrated portfolio of affordable housing, adult education, community services, tenant advocacy, homeownership counseling, and workforce development. Its core operational activities include developing, preserving, and managing affordable housing — with over 1,600 units built or renovated and 2,000+ in the development pipeline — alongside HUD-approved housing counseling delivered through its affiliate Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN, established 1990) and sector-based career training delivered through affiliate Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI), which operates eight workforce programs. FAC serves over 6,500 low- and moderate-income New Yorkers annually across multiple Brooklyn locations.

The organization operates without a significant proprietary technology platform; its digital footprint consists of a multi-language website (English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese), Google Analytics integration, and standard CRM/donation processing (ACH via JPMorgan Chase). Programs are delivered free of charge at point of service through walk-in intake (Tuesdays at the 621 DeGraw Street headquarters) and appointment-based channels. Underlying technology is conventional for a community development corporation, with no AI/ML capabilities, no API offerings, and no proprietary software systems disclosed.

FAC's business model is a nonprofit hybrid: revenue derives from individual and corporate donations (matching gifts, donor-advised funds, planned giving, event sponsorships), foundation grants (e.g., Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, ABNY Foundation), government contracts (notably the state RFP win for the $111M+ 1024 Fulton Street development in partnership with Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and One Brooklyn Health), and revenue from managing affordable housing units. Pricing is zero at point of service for community members. Go-to-market is community-led: grassroots organizing, neighborhood-based service delivery, and policy advocacy rather than commercial sales. Key leadership includes Executive Director Michelle de la Uz, with senior retirements (board member Dany Cunningham after 30 years; Director of Asset and Property Management Zully Rolan after 18 years) marking a generational transition in 2026.

Name

Fifth Avenue Committee

Legal name

Fifth Avenue Committee, Inc.

Website

https://fifthave.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Fifth Avenue Committee is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1978 that develops and manages affordable housing, provides adult education and community services, and runs tenant advocacy and workforce development programs serving over 6,500 low- and moderate-income New Yorkers annually through affiliates BWI and NHN.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing & Community Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Rental & Multifamily Housing Finance Programs (LIHTC/Tax Credits/Subsidized Loans) (FSALAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

Keywords

• Affordable housing development
• Community development services
• Adult education programs
• Workforce development training
• Tenant advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Fifth Avenue Committee raises funds through individual donations, corporate matching gifts, donor advised funds, gifts of stock, IRA distributions, planned giving/bequests, and event sponsorships. The organization hosts an annual benefit and awards reception.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC) is a nonprofit community development organization that develops, preserves, and manages affordable housing, and delivers integrated adult education, community services, workforce development, homeownership counseling, and tenant organizing/advocacy programs for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. Through two affiliates — Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI) and Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) — the organization provides sector-based career training and HUD-approved housing counseling, serving over 6,500 residents annually across multiple Brooklyn locations.

Product overview

Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC) is a nonprofit community development organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected programs focused on advancing economic, social, and racial justice in New York City. The core offerings include Affordable Housing Development and Leasing (developing and managing over 1,600 affordable housing units), Adult Education Programs (serving 1,000+ adults annually with GED prep, English language, and digital literacy), Community Services (connecting residents with benefits and financial coaching), and Organizing & Advocacy (eviction prevention and tenant empowerment). FAC operates through two key affiliates—Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI) providing eight sector-based career training programs and Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Additional initiatives include the South Brooklyn Brownfield Opportunity Area planning program and the South Brooklyn Accountable Development Initiative (SBADI) for community organizing. The organization transforms lives of over 6,500 low and moderate-income New Yorkers annually through these integrated services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI): FAC's workforce development affiliate that creates living-wage employment opportunities and access to career paths through eight award-winning sector-based career training programs.
• Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN)

Products and services

• Affordable Housing Development Develops, preserves, and manages affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. To date, FAC has built or renovated over 1,600 units with 2,000 more in the development pipeline.
• Affordable Housing Leasing

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,500 low- and moderate-income New Yorkers served annually
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

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

• Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2026Joint development partner in the 1024 Fulton Street affordable housing project in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill neighborhood. This more than $111 million investment will create 125 affordable housing units with a community center and health clinic.
• One Brooklyn HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2026Joint development partner in the 1024 Fulton Street affordable housing project, contributing to the more than $111 million investment for 125-unit development with community center and health clinic.
• State of New York (Governor Kathy Hochul)majorOthers · 13 February 2026State government selected the nonprofit partnership through a competitive RFP process to transform state-owned site at 1024 Fulton Street. The project includes commitments to exceed 35% MWBE utilization and 30% local hiring.
• Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBWI is FAC's workforce development affiliate, with a mission to empower low-income New Yorkers by creating living-wage employment opportunities and access to career paths. BWI operates 8 sector-based career training programs including Brooklyn Networks, Brooklyn Woods, Customized Training Opportunities, Made in New York Production Assistant Training Program, NYCHA Resident Training Academy, Red Hook on the Road, and KindWork Customer Experience Fellowship. FAC's Adult Education Bridge program prepares students to enter BWI career development programs.
• Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHN is FAC's affiliate organization promoting racial justice while empowering low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to fight for, secure, and maintain quality housing and build financial assets. NHN is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency based in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, serving tenants, homebuyers, and homeowners since 1990.
• NeighborWorks AmericamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNeighborWorks America is a national nonprofit that works with local organizations to provide affordable housing, financial coaching, and community development services. FAC is affiliated with NeighborWorks America.
• Hispanic FederationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHispanic Federation is a nonprofit organization that supports Latino communities through advocacy, policy, and direct services. FAC is partnered with Hispanic Federation.
• National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerNALCAB is a national membership organization for Latino community development financial institutions and economic development practitioners. FAC is partnered with NALCAB.
• HR&A AdvisorssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead consultant for the South Brooklyn Brownfield Opportunity Area nomination study, providing expertise in project leadership and strategic advisory services.
• WXYsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLand use and planning expert on the South Brooklyn BOA project team.
• Grain CollectivesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStakeholder engagement expert on the South Brooklyn BOA project team.
• LangansupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnvironmental review services on the South Brooklyn BOA project team.
• GroundswellmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGroundswell is an organization using public art as a tool for social change. FAC received the Community Impact Award at Groundswell's 30th Anniversary Celebration. Collaboration includes 'The Heartbeat of Gowanus' mural, celebrating generations of organizing in Gowanus for affordable housing and environmental justice.
• Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGowanus Canal Conservancy celebrates its 20th anniversary and recognized FAC as a member of the Gowanus Oversight Taskforce (GOTF). FAC is part of the groundbreaking model ensuring $450 million city investment into public housing and community benefits for the Gowanus neighborhood.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• NeighborWorks America: National network that FAC's NHN is affiliated with; supports housing counseling, community development, and affordable housing through local affiliates nationwide. Comparable as the umbrella organization operating above FAC's housing counseling affiliate rather than as a direct competitor.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that drives affordable housing development and community development financing across the U.S. While broader in geographic and program scope, it overlaps directly with FAC's affordable housing development, preservation, and tenant-advocacy work in NYC.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) NYC: National community development financial intermediary that funds CDCs across NYC, including affordable housing, economic development, and capacity-building. Operates at greater scale and provides capital to many NYC CDCs, making it a broad-incumbent peer in the same ecosystem.
• Catholic Charities of New York: Large NYC social services umbrella offering housing, immigration, workforce, and benefits-access programs across the city. Comparable in the community services and benefits navigation lines but far broader in scope and funding scale than FAC.

Direct peers

• Make the Road New York: NYC-based community organization providing immigrant services, adult education, tenant organizing, and housing counseling to low-income New Yorkers. Operates with a similar integrated services + advocacy model and overlapping target population across Brooklyn and Queens.
• Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD): NYC coalition of 90+ community organizations focused on building affordable housing and supporting equitable neighborhood development. Directly comparable as a peer advocacy and capacity organization whose members include FAC and similar Brooklyn CDCs.
• Urban Resource Institute: NYC nonprofit providing domestic violence housing, affordable housing development, and social services, with strong Brooklyn presence. Comparable as a peer NYC nonprofit operating both affordable housing development and community-based social services for vulnerable populations.
• Center for NYC Neighborhoods: NYC nonprofit supporting a network of housing counseling organizations and providing foreclosure prevention, homebuyer education, and homeownership preservation. Highly comparable as a peer housing-counseling intermediary, particularly against FAC's NHN affiliate operations.
• Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation: The oldest community development corporation in the U.S., based in Brooklyn, offering affordable housing, workforce development, education, and community services to low-income residents. Joint development partner with FAC on the $111M+ 1024 Fulton Street project, making it the most directly comparable Brooklyn CDC peer.
• Habitat for Humanity New York City: NYC affiliate of Habitat for Humanity focused on affordable homeownership development, preservation, and homebuyer counseling for low- and moderate-income families. Directly comparable on the affordable housing development, leasing, and homeownership education lines of FAC's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Fifth Avenue Committee