What Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation does

Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation (BGC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation founded in November 1975 (incorporated January 1976) at St. Lawrence O'Toole Roman Catholic Church in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood. Its mission is to improve quality of life for low-income residents of Garfield and surrounding neighborhoods through physical revitalization, economic improvement, and well-being initiatives. Core programs include affordable housing development (over 120 homes built or renovated, 89 rental homes since 2012 in partnership with Gatesburg Road Development), the Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center (operated since July 2018), youth College and Career Readiness and Learn & Earn Summer Employment programs, the Neighbors in Need emergency-assistance fund (grants up to $600), the Garfield Green Zone environmental initiative, and the Unblurred First Fridays art crawl. BGC also publishes The Bulletin community newspaper (mailed to 13,500 households monthly) and is leading the Negley Rotunda restoration (2029 target).

Revenue mechanics combine foundation grants (McCune, Heinz Endowments, Grable, PNC Foundation), corporate giving (PNC Bank, Dollar Bank, Key Bank Foundation, BNY Mellon Foundation, Citizens Bank, Huntington Bank), government funding (URA, PHFA, PA DCED, Pittsburgh Partnership), individual donations (PayPal), historic $5 membership shares, and below-market rental income from owned housing. Services are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries through the Community Activity Center at 113 N. Pacific Avenue and partner referrals; the go-to-market model is community-led and board-driven rather than commercial. Headcount is under 15 staff members supported by a ~25-member board.

The company has no proprietary technology platform or AI capabilities; operations are execution-based, reliant on long-tenured leadership (Executive Director Richard Swartz, in role since 1986) and a dense partner ecosystem spanning developers (Gatesburg Road, ACTION-Housing, Open Hand Ministries, Module Housing), workforce funders (Partner4Work, NeighborWorks of Western PA), justice-system partners (District Magistrate Mik Pappas), and land trusts (City of Bridges CLT, Allegheny Land Trust).

Name

Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation

Legal name

Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation

Website

https://bloomfield-garfield.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation is a 501(c)(3) community development nonprofit in Pittsburgh that delivers affordable housing, workforce development, youth college/career readiness, emergency financial assistance, and arts programming to low-income residents of Garfield and surrounding East End neighborhoods.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Land Subdivision (2372), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520), Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

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), Urban Renewal, Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reuse (BPAIANAI)

Keywords

• Community development
• Affordable housing development
• Workforce development services
• Youth education programs
• Neighborhood revitalization

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Corporate Grants: BGC receives funding from foundations including McCune Foundation, Heinz Endowments, Grable Foundation, PNC Foundation, and corporate donors such as PNC Bank, Dollar Bank, Key Bank Foundation, BNY Mellon Foundation, Citizens Bank, and Huntington Bank.
2. Government Funding: BGC receives support from public agencies including Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), city planning department, PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development (DCED), and Pittsburgh Partnership Employment and Training Division.
3. Membership Dues: BGC was originally founded through the sale of $5 membership shares, making each person a stockholder in the organization. This grassroots funding model established community ownership from the beginning.
4. Individual Donations: BGC accepts donations through PayPal and other channels, with a dedicated donate button on the website. Community members can also join as members to support the organization.
5. Donations to Neighbors in Need Fund: The Neighbors in Need Fund accepts donations to provide emergency financial assistance to community members facing crises. Maximum grant award is $600.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation (BGC) is a community development nonprofit that delivers a portfolio of programs serving low-income residents of Garfield and adjacent neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. Its core offerings include affordable housing construction and renovation, workforce development through the Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center, youth college and career readiness programs, emergency financial assistance through the Neighbors in Need Fund, a monthly community newspaper (The Bulletin), environmental initiatives via the Garfield Green Zone Project, and arts/cultural programming such as the Unblurred First Fridays art crawl and Garfield Night Market. The organization also leads major infrastructure projects including the Negley Rotunda restoration.

Product overview

Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation (BGC) is a community development nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a unified technology product. Its core offerings include community journalism (The Bulletin newspaper), workforce development (Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center), youth programs (College and Career Readiness Program, Learn & Earn), emergency financial assistance (Neighbors in Need Fund), affordable housing development, environmental initiatives (Greenzone Project), and arts/cultural events (Unblurred art crawl, Garfield Night Market, Aggie Awards). BGC also leads major infrastructure projects including the Negley Rotunda restoration and Penn Avenue reconstruction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BOOM Concepts: A collaborative supporting minority and women artists in the region, which became an in-house program of BGC in 2021 after being a fiscal sponsor since 2014.

Products and services

• The Bulletin (Community Newspaper) Monthly community newspaper covering Garfield, Friendship, Lawrenceville, and East Liberty. Mailed to 13,500 households, with additional copies at 1,000 local businesses and email distribution (Byte-Size Bulletin) to 1,500+ subscribers.
• College and Career Readiness Program (CCRP) Free college and career counseling program for low-income high school juniors and seniors. Provides guidance on post-secondary education, financial aid forms (FAFSA, PHEAA), SAT/ACT preparation, paid internships, and college tours.
• Learn & Earn Summer Youth Employment Program Free six-week summer employment program for low-income youth ages 14-21, providing up to 25 hours per week of paid work experience, workplace skills development, and career readiness preparation.
• Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center (ENEC) Free employment assistance center for anyone age 16+ in Allegheny County. Provides computer and internet access, resume writing, job counseling, copy/fax services, on-site employer interviews, job fairs, and workforce skills training.
• Neighbors in Need Fund Crisis financial assistance program offering grants up to $600 to residents of Garfield, Friendship, and Bloomfield facing unexpected hardship. Covers emergency home/auto repairs, delinquent rent, utility shutoffs, mortgage delinquency, education needs, job training, or auto repossession. Decisions within 72 hours.
• Affordable Housing Development Development and preservation of affordable homeownership and rental housing. Includes over 120 built/renovated homes, 89 rental houses through Garfield Glen partnership (with 25 scattered-site homes completed in early 2024), Laurentian Hall Apartments (36 units for seniors/disabled), Montana Apartments, and ongoing construction with Open Hand Ministries.
• Garfield Green Zone Project Environmental justice initiative protecting and enhancing a 4.5-mile stretch of green space spanning 30 acres. Includes Fort Pitt Field, Garfield Community Farm, Kite Hill Park, and former Healcrest Urban Farm, with plans for walking paths, bike trails, and open spaces.
• Unblurred: First Fridays Penn Ave Art Crawl Monthly art crawl held on the first Friday (6pm-10pm) along Penn Avenue's 4800-5500 blocks. Features gallery openings, live performances, pop-up markets, and community events celebrating local artists.
• Garfield Night Market Monthly market at 113 N. Pacific Avenue coinciding with Unblurred events. Features local vendors, food trucks, musicians, and artists, providing visibility for small businesses while fostering community connections.
• Negley Rotunda Restoration Project Restoration of a 1923 Henry Hornbostel-designed former synagogue designated as a Pittsburgh historic landmark. Once complete, will house BOOM Concepts and serve as an arts, events, and education center for the greater East End. Operated by the separately-formed Rotunda Collaborative, Inc.
• 1520 Adjudication Alternative Program Community justice program allowing non-violent defendants to perform community service in Garfield instead of receiving fines or convictions. Upon completion, charges are dismissed and records expunged.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 120 homes built or renovated for affordable homeownership over 43 years
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and emerging.

• Gatesburg Road DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Long-term housing development partner based in State College, PA. Together with BGC, has produced 89 rental homes in Garfield since 2012 through phases including Garfield Glen I (Phase 1: 19 homes) and Garfield Glen II (Phase 2: 19 homes), and most recently 25 scattered-site single-family homes completed in early 2024.
• ACTION-Housing, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in mixed-use development at Penn Avenue and S. Mathilda Street, where BGC invested $750,000 in grants to build out four storefronts for arts-related organizations. Also co-owns Laurentian Hall Apartments, a 36-unit affordable housing complex for seniors and disabled individuals.
• Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA)coreOthersPrimary government partner providing funding for housing development, commercial district revitalization, and neighborhood improvements. Provided $85,000 investment in early years and continues to administer programs including second-mortgage loans for homebuyers and the Affordable Housing Fund.
• Partner4WorkcoreOthersPrimary funder for the College and Career Readiness Program and youth employment programs. Provides contract funding for workforce development services administered through BGC's Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center.
• NeighborWorks of Western PAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssists BGC's Garfield Glen I rental residents with credit repair, down payment savings, and mortgage application guidance to help them transition from rental housing to homeownership in 2027.
• Rising Tide Partners, Inc.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewly-formed non-profit partner assisting the Garfield community in assembling vacant houses and land parcels through conservatorship tools. BGC entered into MOU in 2021 to work with property owners who have abandoned properties.
• City of Bridges Community Land TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBGC sold two properties (5203 Columbo St. and 438 N. Fairmount St.) to this land trust which will demolish one house and build three affordably-priced townhomes, and renovate the other duplex for a first-time homebuyer.
• Rotunda Collaborative, Inc. (RCI)emergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeparate non-profit formed to operate the Negley Rotunda once renovations are complete. BGC is lead organization in restoring the former synagogue into an arts, events, and education center for the greater East End by 2029.
• BOOM ConceptscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative supporting minority and women artists. Moved to become an in-house program of BGC in 2021 after BGC served as fiscal sponsor since 2014. BOOM has permanent home planned in the Rotunda center.
• Allegheny Land TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner working with BGC to retain Healcrest Farm as a neighborhood green space as part of the Garfield Green Zone initiative.
• Western PA ConservancysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned by BGC to study open spaces and wooded areas along upper Garfield for potential green zone development. Completed study in 2016 concluding area has great potential if stewarded by community interests.
• Garfield Community FarmsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBGC has helped the farm acquire vacant lots from the city for 8 years, transferring ownership at cost. Nine lots have been assembled through this process. BGC continues to assist with acquiring the last few parcels through the city's Vacant Property Reserve.
• Module Housing LLCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal housing developer working with BGC on affordable for-sale housing projects. First collaboration involved a vacant lot sale for a 3-unit development. Also discussed 10-unit development on Rosetta Street and potential prototype homes under $200,000.
• Highland Park Community Development Corp.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owner with BGC of an 11-unit rental complex at 5635 Stanton Avenue for working-class households. BGC arranged $110,000 loan from URA for improvements to this property.
• NDC Asset ManagementsupportingOthersHandles day-to-day leasing and operations for BGC's rental properties including Laurentian Hall Apartments, Montana Apts., and the Stanton Avenue complex.
• Open Hand Ministries, Inc.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in current construction of three single-family homes with accessory dwelling units in the 5300 block of Hillcrest St., scheduled for spring 2022 ground-breaking after 4 years of planning.
• PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)coreOthersAwarded federal tax credits enabling affordable rental housing construction. Initially rejected BGC/Gatesburg applications for Garfield Highlands in 2018 and 2019, but finally approved in 2020 after intervention by state Sen. Jay Costa.
• District Magistrate Judge Mik PappassupportingOthersPartner in the 1520 Adjudication Alternative Program allowing non-violent defendants to perform community service instead of receiving fines or convictions. Helps beautify Garfield while giving defendants a second chance.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): LISC is a national community development financial institution supporting CDCs through capital, technical assistance, and policy advocacy. It is a broad incumbent in BGC's space, providing funding pools and programmatic frameworks that BGC's partners and funders operate within.
• NeighborWorks America: NeighborWorks America is the national network that includes NeighborWorks of Western PA. As a broad incumbent, it sets national housing policy and funder expectations, channels capital to local affiliates like BGC partners, and represents the larger institutional framework within which BGC operates.

Direct peers

• Lawrenceville Corporation: Lawrenceville Corporation is a Pittsburgh-based CDC focused on housing, commercial corridor revitalization, and community programming along Butler Street. It is a near-direct peer to BGC in structure, mission, and Pittsburgh East End geography, competing for similar foundation and government funding pools.
• City of Bridges Community Land Trust: City of Bridges Community Land Trust acquires and holds land for permanently affordable homeownership in Pittsburgh. BGC has sold properties to this CLT for townhome construction. It is a direct peer in affordable housing strategy and serves the same East End geography.
• NeighborWorks of Western Pennsylvania: NeighborWorks of Western PA is a regional HUD-certified counseling and housing development organization that assists BGC's Garfield Glen renters in transitioning to homeownership. It is a direct peer as a Western Pennsylvania nonprofit focused on affordable housing production, counseling, and community development.
• Open Hand Ministries: Open Hand Ministries is a Pittsburgh nonprofit builder of affordable single-family homes, currently partnering with BGC on three single-family homes with accessory dwelling units on the 5300 block of Hillcrest St. Comparable in mission and housing product type.
• Garfield Jubilee Association: Garfield Jubilee Association is a long-standing Garfield-based affordable housing developer with whom BGC previously partnered to build 48 single-family homes. It operates in the same neighborhood and serves a substantially overlapping low-income constituency.
• ACTION-Housing, Inc. ACTION-Housing is a Pittsburgh affordable housing developer and BGC partner on the Penn Avenue/S. Mathilda mixed-use project and co-owner of Laurentian Hall. It is directly comparable as a regional affordable housing CDC working in the same neighborhoods and competing for the same PHFA and URA resources.
• Highland Park Community Development Corporation: Highland Park CDC is a Pittsburgh East End CDC and BGC co-owner of the 5635 Stanton Avenue 11-unit rental complex. It is a direct peer in neighborhood-scale affordable housing development and competes for overlapping foundation support.
• South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association: South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association is a Pittsburgh neighborhood-based CDC focused on housing, green space, and community programming. Comparable in operating model, scale, and reliance on municipal and foundation funding within a defined neighborhood.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BloomGarCorp
• Xx.com/BloomGarCorp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bloomfield-garfield-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation