Rise Center

What Rise Center does

CNY RISE Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community organization founded in 2016 and headquartered at 275 W Seneca Turnpike in Syracuse, New York, with a secondary presence in Utica. The organization operates across Central New York and is dedicated to fostering interfaith dialogue, cultural understanding, and community service, drawing inspiration from the Hizmet Movement. Its primary customers are community members across multiple faith traditions, refugee and immigrant families, women, and senior citizens, served through an annual calendar of free and nominally priced gatherings.

The organization's product portfolio is organized under four programmatic pillars: Interfaith (Ramadan Dinners, Eid Celebrations, Friendship Dinners, World Interfaith Harmony Assembly), Social (Ladies' Breakfast, Coffee Nights, Valley Ties Neighborhood Picnic), Educational (Learn with Neighbors, Cooking Classes, Weekend Academy for children aged 4-12, Turkey Presentations), and Outreach (Blanket Drive, Baklava Campaign, Refugee Family Support, Public Service Awards). Signature recurring events include the 20th Annual Friendship Dinner and the 13th Annual Community Ramadan Dinner. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery occurs through in-person programming at the Syracuse headquarters, venue partnerships (Stanley Theatre Utica, Mission Hope Church), and library networks (DeWitt, Manlius).

Revenue is generated entirely through voluntary donations processed via PayPal, event-based fundraising campaigns such as the Baklava Campaign for Turkey earthquake relief, and modest per-attendee fees of approximately $30 for select workshops. The organization is volunteer-driven, governance-led by Board President Tim Saka, and operates without parent company, institutional investors, or funding rounds. Distribution occurs through direct community programming, partnered venues, and an organic social media footprint spanning Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram.

Name

Rise Center

Legal name

CNY RISE Center

Website

https://risecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CNY RISE Center is a Syracuse-based nonprofit founded in 2016 that fosters interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange across Central New York, serving multi-faith community members, refugee families, women, and seniors through free and low-cost annual programming including Ramadan Dinners and the Friendship Dinner.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community and Interfaith Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonprofit, Social Services & Community Development Congresses (THAHAJAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Interfaith community programs
• Cultural exchange events
• Refugee support services
• Community education workshops
• Humanitarian outreach programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations: The organization relies on voluntary donations from community members to fund programs and community initiatives. Donations are processed through PayPal and are voluntary and non-refundable according to their terms of service.
2. Event-based fundraising: Fundraiser dinners and campaigns such as Baklava Campaign generate revenue for community programs and outreach initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CNY RISE Center is a nonprofit community organization that hosts interfaith, social, educational, and outreach programs in Central New York. Offerings include Ramadan Dinners, Eid al-Adha celebrations, annual Friendship Dinners, Ladies' Breakfasts, Cooking Classes, Weekend Academy for children, refugee family support, and humanitarian aid initiatives. Most events are free with RSVP; a few workshops and dinners carry a $30 per-person fee, while the broader mission is funded through voluntary donations.

Product overview

CNY RISE Center is a nonprofit community organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of community programs organized under four main pillars: Interfaith programs (Ramadan Dinners, Eid Celebrations, Abraham's Table, World Interfaith Harmony Assembly, Interfaith Dialog Circle), Social programs (Ladies' Breakfast, Ladies' Dialogue Breakfast, Coffee Nights, Community Picnics, Valley Ties Neighborhood Picnic, Art Club, Jewelry Making Workshop), Educational programs (Learn with Neighbors, Cooking Classes, Weekend Academy for children, Turkey Presentations, Ramadan Informative Corners), and Outreach programs (Blanket Drive, Baklava Campaign, Refugee Family Support, Earthquake Relief, Public Service Awards). The center operates as a unified community service organization rather than a technology product company, with programs designed to foster connections, provide education, and empower leaders across Central New York, inspired by the Hizmet Movement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Programs (Interfaith, Social, Educational, Outreach) Integrated community programming framework covering Interfaith programs (Ramadan Dinners, Eid Celebrations, Friendship Dinners, World Interfaith Harmony Assembly), Social programs (Ladies' Breakfasts, Community Picnics), Educational programs (Learn with Neighbors, Cooking Classes, Weekend Academy for children), and Outreach programs (Blanket Drive, Baklava Campaign, Refugee Family Support, Public Service Awards).
• Ramadan Dinner Program Annual Ramadan Iftar dinners bringing together diverse faith communities to celebrate unity, dialogue, and shared values during the holy month of Ramadan, featuring keynote speakers, Turkish cuisine, and interfaith dialogue. Held at CNY RISE Center in Syracuse and at the Stanley Theatre in Utica.
• Eid al-Adha Meat Distribution
• Cooking Classes
• Ladies' Breakfast
• Jewelry Making Workshop
• Art Club Series
• Weekend Academy
• Annual Friendship Dinner Annual signature event celebrating diversity, dialogue, and service in Central New York. Now in its 20th year, the dinner brings together community leaders, faith representatives, educators, and residents to strengthen mutual respect and cooperation.
• Public Service Awards Dinner

Quantifiable outcome

• 39 families supported through Eid al-Adha meat distribution (11 Syracuse families + 28 refugee families in Utica)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• InterFaith Works of Central New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 November 2025Collaboration on the 20th Annual Friendship Dinner with Dr. Lori Klivak (Director of Center for Healthy Aging at InterFaith Works) as keynote speaker. Long-standing partnership for interfaith and community programming.
• New Americans Blessing BoxminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 May 2025Eid al-Adha community gift bag giveaway event at Burnet Avenue location in Syracuse, distributing gift bags to local families.
• Mission Hope ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2024Interfaith Iftar and Lent Potluck Dinner bringing together Christian and Muslim communities for dialogue and shared meals, fostering understanding between faiths.
• Onondaga County Sheriff's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Public Service Awards Dinner cooperation recognizing exceptional law enforcement officers and first responders. Collaborative community policing initiatives.
• Syracuse Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Public Service Awards Dinner cooperation with Chief Mark Rusin. 9th Annual event focusing on 'Collaborative Community Policing' theme.
• Zen Center of SyracuseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerValley Ties Neighborhood Picnic collaboration promoting harmony and peace among different communities through annual outdoor gatherings.
• Unity Church of SyracuseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerValley Ties Neighborhood Picnic collaboration along with Zen Center for community building across faiths.
• DeWitt LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRamadan Informative Corner and activities hosting educational displays and hands-on crafts for community members learning about Ramadan.
• Manlius LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurkey presentation events sharing Turkish culture and cuisine including artifacts, baklava, stuffed grape leaves, and Turkish Delight.
• Parkrose Estates Senior LivingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurkey presentation at senior living facility introducing residents to CNY RISE Center activities and Turkish culture.
• Marty Nave (1st District Councilor)minorOthersPartnership for Eid al-Adha meat distribution supporting 11 local Syracuse families during the holiday.
• The Center (Utica)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEid al-Adha meat distribution collaboration providing fresh meat to 28 refugee families in Utica.
• Childcare SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organization of Friendship Dinner 2019 on Early Childcare topic, with director Lori Schokaw presenting organizational efforts.
• Women Transcending BoundariesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsorship of events including Friendship Dinner 2023 on climate change, and collaboration on interfaith harmony initiatives.
• Bethany HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner participating in interfaith events and Ramadan dinners, serving women and children in need.
• Rahma ClinicminorOthersCNY RISE Center volunteers attended 8th Annual Fundraising Dinner to support Rahma Clinic and its healthcare efforts.
• Northside Learning CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner participating in 13th Annual Community Ramadan Dinner and other community events.
• SUNY Polytechnic InstituteminorOthersDr. Winston Soboyejo, President of SUNY Poly, delivered keynote address at 4th Annual Ramadan Dinner in Utica on 'Celebrating Diversity and Coexistence' theme.
• Academy Green Neighborhood AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird Annual Valley Ties Neighborhood Picnic co-organization for community harmony and diversity celebration.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Interfaith America (formerly Interfaith Youth Core): National interfaith leadership organization promoting interfaith cooperation on campuses and communities. Broad incumbent peer operating at significantly larger scale in the same interfaith space.
• Islamic Relief USA: National humanitarian and refugee-support nonprofit inspired by Islamic principles of service. Broad incumbent peer with overlapping refugee and disaster relief programming (e.g., Turkey earthquake response).
• United Way of Central New York: Regional community impact organization funding and convening nonprofits across Central New York. Broad incumbent peer in the same geography that could absorb or partner with CNY RISE Center programming.
• Catholic Charities of Onondaga County: Faith-based social services nonprofit serving Central New York with refugee resettlement, food distribution, and community programs. Broad incumbent peer with overlapping refugee and humanitarian service lines.

Direct peers

• The Center (Utica): Utica-based refugee and immigrant services organization. Direct peer collaborating with CNY RISE Center on Eid al-Adha meat distribution to 28 refugee families.
• Rumi Forum: U.S.-based nonprofit inspired by the Hizmet Movement focused on interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Direct peer sharing the same Hizmet-affiliated mission and Turkish cultural heritage.
• InterFaith Works of Central New York: Syracuse-based interfaith organization promoting dialogue across religious traditions. Direct peer as the most comparable interfaith convener in the same geography and a named strategic partner of CNY RISE Center.
• Bethany House: Syracuse-based nonprofit serving women and children in need with housing and support services. Direct peer as a named community partner in CNY RISE Center's interfaith events.
• Women Transcending Boundaries: Syracuse-based interfaith women's organization supporting dialogue across religious and cultural lines. Direct peer in mission and overlapping programming on women's interfaith gatherings.

Emerging players

• Turkish American Federation of the Northeast: Regional federation supporting Turkish-American community organizations and cultural programming in the U.S. Northeast. Emerging peer with thematic overlap in Turkish cultural identity preservation and community service.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cnyrisecenter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cnyrisecenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/CNYRiseCenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/cnyrisecenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Rise Center