West Broadway Neighborhood Association

What West Broadway Neighborhood Association does

West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA) is a Rhode Island nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1983 by neighbors and originally structured as a homeowner's association before evolving into a community-centered nonprofit serving Providence's West Side. The organization is governed by an all-volunteer neighborhood-based board of directors and operates with three part-time paid staff members, all long-term residents of the neighborhood. WBNA occupies a renovated 1930s-era Texaco gas station at 1560 Westminster Street (purchased in 1987, volunteer-renovated in 1997, solar-paneled in 2011, and equipped with a 24-hour solar-powered EV charging station in January 2022). Its stated mission is to foster connection throughout a diverse and dynamic community through advocacy, organizing, coordination, and resource-hub functions.

WBNA's core offerings are neighborhood programs rather than technology products. These include the Neighborhood Toolbank (rental of tables, chairs, tents, and power equipment for $1-$50 per item), Hardscape-to-Harvest Community Gardening (raised beds placed on impermeable surfaces), the West Side Play Space cooperative (indoor play for children ages 0-5 from November to April), an electric vehicle charging station with two J1772 connectors at 6.6 kW shared output, and a Cooking Oil Recycling Program in partnership with Newport Biodiesel. Membership benefits include the WBNA Insider Card loyalty program. Signature events include the West End Lights Winter Festival, Concerts in the Park (co-presented with Farm Fresh Rhode Island), Halloween Extravaganza, Neighborhood Yard Sale (500+ attendees, 70+ sales), House Tour (1,500+ expected attendees across 10 historic homes in 2026), Solstice Social, and Broadway Brunch Stroll.

Revenue is generated through a diversified set of streams: individual and family memberships (pay-what-you-can with suggested minimums of $25 and $100), business memberships ($125 annually, $75 for businesses under one year old), corporate sponsorships ($500-$3,500 tiers), toolbank rentals, event tickets, and job-posting fees. Pricing is publicly disclosed across all major programs. WBNA does not publish financial figures, has no equity funding rounds, and reports no parent company or institutional ownership. The only recorded capital-related entry is a $0-disclosed engagement with Bank Rhode Island dated October 7, 2024 (likely sponsorship or grant). Operations are concentrated in Providence, Rhode Island, with a defined service area roughly bounded by Broadway to the north, Cranston Street and Union Avenue to the south, Route 6/10 to the west, and I-95 to the east.

Name

West Broadway Neighborhood Association

Legal name

West Broadway Neighborhood Association

Website

https://wbna.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

West Broadway Neighborhood Association is a Providence, RI-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 that serves West Side residents and local small businesses through advocacy, community events, and neighborhood programs including a toolbank, community gardens, a play space, and an EV charging station.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Administrative and Support Services (561)

SIC

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), Homeowners Association (HOA) Management (BPAJAHAB), Association Compliance, Governance & Board Support Services (BPAJAHAN)

Keywords

• Community advocacy services
• Neighborhood event programming
• Nonprofit membership programs
• Community resource coordination
• Local business networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues and Donations: General membership uses pay-what-you-can model with suggested minimums of $25 for individuals and $100 for families. Business membership is $125 annually ($75 for businesses under one year old). Donations support ongoing community programs.
2. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at various levels: Signature Sponsor $3,500, $2,500 Tier, $1,000 Tier, $500 Tier. Sponsors at $500+ become business members and receive marketing benefits.
3. Business Membership: $125 annually for business membership, with additional sponsorship opportunities. All business members receive marketing exposure and network access.
4. Toolbank Rentals: Neighborhood Toolbank provides tool and equipment rentals to members for fees ranging from $1 to $50 per item, including tables, chairs, tents, power tools, and event equipment.
5. Event Tickets and Fundraisers: Special events like Solstice Social ($75 for one/$120 for two), Broadway Brunch Stroll ($60), and House Tour tickets ($25/$15 for students and seniors) generate revenue while building community.
6. Job Postings: Local businesses and nonprofits post job openings as a perk of membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA) is a community-centered nonprofit organization that organizes free and ticketed neighborhood events, advocates for affordable housing and quality-of-life issues, and coordinates member-based resource programs including a toolbank, community gardens, an indoor play space, an EV charging station, and a cooking oil recycling program for residents and local businesses on Providence's West Side.

Product overview

West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA) is a community nonprofit organization offering a suite of neighborhood programs and membership benefits rather than a traditional tech product. The core offerings include the Neighborhood Toolbank for equipment rentals, Community Gardening with raised beds, West Side Play Space indoor cooperative play, Electric Vehicle Charging Station, and Cooking Oil Recycling Program. Membership programs include the WBNA Insider Card loyalty program, General Membership with tool rentals and EV charging benefits, and Business Membership. These programs are community-focused initiatives designed to support neighborhood sustainability, connection, and quality of life rather than software products or technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Neighborhood Toolbank Membership-based rental service providing affordable access to home tools, garden equipment, and event supplies including tables, chairs, tents, power tools, and speakers for West Side residents and members.
• Community Gardening Program Hardscape-to-Harvest community gardening pilot program that places raised beds on asphalt and impermeable surfaces, enabling neighborhood residents to grow vegetables and herbs.
• West Side Play Space Cooperative indoor play space for families and children ages 0-5, offering movement activities, reading areas, art supplies, and special programming during the November-April colder months.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Station Solar-powered EV charging station with 2 J1772 connectors at 6.6 kW shared output, open 24 hours at below-market rates for members and the public.
• Cooking Oil Recycling Program Drop-off program in partnership with Newport Biodiesel allowing residents to recycle waste vegetable oil, which is converted into clean burning biodiesel fuel, preventing over 30 million pounds of CO2 emissions annually.
• WBNA Insider Card Loyalty card for WBNA members providing access to special perks and small benefits throughout the year at participating local businesses.
• General Membership Annual membership for individuals and families using a pay-what-you-can model with suggested minimums of $25 for individuals and $100 for families, providing benefits such as toolbank access, EV charging, Insider Card, and voting rights.
• Business Membership Annual $125 business membership ($75 for businesses under one year old) offering local businesses marketing exposure, networking opportunities through monthly WBNA Business Network meetups, and community visibility.
• Corporate Sponsorship Packages Annual corporate sponsorship program with tiers including Signature Sponsor at $3,500, $2,500, $1,000, and $500 levels. Sponsors at $500+ automatically become business members and receive marketing benefits; additional House Tour Sponsorship available from $250-$1,000.
• Solstice Social Fundraiser Annual ticketed fundraising event priced at $75 for one person and $120 for two, including live music, food, and drinks, co-hosted with Moniker Brewery.
• Broadway Brunch Stroll Annual ticketed neighborhood brunch tour at $60 per person, including all tastings at three brunch spots, limited to 20 participants.
• Annual House Tour Annual signature ticketed tour event priced at $25 general admission and $15 for students and seniors, opening approximately 10 historic homes to 1,500+ attendees, with a VIP Preview Party for top-tier sponsors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 435 grocery gift cards donated to families in need over 3 years through Live Local, Give Local campaign
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Newport BiodieselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host a Cooking Oil Recycling Program. WBNA provides a collection barrel at headquarters; Newport Biodiesel processes waste vegetable oil into biofuel. Prevents over 30 million pounds of CO2 emissions annually.
• Farm Fresh Rhode IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenters of Concerts in the Park series and Armory Park Farmers Market at Dexter Training Ground. Partnership brings free summer concerts and fresh food access to the neighborhood.
• Providence Preservation SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint advocacy for Cranston Street Armory preservation. Collaborating on monthly Armory Advocacy Meetings and public exhibitions about the historic building's future.
• Armory Animal HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the community gardening pilot program on their side lot and provides water access for gardeners.
• Scout Urban LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign-development firm contracted to rehabilitate the Cranston Street Armory. WBNA advocates for their redevelopment plans. Governor McKee cancelled the contract in 2023.
• Moniker BrewerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Solstice Social, West End Lights, Halloween Extravaganza, and venue for Business Network Meetups. Partner venue for Concerts in the Park.
• House Tour SponsorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors include Packard, Providence Tourism, The Alcove, Pelletier Construction, JimDeRentis, Residential Properties, Troutman Pepper Locke, Casa Buena, The Avery, Bay Coast Bank, Centreville Bank, JKD Design, Monika Kraemer, REdHouse, Sandwich Hut, Asthernis, Armory Animal Hospital, Chow Fun Food Group, Cornerstone, Heritage Properties, Stock, and Uptown Appraisal.
• Lucky EnoughminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business venue for West Side Caroling event meetup location.
• Great Northern BBQminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business venue for West Side Caroling event meetup and wrap-up location.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative: Boston-based comprehensive neighborhood planning and community-ownership organization with a similar model of resident-led advocacy, equitable development, and community-controlled land use — a scaled analog of WBNA's community development and engagement strategy.
• ONE Neighborhood Builders: Providence-based nonprofit community development corporation providing affordable housing development, homeowner services, and resident-led community programs in Providence neighborhoods — directly comparable to WBNA in mission, geography, and operating model.
• West End House Camp & Community Center: Community-based nonprofit serving Providence's West End with youth/family programs, neighborhood events, and community-building — overlaps WBNA's event programming and member-driven services within the broader Providence social ecosystem.
• South Side Community Land Trust: Providence-based nonprofit focused on community gardening, urban agriculture, and equitable land access on the South Side — directly comparable to WBNA's Community Gardening program and broader community development mission in the same city.

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development intermediary that funds and supports neighborhood-based CDCs across the country — the institutional layer above organizations like WBNA, providing capital, technical assistance, and policy advocacy at much greater scale.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit focused on affordable housing and community development — overlaps WBNA's advocacy for affordable housing and resident-led development but operates across many geographies with a much larger programmatic footprint.
• Main Street America: National program supporting commercial district revitalization through a community-based approach — comparable in its grassroots economic development orientation to WBNA's business membership, sponsorship, and networking work with local merchants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 West Broadway Neighborhood Association