Matthew 25

What Matthew 25 does

Matthew 25 is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in November 2006 by brothers Clint Twedt-Ball and Courtney Ball, currently operating with a ~30-person staff and a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating. Its mission is to close a 10-year life expectancy and $20,000 income gap in the Taylor and Time Check neighborhoods through four pillars: healthy food, quality housing, educational opportunities, and community building, using an Asset-Based Community Development model that designs programs with resident input rather than top-down service delivery.

The organization's product set is operationally integrated rather than siloed. Food programs include a 2-acre urban farm (Cultivate Hope Urban Farm, founded 2012), a pay-it-forward restaurant (Groundswell Cafe, opened 2018), a non-profit grocery (Cultivate Hope Corner Store, opened 2022), CSA subscriptions, community garden plots, and a tool library. Housing programs encompass 20 owned rental units, new home construction including Net Zero Homes, Transform Week annual volunteer repair events, and the PATCH derecho recovery program (2020, $3.1M deployed across 261 homeowners). Education programs span paid Youth Development (Seed Crew at $11/hour for 15 high-school students), Food Camps for grades K-8, and school outreach at Cedar River Academy. The community-building pillar runs Listening Conversations, Storytellers of Cedar Rapids, and Teaching Community frameworks. Brand portfolio includes Groundswell Cafe, Cultivate Hope Corner Store, Cultivate Hope Urban Farm, Cultivate Hope Markets, Transform Week, PATCH, and Seed/Root Crew.

Revenue is diversified across donations, foundation grants (Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, United Way of East Central Iowa), corporate sponsorships (Transform Week tiers), planned giving/endowments, program service revenue (cafe, grocery, CSA, tool rentals), and rental housing income, with rents capped at 30% of tenant income. Go-to-market is community-led via grassroots outreach, listening conversations, volunteers, and events rather than paid acquisition. Scale metrics since 2006 include more than $10M invested locally, 240,000+ volunteer hours, 885+ families helped through housing rehabs, and 3,000+ people engaged in food programs each month.

Name

Matthew 25

Legal name

Matthew 25

Website

https://matthew-25.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Matthew 25 is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs integrated food, housing, education, and community-building programs — including an urban farm, pay-it-forward cafe, non-profit grocery, 20 affordable rental units, and a tool library — to serve low-to-moderate-income residents in the Taylor and Time Check neighborhoods.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Development, Construction & Rehabilitation Programs (BPAIANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Affordable housing programs
• Food access initiatives
• Youth education programs
• Urban farming services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, memorial and honorary gifts, and recurring monthly contributions from the Talent Investors giving society ($500+ annually).
2. Program Service Revenue: Sales from Cultivate Hope Corner Store grocery, Groundswell Cafe meals, CSA subscriptions, and tool library rental fees support operational costs.
3. Rental Housing Income: Revenue from 20 affordable rental units on the west side of Cedar Rapids, ranging from studios to 4-bedroom homes.
4. Grants: Funding from government programs, private foundations, and community organizations for specific programs like housing rehab, PATCH disaster recovery, and food access initiatives.
5. Planned Giving and Endowments: Charitable IRA distributions, estate planning gifts, endowment contributions to Matthew 25 Friends Fund at Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Matthew 25 is a Cedar Rapids-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates an integrated portfolio of programs across four pillars: healthy food (Groundswell Cafe, Cultivate Hope Corner Store, Cultivate Hope Urban Farm, markets, CSA, community gardens), quality housing (20 affordable rental units, new home construction including Net Zero Homes, Tool Library, Transform Week home repairs, PATCH Program), education (Youth Development Program, Food Camps, School Outreach), and community building (Listening Conversations, Community Arts and Events, Teaching Community). Programs are delivered primarily through physical storefronts and direct service sites in the Taylor and Time Check neighborhoods of Cedar Rapids.

Product overview

Matthew 25 is a Cedar Rapids-based nonprofit organization operating a multi-program portfolio focused on four pillars: healthy food, quality housing, educational opportunities, and community building. The organization functions as a unified mission-driven entity with distinct branded programs that interconnect to serve the community. Food programs include Groundswell Cafe (pay-it-forward restaurant), Cultivate Hope Corner Store (non-profit grocery), Cultivate Hope Urban Farm (2-acre urban farm), Cultivate Hope Markets (weekly farm stand), Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions, and Community Gardens. Housing initiatives encompass Rental Housing (20 units), New Home Construction including Net Zero Homes, Tool Library (tool borrowing/rental), Transform Week (annual volunteer home repair), and the PATCH derecho recovery program. Education programs feature the Youth Development Program (Seed Crew/Root Crew summer employment), Food Camps (K-8 summer camps), and School Outreach partnerships. Community building includes Listening Conversations, Community Arts and Events, Storytellers of Cedar Rapids, and Teaching Community resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youth Development Program: Paid summer opportunity for high school students to develop skills through Seed Crew and Root Crew pathways at the Urban Farm.
• Seed Crew
• Root Crew
• Food Camps
• Transform Week
• PATCH Program

Products and services

• Groundswell Cafe A pay-it-forward eatery in Cedar Rapids serving fresh, healthy breakfast and lunch. Guests can round up their bill or donate to help pay for meals for community members who cannot afford to pay, with menu items including soups, salads, sandwiches, omelets, and beverages sourced from the Cultivate Hope Urban Farm.
• Cultivate Hope Corner Store A non-profit grocery store located in a former food desert offering fresh and affordable grocery staples including produce, dairy, meat, and dry goods. Features a free produce section for community members in need and offers Good Meals To Go prepared meals for $6 each.
• Cultivate Hope Urban Farm Iowa's first urban farm spanning 2 acres, growing fresh produce without pesticides or herbicides for the Corner Store, Groundswell Cafe, and the community. Features a 1,000-square-foot greenhouse, natural playground, large event pavilion, and brick pizza oven.
• Cultivate Hope Markets Weekly produce sales held Thursdays from 4-7 pm from May through October at the Urban Farm. Includes Farm Stand Thursdays for direct produce sales and monthly Cultivate Community Markets featuring local vendors, music, activities, and brick-oven pizza.
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) A 20-week produce subscription program running from May through October. CSA full shares cost $550 and include weekly selections of fresh produce grown at the Cultivate Hope Urban Farm and from local growers, with pickup at the Urban Farm on Thursdays from 4-7 pm.
• Community Gardens Garden plots (20' x 20' or 10' x 20') available for rent at the Cultivate Hope Urban Farm. Plots cost $50 or $25 respectively for the May through October growing season, with water access provided and free tool use from the Tool Library.
• Rental Housing 20 affordable rental homes on the west side of Cedar Rapids ranging from studios to 4 bedrooms including duplexes and single-family homes. All homes are refurbished before availability, with rents structured so they do not exceed 30% of tenant income; accepts Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers.
• New Home Construction Construction of new quality housing including Single-Family Homes and Net Zero Homes. Net Zero Homes produce as much energy as they consume through solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and superior insulation, with community-focused design features.
• Tool Library A tool borrowing and rental service providing affordable access to tools for home, garden, and maintenance projects. Small tools and hand tools can be borrowed for free while larger power tools have a low daily fee. Inventory can be browsed online and tools reserved in advance.
• Transform Week An annual volunteer event in late June where hundreds of volunteers help homeowners with home repair and maintenance projects they cannot complete on their own. Projects include window replacement, carpentry, painting, landscaping, and roofing for homeowners in Taylor and Time Check neighborhoods who earn 80% or less than median income.
• PATCH Program Providing Assistance to Community Homeowners (PATCH) program created in response to the August 2020 derecho. Facilitated home repairs for low and moderate-income homeowners including roof replacement, siding, windows, and garage rebuilding with projects funded by forgivable loans up to $25,000.
• Youth Development Program A paid summer employment opportunity for high school students with two pathways: Seed Crew (main summer program with 15 students working 8 weeks, $11/hour, ages 14-18) and Root Crew (extended spring/fall sessions for returning students). Students grow produce, participate in team-building, learn food preparation, and develop skills in health, nutrition, and sustainable farming.
• Food Camps Summer day camps for grades K-8 held at the Cultivate Hope Urban Farm. Programs include Urban Farm Explorers (ages 7-10, 4-day camp, $175), Urban Farm-to-Table (ages 9-13, $60), Urban Farm Art Adventure (ages 7-10, $30), and Friday at the Farm ($30), teaching kids about food growing, healthy snacks, and farm-to-table experiences.
• School Outreach Educational programming for grades Pre K-5 in core neighborhoods in partnership with Cedar River Academy at Taylor Elementary. Includes Sustainability Lab with hydroponic towers, outdoor school gardens, greenhouse education, and composting bins, with seasonal lessons throughout the school year.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than $10 million invested in Cedar Rapids neighborhoods since 2006
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alliant Energy Corp.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood and housing partner supporting Matthew 25's healthy food access and affordable housing initiatives in Cedar Rapids.
• City of Cedar RapidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in urban farming initiative, having developed the state's first urban agriculture policy and selling land to Matthew 25 for the Cultivate Hope Urban Farm.
• United Way of East Central IowacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing partner providing funding support for Transform Week and PATCH Program through grants and sponsorships.
• Greater Cedar Rapids Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing partner that helped establish the Block by Block program with $1M matching donation. Currently supports Healthy Neighborhoods Capital Campaign.
• Neighborhood Finance Corp.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing partner offering homebuyer subsidies, grants, and loan opportunities for Matthew 25 new home purchasers.
• WaypointcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing partner coordinating PATCH Program derecho recovery assistance for homeowners in Linn County.
• Cedar River Academy at Taylor ElementarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner where Matthew 25 provides school gardens, hydroponic towers, greenhouse education, and sustainability lessons.
• Iowa State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner contributing expertise and resources to Matthew 25's educational programs.
• Feed Iowa FirstminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood partner working to increase healthy food access in Cedar Rapids communities.
• Green Iowa AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity building partner providing home energy audits and weatherization services for Cedar Rapids residents through Matthew 25 referrals.
• St. Paul's United Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting Partner and Cultivator Level Sponsor for Transform Week; founding partner supporting Matthew 25's mission.
• Lovely Lane United Methodist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighbor Level Sponsor for Transform Week 2026.
• Willis Dady Homeless ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing partner addressing housing instability in Cedar Rapids.
• Akwi NjiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting Storytellers of Cedar Rapids live storytelling events and workshops featuring local residents.
• New Pioneer Co-opminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner supporting Matthew 25's food education and access initiatives.
• Frontier Co-opminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner supporting Matthew 25's food education and access initiatives.
• Taylor Area Neighborhood Association (TANA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity building partner representing and organizing Taylor neighborhood residents.
• Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity building partner representing Northwest Cedar Rapids neighborhoods.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GrowNYC: NYC-based nonprofit operating urban farms, farmers markets, and food access programs. Closely comparable to Matthew 25's Urban Farm, Cultivate Community Markets, and food education mission, though serving a much larger urban geography.
• Groundwork USA: National network of urban environmental nonprofits combining brownfield remediation, urban agriculture, and youth green job training. Comparable to Matthew 25's Urban Farm, Youth Development Program (Seed Crew), and vacant-lot revitalization approach.
• The Food Trust: Nonprofit focused on food access, farmers markets, and food education in underserved neighborhoods. Directly comparable to Matthew 25's food pillar combining Corner Store, food camps, school outreach, and urban agriculture.
• Wholesome Wave: National nonprofit focused on affordable food access through farmers markets, CSA subsidies, and produce prescriptions. Directly comparable to Matthew 25's Cultivate Hope Urban Farm, CSA, Farm Stand, and food access programs.

Emerging players

• FoodCorps: Nonprofit connecting kids to healthy food in schools through service members and educators. Comparable to Matthew 25's School Outreach program at Cedar River Academy, hydroponic towers, and school gardens, with similar food education mission.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: National affordable housing and rehab nonprofit. Comparable to Matthew 25's housing pillar (rental, rehab, new construction), but operates at much greater scale and primarily through affiliate model rather than integrated food/education/community building.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development financial institution supporting neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, and small business. Comparable to Matthew 25's community development approach and partnership-driven model, with core overlap in Block by Block-style neighborhood investment programs.
• Mercy Housing: National nonprofit affordable housing provider combining rental housing with resident services. Comparable to Matthew 25's 20-unit rental portfolio and integrated supportive services approach, though at significantly larger scale.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National community development nonprofit focused on affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. Comparable in mission (closing income and health gaps through community investment) and four-pillar-style integration, but operates as a national intermediary with CDFI capacity rather than a single-city operator.

Regional players

• Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland: Regional community development nonprofit combining affordable housing, home repair, and community building in a post-industrial Midwest city. Highly comparable to Matthew 25's housing pillar and community-led neighborhood revitalization model in a different Midwestern geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Matthew25MinistryHub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/matthew-25-cedar-rapids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

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 Matthew 25