Matthew 25
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersCedar Rapids, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Matthew 25 firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Matthew 25 industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Matthew 25 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cedar Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Matthew 25 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, memorial and honorary gifts, and recurring monthly contributions from the Talent Investors giving society ($500+ annually).
- Program Service Revenue: Sales from Cultivate Hope Corner Store grocery, Groundswell Cafe meals, CSA subscriptions, and tool library rental fees support operational costs.
- Rental Housing Income: Revenue from 20 affordable rental units on the west side of Cedar Rapids, ranging from studios to 4-bedroom homes.
- Grants: Funding from government programs, private foundations, and community organizations for specific programs like housing rehab, PATCH disaster recovery, and food access initiatives.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | CSA Full Share - $550 for 20 weeks of produce |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Food Camp registration fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Good Meals To Go |
| Subscription | Annual | Community Garden Plots |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Tool Library - Free borrowing and rental options |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Rental Application Fee |
| Subscription | Annual | Lunch for Linn corporate sponsorship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Matthew 25 product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Matthew 25
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Matthew 25 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Matthew 25 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Alliant Energy Corp.coreFood and housing partner supporting Matthew 25's healthy food access and affordable housing initiatives in Cedar Rapids.
- City of Cedar RapidscorePartner 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 IowacoreHousing partner providing funding support for Transform Week and PATCH Program through grants and sponsorships.
- Greater Cedar Rapids Community FoundationcoreHousing partner that helped establish the Block by Block program with $1M matching donation. Currently supports Healthy Neighborhoods Capital Campaign.
- Neighborhood Finance Corp.coreHousing partner offering homebuyer subsidies, grants, and loan opportunities for Matthew 25 new home purchasers.
- WaypointcoreHousing partner coordinating PATCH Program derecho recovery assistance for homeowners in Linn County.
- Cedar River Academy at Taylor ElementarycoreEducation partner where Matthew 25 provides school gardens, hydroponic towers, greenhouse education, and sustainability lessons.
- Iowa State UniversityminorEducation partner contributing expertise and resources to Matthew 25's educational programs.
- Feed Iowa FirstminorFood partner working to increase healthy food access in Cedar Rapids communities.
- Green Iowa AmeriCorpscoreCommunity building partner providing home energy audits and weatherization services for Cedar Rapids residents through Matthew 25 referrals.
- St. Paul's United Methodist ChurchcorePresenting Partner and Cultivator Level Sponsor for Transform Week; founding partner supporting Matthew 25's mission.
- Lovely Lane United Methodist ChurchminorNeighbor Level Sponsor for Transform Week 2026.
- Willis Dady Homeless ServicesminorHousing partner addressing housing instability in Cedar Rapids.
- Akwi NjiminorPartner hosting Storytellers of Cedar Rapids live storytelling events and workshops featuring local residents.
- New Pioneer Co-opminorEducation partner supporting Matthew 25's food education and access initiatives.
- Frontier Co-opminorEducation partner supporting Matthew 25's food education and access initiatives.
- Taylor Area Neighborhood Association (TANA)coreCommunity building partner representing and organizing Taylor neighborhood residents.
- Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood AssociationminorCommunity building partner representing Northwest Cedar Rapids neighborhoods.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Matthew 25 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Matthew 25 social profiles
Digital presenceMatthew 25 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Matthew 25 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Matthew 25 subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Matthew 25 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Matthew 25 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Matthew 25
What does Matthew 25 do?
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.
Is Matthew 25 a public or private company?
Matthew 25 is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Matthew 25 founded?
Matthew 25 was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Matthew 25 based?
Matthew 25 is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Matthew 25 make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are program Service Revenue, rental Housing Income, grants and planned Giving and Endowments.
Who are Matthew 25's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GrowNYC, Groundwork USA, The Food Trust and Wholesome Wave. FoodCorps is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Habitat for Humanity International, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Mercy Housing and Enterprise Community Partners. Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland is listed as a regional player.
Does Matthew 25 have an API?
No public API is recorded for Matthew 25.
What industry is Matthew 25 in?
Matthew 25's product category is Community Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIANAB, Housing Development, Construction & Rehabilitation Programs, with a secondary code of EDAAAFAC, Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government). Its NAICS code is 813410 and its SIC code is 6552.