East Savannah United

What East Savannah United does

East Savannah United is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that functions as a "community quarterback" for neighborhood revitalization in East Savannah, Georgia. The organization coordinates four interlocking pillars of work — mixed-income housing, a cradle-to-college education pipeline, community wellness, and economic mobility — on behalf of residents in historically disinvested neighborhoods. As a member of the Purpose Built Communities network of 30 projects nationwide, East Savannah United convenes cross-sector partners rather than delivering all services directly; it acts as the strategic and operational backbone aligning public, private, and philanthropic capital around community-defined priorities.

The organization's product surface is programmatic rather than technological. Core programs include Jumpstart Coastal Georgia (early childhood), the Early Learning Center (funded by $8.25M in SPLOST commitments), the Goodwill-supported Adult Education Center ($2M), and the Backyard Boogie community space. Its housing agenda is anchored by a partnership with the Housing Authority of Savannah to develop up to 600 mixed-income apartments, with broader development expenditures noted at $70M+. East Savannah United has no proprietary technology platform; the only disclosed technology is DonorPerfect, a third-party SaaS tool used for donation management. There are no native mobile apps, data platforms, or AI/ML systems described in the source material.

The business model is philanthropic and publicly financed. Revenue sources include individual donations, foundation and corporate grants (notably Goodwill), and government funding streams routed through the Housing Authority of Savannah and SPLOST. Capital commitments (e.g., the $8.25M ELC) are substantially larger than operating budgets — operational funding needs are stated at roughly $250K per year for the Community Quarterback role. Go-to-market is community-embedded rather than commercial: the organization grows by deepening trust with residents, securing political and philanthropic endorsements, and adding new programmatic layers through partner relationships rather than customer acquisition or pricing mechanics.

Name

East Savannah United

Legal name

East Savannah United Inc

Website

https://eastsavannahunited.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

East Savannah United is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit "community quarterback" coordinating neighborhood revitalization in East Savannah, Georgia across mixed-income housing, a cradle-to-college education pipeline, workforce development, and community wellness, operating within the Purpose Built Communities network of 30 sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family Engagement & Home–School Partnership Programs (EDACALAB), Residential Education, Programming & Community Development (EDALACAC)

Keywords

• Community revitalization services
• Nonprofit community development
• Affordable housing programs
• Early childhood education
• Workforce development training

Headquarters

HQ city

Savannah

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to support affordable housing, youth opportunity, community wellness, and resident-led initiatives. The organization uses DonorPerfect for online donations.
2. Government and Public Funding: SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) and governmental funding support specific capital projects including the Early Learning Center ($8.25 million committed) and Goodwill Adult Education Center ($2 million secured). Additional government support for housing revitalization through the Housing Authority of Savannah.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

East Savannah United operates as a Community Quarterback nonprofit that coordinates neighborhood revitalization in East Savannah, Georgia by aligning residents, public agencies, private partners, and community organizations. Its deliverable programs include the Jumpstart Coastal Georgia real estate training program, the Early Learning Center with a children's library, the Backyard Boogie community events, mixed-income housing with the Housing Authority of Savannah, a cradle-to-college education pipeline, workforce development and economic mobility services, and community wellness programming. All programming is delivered free to community residents and funded through donations and public grants.

Product overview

East Savannah United is a community development nonprofit organization operating as a collaborative coalition focused on neighborhood revitalization. Rather than a unified technology platform, it offers a portfolio of community programs and facilities including the Jumpstart Coastal Georgia real estate training program, the Early Learning Center (early childhood education and community library), Backyard Boogie community space activation, mixed-income housing development with HAS, a cradle-to-college education pipeline, workforce development initiatives, and community wellness programs. The organization serves as the Community Quarterback coordinating public, private, and community partners around shared goals for equitable development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jumpstart Coastal Georgia: A small-scale real estate development training program that introduces locals to community-focused development. The program aims to revitalize communities one property at a time through training, mentoring, and providing resources to local aspiring developers.
• Early Learning Center
• Backyard Boogie

Products and services

• Jumpstart Coastal Georgia A small-scale real estate development training program for residents of Chatham, Bryan, or Effingham Counties that introduces locals to community-focused development. Includes a 25-hour in-person training program covering identification of development opportunities, deal economics, sources of capital, the development and construction process, and strategies to sell or lease rehabbed properties, along with mentoring and connections to potential partners and community developers.
• Early Learning Center A welcoming early childhood education facility and community library serving East Savannah children and families. Provides quality early education in a nurturing environment with flexible hours, safe and comfortable classrooms, interactive activities, and personalized attention for every child. Enrolls via a ProCare Connect online waitlist.
• Backyard Boogie A community space activation program that transforms East Savannah United's backyard into a vibrant community space for family-friendly programming, student activities, and partner-led events that bring neighbors together.
• Mixed-Income Housing Development A housing development initiative coordinated with the Housing Authority of Savannah (HAS) to deliver up to 600 new and newly-renovated neighborhood apartments as part of a mixed-income housing strategy. Offers home ownership and high-quality rental options across a broad range of incomes; HAS has already expended over $70 million on apartments in the area.
• Cradle-to-College Education Pipeline An education initiative building a high-quality education pipeline from infancy through high school graduation and college in East Savannah. Includes the Early Learning Center, a SPLOST-funded children's library, and partnerships with neighborhood schools from Pre-K through high school.
• Workforce Development and Economic Mobility Programs Programs designed to remove barriers and open doors through job readiness training, employment connections, small business support, financial literacy, and homebuyer education. Includes partnerships with workforce development organizations such as Step-Up Savannah and Goodwill SEGA's Adult Education Center ($2 million secured) to keep opportunity local.
• Community Wellness and Health Programs Programs promoting community wellness through facilities, outdoor spaces, and programming that support physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Includes job creation, safety improvements, and services reflecting local culture and priorities; delivered with partners such as YMCA (fitness and community center), Goodwill SEGA, and Healthy Savannah Inc.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40.27% poverty rate in East Savannah compared to broader area - demonstrating significant need for intervention
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Purpose Built CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast Savannah United strengthens its relationship with Purpose Built Communities, a national network that started with the acclaimed East Lake community in Atlanta and now comprises 30 comprehensive community revitalization projects across the United States. Purpose Built Communities provides the organizational framework, best practices, and peer network that guide East Savannah United's community quarterback model.
• Housing Authority of Savannah (HAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAS is providing up to 600 new and newly-renovated neighborhood apartments as part of the East Savannah revitalization. HAS has already expended over $70 million on apartment development. East Savannah United serves as the Community Quarterback to coordinate this housing development with other neighborhood services.
• YMCAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA is partnering on the development of a fitness and community center as part of the East Savannah community facilities. This complements the organization's focus on community wellbeing and health.
• Goodwill Southeast Georgia (SEGA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoodwill SEGA is establishing an Adult Education Center in East Savannah that will confer high school degrees and job certificates. Goodwill has secured $2 million to support this Adult Center, supporting economic mobility and workforce development goals.
• City of SavannahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Savannah is committed to infrastructure, services, and strategic investment in East Savannah. The city provides SPLOST funding and governmental support for development projects including the Early Learning Center and children's library.
• Chatham CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChatham County government is a partner through policy and intergovernmental affairs strategic planning. County representation on the Board of Directors includes Tara Jennings, Director of Policy & Intergovernmental Affairs Strategic Planning.
• Healthy Savannah Inc.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthy Savannah Inc. contributes to community health and wellness programming. Paula Kreissler serves on the Advisory Council as Director of Healthy Living and Community Development.
• Savannah Area Chamber of CommercesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce is a community partner supporting East Savannah United's revitalization efforts. Bill Hubbard represents the Chamber on the Advisory Council, and Jen Davenport serves as Board Attorney.
• Step-Up SavannahsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStep-Up Savannah is an economic mobility partner contributing workforce development and financial education expertise. Alicia Johnson, Executive Director, serves on the Board of Directors.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Year Up: A national workforce development nonprofit providing job training and pathways to corporate careers for young adults from underserved communities. Comparable for the workforce development and economic mobility pillar of East Savannah United's strategy, though operating at a much larger national scale.
• SAFY of Savannah (Step-Up Savannah affiliate ecosystem): Step-Up Savannah is a regional economic mobility intermediary focused on financial capability, workforce, and small business support in the Savannah region. Directly comparable as a local partner organization with overlapping economic mobility programming serving similar residents.

Direct peers

• East Lake Foundation: The original Purpose Built Communities anchor in Atlanta, Georgia. It pioneered the 'community quarterback' neighborhood revitalization model that East Savannah United now replicates, and serves as the proof-of-concept for the network's cradle-to-college + mixed-income housing + community wellness framework.
• The Resurrection Project: A community organizing and development nonprofit on Chicago's Southwest Side that applies a Pilsen-style community quarterback approach across multiple neighborhoods. Comparable as a Purpose Built Communities-inspired place-based organization building cradle-to-career pipelines and affordable housing.
• Hope Community (Minneapolis): A Purpose Built Communities affiliate in Minneapolis delivering mixed-income housing, cradle-to-college education, and community wellness in a defined neighborhood. Directly comparable as a peer organization using the same community quarterback playbook in a different geography.

Others

• Urban Strategies Inc. A national nonprofit that partners with public housing authorities and developers to provide resident services, early childhood education, and community engagement in revitalizing neighborhoods. Comparable as an enabling partner implementing the social-services layer of mixed-finance housing redevelopments.

Broad incumbents

• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit that invests in affordable housing, community development financial institutions, and place-based revitalization across the US. Comparable for its mixed-income housing focus, partnership with public housing authorities, and integrated community development approach.
• NeighborWorks America: A national network of more than 250 nonprofit affordable housing and community development organizations. Comparable as a network/umbrella for place-based community revitalization nonprofits, with shared focus on housing, resident engagement, and capacity-building.
• Habitat for Humanity International: The largest US nonprofit housing organization, operating through local affiliates that build affordable homes in partnership with low-income families. Comparable for its housing-focused community development model and reliance on volunteer and donor capital, though broader in geographic scope.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): One of the largest US community development financial institutions, operating a national network of local LISC offices that finance affordable housing, economic development, and community revitalization. Comparable as a multi-city community quarterback funder and convener, though operating at greater scale and with capital deployment capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 East Savannah United