Nicetown CDC

What Nicetown CDC does

Nicetown Community Development Corporation (Nicetown CDC, NTCDC) is a Philadelphia-based non-profit community development corporation founded in 1999 by Zakariyya Abdur-Rahman to improve the quality of life in the Nicetown neighborhood and three adjacent North/Northwest Philadelphia communities spanning a 15-census-tract service area. Its core offerings cluster around five pillars: affordable housing development (most notably the $35M+ Nicetown Court I & II mixed-use complexes delivering 87 units and 4,700 sq ft of commercial space, plus the LEED Platinum-certified Wingohocking Street Project), land care (maintaining 700+ vacant parcels under long-term City of Philadelphia and PA Horticultural Society contracts), violence prevention (Nice Space Empowerment Program and Pushing Progress Philly), supportive services via the NTCDC/NAC Neighborhood Advisory Committee (processing 1,100-1,200 service requests per month, including a Neighborhood Energy Center, Keyspot Computer Lab, food distribution, and youth employment), and signature community engagement (the annual Give Back Festival, now in its 24th year). The organization does not sell products or commercial services; its revenue is derived from government grants and contracts (City of Philadelphia, PA DCED, PHFA, federal appropriations, ECA), foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and individual donations, with program outputs ranging from near 200 hires via the Same Day Work & Pay Program to LEED Platinum-certified housing units and AIA Award-winning recreational facility designs.

Name

Nicetown CDC

Legal name

Nicetown CDC

Website

https://nicetowncdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Nicetown CDC is a Philadelphia-based non-profit community development corporation delivering affordable housing, vacant land maintenance, violence prevention, supportive services, and community programming to residents across a 15-census-tract area in North/Northwest Philadelphia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Affordable housing development
• Violence prevention programs
• Vacant land management
• Workforce training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: The organization receives funding through contracts with the City of Philadelphia, PA Horticultural Society, Energy Coordinating Agency, and other government entities for community programs including land maintenance, energy assistance, and neighborhood development.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations supporting community programs and the ZAR Memorial Education Fund for scholarships.
3. Foundation and Nonprofit Grants: Funding from foundations such as Allegheny West Foundation and partnerships with organizations like Rebuild for specific development projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Nicetown CDC is a nonprofit community development corporation delivering housing development, vacant land maintenance, violence prevention, workforce training, energy and food assistance, and community programming to residents of the Nicetown neighborhood and surrounding communities in North/Northwest Philadelphia. Services are delivered free of charge at its community center and headquarters on Germantown Avenue, on neighborhood streets, and at Nicetown Park, funded primarily through government grants, foundation grants, and donations.

Product overview

Nicetown CDC is a community development organization offering a portfolio of community programs and services. It does not operate as a product or software company. Its offerings include community events (Give Back Festival), empowerment and violence prevention programs (Nice Space Empowerment Program, Pushing Progress Philly P3), land care and corridor cleaning, supportive services via a Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NTCDC/NAC), a Neighborhood Energy Center, a Keyspot Computer Lab, food distribution, summer youth worker programs, affordable housing development (Nicetown Court I & II, Wingohocking Street Project), corridor revitalization, the Barrett Playground Rebuild Project, and the Sport Court project. No product or software platform was identified.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZAR Memorial Education Fund: Scholarship fund established in memory of Zafir Abdur Rahman to award high school students accepted to college or university.

Products and services

• Give Back Festival Annual community festival and concerts delivering family activities, vendor opportunities, health services, and violence prevention awareness to residents of Nicetown and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Nice Space Empowerment Program Empowerment program providing job training, coaching, paid employment, and behavioral change support to individuals in Philadelphia's most impacted communities, including those on probation or parole.
• Pushing Progress Philly (P3) Violence prevention initiative reaching at-risk individuals in Philadelphia's highest-violence communities through coaching, paid employment, and behavioral change support.
• Land Care Program Vacant lot maintenance and beautification services contracted by the City of Philadelphia and PA Horticultural Society for nearly 15 years, covering more than 700 vacant parcels across North/Northwest Philadelphia.
• Same Day Work & Pay Program Neighborhood cleanup program offering same-day paid work at $100 per day to community members, deployed across Nicetown and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Neighborhood Energy Center Utility bill assistance and energy counseling services operated under contract with the Energy Coordinating Agency, providing LIHEAP, Crisis, and Weatherization program support to Nicetown residents.
• NTCDC/NAC Support Services Neighborhood Advisory Committee service hub processing 1,100–1,200 service requests per month, providing utility bill assistance, energy counseling, food distribution information, computer access, and job search support to low-moderate income households.
• Food Distribution Program Food distribution program operating in partnership with SHARE Program and the Black Male Community Council of Philadelphia, providing thousands of meals to seniors and families.
• KeySpot Computer Lab Free computer lab access for job searches, homework, and training for community residents, operated as part of the City of Philadelphia's KeySpot network.
• Nicetown Court I Affordable Housing Affordable housing development of 37 units completed in 2012 in partnership with Universal Cos., providing quality affordable housing for Nicetown residents.
• Nicetown Court II Affordable Housing Affordable housing development of 50 units plus 4,700 sq ft of commercial space for families earning 20%, 50%, and 60% of area median income, completed September 2013 at a total project cost of $17.8 million.

Quantifiable outcome

• 37 affordable housing units created (Nicetown Court I)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• The Community Builders (TCB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2013TCB, a Boston nonprofit, partnered with Nicetown CDC and Universal Cos. on Nicetown Court II, a $17.8 million, 50-unit affordable housing development with 4,700 sq ft of commercial space. TCB invested $1.5 million in NSP2 funds and provided senior project management for the project.
• Universal Cos.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Nicetown CDC and The Community Builders on Nicetown Court I & II affordable housing developments. Universal Cos. is a community development partner focused on affordable housing and economic development.
• PA Horticultural Society (PHS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNicetown CDC has been contracted by PHS for nearly 15 years to maintain vacant lots in North/Northwest Philadelphia. This partnership enables the organization to hire and train local individuals for land maintenance crews.
• Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSince 2009, NTCDC has been contracted by ECA to operate a Neighborhood Energy Center providing utility bill assistance through LIHEAP, Crisis, and Weatherization programs.
• YouthbuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Youthbuild to produce affordable housing for homeownership. Youthbuild teaches construction trades to high school students, and NTCDC partners with them to redevelop vacant and blighted properties, including the LEED Platinum-certified Wingohocking Street Project.
• RebuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2019, Nicetown CDC was selected by Rebuild to be Project User (Developer) for Barrett Playground Rebuild Project ($15 million) and Shepard Recreation Center ($18 million). More than a year of community engagement resulted in conceptual plans for Barrett Recreation Center.
• SHARE ProgramsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for food distribution program providing thousands of meals to seniors and families. Food distribution days are held at the NTCDC Community Center on the 2nd Thursday of each month since 2002.
• Black Male Community Council of Philadelphia (BMCCP)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for food distribution in partnership with SHARE Program. BMCCP food distribution occurs every Friday at the entrance of Nicetown Park. Founded by Stanley Crawford of Nicetown CDC Board.
• Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNTCDC Community Center is a worksite for Philadelphia Youth Network summer youth worker program. Youth are hired to work in community-based activities including outreach and working with local businesses.
• SEPTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEPTA's $45 million redevelopment of the Wayne Junction train station has established safer, more accessible travel. This major development near Nicetown Court I & II serves as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization.
• Philadelphia Parks & RecreationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Councilwoman Cindy Bass and NTCDC to conduct Friday Night at The Movies in Nicetown Park - family movie nights featuring vendors and community activities.
• PhillyCamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNTCDC is a member of PhillyCam, which enhances communication and outreach capacity via social media, blogs, television, internet radio and other media.
• Kramer+Marks ArchitectssecondaryTechnology or IntegrationArchitect for Nicetown Court I & II housing developments, providing architectural design services for the mixed-use affordable housing projects.
• City Office of Innovation & Technology (KeySpot)secondaryTechnology or IntegrationPartnered with City of Philadelphia's KeySpot program to expand the capacity of NTCDC's computer lab, joining a city-wide network of KeySpot sites.
• Councilwoman Cindy BasssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with NTCDC and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation for Friday Night at The Movies in Nicetown Park family movie nights.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC): Philadelphia-based nonprofit CDC focused on affordable housing, commercial corridor revitalization, workforce development, and arts/culture in the Kensington neighborhood. Closest direct peer - same operating model, same funding mix (city + foundations + LIHTC), same multi-program integrated approach as Nicetown CDC.
• Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia: Philadelphia affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, develops affordable homeownership housing, operates neighborhood revitalization programs including blight remediation - highly comparable to NTCDC's affordable housing and land care activities.
• Rebuilding Together Philadelphia: Philadelphia nonprofit focused on home repairs, neighborhood revitalization, and community development in low-income neighborhoods. Comparable in scope (housing + community services) and in receiving Rebuild-related city contracts.
• Impact Services Corporation: Philadelphia-based nonprofit combining affordable housing development, commercial real estate, and community services in North Philadelphia. Comparable scale and integrated housing-plus-services model.
• Women's Community Revitalization Project (WCRP): Philadelphia-based nonprofit developer of affordable housing and supportive services primarily serving women and families. Operates the same LIHTC + supportive services model used at Nicetown Court I & II.
• Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM): Philadelphia Latino-rooted CDC delivering affordable housing, economic development, community services, and youth programs in Eastern North Philadelphia. Directly comparable CDC with similar integrated program portfolio and same Philadelphia operating context.
• The Enterprise Center: Philadelphia nonprofit supporting economic development, small business growth, and workforce training in West Philadelphia - direct overlap in economic development, commercial corridor, and workforce program areas.

Others

• United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey: Regional funder/convener supporting CDCs and human-services nonprofits in Philadelphia. Comparable as a funder of community-based social services and as a partner/co-investor in NTCDC-style programs.

Broad incumbents

• Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA): City public housing authority that finances and operates affordable housing in Philadelphia. Directly comparable in affordable housing provision, though as a much larger government entity rather than a nonprofit CDC.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Philadelphia: National community development intermediary that funds and supports Philadelphia CDCs. Highly comparable in mission and in providing capital and technical assistance to community development projects of the type NTCDC executes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nicetowncdc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEYfxfReKmFHheh7RALhPgg
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/nicetowncdc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nicetowncdc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Nicetown CDC