The Center For Great Neighborhoods

What The Center For Great Neighborhoods does

The Center for Great Neighborhoods (formerly operating as the Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington) is a 501(c)(3) community-development nonprofit founded in 1976 and headquartered in Covington, Kentucky. The organization pursues an integrated neighborhood-revitalization model spanning six core program areas: real-estate development, creative placemaking, youth programs, free VITA tax preparation, neighborhood-association support, and the Covington Farmers Market. It serves residents across Covington's neighborhoods, with a particular emphasis on low- and moderate-income households, and acts as the convener and back-office sponsor for 30+ neighborhood associations in 19 neighborhoods.

Operationally, the center runs the 14,000 sq ft Hellmann Creative Center — an adaptively reused historic lumber mill that consolidates offices, event space, and creative-placemaking activity — and depends on a small team of 5 full-time staff. Service delivery is primarily in-person and place-based; youth and tax-prep services are free at point of use, and programming is anchored in long-running relationships with municipal, foundation, and neighborhood partners including the Kresge Foundation and the City of Covington Parks Department.

The business model is grant- and donation-driven, supplemented by rental income from the Hellmann Creative Center and fiscal-sponsorship fees collected from affiliated neighborhood associations and small projects. There are no consumer pricing tiers; instead, the center's revenue mix is institutional (foundations, government, individual donors) and event/facility-based, with growth tied to grant capture and partner expansion rather than unit sales.

Name

The Center For Great Neighborhoods

Legal name

Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington

Website

https://greatneighborhoods.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Center for Great Neighborhoods is a 501(c)(3) community-development nonprofit founded in 1976 in Covington, Kentucky, running integrated neighborhood-revitalization programs in real estate, creative placemaking, youth services, free tax preparation, and farmers-market operations across 19 Covington neighborhoods.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE)

Keywords

• Community development
• Nonprofit services
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Affordable housing
• Youth programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Covington

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, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The organization relies on contributions from donors to continue its mission. They accept online donations, mail donations, Kroger Community Rewards (#83119), and Amazon Smile donations. Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
2. Grant Programs: The Center distributes grants to the community including Creative Community Grants ($3,500-$5,000), Nano Grants ($250), and previously Place Matters Mini Grants. Funded by foundations including Kresge Foundation.
3. Rental Income: Rental of artist studios and office space at Hellmann Creative Center, plus rental of community event space for birthday parties, baby showers, corporate meetings, and retreats.
4. Fiscal Sponsorship: The Center serves as a fiscal agent for resident-led organizations, providing administrative support and connecting organizations with resources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Center for Great Neighborhoods operates an integrated portfolio of community programs in Covington, Kentucky, spanning historic building rehabilitation and affordable housing, creative placemaking grants, free tax preparation, youth and family programming, neighborhood association support, and community health initiatives. It also runs the Covington Farmers Market and operates the Hellmann Creative Center as a community hub with artist studios, classrooms, and event space.

Product overview

The Center for Great Neighborhoods is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development organization serving Covington, Kentucky since 1976. The organization operates an integrated portfolio of community programs centered around five intersecting areas: Real Estate Development (historic rehab and affordable housing), Creative Placemaking (grants, studios, and public art), Youth and Family Programs (Covington Sparks and summer activities), Financial Wellbeing (VITA free tax prep), and Neighborhood Support (resident associations and community building). Core facilities include the Hellmann Creative Center (14,000 sq. ft. redeveloped lumber mill housing studios and event space) and the Covington Farmers Market. The organization does not offer technology products, APIs, or SaaS platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Covington Farmers Market: A program of Center for Great Neighborhoods operating an outdoor farmers market from May-October along Washington Street in Covington, Kentucky, as a Kentucky Proud member.
• Covington Sparks
• Hellmann Creative Center
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Products and services

• Real Estate Development Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Funded over 150 community projects with $336,000+ through Place Matters mini grants (2007-2015)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kentucky ProudminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Certification program ensuring all farmers and products at Covington Farmers Market are raised, grown, and produced within 50 miles in Kentucky.
• Mother of God ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Outdoor Covington Farmers Market location along Washington Street next to Mother of God Church (May-October).
• Covington Independent Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with Sixth District Elementary allows Covington Sparks program to utilize school space and sports equipment for youth programming.
• City of Covington Parks and Recreation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Sparks in the Park program held at Randolph Park (David Housely Pavilion). Free, family-focused community events featuring themed activities, art, recreation, music, and food.
• ArtMarKitminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner for Sparks in the Park program providing creative programming and activities for families at Randolph Park summer events.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Sponsored partner supporting VITA free tax preparation program and general operations. Logo displayed on website as sponsor.
• The River City NewsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Produces monthly podcast series '#TheCenterStory' highlighting The Center's work in Covington.
• Art EqualsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2016Art organization located at Hellmann Creative Center with studio space in the facility.
• Empower ToolsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2016Community tool sharing operation located at Hellmann Creative Center, providing residents access to tools for home improvement projects.
• Covington Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Partnership to improve community safety in support of neighborhood revitalization and economic vitality. Won 2014 LISC/MetLife Community Police Partnership Award and 2015 Herman Goldstein Award Honorable Mention.
• Covington Neighborhood CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Citywide coalition of neighborhood associations that The Center supports on citywide initiatives including Neighborhood Tours, annual Neighborhood Summit, and leadership training.
• Health Department (Northern Kentucky)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Partner in Tobacco Free Northern Kentucky initiative to end second-hand smoke in workplaces and support smoking cessation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission: A regional Community Action Agency serving low-income residents across Northern Kentucky with anti-poverty, housing, and self-sufficiency programs. Comparable in mission, regional geography, and community development focus.
• United Way of Greater Cincinnati: A regional funder and convening organization for the Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky social services ecosystem. United Way currently sponsors The Center's VITA program, making it both a comparable regional peer and an active partner.
• Greater Cincinnati Foundation: A regional community foundation serving the Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky area. Comparable as a regional funder and convener for community development, placemaking, and resident-led initiatives similar to those led by The Center.
• The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation: A Cincinnati-area private foundation that is a significant regional funder of community development, housing, and placemaking projects in Covington and Northern Kentucky. Comparable as a regional capital partner with overlapping mission focus.

Emerging players

• Center for Community Progress: A national nonprofit focused on vacant property revitalization and community development, particularly in legacy cities. Comparable in mission overlap around community-led revitalization and reuse of historic/underutilized buildings.

Direct peers

• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati: A regional Habitat affiliate focused on affordable homeownership, home rehabilitation, and neighborhood revitalization in the Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky market. Directly comparable in historic rehab work, geographic market, and nonprofit housing model.
• LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation): A national community development financial institution that funds local CDCs for affordable housing, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization. LISC has been a funder and award-partner of The Center, making it the most directly comparable peer in mission and capital deployment model.
• Enterprise Community Partners: A national nonprofit that invests in affordable housing and community development through local partners. Comparable to The Center in its focus on historic preservation, housing development, and resident-led neighborhood revitalization, though operating at national scale.

Broad incumbents

• NeighborWorks America: A national network of more than 250 community development nonprofits focused on affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. Comparable as a broader-incumbent umbrella under which organizations like The Center could fit, providing capital, training, and policy support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CGNcovington
• Facebookfacebook.com/greatneighborhoods
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecentercovington
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-center-for-great-neighborhoods

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 The Center For Great Neighborhoods