St. Francis Neighborhood Center

What St. Francis Neighborhood Center does

St. Francis Neighborhood Center (SFNC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1963 and headquartered at 2405 Linden Avenue in the Reservoir Hill neighborhood of West Baltimore (ZIP 21217). Its mission is to dismantle inequity by cultivating community connections through tailored education and social interventions. SFNC delivers a portfolio of free programs targeting four primary beneficiary segments: youth in grades K-12 (Power Project Afterschool, Summer of Service, Igniter Internship), young adults seeking workforce pathways, seniors (Senior Socials), and food-insecure households (weekly food distributions). The organization also operates community resources including an open computer lab, free notary services, exercise classes, meditation sessions, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and a forthcoming Adult GED High School Diploma Program sponsored by Academy of Hope.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure with no commercial sales motion. Programs are provided at no cost to residents and funded through five streams: individual donations (one-time, monthly recurring via the Campaign to Sustain, car donations), corporate sponsorships, government and foundation grants (notably the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program through Maryland Public Schools), earned income from facility and vehicle rentals, and in-kind contributions through Amazon Wishlist and Amazon Smiles. Go-to-market is community-led: resident engagement is driven by grassroots outreach, social media (Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram), monthly newsletters, annual events (ResFest drawing hundreds of residents, Stoop Nights), and word-of-mouth referrals. The marketing channel mix is entirely organic and PR-driven, with earned media coverage from WJZ, VoyageBaltimore, and WBFF/Fox Baltimore.

SFNC holds no proprietary technology platforms and operates no commercial software product; its technology footprint is limited to standard nonprofit operational tools (DonorDock for newsletters, GoFundMe for the Campaign to Sustain). Over the past decade, the organization has executed a historic $10.6 million capital campaign and campus expansion under Executive Director Torbin Green, transforming its historic brownstone into an expanded anchor facility. Impact metrics include over 100 youth enrolled (a 30% year-over-year increase as neighboring programs closed due to federal funding cuts), 99,571 pounds of fresh groceries distributed in 2024, and 200+ backpacks distributed annually through a back-to-school giveaway. SFNC maintains core partnerships with Whole Foods Market (Grocery Rescue Program), So What Else, United Way of Central Maryland, Maryland Public Schools (21st CCLC), Academy of Hope, Lowes of White Marsh, and Amazon, alongside a network of regional food rescue organizations.

Name

St. Francis Neighborhood Center

Legal name

St. Francis Neighborhood Center

Website

https://stfranciscenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

St. Francis Neighborhood Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1963 in West Baltimore's Reservoir Hill, delivering free afterschool, food distribution, senior, and workforce programs to 21217 residents funded by donations, grants, and facility rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (624210), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Community nonprofit programs
• Youth afterschool services
• Food distribution assistance
• Senior social engagement
• Workforce development internships

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization relies heavily on individual donations from supporters. Various giving options include one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations (Campaign to Sustain), car donations, and sponsored family holiday programs. Donations are tax-deductible as SFNC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support events and programs. Sponsorships are sought for fundraisers and community events, with corporate partners providing financial support in exchange for recognition.
3. Government and Foundation Grants: SFNC receives public and private grant funding including support from programs like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative. Government shutdowns and federal funding cuts have been noted as challenges.
4. Event Rentals: SFNC rents out its expanded and renovated facilities as an added resource to the community. Rental income comes from community room reservations and vehicle rentals. A 10% deposit is required with final payment due one week before the reservation.
5. Amazon Wishlist and Shop Support: SFNC receives in-kind donations through Amazon Wishlist contributions and Amazon Smiles program, where a percentage of eligible purchases is donated to the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

St. Francis Neighborhood Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community center in Reservoir Hill, West Baltimore, providing free educational enrichment, youth development, food distribution, senior engagement, and workforce readiness programs to residents. Core offerings include the Power Project Afterschool Program, Summer of Service, Igniter Internship, Senior Socials, and weekly food distributions powered by partner food rescue organizations.

Product overview

St. Francis Neighborhood Center offers a portfolio of community programs and services centered on educational enrichment, youth development, and community support for West Baltimore. The core youth programming consists of the Power Project Afterschool Program, Summer of Service Excursion Program, and Igniter Internship Program, which collectively serve students from preK through young adulthood. Community resources include weekly food distributions, computer lab access, exercise classes, notary services, and a forthcoming GED program. Revenue-generating services include event rentals and vehicle donations, while community-building events such as ResFest and Stoop Nights foster neighborhood connection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Power Project: After-school program for students in grades preK-early college
• Summer of Service Excursion Program
• Igniter Internship Program
• ResFest
• Amanda Taylor Emergency Fund
• Campaign to Sustain
• SFNC Scholarship

Products and services

• Power Project Afterschool Program An afterschool enrichment program serving students from preK through early college, providing tutoring, mentoring, homework help, art projects, and other activities at no cost.
• Summer of Service Excursion Program A summer youth program featuring excursions and service learning activities for students during the summer months.
• Igniter Internship Program A youth internship program that prepares students for workforce readiness, with scholarship support available for graduates continuing to higher education.
• Senior Socials Community programming for seniors, providing social engagement and connection opportunities for elderly West Baltimore residents.
• Weekly Food Distributions Weekly food distribution program held on Mondays and Wednesdays, made possible by Whole Foods Market's Grocery Rescue Program, providing free groceries to food-insecure community residents.
• Event Rentals Rental reservations of facilities and vehicles for community events, with a rental portfolio and payment portal available.
• ResFest (Reservoir Hill Resource Fair and Music Festival) Annual community celebration featuring live music, local vendors, youth activities, and over 50 resource providers offering free essentials and support, held in early to mid August.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% increase in youth enrollment demonstrating community trust and demand for services
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Lowes of White MarshminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Lowes of White Marsh made a generous donation enabling SFNC students to participate in a special field trip and gardening season activities, including building flower beds and planting vegetables.
• Whole Foods MarketcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhole Foods Market supports SFNC's food justice initiatives through their Grocery Rescue Program, which provides fresh groceries for weekly food distributions at the center. This partnership enables SFNC to distribute 99,571 pounds of food in 2024 to food-insecure West Baltimore residents.
• So What ElsecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSo What Else supports SFNC's food distribution programs, providing additional capacity and resources for weekly food distributions. Special support for food access programs.
• United Way of Central MarylandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way of Central Maryland is a listed partner/supporter of SFNC, providing organizational support and alignment with community service goals.
• Maryland Public Schools (21st Century Community Learning Centers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFNC participates in the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, receiving support through Maryland Public Schools for after-school and community learning programs.
• Academy of HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademy of Hope sponsors SFNC's upcoming Adult GED High School Diploma Program for community members ages 18+ seeking to earn their high school diploma.
• Amazon (Amazon Smiles and Wishlist)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon supports SFNC through Amazon Smiles (percentage of eligible purchases donated) and Wishlist program (classroom supplies, enrichment toys, prizes for students).
• Various Food Rescue OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFNC works with multiple food rescue partners including Be More Green Food Rescue (Food Rescue Baltimore), Umar Boxing, and YO! Baltimore West to coordinate free produce and food distribution throughout the 21217 community.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake: Neighbor-focused nonprofit serving West Baltimore with home repair and revitalization, often co-located with community centers. Thematically adjacent as a community-anchor institution in the same geographic catchment.

Direct peers

• Druid Hill Community Development Corporation: Neighborhood-rooted nonprofit serving an adjacent West Baltimore community with youth, housing, and community programming. Most comparable peer in geography and grassroots community-led model.
• KIPP Baltimore: Charter school network serving West Baltimore with extended-day academic programming, tutoring, and enrichment. Comparable in serving the same K-12 demographic with wraparound educational services.
• Center for Urban Families: Baltimore-based workforce development and family services nonprofit serving low-income residents with career pathways, fatherhood programs, and youth services. Comparable mission and beneficiary demographics.
• So What Else: Bethesda-based nonprofit focused on food access, youth enrichment, and basic needs in Maryland. Directly partners with SFNC on food distribution and shares a near-identical program portfolio (food + youth).
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore: Largest youth development nonprofit competitor in Baltimore, offering afterschool, teen, and summer programs to similar low-income youth populations. Directly comparable mission, funding model, and beneficiary overlap.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of Central Maryland: Umbrella funder and convening body for Baltimore-area human services nonprofits, including SFNC itself. Comparable as a community resource mobilization entity operating at a different tier of the same ecosystem.
• YMCA of Central Maryland: Regional Y system operating multiple branches including in Baltimore, delivering youth programs, senior activities, food access, and facility rentals. Overlaps with SFNC across nearly every program line but at significantly larger scale.
• Maryland Food Bank: Statewide hunger-relief organization that operates food distribution infrastructure across Baltimore including the 21217 zip code. Comparable in food justice work; larger scale and supply-chain reach.
• Catholic Charities of Baltimore: Large multi-service social services agency operating across Baltimore with food, youth, senior, and family programs. Broad overlap in service lines; considerably larger scale and faith-based funding access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stfrancisbmore
• Facebookfacebook.com/stfrancisbmore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stfrancisbmore
• Instagraminstagram.com/stfrancisbmore

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Francis Neighborhood Center