Tacony Community Development Corporation

What Tacony Community Development Corporation does

The Tacony Community Development Corporation (Tacony CDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation founded in 2001 in the Tacony neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It operates as a neighborhood revitalization organization targeting the Torresdale Avenue commercial corridor and serving approximately 30,000 residents and 120 businesses across 12 blocks. The CDC's core service is implementing the Main Street four-point approach: organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality, through coordinated programs including the Torresdale Avenue Corridor Revitalization, Clean and Safe (corridor cleaning with Ready, Willing & Able and a Business Security Camera Program with 103 cameras across 25 businesses), Design Assistance with Storefront Improvement grants, and Economic Improvement services (one-on-one business assistance, property hotlist, small business finance connections).

The organization delivers additional programs through the Tacony Library & Arts Building (LAB) with the Free Library of Philadelphia and Mural Arts Program (two artists in residence), the public arts Storydale Avenue project, community events (Third Thursdays, Halloween Festival, Winterfest, Small Business Saturday), the 311 Outreach program, and Business Owner Workshops. It does not sell technology products; the closest digital surface is the visittacony.com website, an active blog, Facebook and Instagram presence, and a QR-code-enabled self-guided scavenger hunt. Partners include the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department, the Philadelphia Office of Business Services, the 15th Police District, Temple University, Community College of Philadelphia, the Historical Society of Tacony, Riverfront North Partnership, and elected officials including Councilmember Driscoll.

Tacony CDC's revenue model is grant-dependent nonprofit funding: City of Philadelphia Commerce Department grants (Storefront Improvement Program, Business Security Camera Program), municipal program partnership funding, individual donations via PayPal, and in-kind volunteer support. All services are provided free to residents and businesses. The CDC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors (Ashley de Vries, President; Georgeanne Huff Labovitz, Vice President; Danilo A. Burgos, Treasurer; Scott DeGirolamo, Secretary) and staffed by a small team of 1-10 employees led by Executive Director Xhulio Binjaku (welcomed October 2023) and full-time Corridor Manager Amarynth Ruch (hired April 2024). The organization operates from 4823 Longshore Ave, #101, with additional office space within the renovated Tacony Library at 6918 Torresdale Avenue.

Name

Tacony Community Development Corporation

Legal name

Tacony Community Development Corporation

Website

https://www.visittacony.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Tacony Community Development Corporation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that revitalizes the Torresdale Avenue commercial corridor in Northeast Philadelphia, serving roughly 30,000 residents and 120 small businesses through corridor revitalization, business support, historic preservation, and community programming funded by municipal grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Commercial corridor revitalization
• Neighborhood revitalization programs
• Historic preservation initiatives
• Small business support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: The CDC receives grant funding from government sources including the City of Philadelphia's Commerce Department and other municipal programs for corridor revitalization initiatives, facade improvement programs, and environmental projects.
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations for neighborhood revitalization efforts through its PayPal donation system.
3. Partnership Programs: Works with city agencies on programs like the Storefront Improvement Program and Business Security Camera Program that provide resources to local businesses.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Tacony CDC is a nonprofit community development corporation that revitalizes the Torresdale Avenue commercial corridor and surrounding Tacony neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia. It provides business support services, storefront improvement grants, clean-and-safe programs, community events, historic preservation, and arts programming for roughly 120 local businesses and 30,000 residents, using the Main Street four-point approach.

Product overview

Tacony CDC operates as a neighborhood community development organization offering a coordinated suite of programs focused on commercial corridor revitalization along Torresdale Avenue, business development support, community safety and cleanliness, historic preservation, and placemaking through arts and events. The organization implements the Main Street four-point approach to economic development, combining design assistance, business support services, clean and safe initiatives, and promotional events. Key programs include the Torresdale Avenue Revitalization Program, Clean and Safe initiatives with security camera deployment, Design Assistance with Storefront Improvement grants, Economic Improvement services for existing and potential business owners, the Tacony LAB arts program, and community events like Third Thursdays and the Halloween Festival. The organization also administers property resources and provides direct assistance to approximately 120 businesses across 12 blocks of the commercial corridor.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Torresdale Avenue Corridor Revitalization Comprehensive neighborhood revitalization program focused on the Torresdale Avenue commercial corridor, guided by the Main Street four-point approach to commercial reinvestment and economic development. Serves existing and prospective businesses on Torresdale Avenue.
• Clean and Safe Program Neighborhood cleanliness and safety initiative including partnership with Ready, Willing & Able for corridor cleaning, neighborhood volunteer clean-ups, and the Business Security Camera Program (103 cameras installed across 25 businesses).
• Design Assistance Program Design guidelines, technical assistance, and Storefront Improvement Program grants to help property and business owners with facade renovations along the Torresdale Avenue commercial corridor.
• Economic Improvement Services Business development services including one-on-one assistance, property hotlist, leasing assistance, small business finance connections, and the Truly Tacony business marketing series for existing and potential business owners.
• Community Events Program Neighborhood events including Third Thursdays, Back to School Celebration, Halloween Festival, Winterfest, and Small Business Saturday promotions for Tacony residents and visitors.
• Tacony Library & Arts Building (LAB) Joint project with the Free Library of Philadelphia and Mural Arts Program providing studio space for two artists in residence at 6918 Torresdale Avenue.
• Storydale Avenue Project Public arts project transforming Torresdale Avenue into an open-air art gallery with murals created from community paint sessions, featuring QR codes for self-guided scavenger hunts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Homes in Tacony sell after just two weeks on market at or above asking price with median price of $207,500
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 core and minor.

• Ready, Willing & AblecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership to clean the Torresdale corridor twice a week. The 'men in blue' have collected over 3000 bags of trash in the past year and work 3 days a week to maintain cleanliness. This partnership expanded in 2025 through Mayor Parker's Taking Care of Business Program.
• City of Philadelphia Commerce DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for corridor revitalization efforts, Storefront Improvement Program grants, and Business Security Camera Program. The CDC helps guide applicants through processes and connects businesses to city resources.
• Mural Arts Program / Tacony LABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project creating studio space for two artists in residence at the Tacony LAB Community Art Center (6918 Torresdale Avenue). The CDC supported the renovation and works with artists on community engagement through the Storydale Avenue public arts project.
• Free Library of PhiladelphiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDC sponsors literacy programs, special events, live entertainment, and family-friendly programming at the Tacony Branch. The renovated library also houses the CDC office.
• Community College of PhiladelphiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPower Up Your Business Program run by CCP helps entrepreneurs grow and expand. Through this program, Board President Ashley connected with Thunder Mug Café owner Lizette to bring the coffee shop to Tacony.
• Philadelphia Office of Business ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCDC provides one-on-one assistance to business owners connecting them to small business finance opportunities and business support services through this city office.
• Riverfront North PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on walking programs and bike tours of the neighborhood and Delaware River trail. Collaborated on Pokemon Go Walk events and MPACT Mobility conference bike tour.
• Temple UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMasters of City Planning students developed the Tacony Environmental Action Plan as a capstone project, providing recommendations for improving green spaces, pathways, and neighborhood connectivity.
• Historical Society of TaconycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for historic preservation, archival work, and neighborhood tours. Collaborated on the Storydale Avenue project and maintain the Christa Lewis Memorial Garden and Arboretum.
• Councilmember Mike DriscollcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCity council representative who sponsors events, provides funding support, and collaborates on neighborhood initiatives. Sponsored Halloween Movie Night and supports clean-up programs.
• 15th Police District and Tacony Town WatchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive partners in maintaining a safe neighborhood through business security camera registration and neighborhood watch activities.
• Main Street Program / National Trust for Historic PreservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDC's corridor revitalization efforts follow the Main Street program's four-point approach to commercial reinvestment and economic development.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University City District: A Philadelphia-based community development and place-management organization that runs cleaning, public safety, economic development, and community programming along the University City commercial corridor. Directly comparable as a Philadelphia neighborhood CDC using a similar blend of municipal partnerships, business support, and community events.
• Center City District: Philadelphia's central business improvement district providing cleaning, safety, hospitality, and economic development services to downtown stakeholders. A direct functional peer to Tacony CDC's clean-and-safe and corridor revitalization work, just at much larger scale.
• South Street Headhouse District: A Philadelphia Main Street program managing the South Street/Headhouse commercial corridor with business attraction, events, and streetscape improvements. Operates the same Main Street four-point approach that Tacony CDC follows.
• East Falls Development Corporation: A Philadelphia neighborhood CDC focused on commercial revitalization along the East Falls corridor. Directly comparable as a place-based nonprofit doing small business support, facade grants, and community events in a Philadelphia neighborhood context.
• Manayunk Development Corporation: A Main Street America-accredited Philadelphia neighborhood development organization running commercial corridor revitalization on Main Street in Manayunk. Uses the same Main Street four-point approach and comparable business retention and events programming.
• Northern Liberties Neighbors Association: A Philadelphia neighborhood civic and development organization focused on quality-of-life, zoning, and commercial corridor health in Northern Liberties. Operates similar community-led programming to Tacony CDC.
• Old City District: A Philadelphia business improvement district providing cleaning, safety, and economic development services in the historic Old City commercial corridor. Comparable historic-district and small-business-support mandate to Tacony CDC.

Broad incumbents

• Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC): Philadelphia's public-private economic development corporation providing financing, real estate, and business support across the city. A broader incumbent whose small business and community development mandate overlaps with Tacony CDC's corridor work.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): A national community development financial institution that funds and supports local CDCs, including Philadelphia-area ones. Comparable as a community development funder/incumbent that Tacony CDC could partner with or compete for grants against.

Emerging players

• The Village of Arts and Humanities: A Philadelphia North Philadelphia arts and community development organization using public art, gardens, and real estate as revitalization tools. Comparable as a smaller Philadelphia nonprofit blending arts/culture with neighborhood revitalization, similar to Tacony CDC's Storydale Avenue and Tacony LAB programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/taconycdc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Tacony Community Development Corporation