Business Plan and Real-Estate Analysis
Neighborhood Allies
Economic Strategy
Neighborhood Allies is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)(3) organization with a North Star Goal: “to provide resources to accelerate, scale, and sustain the work of our community partners, creating healthy neighborhoods of opportunity and moving 100,000 low-income Pittsburghers up the socioeconomic ladder by 2031.” The organization supports individuals and groups by offering pathways to prosperity through capital programs and strategic resources. It connects community builders to forge stronger networks and collaborations, driving transformative change and impacting the community by co-creating solutions to long-term social challenges.
Given significant changes in Pittsburgh’s community development ecosystem, the city’s primary community development intermediary decided to undergo a complete reinvention to better serve residents and community organizations. The board (comprised primarily of funders and foundation representatives) partnered with Fourth Economy to help it better understand how it could serve the needs of community development stakeholders, and develop a business plan for a re-created organization around those needs.
Our Approach
Fourth Economy, in partnership with Jackson Clark Partners, used national best practice research, extensive engagement with local stakeholders, analysis and mapping of local demographic data, and our understanding of local, state, and national funding opportunities to create a comprehensive business plan and financial model to re-launch the organization.
The Results
As a result of the business plan, the board hired a new Executive Director, re-established their relationship with regional and national lenders, and launched nearly all of the programs and services recommended in the plan. In 2024, Fourth Economy was engaged to conduct a 10-Year Impact assessment for the organization as well as an assessment of the organization’s community-based real estate development program. By building a strong partnership over the course of multiple projects, we have continued to co-create solutions and drive neighborhood improvements throughout the Pittsburgh region.
Location
Pittsburgh, PA