NORTHWEST SIDE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
NWSCDC works to address poverty and unemployment by going upstream to restore the flow of capital and community wealth through reinvestment and job creation. With partners, we are growing quality jobs accessible to neighborhood residents. We support both larger job-creation projects as well as community-based businesses to grow entrepreneurship and African American community wealth. We also work to make the neighborhoods more safe and beautiful in order to improve the climate for investment. The NWSCDC model for high-impact deals uniting multiple partners was profiled in 2011 by ProfitWise, the community development publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The publication states that NWSCDC’s new business model “has a measurable, positive economic impact on the northwest side of Milwaukee. Its experience and current approach may provide a model for other CDCs around the country.”
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Business Lending (CDFI) - Economic Development
We are a non-profit certified Community Development Financial Institution, offering low-interest business loans in Milwaukee, WI. We support business expansion to grow new jobs and revitalize the economy in Milwaukee's northwest side.
Since the year 2000, NWSCDC economic development projects and business loans have helped companies grow over 1,000 new full-time jobs in our target market.
Community Organizing
Our Neighborhood Strategic Planning staff (NSP) partner with neighborhood residents and block groups. We work to link residents with resources, empowering them to make our community a more safe and vibrant place to live.
Green Infrastructure
We work with partners to support green infrastructure projects, which serve to beautify the neighborhood and improve our stormwater management to improve water quality and reduce the risk of flooding. We partner closely with the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, as well as other property owners and residents.
Where we work
External reviews
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Economic Development Goals - We are working to make six major business expansion loans, helping companies grow 500 new jobs.
Community Organizing NSP Program Goals -
To reduce crime in NSP Areas 1, 3 and 4 through door-to-door outreach, building community awareness, developing a strong block club network, supporting landlord training and the establishment of landlord compacts, and improving communication and cooperation with the Milwaukee Police Department and City officials.
To improve the physical appearance of NSP Areas 1, 3 and 4 through nuisance abatement, resource sharing, resident education, and Community Improvement Projects in TIN and TID areas.
To significantly increase the involvement of residents and businesses in NSP Areas 1, 3 and 4 by conducting door-to-door outreach, organizing meetings, and planning special events.
To improve the quality of life for youth in NSP Areas 1, 3 and 4 through nuisance abatement, resource sharing, resident education, and Community Improvement Projects in TIN and TID areas.
To coordinate neighborhood improvement efforts in NSP Areas 1, 3 and 4 planned by various city departments, community organizations, businesses, and other entities in order to maximize impact and avoid duplication of efforts.
Green Infrastructure Goals: We are working to partner with MMSD and neighborhood stakeholders to promote healthy new green spaces through stormwater management investments.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
NWSCDC works to ignite community investment and expand economic opportunity. Our three major program areas take a coordinated approach to addressing community issues and improving the climate for business investment and job creation.
Economic Development - The NWSCDC model for high-impact deals uniting multiple partners was profiled in 2011 by ProfitWise, the community development publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The publication states that NWSCDC’s new business model “has a measurable, positive economic impact on the northwest side of Milwaukee. Its experience and current approach may provide a model for other CDCs around the country.”
NWSCDC offers low-interest business loans with flexible terms, often paired with financing from banks or other lenders. We also work closely with workforce development programs to link companies to a pipeline of candidates to fill new jobs created.
Community Organizing - Neighborhood Strategic Planning (NSP Areas 1, 3 & 4) - Through Neighborhood Strategic Planning, the NWSCDC partners with residents, schools, churches, businesses, elected officials, the Milwaukee Police District, the District Attorney’s Office, Community Prosecution Units, Community Partners, and surrounding NSP Coordinators to enhance the quality of life by improving safety. NWSCDC staff take a proactive approach by establishing and maintaining block clubs, block watches, creating compacts with landlords, organizing area cleanups, and working with the Targeted Investment Neighborhood (TIN) program.
Green Infrastructure - Responding to historic flood events in 2008 and 2010, NWSCDC works with the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District to promote stormwater management projects. Most of these projects are "green infrastructure," solutions which mimic natural stormwater processes of infiltration and evaporation. These projects open up new opportunity to engage neighborhood residents about the design of community green spaces and desired activities.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) has served the economic development needs of Milwaukee’s low-income communities since being founded in 1983. The NWSCDC has assisted with neighborhood strategic planning to improve safety, land use planning and development on the Northwest Side to spur retail growth, and numerous business and workforce development programs.
Throughout our 38-year history, the NWSCDC has innovated and adapted to changes in the community and economic development landscape. The innovation, along with the continuity of management and a strong board of directors, has allowed the NWSCDC to thrive in the face of adversity. In the late 1990s, the NWSCDC board and management developed and began to implement a new business model for community economic development. The new model emphasizes leveraging partnerships and collaborating in business creation and real estate transactions. With this new model, the NWSCDC has pioneered efforts to partner with large businesses such as DRS Power and Controls Technologies and Jonco Industries. As a result of the new collaborative strategy, the NWSCDC has lent over $13 million to several major catalytic projects on the Northwest Side since 2000. These projects, which have created over 1,000 jobs, include the following:
Helping to finance the second phase development at Midtown Center
Assisting with financing of two Lena’s and one Kohl’s grocery store
Creating the Milwaukee Technology Incubator Center within DRS Power Controls and Technologies
Creating a third, smaller retail development plan with Lena’s at Midtown Center
Financing the start-up of Nature Tech, a green technology employer focused on sustainable products
Helping to finance the expansion of Diamond Precision into Milwaukee
Assisting with financing the purchase of Century City Tower, the former Eaton Corporation headquarters
The NWSCDC’s most recent real estate project is Villard Square, an $11 Million, mixed-use development that combines a Milwaukee Public Library branch with 47 units of mixed-income housing for “grand families” – family units where grandparents are serving as the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Villard Square is a multi-faceted success story that encapsulates the mission of the NWSCDC.
NWSCDC has expert staff, many with advanced degrees and decades of community development experience. Our staff has extensive experience in community-building work, finance, real estate, housing, and other related fields.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Economic Development and Business Lending - NWSCDC is a Certified CDFI that provides mid-sized business loans to firms located on the northwest side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The mission of the NWSCDC is to remake the northwest side of Milwaukee – once a booming industrial district surrounded by thriving middle-class neighborhoods – into a preferred destination for businesses and residents.
NWSCDC has received numerous federal grants since 2000, and has used these funds to serve the economic development needs of Milwaukee’s low-income communities. These grants have supported our business lending capabilities to make over $13 million in loans, leveraging more than $35 million of public and private investment and created over 1,000 jobs in our service area since 2000. We are constantly seeking new deals to grow more jobs in our neighborhood. We are working with partners to guide the development of new Federal Opportunity Zones. The 30th Street Corridor area contains 11 census tracts which form a large part of the total Opportunity Zones in Milwaukee.
Community Organizing - NWSCDC organizers partner with hundreds of residents and organize dozens of meetings and community events each year. In recent years NWSCDC Organizers have averaged 18+ community cleanup events, 48 other community events, 300+ new resident contacts, and over 2,800 residents engaged overall per year.
Green Infrastructure - NWSCDC has worked closely with the MMSD to engage with community members for the design and implementation of three major new green stormwater retention sites. Two of three planned basins are currently complete. In 2018 we assisted ArtWorks for Milwaukee to install a set of murals for public art in the MMSD North Basin site. NWSCDC continues to work closely with MMSD on the future West Basin site and other potential green stormwater management locations in our immediate neighborhood. Additionally, we are spearheading the development of the new "Green Tech Station" project at 4101 N 31st Street, Milwaukee. This project will green a blighted contaminated site, installing multiple stormwater technologies to create an outdoor classroom and demonstration area for green technology. We have also engaged local schools to promote green improvements and incorporation green infrastructure and stormwater management in the curriculum. In 2018 we supported Samuel Clemens school to plant trees and install rain gardens, and develop a stormwater curriculum unit.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
NORTHWEST SIDE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Board of directorsas of 11/29/2022
Bernadette Karanja
City of Milwaukee
Term: 2021 - 2023
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 11/29/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.