GOLD2024

Concrete LYFE

"Don't let the conditions in which you were planted determine how you will grow in LYFE."

Dorchester, MA   |  https://www.concretelyfe.org/

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Mission

Concrete LYFE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to investing in the next generation. Make "LYFE" Happen means investing real capital and creating real opportunities to improve the livelihoods of young people from underserved communities and high-risk environments so they can flourish. To flourish, youth need safety & security, a mindset to navigate a toxic environment, and community support. Every young person deserves equal opportunities to pursue their dreams, regardless of their background or environment. Our mission is to invest in the livelihoods of future generations, empowering them to flourish in LYFE and overcome environmental risk factors, much like the rose that grew from concrete.

Ruling year info

2023

President & Executive Director

Tony Galvao

Main address

61 Clifton St Apt 2

Dorchester, MA 02125 USA

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EIN

92-3314545

NTEE code info

Community, Neighborhood Development, Improvement (S20)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Concrete LYFE aims to address systemic disparities and social injustices within underserved communities in Massachusetts. The organization focuses on several key issues: Economic Empowerment: Addressing the economic disparities, including wealth gaps and limited access to capital, that affect marginalized communities in the state. Mental Health Challenges: Tackling higher rates of depression and anxiety in lower-income neighborhoods in Massachusetts. Cultural Wealth Enhancement: Promoting cultural enrichment and recognizing the value of diverse cultural experiences in underserved communities. Resource and Opportunity Bridging: Ensuring that individuals have access to essential resources and opportunities that can help them overcome barriers and achieve success. Community Support Network: Creating a sense of community and trust while addressing a range of issues that impact the well-being of individuals in underserved areas. In summary, Concrete LYFE's mission is to empower indivi

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

LYFE Academy

LYFE Academy: offers career development through education, personalized career plans, and workshops that build essential skills. We provide alternative education for those facing barriers and exposure to various career paths. Additionally, we invest in resources like licenses and certifications to support career advancement.

Population(s) Served

Heart LYFE: focuses on improving mental health and reducing stigma. We offer mental health support, art therapy, and programs to develop emotional intelligence. Our cultural enrichment initiatives broaden understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, while our physical health programs promote overall well-being.

Population(s) Served

Neighborhood LYFE: strengthens communities by uniting and convening through events and collaborations. We work with organizations to support youth and provide essential support to meet basic community needs.

Population(s) Served

Fiscal Agent & Sponsorship: Supporting organizations aligned with our mission to create positive social impact by supporting projects and programs aligned with our mission.

Supporting for-profit organizations aligned with our mission.

Offering free consultancy for small organizations and businesses focused on social impact.

Project Support: Providing assistance for projects that align with our mission.

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Concrete LYFE aims to address systemic disparities and social injustices within underserved communities in Massachusetts. The organization focuses on several key issues:

Economic Empowerment: Addressing the economic disparities, including wealth gaps and limited access to capital, that affect marginalized communities in the state.

Mental Health Challenges: Tackling higher rates of depression and anxiety in lower-income neighborhoods in Massachusetts.

Cultural Wealth Enhancement: Promoting cultural enrichment and recognizing the value of diverse cultural experiences in underserved communities.

Resource and Opportunity Bridging: Ensuring that individuals have access to essential resources and opportunities that can help them overcome barriers and achieve success.

Community Support Network: Creating a sense of community and trust while addressing a range of issues that impact the well-being of individuals in underserved areas.

In summary, Concrete LYFE's mission is to empower individuals facing these systemic disparities and social injustices by addressing the economic, mental health, cultural, resource, and community support challenges they encounter.

Concrete LYFE aims to accomplish the following key goals:

Empower Underserved Communities: The organization seeks to empower underserved communities in Massachusetts by addressing systemic disparities and social injustices, ultimately helping individuals within these communities flourish in life.

Economic Empowerment: Concrete LYFE aims to enhance economic opportunities by providing individuals with the tools and support needed for self-employment or traditional employment, thereby reducing economic disparities.

Mental Health Support: The organization strives to promote mental well-being and resilience through its art and mental health culture enrichment program, addressing the mental health challenges faced by community members.

Cultural Enrichment: Concrete LYFE seeks to enrich cultural experiences in underserved communities, recognizing the value of diverse cultural backgrounds and promoting cultural wealth.

Community Building: The organization aims to build trust and a sense of community within these underserved areas by convening and addressing various issues that impact residents' livelihoods.

Consulting Services: In addition to its programs, Concrete LYFE aims to assist organizations in making a positive impact on underserved communities by offering consultancy services that create customized strategies and prioritize sustainability for lasting community impact.

Overall, Concrete LYFE's goals revolve around improving the lives of individuals in underserved communities, bridging disparities, and creating a supportive and empowering environment.




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Strategies


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Concrete LYFE employs the following strategies to achieve its goals:

Programs for Empowerment: The organization offers a range of programs focused on economic empowerment, mental health support, cultural enrichment, and community building. These programs are delivered by professionals and trusted partners and are designed to provide individuals with the tools and support they need to thrive.

Tailored and Personalized Approach: Concrete LYFE tailors its programs to individual needs, recognizing that each participant may require a unique pathway to success. This personalized approach ensures that participants receive the specific support they need.

Consulting Services: In addition to its community programs, the organization offers consulting services to entities seeking to make a social impact in underserved communities. These services include creating customized corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies and providing social impact education and empowerment through tailored workshops.

Mission Alignment and Sustainability: Concrete LYFE prioritizes mission-aligned strategies in its consulting services, with a focus on sustainability. This approach ensures that initiatives are measurable and have a lasting impact on the community.

Community Engagement: T

Concrete LYFE possesses a range of capabilities to meet its goals effectively:

Experienced Team: The organization is led by Tony Galvao, who has been dedicated to community service since 2013. With a background in mentoring at-risk youth and working with organizations such as Merlin's Magic Wand and More Than Words, Tony and his team have a wealth of experience in community empowerment.

Trusted Partnerships: Concrete LYFE collaborates with trusted partners, including professionals and organizations, to deliver its programs. These partnerships enhance the organization's ability to provide comprehensive support to underserved communities.

Tailored Programs: The organization's programs are designed to be personalized and flexible, ensuring that participants receive the specific support and tools they need to succeed in areas such as economic empowerment, mental health, and cultural enrichment.

Consulting Expertise: Concrete LYFE offers consulting services that draw on its mission-aligned and sustainability-focused strategies, enabling organizations to make a positive impact in underserved communities. This expertise helps create measurable and lasting change.

Community Engagement: The organization actively engages with the community through events, resources, and advocacy efforts, building trust and a sense of belonging within underserved communities.

Advocacy and Awareness: Concrete LYFE is committed to raising awareness about systemic disparities and social injustices, advocating for change, and promoting solutions to address these issues effectively.

These capabilities, along with a strong commitment to their mission, enable Concrete LYFE to work towards their goals of empowering individuals and communities facing systemic disparities and social injustices in Massachusetts.

Concrete LYFE has made significant progress in its mission to empower individuals and communities facing systemic disparities and social injustices in Massachusetts. Here are some key highlights of the organization's progress:

Program Implementation: Concrete LYFE has successfully implemented a range of programs focusing on economic empowerment, mental health support, cultural enrichment, and community building. These programs have provided valuable support to individuals and communities.

Tailored Support: The organization's personalized approach to program delivery has ensured that participants receive individualized support, addressing their unique needs and circumstances.

Consulting Services: Concrete LYFE has expanded its offerings to include consulting services, helping other entities make a positive impact in underserved communities by creating mission-aligned and sustainable strategies.

Community Engagement: The organization actively engages with the community through events and resources, fostering a sense of belonging and trust within underserved communities.

Advocacy and Awareness: Concrete LYFE has been effective in raising awareness about systemic disparities and social injustices, advocating for change, and promoting solutions to address these issues.

Concrete LYFE's progress demonstrates its commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those it serves and the communities it supports. The organization continues to work towards its goals with determination and dedication.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, 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, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, 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 demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), 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 share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, We don’t have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time, It is hard to come up with good questions to ask people, It is difficult to get honest feedback from the people we serve, It is difficult to identify actionable feedback

Financials

Concrete LYFE

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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Build 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.

Concrete LYFE

Board of directors
as of 09/02/2024
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Tony Galvao

Concrete LYFE, Inc

Term: 2023 - 2027

Alex Buonfiglio

Integrated Sales, Forbes Media Roles

Alicia Smith

Program Director, Career Launch at Perkins School for the Blind

Miriam Alves

International Tax Consultant at Deloitte Tax LLP

Gregory Anthony Blaize

Founder of Boston Drone School

Jariana Olukoga

Youth Mental Health Counselor at Youth Guidance

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • 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

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 11/6/2023

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
Black/African American
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person with a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

Equity strategies

Last updated: 11/06/2023

GuideStar 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

Data
  • We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
  • We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
  • 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 disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
  • 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.
Policies and processes
  • We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
  • 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.