Your donation attempt encountered a problem. Please refresh the page to try again.
You're faster than our page! Give the page a little longer to finish loading and try your donation again.
1542 COLUMBUS AVE
Roxbury MA 02119-1026
Roxbury MA | IRS ruling year: 1984 | EIN: 22-2483475
URBAN EDGE IS DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES TOGETHER, WE BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND VIBRANT, PROSPEROUS NEIGHBORHOODS.
Great
This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Urban Edge Housing Corp is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Urban Edge Housing Corp has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2020, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
Learn more
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No Credit
Not ApplicableBoard Composition - 24/24 - 25/25 ptsBoard Composition - 24/24 - 25/25 pts
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 ptsIndependent Audit or Financial Review - Audited - 20/20 pts
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
|---|---|
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsConflict of Interest Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Board Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 ptsBoard Meeting Minutes - Documented - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 ptsDocument Retention and Destruction - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 ptsWhistleblower Policy - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website - Listed - 3/3 ptsWebsite - Listed - 3/3 pts
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 47.31% - 15/15 ptsLiabilities to Assets Ratio - 47.31% - 15/15 pts
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
| Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| Less than 50% | Full Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
| 60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense Ratio - 78.13% - 25/25 ptsProgram Expense Ratio - 78.13% - 25/25 pts
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
| Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
|---|---|
| 70% or higher | Full Credit |
| 60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
| 50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
| Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
No Data Available
Key Persons data is currently unavailable for this organization. This data is only available if this charity has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last six years.
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Study and research (non-scientific) (BMF activity code: 124)
Elimination of prejudice and discrimination (race, religion, sex, national origin, etc) (BMF activity code: 431)
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Urban Edge Housing Corp) or EIN (222483475) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Urban Edge Housing Corp reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
Our emergency response has created much more expenses. These costs have come in the form of emergency supports such as rental assistance, cash, food, utility assistance, and school supplies for the low-to-moderate income families (92% of whom are BIPOC). Thankfully, we have been able to keep pace on the revenue side to pay for these added expenses. But more funds are needed to bridge the gaps between what families need and what resources are available to them.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
Three years before the COVID crisis, Urban Edge phased out all desktop computers and replaced them with laptops so that staff could work remotely from anywhere if need be. We also furnished some staff with wireless internet devices. Therefore, our shift to remote work was expeditious. As it did many other inequities, the COVID crisis further exposed the digital divide in the families we serve. Many do not have internet access, and we needed to continue serving some families in person while practicing social distancing. However, this did not come without growing pains as we began to offer programs remotely.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
We shifted our entire staff to remote work and engaged with the community online and over the phone. We moved our homeownership, parenting support, and foreclosure prevention programs online to Zoom. We connected families to basic needs, helped with unemployment filings, made sure families stayed connected to support networks, and assisted families in managing dwindling budgets. Urban Edge then established the Roxbury/JP Family Resiliency Fund, offering $500,000 in cash and tangible items. For the first wave of response, we distributed 1,200 $150 cash cards to families. During the holiday season, we distributed Thanksgiving dinners, delivered toys to children, and supplied elders with personal protective equipment (PPE). We opened two learning hubs with high-speed internet so that children could attend school in an appropriate learning environment. We are now delivering intensive, longer-term, one-on-one financial capability and housing stability counseling.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
Much of our homeownership education and counseling will continue online. Giving working families the option of attending homebuying 101 classes either online or in-person will be part of program delivery permanently.
Not Currently Scored
Urban Edge Housing Corp cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Learn More
Urban Edge Housing Corp reported its three largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
RENTAL PROPERTIES- SUBSIDIZED COOPERATIVE AND RENTAL HOUSING IN THE ROXBURY, DORCHESTER, JAMAICA PLAIN, AND MATTAPAN NEIGHBORHOODS OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENTS- FINANCES THE ACQUISITION AND RENOVATION OF LOW INCOME RENTAL PROPERTIES AND STIMULATES BUSINESS GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - PROVIDES VITAL SOCIAL SERVICES RELATING TO URBAN EDGE'S ROLE IN THE EGLESTON SQUARE AND JACKSON SQUARE COMMUNITIES.
Urban Edge Housing Corp has earned a 99% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 ptsConstituent Feedback - Data Available - 100/100 pts
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
SMS text surveys, Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Paper surveys, Community meetings or town halls, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
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
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
We all know the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone. Our hearts are heavy, and spirits are nearly broken. But the families in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain are getting hit even harder. In the City of Boston, black and brown residents make up the majority of COVID-19 cases when race is known. Half the people we recently polled have seen a reduction in their income or lost their job altogether. While there’s been a groundswell of support, we’re still seeing a gap between what families have and what they need to make ends meet. What we’re doing about it First up is cash into the hands of people who need it. We’ve started distributing $150 cash cards to families in need.
Equity Practices - Data Available - 98/100 ptsEquity Practices - Data Available - 98/100 pts
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 98 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 10 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (3/7) | |
|---|---|
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. | |
Equity Policies and Procedures (7/7) | |
|---|---|
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. | |
Urban Edge Housing Corp has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditNot ApplicableMission - 10/10 ptsMission - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Urban Edge is dedicated to strengthening communities and families. Together, we build affordable housing and vibrant, prosperous neighborhoods. We focus on economic justice through financial counseling, wealth building through homeownership education, anti-displacement through foreclosure prevention, resident services, and community building as we construct more and more affordable housing.
Vision - 10/10 ptsVision - 10/10 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Urban Edge is a national leader in the community development field, known for innovation and excellence. With its heart in Egleston and Jackson Squares, a vibrant, inclusive and culturally and economically diverse area of Boston, Urban Edge works with others across the City of Boston and region to promote high quality, sustainable and affordable communities. Public, private and non-profit entities turn to Urban Edge for its advice and expertise, and as a partner in undertaking complex and transformative urban projects.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals - 20/20 ptsGoals - 20/20 pts
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Maximize Urban Edge’s contribution to housing affordability and stability in Boston
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Deepen Urban Edge’s commitment to community wealth-building, including the renter-to-homeowner pipeline
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: Serve as a trusted voice and partner for community-based leadership and advocacy
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Leadership Development - 15/15 ptsLeadership Development - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
As part of our ongoing leadership development investments, we dedicate 1.5% of our personnel costs to professional development. As a NeighborWorks America chartered member, all staff are trained at the NeighborWorks Training Institute on various subjects such as asset management, real estate development, financial counseling, homeownership education, communications, finance, and leadership development. One additional example is that our community engagement team is certified as community health workers by the Boston Public Health Commission.
Mobilizing for Mission - 15/15 ptsMobilizing for Mission - 15/15 pts
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
• Urban Edge is part of a strategic partnership with two other community development corporations to redevelop the Jackson Square neighborhood of Boston. • Our CEO regularly speaks on panels throughout the year. • Our community engagement team of eight works intensively with families to build leaders and implement resident-driven and resident-informed initiatives. • Urban Edge is part of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC). More than 60 organizations build an adaptive community development sector. • Urban Edge is actively published in traditional media and maintains active social media accounts reaching thousands every day. We publish a quarterly e-newsletter and strengthen close ties with our stakeholders. • We maintain strong relationships with our elected officials and keep in touch with them throughout the year. We report back on community assets and needs and advocate for policies that help the quality of life for the families we serve.
Adaptability Story - 30/30 ptsAdaptability Story - 30/30 pts
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Informed by the external events of the past year, our Strategic Planning Committee has developed a plan that will guide the organization’s focus and investments over the next 3-5 years. Consistent with Urban Edge’s Mission and Vision, the goals of the plan include keeping our neighborhoods affordable and stable, serving as a catalyst for our residents and community members to build wealth and increase social and economic mobility, cultivating and amplifying the voice of community leaders in our neighborhoods, and making our communities safe, vibrant and sustainable. The plan includes four pillars that together comprise Urban Edge’s strategic direction; for each pillar, we articulate a vision and highlight the primary levers we will use to achieve the vision. 1. Maximize Urban Edge’s contribution to housing affordability and stability in Boston 2. Deepen Urban Edge’s commitment to community wealth-building, including the renter-to-homeowner pipeline 3. Empower and elevate vulnerable and underserved populations in Urban Edge’s core neighborhoods to access opportunities 4. Serve as a trusted voice and partner for community-based leadership and advocacy
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
The Giving Basket is having some issues. If you wish to donate, please refresh the page. If the problem persists contact us.
Cart ID: Not Assigned
The Giving Basket is having some issues. If you wish to donate, please refresh the page. If the problem persists contact us.
Cart ID: Not Assigned
