About
Urban Partnerships Community Development Corporation (UP CDC) is a nonprofit community development leader. UP CDC partners with nonprofit, public and private organizations to join community assets with financial capital to launch catalytic projects that create equitable economic development in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
Its capstone project, and new headquarters, is the East End Maker Hub, located in an economically distressed, low-income community in Houston. East End Maker Hub is redefining entrepreneurship in Houston, by providing equitable access to affordable workspace for local manufacturers, fabricators, crafters, innovators, artisans and artists. After opening in February of 2021, as of September 2021, the project is 80% leased 18 months ahead of schedule, having added 40 companies projecting to hire over 500 individuals. UP CDC’s partner and The Hub’s anchor tenant, TXRX Labs Incubator., provides skills training to hundreds of community residents annually to promote employment and entrepreneurship. In June of 2021, the Maker Hub added a second incubator, the Prison Entrepreneurship Program, PEP, which works with previously incarcerated individuals that will be working with TXRX labs to place those individuals in good paying jobs and helping the launch new businesses.
UP CDC also has several affiliated entities including UP Community Impact Fund, an emerging Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that lends capital to underserved startups and non-profits. UP CDC launched UP Commercial Real Estate in 2020 to serve its real estate needs and to aid in catalytic real estate development projects in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. UP CDC also seeks to provide affordable housing and is participating currently in three tax credit, multi-family projects.
The mission of UP CDC is to catalyze commerce and economic development for the benefit of the low and moderate income community residents through job growth initiatives; cultural and arts promotion; industrial, commercial and residential real estate development and management; and other economic support and social services for the community.
Founding Principal
The UP CDC was founded to build community wealth through providing a path for residents to move into higher paying jobs through raising and investing capital and resource to bring jobs and workforce development to low and moderate income communities.
Unlocking Community Wealth through Non-Profit Real Estate Development
How it works and why it works.
The Real Estate Development Process
We start with a discussion of market research, which results in identification of projects that will bring in employers and startups looking to hire. Then we create a pathway for recruiting and skills training for those jobs by finding workforce training, education, and soft skill partners.
We can also assist with developing the overall project concept, putting land under contract, conducting market studies and feasibility work, and grant writing staffing.
Outcomes
Creating thousands of jobs and unlocking wealth and fulfilling human potential of residents.
Affiliates
UP Community Impact Fund
Non Profit Community Bank
UP Commercial Real Estate Company
Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Services
Contact Us
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business or you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, we are here to talk.