FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2024
THE CENTER FOR NONPROFIT ADVANCEMENT CELEBRATES THE PARKS MAIN STREET’S CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
[Washington, D.C.] – The Center for Nonprofit Advancement proudly celebrates The Parks Main Street (TPMS), a member of DC Main Streets, a program funded by the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) aimed at revitalizing neighborhood business corridors. Together, the Center and TPMS have fostered economic growth and strengthened community ties in the Manor Park and Riggs Park neighborhoods.
Partnership Overview
The Center for Nonprofit Advancement was awarded a grant from DSLBD to establish TPMS in 2018. With fiscal and organizational development, leadership, and technical assistance, TPMS quickly flourished and began transforming local businesses throughout the corridor. Key efforts include:
- Revitalizing communities by retaining and recruiting small businesses.
- Attracting consumers through promotional activities showcasing businesses.
- Improving commercial properties with façade improvement grants.
- Advocating for community-driven revitalization initiatives.
Key Accomplishments
The partnership between the Center and TPMS has achieved several notable milestones:
- Empowered local entrepreneurs by providing and mobilizing over $400K in grants while offering tailored technical assistance to small businesses, fueling their growth and success.
- Secured over $260K in funding from a diverse array of supporters, including individuals, foundations, corporations and small businesses, to drive impactful community initiatives.
- Created or built upon signature events like Art All Night hosted by The Parks Main Street, That Sunday Sound Music Series, Holiday Lights, Riggs Park Art Crawl and Jazz on Main. Events designed to attract residents and visitors to the commercial corridors in Riggs Park and Manor Park to support local small businesses.
Quotes
Glen O’Gilvie, CAE, CEO of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement:
“We are honored to have been the first organization to establish, build the capacity of, and operate The Parks Main Street. This journey has been deeply rewarding, and we are immensely grateful for the community’s trust and collaboration. Together, we’ve achieved significant milestones, from securing grants for small businesses to providing technical assistance that has empowered this organization to grow and scale. We are delighted that a community organization will soon be named to continue to grow and scale the impact on TPMS
Edwin Washington, Executive Director of The Parks Main Street:
“Through our six-year partnership with The Center for Nonprofit Advancement, we are transforming Riggs Park into a vibrant art destination while celebrating legacy businesses like the late Vanilla Powell Beane known as “The DC Hat Lady”, The V.I.P. Room and Manor Park Barbershop in Manor Park each operating for 40+ years. Together, we’ve built communities that honor their past and embrace an artistic future.”
About The Parks Main Street
The Parks Main Street (TPMS), part of DC Main Streets under DSLBD, serves small businesses in Manor Park (Ward 4) and Riggs Park (Ward 5), providing technical assistance, grants, and promotional support to drive local economic growth.
Learn more at TPMS website.
About the Center for Nonprofit Advancement
Founded in 1979 as the nation’s first association for nonprofits, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement serves to strengthen and support nonprofit organizations across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The Center’s impact reaches beyond these borders, welcoming any 501(c)(3) nonprofit that seeks to enhance its operations and sustainability.
Learn more at the Center’s website.