Urban Neighborhood Initiatives (UNI) is a nonprofit organization based in southwest Detroit, Michigan. It uses its funding to sponsor development, including park development, of vacant lots, and has several youth programs. ¹

Background

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives was founded in 1997, originally named Neighborhood Centers Incorporated, in Detroit, Michigan. It is a nonprofit organization that engages in community development programs. ²

UNI serves specific neighborhoods in Southwest Detroit, and engages in cleanup projects, developing vacant lots, park development, and has created youth programs. ³

Programs

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives is a partner of the City of Detroit LeadSafe Housing Program to have lead removed from dwellings in select zip codes. ¹

UNI has several youth programs, including an apprenticeship program that partners with local businesses for professional development, a “Leaders In Training” program that offers job training in Southwest Detroit, and a conservation project. It also has youth leadership programs, including an advisory board where youths are involved in community meetings about local projects, a Quality Team that documents the activities of UNI’s programs, and an Engaging Leaders in Tomorrow’s Education program that works on UNI’s education campaigns. ¹

UNI also offers free short-term mental health counseling for people ages 14 through 24 who live in specific zip codes in Detroit. ¹

Funding

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives receives funding from numerous local nonprofit organizations, universities, the City of Detroit, and national banks. ⁴

Local universities that donate to UNI include Madonna University, University of Michigan, and Wayne State University. ⁴

Local nonprofit donors include 482 Forward, Detroit Parent Network, DTE Foundation, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Skillman Foundation, Southwest Solutions, Spectacle Society, Springwells Community Members, and the Gilbert Family Foundation. ^{5 4}

UNI’s bank donors include JPMorgan Chase Foundation and PNC Bank. ⁴

People

Helena Lazo is the president of Urban Neighborhood Initiatives. ⁶  She is also a board member of 482 Forward and project coordinator for Southwest Counseling Solutions. ^{7 8}

Finances

According to Urban Neighborhood Initiatives tax returns, it received $2.3 million in revenue in 2021. It also reported $2.1 million in total expenses, $1.1 million of which was spent on salaries and employee compensation. UNI reported $2.7 million in total assets in 2021. ⁹

1. “Our Programs.” Urban Neighborhood Initiatives. Accessed August 7, 2023. https://www.unidetroit.org/our-programs.html.
2. “About Us.” Urban Neighborhood Initiatives. Accessed August 7, 2023. https://www.unidetroit.org/about-us.html.
3. Urban Neighborhood Initiatives (UNI) – DFC: A Field Guide working with lots. Accessed August 7, 2023. https://detroitfuturecity.com/whatwedo/land-use/DFC-lots/local-examples/urban-neighborhood-initiatives.
4. “Funders.” Urban Neighborhood Initiatives. Accessed August 7, 2023. https://www.unidetroit.org/funders.html.
5. Johnson, Myesha. “Gilbert Family Foundation Donates Half a Million Dollars to Detroit Nonprofits.” The Detroit News, October 18, 2022. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/10/18/gilbert-family-foundation-donates-500000-to-detroit-nonprofits/69571534007/.
6. “Meet Our Board.” Urban Neighborhood Initiatives. Accessed August 7, 2023. https://www.unidetroit.org/meet-our-board.html.
7. “Home.” 482 Forward. Accessed August 7, 2023. https://482forward.org/our-team/.
8. “Helena Lazo.” LinkedIn. Accessed August 8, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/helena-lazo-21391152.
9. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Urban Neighborhood Initiatives Inc. 2021. Part I, lines 12-20.