Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) is a New York City-based public charity and nonprofit community development financing entity. It provides flexible capital to strengthen under-resourced communities in Upper Manhattan and beyond, supporting job creation, business investment, workforce development, and cultural programs.
Key facts about Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation
In short: Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation gave $735K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $67K), mostly in New York. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 13-3808669
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $735,239
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- Average grant
- $66,840
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (2 of 11, 2025)
- Total assets
- $87,217,954
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Program requirements differ. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$87.2M
+5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$735K
-11.3% YoY
Grant Count
11
-38.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$67K
+45.1% YoY
Is Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 11 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $78K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
UMEZ’s mission is to sustain the economic revitalization of communities in Upper Manhattan through job creation, corporate alliances, strategic investments, and small business assistance. Its stated focus areas include loans and other capital for businesses and development projects, workforce development, and grants for arts and culture and organizational development.
Its cultural grantmaking supports organizations and projects that produce or present public-facing arts and cultural activities in Upper Manhattan. Programs include arts engagement grants, capacity and infrastructure grants, technical assistance grants, and a dance seed fund. UMEZ also funds workforce development programs intended to connect Upper Manhattan residents with quality jobs and career pathways; it describes itself as a funder and partner, not a direct workforce service provider.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance says it promotes and supports artists and arts organizations in Northern Manhattan. Maysles Institute describes its work as community, education, and documentary film, including amplifying underrepresented artists and narratives. STRIVE International says it provides career pathways and support for people facing societal barriers to advancement. Community League of the Heights describes work in affordable housing and productive social action in the Harlem–Washington Heights neighborhood.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, UMEZ reported 11 grants totaling $735,239. Awards ranged from $15,000 to $354,000, with a median of $25,000. The largest listed grant was $354,000 to Lower Manhattan Cultural Council for an art engagement program. Other notable grants included $175,000 to Apollo Theatre Foundation for major capital components for the Apollo Soundstage and Victoria Theaters, and $25,000 each to Community Impact, Community League of the Heights, New York Urban League, Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, and STRIVE International. UMEZ also awarded $25,000 to Youth Action Programs and Home for a capacity grant, $21,239 to Maysles Institute for a capacity grant, and workforce technical-assistance support grants of $20,000 to Public Works Partners and $15,000 to Workforce Profession. All 2025 grant dollars went to New York recipients.
Review Cycle
are specified here.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation
UMEZ Arts Engagement Grant (UMAE)
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation
Amount
Up to $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
UMEZ Cultural Aid Fund
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
UMEZ Cultural Industry Investment Fund (CIIF) - Capacity Building Grants
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
UMEZ’s grant programs serve Upper Manhattan, including Central Harlem, West Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood. Its 2025 reported grants all went to recipients in New York State.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $735K (2025) to $2.5M (2022). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $735K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lower Manhattan Cultural Coumcil ($354K). Together the top 10 received $720K.
Grant Size Distribution
107 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 77 grants of 107 (72%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Manhattan Cultural Coumcil New York, NY | Art Engagement Program | $354,000 |
| Apollo Theatre Foundation Inc New York, NY | To support major capital components for apollo soundstage and the victoria theaters. | $175,000 |
| Community Impact New York, NY | Ercb Grant | $25,000 |
| Community League of the Heights Inc New York, NY | Ercb Grant | $25,000 |
| New York Urban League Inc New York, NY | Ercb Grant | $25,000 |
| Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance New York, NY | Ercb Grant | $25,000 |
| Strive International Inc New York, NY | Ercb Grant | $25,000 |
| Youth Action Programs and Home Inc New York, NY | Capacity Grant | $25,000 |
| Maysles Institute Inc New York, NY | Capacity Grant | $21,239 |
| Public Works Partners LLC New York, NY | Technical Assistance Support Workforce | $20,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $87,217,954 | $5,407,935 | $4,985,924 | $735,239 (11) |
| 2024 | $82,891,599 | $4,970,842 | $4,768,358 | $829,342 (18) |
| 2023 | $79,521,172 | $5,950,446 | $5,219,399 | $1,900,705 (32) |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $87,217,954 | $82,891,599 | $79,521,172 |
| Revenue | $5,407,935 | $4,970,842 | $5,950,446 |
| Expenses | $4,985,924 | $4,768,358 | $5,219,399 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,628,266 | $2,622,790 | $1,118,913 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 16, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 6, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joseph J Johnson III as chairperson, Maurine Knighton as vice chair, and Amir Kirkwood as secretary. Directors listed are Brianna McClure, Christopher Brown, Dennis Mitchell, Eleazar Bueno, Harriet Michel, Kevin Chavers, and Michael Smart.
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation is led by Blair M. Duncan, CEO on every filing since 2019; 7 of 22 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Blair M. Duncan
CEO
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$239K (2019) → $571K (2025)
Joseph J. Johnson III
Chairperson
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danessy Pico
Director Hr Operations
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$107K (2025)
Harriet Michel
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Chavers
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Smart
Director
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Mitchell
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eleazar Bueno
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Georgiette Morgan-Thomas
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sabrina Stratton
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Brown
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Xavier Santiago
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Reema Fakih
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brianna McClure
Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yahshaanyah Hill
Senior Vice President & Chief Progam Officer
Senior Vice President & Workforce Opportunity → Senior Vice President & Chief Program Officer, 2024
Senior Vice President & Chief Program Officer → Senior Vice President & Chief Progam Officer, 2025
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$110K (2019) → $180K (2025)
Olatunde Oniyide
CFO
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$109K (2023) → $169K (2025)
Gina L. Bolden-Rivera
Senior Vice President & Chief Lend. Officer
Senior Vice President & Chief Lending Officer → Senior Vice President & Chief Lend. Officer, 2025
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$186K (2024) → $199K (2025)
Dannette Sullivan-Hyatt
Senior Loan Administrator
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$100K (2025)
Nicole E. Reiner
Senior Program Officer
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$125K (2025)
Amir Kirkwood
Secretary
Secretary → Director, 2022
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maurine Knighton
Vice Chair
Vice Chair → Director, 2022
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Eyring
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2020
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (23)
- Former: Lisa Downing (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Danielle Fleming (2024) — Senior Commercial Lending Officer
- Former: Marquis Harrison (2024) — Director
- Former: Gaffar Mohamed (2019–2023) — CFO
- Former: Nikisha Alcindor (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Verdery Roosevelt (2019–2023) — Senior Vice President & Cultural Affairs
- Former: Gina L. Bolden- Rivera (2023) — Senior Vice President & Chief Lending Officer
- Former: William J. King (2023) — Senior Vice President
- Former: Nilsa Orama (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: William Chase (2021–2022) — Senior Underwriter
- Former: Blair Smith (2019–2021) — CIO
- Former: Elizabeth Harris (2019–2021) — General Counsel
- Former: Anthony Q. Fletcher (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Carmen Vasquez (2019–2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Maxine Griffith (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Rekha Nambiar (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Cheryl Anhava (2020) — Program Cultural. Inv. Officer
- Former: Richard Lewis (2020) — Director
- Former: Diane Collier (2019) — Director
- Former: Keith Taylor (2019) — Director
- Former: Kenneth Knuckles (2019) — CEO
- Former: Maurice Coleman (2019) — Vice Chair
- Former: Shahabuddeen Ally (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $571K, to Blair M Duncan (CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 55 West 125Th Street 11Th Floor, New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 410-0030
Website: https://umez.org
Frequently asked questions about Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation
How much does Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation give each year?
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation gave $735K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $829K across 18 grants.
What is Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation's typical grant size?
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $66,840, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation that year got $18K on average.
Where does Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation give grants?
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (11 grants).
Does Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Ercb Grant" (5 grants).
Who are Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation's largest grantees?
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation's largest 2025 grantees include Lower Manhattan Cultural Coumcil ($354,000), Apollo Theatre Foundation Inc ($175,000) and Community Impact ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation?
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation reported $87.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.4M.
What does Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation fund?
UMEZ’s mission is to sustain the economic revitalization of communities in Upper Manhattan through job creation, corporate alliances, strategic investments, and small business assistance. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation?
Program requirements differ. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation's EIN?
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3808669. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation by hand.
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