About
Purpose Built Communities is an Atlanta-based national nonprofit that helps local leaders transform neighborhoods of concentrated poverty into communities of opportunity. Describing itself as the national leader in strengthening neighborhoods to open pathways to prosperity and opportunity for all, the organization works with hyperlocal partners across the country to replicate a holistic neighborhood revitalization model first demonstrated in Atlanta's East Lake neighborhood.
Mission
Purpose Built Communities envisions an America where every neighborhood is a pathway to prosperity and opportunity for the people who call it home. It focuses on neighborhoods where policies and practices have created roadblocks to health and economic mobility.
What they do
The Purpose Built model rests on four interconnected pillars, implemented in each neighborhood by a local Community Quarterback Organization that coordinates residents and partners around a cohesive transformation strategy:
- Mixed-income housing that gives legacy residents more choices for where to live while attracting new people to the neighborhood
- Cradle-to-college education pipelines, from infancy through college graduation
- Community wellbeing, including healthy environments, access to nature, cultural programming, and addressing food deserts
- Economic vitality through local commercial activity, retail access, and employment and business ownership opportunities for residents
History
The model originated in Atlanta's East Lake neighborhood, where developer and philanthropist Tom Cousins purchased the historic East Lake Golf Club in 1995 and dedicated its profits to fighting poverty in the surrounding community. In 2009, Cousins, together with Warren Buffett and Julian Robertson, founded Purpose Built Communities to replicate the East Lake model of community redevelopment in other cities across the United States. The organization received its IRS tax exemption ruling in November 2013.
Scale and impact
According to the organization, its network today includes more than 60 Community Quarterback Organizations nationwide, 30 of which hold formal Network Member status, operating across more than 15 states and engaging roughly 600,000 neighbors in transformation efforts. Reported outcomes include 2,700 students attending schools that have come off failing-schools lists and 6,000 families building wealth in mixed-income homes.
Financials
Per IRS filings summarized by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, the Purpose Built Communities Foundation Inc (EIN 45-4056587) reported total revenue of 18,180,965 dollars, total expenses of 20,322,823 dollars, and total assets of 30,159,807 dollars for fiscal year 2025, with nearly all expenses (99.8 percent) going toward charitable disbursements.