Activism, Community, Economic development, Entrepreneurship, Lending, Small business |

A Spring Bank Nonprofit Feature

For five decades, the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) has spearheaded grassroots leadership and transformation in the Bronx. Under the stewardship of Executive Director Sandra Lobo, the organization has been on the frontlines—confronting disinvestment, home abandonment, and, more recently, predatory development. Their work has transformed the lives of countless Bronx residents, and they continue to be a powerful force for economic and social justice. As NWBCC prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, they are not only reflecting on their long-standing impact but are charting a path forward to build a more inclusive and equitable Bronx.

“We’re really proud of the organizing work we’ve been doing for the last five decades. We see it as a legacy of resistance, particularly against disinvestment and abandonment in the 1970s and predatory equity and investment in more recent years,” says Lobo.

The NWBCCC’s membership model is a hybrid system. Through grassroots outreach, individual members go door-to-door, host town halls, and conduct surveys and small focus groups to understand the needs of the community. This personal, on-the-ground approach, ensures that the voices of local residents are heard and incorporated into the Coalition’s advocacy efforts. In addition, there are institutional members such as Christ Church Riverdale, Fordham University, and Local 79 who collaborate to align with the organization’s long-term vision. This model makes it easy for residents and organizations alike to get involved in shaping the future of their neighborhoods, ensuring that the Coalition’s efforts remain community-centered and inclusive.

“We believe that people impacted by community challenges should be at the center of decision-making. They know the issues the best from their own experience, so they need to be included as a partner in developing those solutions,” Lobo explains.

In recent years, the Coalition has adopted a proactive approach, shifting from “fighting back” against harmful development to “fighting forward” by working to scale shared ownership and collective governance over community assets. One of their most innovative steps was the creation of a community land trust in 2020, allowing tenants to own their buildings and ensure long-term affordability. This forward-thinking strategy empowers residents to step into leadership roles, developing policies, programs, and solutions that put community well-being at the forefront. However, this approach moves beyond simple advocacy.

“It goes beyond identifying the problem and demanding changes. We ask, ‘What would it look like if we collectively owned and governed this building? What decisions would we make differently from our negligent and absent landlord? How do we operate to sustain ownership and a safe and healthy building for all of us?’” Lobo says.

At a time when gentrification is pricing out long-time Bronx residents, NWBCCC’s work is more critical than ever. Studios are being built for over $3,000 per month—with “affordable” housing subsidies. In response, NWBCCC has been collaborating with partners like us, who see the power in helping nonprofits access loans and lines of credit to further their mission and strengthen the community.

We are proud to be one of the top banks in the Bronx, having provided critical support to NWBCCC and local businesses, particularly during challenging times like the pandemic. Our commitment to our nonprofit and business clients in the Bronx sets us apart from other banks in New York with our mission to serve communities that traditional financial institutions often overlook.

“A lot of businesses we organized sought out support for PPP loans from different banks, but most of them did not even get a callback. The one that did support them and worked with them to figure it out was Spring Bank,” says Lobo.

In the spirit of continuing its transformative work, NWBCCC is officially expanding its reach through a merger with the Bronx Cooperatives Development Initiatives (BCDI). This collaboration is a strategic step toward establishing a Bronx-wide impact as the two organizations unite to think critically about transforming the local economy. By merging, NWBCCC and BCDI are combining their planning and development capacity to secure more investment opportunities for the borough while focusing on empowering residents to take ownership of community assets. As one of the founding organizations of the BCDI, NWBCCC sees this merger as an opportunity to scale its work beyond traditional boundaries and strengthen the Bronx’s position as a thriving region of 1.5 million people.

Sandra Lobo reflects on the journey, stating, “As we think about where we are headed, we have made it very clear that we need to build the political and economic infrastructure necessary to transform the local economy and combat displacement and gentrification.”

As they continue to strengthen their leadership, grow their partnerships, and advocate for policies like the Community Land Act and the Tenant Opportunity Purchase Act, NWBCCC invites the community to join them in celebrating 50 years of building a better Bronx. Join us as we celebrate NWBCCC’s impact at their 50th Anniversary Gala this year. The gala will celebrate the organization’s rich history and powerfully remind attendees of the work that lies ahead.

Our partnership with NWBCCC exemplifies how local organizing and community banking can go hand-in-hand to create lasting change. As a community bank in New York, we offer various services tailored to nonprofits and small businesses, including business bank accounts and commercial real estate financing. Learn more about how we can support your mission, too.