About Us

What is a CDC ?

A CDC is a not-for-profit organization incorporated to provide programs, offer services and engage in other activities that promote and support community development.

City Fields is a community development corporation or CDC for short. This legal designation allows us to be more efficient and effective as an organization.

We still offer assistance to the community through traditional not-for-profit services, but as a CDC we are able to offer extended and specialized services that are not typically accessible.

As a CDC we can develop affordable housing to grow homeownership in our target area. Purchasing homes in order to renovate and sell them to future homeowners can also aid in preventing rapid gentrification.

Additionally, our designation allows us to work with local banks, offering financial services that will benefit the neighborhood.

"We focus on cultivating people and the built environment around them. Our efforts are designed to equip and empower the residents to grow and lead the community to be healthy and thriving again."

DUSTIN TOMMEY
Executive Director - City Fields

Our Mission

We want to be a catalyst for change in Cleveland's most overlooked neighborhoods. We do this by helping cultivate people and the environments around them. Our focus is always on the residents of our community. Their voices guide everything we do.

City Fields couldn't achieve anything without the vision, passion, and dedication of the Blythe Oldfield community residents. This amazing group of people has used their compassion for one another and abilities to pave the way for neighborhood revitalization.

Our History

As early as 2010 leaders of Cleveland began envisioning what a better Cleveland might look like by acknowledging that Habitat for Humanity does more than just build homes... they transform people’s lives, and improve entire neighborhoods. Additionally, United Way does more than just raise money... they help drive and facilitate positive community change. Both organizations are moving toward a “Collective Impact” model characterized by collaboration, a place-based approach, innovative solutions, strategic investments, and data-driven decision making. Out of these visions, Impact Cleveland was launched.

After 4 years of success in the neighborhood, it became apparent that the needs of the community could be served better if Impact Cleveland split off as an independent organization providing services separate from The United Way. Thus, City Fields was born... an independent Community Development Corporation dedicated to cultivating overlooked places.