Solution

East Freedman & Main provides an alternative to the traditional development model by centering community ownership and wealth-building in every project. By integrating economic sovereignty into real estate development, EFM ensures that residents, businesses, and organizations maintain control over their neighborhoods. Through a combination of catalytic capital, technical assistance, and strategic planning, EFM equips communities with the tools needed to compete at scale, drive sustainable growth, and build long-term prosperity without displacement.
 

Product / service

East Freedman & Main provides a full spectrum of real estate development, economic empowerment, and strategic advisory services designed to create lasting impact in historically disinvested communities. The firm works alongside local stakeholders to develop community ownership strategies that ensure long-term control of neighborhood assets, preventing displacement and fostering sustainable economic growth. Through its expertise in real estate development and advisory, EFM guides projects from concept to completion, offering owner representation, development management, and co-development partnerships that align with community values.

Beyond real estate, EFM actively cultivates thriving local economies by supporting small businesses, minority and women-owned enterprises (M/WBEs), and entrepreneurs through technical assistance, financial readiness programs, and access to capital. The firm also specializes in structuring mission-aligned investment funds, such as the AGENDA Fund, which enable communities to compete at scale for control over their own development. By integrating community-driven economic strategies with intentional investment, EFM builds resilient neighborhoods where residents and businesses not only remain but thrive.

Traction

EFM has demonstrated significant traction through successful large-scale projects, strategic partnerships, and financial milestones:

• Kingsbridge Armory, Bronx, NY: Facilitated community land control for a 560,000 sq. ft. redevelopment, ensuring long-term ownership and economic benefits for local residents.
• Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, Chicago, IL: Partnered to build over 1,000 single-family homes and deploy a $100M+ commercial real estate strategy focused on neighborhood stabilization.
• 52nd Street Retail Corridor, Philadelphia, PA: Designed and implemented an M/WBE economic development ecosystem, securing over $750K in working capital loans and ensuring full minority business participation in revitalization efforts.
• Over $1BN in Development Managed: Across multiple projects, EFM has structured financing, raised capital, and advised on large-scale, community-driven real estate investments.

Business model

East Freedman & Main operates at the intersection of real estate development, impact investment, and community empowerment, using a multi-pronged approach to generate both financial and social returns. The firm provides expert advisory and consulting services to community organizations, municipalities, and mission-aligned investors, helping them navigate complex development projects with a focus on equitable ownership and long-term sustainability. As a development partner, EFM takes on owner representation and development management roles, ensuring that projects reflect the needs and priorities of the communities they serve.

Additionally, EFM structures and deploys impact-driven capital through vehicles like the AGENDA Fund, which facilitates community-led investments in real estate and economic development. Revenue is generated through a combination of consulting fees, development management contracts, and strategic investment partnerships. By leveraging fee-based services alongside at-risk investments and equity stakes in select projects, EFM sustains its mission while maintaining financial viability. This model enables the firm to scale its impact, ensuring that historically divested communities can secure their own economic futures.
 

Market & competition

East Freedman & Main operates in a rapidly evolving landscape where cities, policymakers, and investors are increasingly prioritizing equitable development and community ownership. Unlike traditional real estate developers that focus on financial returns, EFM integrates cultural preservation, local ownership, and economic sovereignty into every project, ensuring neighborhoods remain stable and self-sustaining. While competing with community development corporations (CDCs) and economic consulting firms, EFM’s ability to structure mission-aligned capital, guide large-scale development, and build wealth-building ecosystems sets it apart. As demand grows for impact-driven investment and anti-displacement strategies, EFM is positioned as a leading partner for municipalities, investors, and community organizations seeking sustainable, justice-driven economic transformation.
 

Vision & strategy

EFM envisions a future where historically marginalized communities have full control over their economic and real estate futures. By leveraging real estate as a tool for community empowerment, EFM aims to establish sustainable wealth-building ecosystems that ensure long-term prosperity. The firm’s strategy focuses on:

• Scaling Community-Led Development // Expanding its impact across multiple cities by replicating proven models of success.
• Deploying Mission-Aligned Capital // Raising and managing funds that directly support equitable economic growth.
• Building Strong Partnerships // Collaborating with municipalities, nonprofits, and investors who share the commitment to economic justice.
• Advancing Policy & Advocacy // Influencing policies that reinforce sustainable, community-first development.