Uptown/Downtown Nonprofits

Nonprofit businesses have deep roots in Oakland, especially in Uptown/Downtown.  These prominent & respected organizations promote environmental and social responsibility, opportunities for youth, education equality and much more.  

A sampling of these influential businesses include:

YMCA of the East Bay: a diverse organization of women, men and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility.  

Kapor Centerfor Social Impact: This group relentlessly pursues creative strategies that will leverage information technology for positive social impact.  They primarily work with underrepresented communities, focusing on gap-closing endeavors.

Girls Incorporated of Alameda County: a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold. Girls Inc. offers academic enrichment activities, skill-building programs and counseling services to girls and their families.

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals Foundation: A not-for-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to bringing health and well-being to children through philanthropic and volunteer support for UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland. 

Youth Radio: An award winning media production company that trains diverse young people in digital media and technology. Partnering with industry professionals, students learn to produce marketable media for massive audiences while bringing youth perspectives to issues of public concern.

Following the Warriors Victory Parade...

The Golden State Warriors celebrated their NBA finals win, last Friday, with an amazing parade in Downtown Oakland.  In case you missed any of them, check out these clips that continue to discuss the positive business aspects of Downtown Oakland and the fact that the Warriors could not have picked a better parade route!


1. KRON 4: "Oakland Business Still Booming One Week After Golden State Warriors' NBA Championship" (Approx. 25% increases!)

2. CBS 5: "5 Reasons Why Oakland Is Awesome And Ready For Its Closeup Following Warriors NBA Finals Win"  (Booming business-- especially in the tech industry, breweries, social enterprises/community action, art, urban nature and much, much more…)

3.  CBS 5: "Warriors Victory Parade To Showcase Revitalized Part of Downtown Oakland"(including an estimated 200 new retail storefronts within the past 6 years, according to Andrew Jones of The Downtown Oakland Association.)


4. The Mercury News: "Warriors parade on ode to Oakland" ("The world was able to see the beauty and diversity of Oakland, which is something Oaklanders already know and love," said Kim Bardakian, director of public relations for Visit Oakland)

SF chefs to pop-up at Hopscotch’s Annex in Oakland June 23 & 24

Berkeleyside's NOSH reports:

Chefs from two of San Francisco’s most popular restaurants – Rich Table and Bar Tartine – are doing their own four-course pop-up at the Hopscotch Annex June 23 and 24.

Chris Wolff, who works at Bar Tartine, and Jon Tu, who works at Rich Table, met while working together at Viajante, a restaurant in London. Neither have been in the Bay Area very long, and both live in Oakland, “so of course we wanted to do our pop-up in Oakland. I just think it’s more interesting over here,” said Wolff.

See: http://www.berkeleyside.com/2015/06/09/sf-chefs-to-pop-up-at-hopscotchs-annex/ 

The Hopscotch Annex is next door to Hopscotch, at 1915 San Pablo Ave., (at 19th Street), Oakland. Connect with the restaurant on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Red Bay Coffee Company Recognizes Oakland's 'Do-It-Yourself' spirit… Uses Architectural Giant Gensler to Develop Upcoming Coffee Bars

Recently featured in SFWeekly, Keba Konte speaks of starting Red Bay Coffee Company, his progress, plans for the future (in Oakland) and more: 

http://www.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/oakland-red-bay-coffee-coffee-crowdfunding/Content?oid=3698661 

Construction is set to begin in July at the Hive, a 100,000-square-foot commercial and retail micro-neighborhood development in Uptown. 

S.H. Cowell Foundation Makes a $1.2M Commitment to Fund Good Jobs

The S.H. Cowell Foundation has awarded Fund Good Jobs (headquartered in Oakland) a $1M Recoverable Grant, which will be invested in high-need, high-growth Bay Area small businesses that are committed to creating good jobs and hiring residents who face barriers to employment. The Foundation also awarded $200,000 in operating grants to Fund Good Jobs and their founding organization, Inner City Advisors.

For more details see: http://www.fundgoodjobs.com/blog 

9th Annual Oakland Indie Awards Recognize Several Uptown/Downtown Businesses

Furthering the belief that Uptown/Downtown Oakland is THE place to do business, the Oakland Indie Awards recently recognized the following businesses:

·      Oakland Soul Category (represents the essence and spirit of Oakland):

o   The New Parkway Theater


o   Cafe Gabriela


·      Social Changemaker Category (incorporates positive social change): 

o   Regina's Door


·      Ripple Effect Category (supports local economy by buying supplies & services from other local vendors): 

o   OwlNWood


o   Concept 47


·      Pillar Category (long established business or artist with deep roots in the community): Geoffrey's Inner Circle


Other nominees from Uptown/Downtown include: VSCO, Field Day & Friends, Merkado, Two Jacks Denim, Awaken Café’, Betti Ono Gallery and more.  For a complete list of nominees, see: http://www.oaklandindieawards.com/nominees.html

The Oakland Indie Awards is an economic development initiative of Beneficial State Bank and Foundation that aims to build prosperity in our communities by celebrating local economy. Since its inception in 2007, the Oakland Indies has recognized over 100 local businesses and artists for their contribution to Oakland's unique culture and prosperity. See: www.oaklandindieawards.com 

Creative Shops Migrate to Oakland...

With the recent moves of Huge Inc., EVB and Mad Dogs & Englishmen, and 99designs… along with more seasoned veterans of Oakland such as Spark Art, Oakland is becoming quite the scene for creative shops.

“We saw tremendous possibilities in Oakland,” Daniel Stein, Founder & CEO of EVB said, commenting on the once abandoned building at 1740 Telegraph Avenue that has now been transformed into EVB’s beautiful new home.  

Stein, who grew up in Los Angeles, says he had the luxury of watching the transformation of Venice Beach in the early 90s.  Just as artists, production companies, bars, clubs and more moved in and created a vibrant community there, he saw the same renaissance emerging in Oakland.  “I feel like there is a really great energy here…very innovative companies are choosing to be here,” he says of Oakland.  Stein says the advertising industry is about being able to tap into culture and the momentum of its surroundings. And, throughout his time in Oakland, he has seen just that: opportunity & momentum.

When Mad Dogs & Englishmen were looking for a new place to call home, choosing Oakland was really not a hard decision.

“We started in New York City on the lower East side about 14 years ago,” said Nick Cohen, who along with partner Jon Soto, heads the creative advertising agency.  “When we came to Oakland we felt that same kind of vibe...an eclectic city with a lot of positive energy, particularly now.”

Cohen says having similar businesses, in this case creative agencies in the same neighborhood, makes people feel like they are not alone. “In fact, it makes it easier for other employees to want to come live and work here. With Huge Inc., another creative agency that has announced they are relocating to Oakland, there will be even more momentum. I think other companies are going to consider Oakland now because a creative hub really is developing in the marketing and advertising area.”

So who will be next?  We are ready and waiting…