The Francisville Neighborhood

Development Corporation

“FNDC” est. 2002

Mission: The mission of the Francisville NDC is to improve the quality of

life in the Francisville community through Commercial and Residential

Development; implement programs designed to develop youth, aid senior

citizens, generally invest in the people of Francisville and our aim is to be a

resource for information and communication, insuring that all residents can have

an active role in the growth and development of their community.

Why?

In 2002 there were over 400 vacant lots within our

neighborhood boundaries that looked like this.

Something had to change!

15th and Cambridge. 19130. 2008

It didn’t feel safe anymore

Businesses left

There were no jobs

Property values were low

Drop out rates were high

The organizations Founder and current Executive Director,

Penelope “Jordan” Giles, began by enlisting the help of a

few of her immediate neighbors, long time friends and

some new residents.

In the early days they met at each other’s homes and at

neighborhood community facilities. They established

regular community meetings and a process to review and

vote on Development Projects.

Working out of her home from 2002 – 2011, Penelope

remained the constant in the

“Moving Francisville Forward” equation.

Lots of stuff was done!

2003 – 2004 Established regular community meetings and development review and voting process,

Applied for our 501c3 status, Implemented the welcome to Francisville Community Festival

2004 – 2005 Engaged the Neighborhood in a planning process to craft the Ridge Avenue Revitalization

Plan assisted by U-Penn school of Architecture

2006 – 2007 Engaged the Neighborhood in a planning process to craft the The Comprehensive

Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, Moving Francisville Forward “a blueprint for the future” assisted by

Interface Studio, funded by Wachovia Regional Foundation. Began plan implementation.

2007 – 2010 Organized a Clean & Green Volunteer team and stabilized all our vacant land,

Implemented the FYC-3 youth program, Implemented the F-NEMP program, were awarded plan

implementation funding from the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation. Went from a 100% volunteer

organization to a staffed organization. Planted over 100 trees. Acquired several private landscaping

contracts. Established the Francisville Urban Farm & Orchard, Created Ogden Park.

2011 – Present Moved into our office @ 1708 Ridge Avenue 19130, secured properties on Ridge

Avenue for Development. Received approval for 1st Phase Development. Partnered with How

Properties to do Development Project. Received a Corridor Cleaning Contract from the Commerce

Department. Launched the F.V.P.L. Manufacturing Division. Established the Francisville Farmers

Market, Established Jazz at the Market (free) Summer Concert Series. Implemented a Neighborhood

residential and commercial street cleaning program.

FNDC Bench Marks

Penelope (left) Ali “Fred” Snead (right). Ali is one of FNDC’s

Founding Members and was on the Board of Directors from

2002 – 2010. Photo taken on a beautiful spring morning @

Ogden Park est. 2008-2010.

Ogden Park @ 20th and Ogden Street

Visit: friendsofogdenpark.org

There were over 100 residents signed up for the

Francisville Clean & Green Volunteer Team

From 2008 – 2010 we were out every Saturday

cleaning vacant lots!

With the help of the City Streets Department we removed

countless tons of debris from our neighborhood!

Before

After

After

It takes a tremendous amount of resources to maintain our vacant land! This is critical to

keeping the neighborhood clean & safe! It must be done on a regular and consistent basis!

“Blight breeds blight and causes fright especially at night”

Increased Economic Diversity makes it possible for

FNDC to train and employ youth and adults providing a pathway away

from or out of crime.

F-NEMP Crew…

Francisville Natural Environment Maintenance Program

Provides training and employment for adults and in turn they provide cleaning and landscaping

services in the Francisville Neighborhood and beyond!

Hum.. So much to

do with so little

resources!

Funding our

work…..

CDC’s have traditionally relied on fundraising, grants and public

dollars to do the work that lays the foundation for neighborhood

revitalization however, those sources are always highly

competitive, require a lot of time to write proposals to only be

denied 9 times out of 10!

Those are horrible odds!

Meanwhile, you still have to keep cleaning, greening, developing,

marketing, planning, having meetings, events, implementing

stuff, etcetera!

There had to be a better more sustainable way to raise money so

we’ve implemented programs that serve many purposes while

earning us funds to continue the work we do!

When you purchase our products or

services you become a partner in

rebuilding the lives and families of

the people in the neighborhood

who need it the most.