named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Artesanar
Bilingual workshop series focused on cultural crafts and collective creation as healing
Food Pantry
Weekly food distribution program open Saturdays to residents of Rensselaer County, serving nearly 200 families monthly
Oakpop
Outdoor music festival featuring local bands from Swordpaw Studio
Oakwood Techniques
After-school and summer arts program for youth focusing on performing arts and self-expression
Soul Cafe
Pay-what-you-can community dinner held on the third Monday of each month
West African and Cuban Drumming
Music program led by Jordan Taylor Hill teaching traditional drumming techniques
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 2 activities
- Host monthly pay-what-you-can community mealsHosts a monthly pay-what-you-can community meal or dinner on the third Monday of each month, featuring homemade food, typically from September to May, under the name Soul Cafe.
- Operate weekly food pantryRuns a weekly food pantry every Saturday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, serving nearly 200 families per month in Rensselaer County, with eligibility for up to two visits per month. The pantry also distributes cleaning products and personal hygiene items when available.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Operate monthly free storeDistributes gently used clothing, household items, and accessories through the Oakwood Free Store, held on the second Saturday of each month.
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Community Space Provision 1 activity
- Provide community space access and organizational supportOffers long-term rental residencies and pay-what-you-can access to meeting spaces, kitchen, and sanctuary for local nonprofits and community groups, including access to organizational support such as fundraising and strategic planning.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Run youth performing arts education programsOffers an after-school performing arts program and a full-day summer camp for youth, including a 5-week intensive summer program from July 6 to August 7 meeting daily Monday through Friday, culminating in a live theatrical production. The program serves up to 35 students in grades 4 through 8.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$323K
Contributions & grants$285K88%
Program service revenue$23K7%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$15K
expenses
Total expenses$290K
Program expenses69%
Admin / overhead31%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$154K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$642K
Cash$8K
Investments$0
Liabilities$47K
Net assets$594K
Liquid reserves0.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +57.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHANNA GOLDMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 15 | $26K |
board members · 9
- ANGELA BEALLOR — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID HAINS — BOARD MEMBER
- DEBRA GARRETT — CO-CHAIR
- MAGGIE MANG — BOARD MEMBER
- PATRICIA O'BRIEN — SECRETARY/TREASURER
- RENATA GWOZDZ — BOARD MEMBER
- RUTH PIERPONT — CO-CHAIR
- SHANIA JACKSON — BOARD MEMBER
- VICTORIA KERESZI — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- Architecture+ Partner — Provided sponsorship support for the Rock the Pantry fundraiser.
- CDPHP Partner — Supporter of Oakwood Community Center, listed among organizational supporters.
- Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company Partner — Collaborates with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company for a free dance performance celebrating the company's 35th anniversary.
- Girl Scouts of Northeastern NY Troop 1303 Partner — Youth development troop using Oakwood space for long-term residency.
- Iglesia Pentecostal Puerta Del Cielo Partner — Spanish-speaking Pentecostal church using Oakwood for worship and Bible study.
- Mr. Justin Relf Partner — Program coordinator for the Oakwood Techniques Summer Program
- NYSCA Funder — Grant funder supporting Oakwood Community Center.
- New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church Partner — Missionary Baptist church using Oakwood for weekly worship and prayer services.
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provided $100,000 grant for phase 1 of cultural hall renovation.
- Planned Parenthood Partner — Partner organization that responded quickly to help feed the community during a crisis.
- Rhema Revealed Ministries Partner — Ministry providing weekly worship services in the Lower Parlor.
- Shades of Cocoa Partner — Organization in residency that supports leadership and self-love in girls of color.
- Soul Fire Farm Partner — Partner organization that responded quickly to help feed the community during a crisis.
- Stephen J. McKee Foundation Funder — Grant funder supporting Oakwood Community Center.
- Stewart's Shops Partner — Supporter of Oakwood Community Center, listed among organizational supporters.
- Stewarts Partner — Provides milk cards redeemable at Stewart's as part of food pantry distribution.
- Swordpaw Music Partner — Music production and collaboration group operating as a resident organization.
- Swordpaw Studio Partner — Collaborates with Swordpaw Studio to feature local bands in music events.
- The McCarthy Charities Foundation Funder — Grant funder supporting Oakwood Community Center.
- Troy Indivisible Partner — Partner organization that responded quickly to help feed the community during a crisis.
- Victoria Kereszi Partner — Volunteer who operates the Oakwood Free Store
- YWCA of the Greater Capital Region Partner — Collaborates through shared programming, including a presentation by its CEO at an Oakwood event.
- Youth Squared Partner — Partner organization that responded quickly to help feed the community during a crisis.
- oakwoodcommunitycenter@gmail.com Partner — Primary contact for volunteer coordination and inquiries.
- revolving volunteers Partner — Volunteers who support the monthly Soul Cafe community meal.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Arts Engagement as Vehicle for Development and Healing 351 orgsmethodology: youth-arts engagementBy using youth arts education, project-based performing arts, and participatory cultural crafts, we promote personal development, community building, and healing because creative expression fosters agency, belonging, and emotional resilience.shared approach: Arts-Based Youth Empowerment →
- Donation-Based Distribution with Dignity 152 orgsmethodology: donation-based distributionBy distributing donated goods through a free store model and offering pay-what-you-can community meals, we support basic needs with dignity because removing financial barriers while preserving choice fosters respect and inclusion.shared approach: Client-Choice Model →
- Community Space as Hub for Connection 15 orgsmethodology: community-space-as-hubBy maintaining a shared physical space, we foster community connection and collaboration among neighbors and grassroots organizations because shared infrastructure enables trust, collective action, and sustained engagement.shared approach: Shared Space as Movement Infrastructure →
- Community-Driven Programming for Empowermentmethodology: community-driven programmingBy designing programs rooted in community creativity and collective action, we build empowerment and connection because initiatives led by community members reflect authentic needs and sustain long-term engagement.