Baltimore, MD
Invest York Road
Let's Make York Road Yours!
The Problem
Disinvestment has a street name
For decades, redlining and systemic exclusion drained wealth from neighborhoods along Baltimore’s York Road corridor—leaving too many empty storefronts, and too few locally owned businesses serving local needs.
Invest York Road was created to reverse that pattern by putting ownership back in community hands.
investyorkroad.org/aboutThe Vision and Motivation
Buy, redevelop, and hold—together
Neighbors invest small amounts into a community-controlled fund. That fund purchases and redevelops commercial property along York Road. Properties are held for the corridor’s long-term benefit and leased to businesses that reflect community priorities.
investyorkroad.orgProven Model
Inspired by the East Portland Community Investment Trust
Invest York Road was inspired by the work of the East Portland Community Investment Trust. While our projects have slight differences, our goals are the same—to put commercial decision‑making in the hands of residents through community investment. Their ability to house 26 tenants and provide generous returns to community investors has made us confident in our ability to replicate similar success along York Road.
investcit.orgNeighborhood Momentum
Belvedere Square: Proof of What’s Possible
York Road is full of examples that prove commercial success is possible. But it is only possible when the voices of community members are listened to, and desirable businesses are prioritized.
From Pockets to a Corridor
A walkable, commercially vibrant York Road
But our goal is not to simply have pockets of success—we want a corridor of success. Our model aims to reduce vacancy and ensure that every single neighborhood in this area lines a walkable, commercially vibrant York Road.
From Pockets to a Corridor
A walkable, commercially vibrant York Road
But our goal is not to simply have pockets of success—we want a corridor of success. Our model aims to reduce vacancy and ensure that every single neighborhood in this area lines a walkable, commercially vibrant York Road.
Financial Education
From investors to informed owners
Invest York Road's free financial education classes precede investment to ensure that all community investors have the knowledge to do so safely and successfully.
To date, these classes have served 500+ people from the York Road community and beyond.
investyorkroad.orgCommunity Control
Of, by, and for the community
Invest York Road is community-run and community-controlled. That means decisions reflect the corridor’s needs—and wealth created stays rooted locally.
investyorkroad.org/aboutInvestment is open to anyone. Voting power belongs to those who live, work, or own along the corridor.
— Invest York Road
Neighbors First
Who are the people behind Invest York Road?
Neighbors, business owners, volunteers, and partners across the corridor—people who live, work, or own here—are shaping how the model grows and what gets built next.
It starts with neighbors
Own the next chapter on York Road
From Belvedere Square, to Govans, to Pen Lucy neighbors are building local ownership—one storefront at a time.
Learn with us, invite a friend, invest at any level, and help decide what gets built next.