Lawndale Christian Development Corporation 
The information on this page was last updated 9/16/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Lawndale Christian Development Corporation was established in 1987 by the Lawndale Christian Community Church to fulfill the call to justice detailed in Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humblywith your God."
Contact information
Mailing address:
Lawndale Christian Development Corporation
3843 W Ogden Ave
Chicago, IL 60623
Website: www.lcdc.net
Phone: (773) 762-8889
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 363573036
CEO/President: Richard Townsell
Chairman: Jonathan Brooks
Board size: 12
Founder:
Ruling year: 2018
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
LCDC organizes with the community for power to eliminate health and wealth disparities in North Lawndale. We develop and manage affordable mixed-use housing, create homeownership for working families, and build cooperative businesses.
Mission statement
As a pioneering example of a faith-inspired movement, we empower residents to transcend the historical underinvestment in our communities. Our commitment is to foster legacies of wealth that span generations, nurturing a brighter future for all.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Community Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 1531 of 1538 | 163 of 165 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 1505 of 1539 | 160 of 165 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1338 of 1539 | 142 of 165 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1486 of 1539 | 159 of 165 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $265,609 in government grants in 2025.
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 53% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 3% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 4% | 16% | 2% | 4% | 4% | 3% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 90% | 31% | 86% | 83% | 75% | 84% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 9% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 10% | 69% | 14% | 17% | 25% | 16% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 77% | 81% | 81% | 83% | 83% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 175% | 46% | 74% | 79% | 54% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 79% | 135% | 37% | 60% | 65% | 45% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | -75% | 54% | 26% | 21% | 46% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 4% | -21% | 65% | 63% | 38% | 183% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 14% | 14% | 14% | 12% | 12% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.00 | 0.16 | 0.19 | 0.18 | 0.19 | 0.18 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.89 | 6.63 | 4.33 | 39.84 | 13.67 | 9.32 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.96 | 1.05 | 0.84 | 7.13 | 2.55 | 1.64 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 13.74 | 17.41 | 28.15 | 1.27 | 5.13 | 9.85 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 0.79 | 0.20 | 0.10 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.34 | 10.77 | 13.75 | 0.36 | 3.78 | 6.58 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 67% | 65% | 90% | 87% | 92% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 65% | 61% | 77% | 82% | 88% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 79% | 206% | 181% | 55% | 71% | 47% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $4,943,431 | $8,032,705 | $560,162 | $950,050 | $1,050,472 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $1,485,055 | $1,419,100 | $174,620 | $81,790 | $41,347 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $6,428,486 | $9,451,805 | $734,782 | $1,031,840 | $1,091,819 |
| Long-term investments | $599,250 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $26,850,100 | $27,663,525 | $25,258,915 | $11,414,227 | $4,672,125 |
| Other long-term assets | $8,760,095 | $3,780,404 | $3,281,431 | $1,655,477 | $4,408,346 |
| Total long-term assets | $36,209,445 | $31,443,929 | $28,540,346 | $13,069,704 | $9,080,471 |
| Total assets | $42,637,931 | $40,895,734 | $29,275,128 | $14,101,544 | $10,172,290 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $364,542 | $329,927 | $571,818 | $196,730 | $100,794 |
| Other current liabilities | $4,674 | $5,809 | $6,150 | $4,524 | $10,073 |
| Total current liabilities | $369,216 | $335,736 | $577,968 | $201,254 | $110,867 |
| Debt | $27,631,949 | $25,099,992 | $22,622,612 | $11,607,865 | $8,998,127 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $710,371 | $1,066,741 | $3,203,131 | $416,601 | $225,881 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $28,342,320 | $26,166,733 | $25,825,743 | $12,024,466 | $9,224,008 |
| Total liabilities | $28,711,536 | $26,502,469 | $26,403,711 | $12,225,720 | $9,334,875 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $12,626,395 | $13,565,652 | $2,858,804 | $1,808,874 | $837,415 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,300,000 | $827,613 | $12,613 | $66,950 | $0 |
| Net assets | $13,926,395 | $14,393,265 | $2,871,417 | $1,875,824 | $837,415 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $1,191,521 | $14,915,326 | $5,849,943 | $2,521,261 | $2,805,830 |
| Program service revenue | $1,879,418 | $2,151,185 | $1,171,473 | $824,558 | $513,175 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $97,802 | $180,934 | $24,753 | $8,825 | $6,320 |
| Other revenue | $677,302 | $134,842 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total other revenue | $2,654,522 | $2,466,961 | $1,196,226 | $833,383 | $519,495 |
| Total revenue | $3,846,043 | $17,382,287 | $7,046,169 | $3,354,644 | $3,325,325 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $5,197,765 | $6,463,397 | $4,233,745 | $2,187,518 | $1,485,778 |
| Management and general | $926,140 | $1,115,459 | $750,075 | $316,266 | $214,812 |
| Fundraising | $625,893 | $379,573 | $255,389 | $131,779 | $89,505 |
| Total expenses | $6,749,798 | $7,958,429 | $5,239,209 | $2,635,563 | $1,790,095 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($2,903,755) | $9,423,858 | $1,806,960 | $719,081 | $1,535,230 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($2,903,755) | $9,423,858 | $1,806,960 | $719,081 | $1,535,230 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Richard Townsell | Executive Director | $187,866 |
| Whitney Smith | Deputy Director and Counsel | $174,904 |
| Sondra Ford | Director Low Income Investment Fund | $161,639 |
| Shamiah Hayes | Sr. Director of Accounting | $120,480 |
| Adjua Adjei-Danso | Reclaiming North Lawndale Project Director | $117,469 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2025
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 9/16/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Since our inception, LCDC has completed nearly $120 million in residential and commercial development and contributed more than 572 affordable housing units to North Lawndale. LCDC has built or rehabbed and sold for ownership 183 units of single-family homes, condos, and 2-flats and today manages 175 units of affordable housing. LCDC continues to build Black wealth with new construction, manufactured housing, rehabs for ownership, and homeownership counseling and credit repair to ensure Black working families can access safe and affordable financing and are ready to purchase and retain their homes.
Rooted in a deep-seated commitment to community upliftment, the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC) emerged from Wayne "Coach" Gordon and his wife Anne's vision in 1975. Their initiative grew from a home-based bible study to the Lawndale Christian Community Church, instrumental in revitalizing Chicago's West Side by providing affordable housing and fostering a supportive community network. Expanding its mission, LCDC, founded in 1987, has revitalized North Lawndale through substantial redevelopment initiatives, infusing over $40 million into the area under Richard Townsell's leadership. This growth included broadening educational and employment programs, pivotal for community empowerment. Through successive leadership, LCDC has championed the creation of significant residential developments, contributing over 500 units of affordable housing and over $100 million in community investments. Today, under Townsell's renewed leadership, LCDC continues to forge a legacy of intergenerational wealth and social resilience, embodying the spirit of service and faith-based action.
LCDC remains committed to sustainable development and supporting North Lawndale's residents by building new housing, launching co-ops, enhancing rental management, and expanding financial education. With continued growth in capacity, partnerships, and community power, LCDC is well-positioned to achieve its long-term vision for North Lawndale's revitalization.