Cinnaire is proud to celebrate the Kingwood Community Center in Wilmington, DE, as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Novogradac Qualified-Low Income Community Investment (QLICI) of the Year Award, a recognition honoring CDEs who strive for excellence in community development.
The new 80,600 square foot Kingswood Community Center represents a significant milestone in the revitalization of Wilmington’s Riverside neighborhood. The project was supported by a collaborative group of CDEs, including Cinnaire New Markets LLC, Capital One Community Renewal Fund, DV Community Investment, Grow America/HEDC New Markets, Inc., MBS Urban Initiatives CDE LLC, and Urban Action Community Development LLC. Together, these CDE partners provided $43.8 million in QLICIs to help bring this vision to life.
This collaborative effort highlights the power of New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) and the strength of mission-drive capital working in partnership to create lasting community impact.
Expanding Access to Essential Services
The reimagined Kingswood Community Center is designed as a comprehensive hub that supports residents across all stages of life. The facility includes a state-of-the-art Early Learning Academy, a children’s primary health care center, a sports and fitness center, and a senior center, along with flexible multipurpose rooms, meeting spaces and offices.
The Early Learning Academy will significantly expand its reach, growing from serving 65 children to approximately 200. The health center will provide pediatric care for up to 8,000 patients annually, increasing access to critical health services for families in the community. The senior center will serve 120 area residents, helping older adults remain active, engaged, and connected.
Part of a Broader Community-Led Revitalization
The Kingswood Community Center is more than a standalone project – it is a central component of a broader, community-led transformation in Wilmington’s Riverside neighborhood, advanced through The Wrk Group and its integrated network of partners including REACH Riverside. Together, these organizations are leading a holistic $600 million revitalization effort that brings together housing, education, and community health to expand opportunity and address the impacts of long-standing disinvestment. Plans include more than 700 mixed-income homes alongside coordinated investments in services and community assets designed to support residents and strengthen neighborhood stability.
Within this collaborative model, Kingswood serves as a vital anchor, delivering education, health care, and wellness resources in one accessible location while complementing broader initiatives like housing development and youth engagement. The project also drives economic impact, creating 62 full-time jobs, retaining 75 positions, and generating approximately 250 construction jobs, reinforcing the role of partnership-driven investment in building long-term community outcomes.
The awards were announced today at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., as part of the Novogradac Spring New Markets Tax Credit Conference, recognizing outstanding projects that exemplify the impact of NMTC financing in communities nationwide.