South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Development Corporation
About South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Development Corporation
In South Dallas and Fair Park, ICDC is the group helping neighbors move from planning to ownership, from ideas to storefronts, and from job searching to real training. It builds affordable homes, supports small businesses, and connects residents with the practical support that makes staying and growing in the neighborhood possible. For donors, the draw is simple: this is place-based work with a clear line from investment to homes, jobs, and stronger blocks.
ICDC stands out because its work stays grounded in one place, South Dallas and Fair Park, while meeting people at several different moments in neighborhood life. A family looking for homeownership support, a business owner needing office space, and a job seeker looking for training can all find services under the same roof.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Affordable Homes and Housing Resource Center
Provides homebuyer education and financial coaching, builds quality homes, renovates existing homes, and offers down payment assistance for qualified homebuyers.
Homebuyer Counseling and Education
Offers group and one-on-one counseling, pre-purchase counseling, post-purchase counseling, credit counseling and restoration, financial literacy workshops, and homebuyer education classes.
Business Resource Center
Supports start-up and existing small businesses with one-on-one business coaching, technical assistance, seminars, training sessions, and incubator office space.
South Dallas Business Development Center
Provides private office space for start-up or existing businesses, along with business coaching, technical assistance, workshops, and shared office amenities.
Youth Entrepreneur Program
An after-school program for local elementary students that teaches financial education and entrepreneurship through practical business activities.
South Dallas Workforce Training Center
Provides adult education literacy, job skills training, college certificates, job placement support, DART bus passes, childcare referral, and case management.
Community Education and Advocacy
Engages the community, helps organize neighborhood associations, and addresses neighborhood concerns and issues.
Commercial Developments and Space for Lease
Develops and operates mixed-use commercial space, retail and office facilities, and space for local businesses and partnerships.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
To create a stable, safe and vibrant South Dallas/Fair Park community by building partnerships that provide homeownership opportunities, job training, economic development, community education and advocacy.
Who they serve
Residents of South Dallas and Fair Park, especially low- and moderate-income households, prospective homebuyers, local entrepreneurs, students, and job seekers.
Their impact
- Built over 250 single-family homes for low to moderate income families.
- Supported over 500 business clients.
- Created more than 170 jobs.
- Acquired, demolished, and remediated 41 blighted properties for commercial development.
- Completed 55 single-family homes through the Infill Development program.
- Frazier Courtyard Homes included more than 51 new single-family homes.
- The solar installation is expected to offset approximately 78% of annual energy consumption.
How your donation helps
- Homeownership opportunities and homebuyer support
- Home construction and renovation
- Business coaching and incubator services
- Workforce training and job placement support
- Community education and advocacy
- Neighborhood revitalization projects
Our story
ICDC began in 1986, after residents in South Dallas and Fair Park raised concerns about incompatible land uses and community deterioration. Diane Ragsdale founded the organization with help from a Land Use Committee of residents and local business members, shaping it around land use planning and neighborhood revitalization from the start.
Need help?
How someone in need can access South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Development Corporation’s services.
People can contact ICDC at info@icdc.biz or 214-915-9900 for program information. Homebuyers can start with the Housing Resource Center and its eligibility guidelines, business owners can apply for the Business Resource Center or South Dallas Business Development Center, and job seekers can contact the South Dallas Workforce Training Center for orientation and grant-eligible training options.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
"ICDC’s and Diane Ragsdale’s commitment to building lives in the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhood goes beyond words."
"ICDC worked diligently with me to help resolve my credit issues."
"The training and space has become a highlight for me, it has helped me to get to the next level in my business."
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence
- Best in American Living Platinum Award
- Preservation Dallas Achievement Award for Architectural Design
In the media
- NBCDFW, Major Dallas Fair Park Upgrade Proposed, covered proposed upgrades in the Fair Park area.
- The Dallas Morning News, Diane Ragsdale to be honored for devotion to South Dallas and faith.
- Dallas Weekly, Building Demolition Symbolizes Continued Growth in Mill City.
- WFAA, Neighbors focus on improvements in southern Dallas.
- Dallas Weekly, ICDC “shows off” new homes.
- Dallas Examiner, My Children’s expands into Fair Park Community/Mill City.
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How does someone start with the homeownership program?
Prospective homebuyers can reach out to ICDC for counseling, then move through pre-qualifying, mortgage application, closing, and support after they buy. The Housing Resource Center also offers credit counseling, financial coaching, and homebuyer education classes.
What does the business incubator provide?
The Business Resource Center and South Dallas Business Development Center offer one-on-one coaching, technical assistance, seminars, workshops, and private office space with shared business amenities.
What does the workforce training center offer?
The South Dallas Workforce Training Center offers adult education literacy, job skills training, college certificates, job placement support, DART bus passes, childcare referral, and case management.
What kinds of community education and advocacy work does ICDC do?
ICDC works with residents, helps organize neighborhood associations, and addresses neighborhood concerns and issues through its Community Education and Advocacy program.
Similar nonprofits
Other housing development, construction & management nonprofits in TX.