Operation HOPE

What Operation HOPE does

Operation HOPE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 by John Hope Bryant in the aftermath of the Los Angeles riots, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It is described as the nation's largest financial literacy nonprofit, delivering free financial education, one-on-one coaching, credit management, homeownership guidance, and small business development services to low- and moderate-income (LMI) Americans, with cumulative impact reported at 4.2 million+ individuals served and nearly $4 billion directed into disenfranchised communities across nearly 300 cities.

Its core delivery platform is the award-winning "HOPE Inside" model, which embeds 280+ certified financial wellbeing coaches within partner organizations including major banks (Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Fulton Bank, Cadence, Truist, First Horizon), corporate workplaces, and community sites across 1,500+ physical locations. The digital infrastructure includes the HOPE In Hand mobile app (Apple App Store and Google Play), the client portal at portal.operationhope.org, and an AI-powered chatbot supporting HOPE AI services. Specialized modules extend the platform into employee financial wellness (HOPE Inside the Workplace), disaster recovery (HOPE Inside Disaster, with a permanent Altadena office post-2025 wildfires), and youth programs (HOPE Inside for Youth).

Operation HOPE generates no client fees; all services are free to end users. Revenue is sourced entirely from corporate partnerships, individual donations, and government/foundation grants, with major partners including Wells Fargo, Shopify, Walmart (via FL4A), Nasdaq Foundation, FanDuel, Synchrony, OpenAI, T.D. Jakes Foundation, and others across 100+ supporting entities. Its newer strategic initiatives include the 1 Million Black Businesses (1MBB) program (with Shopify, targeting 1M Black-owned businesses by 2030), the HOPE AI coalition, the AI Ethics Council co-chaired with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the AILP³ (AI Literacy Pipeline to Prosperity Project) with Georgia State University, the T.O.R.I. Community Office with T.D. Jakes Foundation, and a crypto literacy initiative with Coinbase and the National Cryptocurrency Association.

Name

Operation HOPE

Legal name

Operation HOPE, Inc.

Website

https://operationhope.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Operation HOPE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1992 that delivers free financial literacy education, coaching, and economic empowerment services to underserved Americans through 1,500+ HOPE Inside locations embedded in bank branches, workplaces, and community sites across the U.S.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment (Nonprofit Services)

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Financial literacy education
• Economic empowerment programs
• Credit counseling services
• Homeownership counseling
• Small business development

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Corporate Partnerships: Operation HOPE is a nonprofit organization that generates revenue through donations and corporate partnerships rather than client fees. All services are provided free of charge to clients. The organization partners with 100+ private companies and state/federal entities who provide financial support, in-kind services, and volunteer resources.
2. Program Grants: Government and foundation grants support specific initiatives such as the AI Literacy Pipeline to Prosperity Project (AILP³) and disaster recovery programs. Examples include T.D. Jakes Foundation grants and Clark Atlanta University donation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Operation HOPE delivers free financial literacy education, one-on-one financial coaching, credit management, homeownership counseling, small business development, youth financial empowerment, and disaster recovery financial support through its HOPE Inside network of embedded locations in bank branches, workplaces, community centers, and a mobile app. The organization supplements core coaching with major initiatives such as the 1 Million Black Businesses (1MBB) program, HOPE AI, the AI Ethics Council co-founded with OpenAI, and the AILP3 youth AI literacy pipeline with Georgia State University. All services are provided at no cost to clients, funded by corporate partnerships, donations, and grants.

Product overview

Operation HOPE is a nonprofit financial literacy and economic empowerment organization operating primarily through its award-winning HOPE Inside model—a platform that delivers individualized financial coaching services via physical locations, workplace partnerships, and a mobile application. The core HOPE Inside platform is supplemented by specialized modules including HOPE Inside the Workplace (employee wellness), HOPE Inside Disaster (disaster recovery support), and HOPE Inside for Youth. The organization also runs major initiatives: the 1 Million Black Businesses (1MBB) program in partnership with Shopify, the HOPE AI initiative for inclusive financial and AI literacy, the AI Ethics Council co-founded with OpenAI, and the AILP³ youth AI education program with Georgia State University. Additional offerings include the Investor Mindset Experience (Nasdaq Foundation partnership), the HOPE in Hand mobile app, HOPE Global Forums annual conferences, and the Financial Literacy for All (FL4A) initiative. All services are provided free of charge to clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HOPE Inside: The organization's award-winning community uplift model providing financial literacy coaching, credit management, homeownership assistance, and small business development at locations across the U.S.
• HOPE AI
• HOPE Inside Disaster
• 1 Million Black Businesses (1MBB)
• Financial Literacy for All (FL4A)
• HOPE Global Forums
• HOPE In Hand
• AI Literacy Pipeline to Prosperity Project (AILP³)

Products and services

• HOPE Inside Award-winning community uplift model and core delivery platform for Operation HOPE's financial coaching services. Provides free financial education, one-on-one coaching, credit management, homeownership support, and small business development through certified financial wellbeing coaches embedded at partner bank branches, workplaces, community centers, and virtually. Serves underserved U.S. adults across roughly 300 cities and 1,500+ locations.
• HOPE Inside the Workplace Employee financial wellness program that brings HOPE Inside coaching, workshops, and resources directly to employer partners. Delivered through workplace HOPE Inside locations and on-site/virtual sessions for employees of partner organizations. Targets HR and benefits leaders seeking financial wellness benefits for their workforce.
• HOPE Inside Disaster
• HOPE Inside for Youth
• HOPE in Hand Mobile App
• 1 Million Black Businesses (1MBB)

Quantifiable outcome

• +41 average FICO score improvement for clients who saw positive change
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• T.D. Jakes FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2026Launched T.O.R.I. Community Office in South Dallas on April 18, 2026, combining reentry services with Financial Empowerment Center offering credit coaching and financial literacy for justice-impacted individuals. Addresses reintegration of nearly 600,000 people returning from incarceration annually. Both organizations positioning Dallas as a scalable national model for reentry and economic mobility.
• Clark Atlanta UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026Operation HOPE donated $5 million to Clark Atlanta University to launch a financial coaching initiative targeting 1,250 incoming freshmen. Program provides 12 months of financial education valued at $1,000 per student, funded over four years, to improve long-term student success.
• OpenAIflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026OpenAI CEO Sam Altman co-chairs the AI Ethics Council (AIEC) with John Hope Bryant. Council has four committees addressing AI's impact on business, education, policy, and workforce development. Initiative aims to develop ethical frameworks ensuring AI expansion benefits underserved communities.
• 100 Black Men of America, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025Partnered with Operation HOPE's HOPE AI initiative to promote financial literacy and AI education among underserved communities. Collaboration aims to implement educational programs that enhance digital skills, financial understanding, and economic mobility.
• National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA) and CoinbasecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Landmark partnership to develop free crypto literacy resources for underserved communities in the U.S. Initiative aims to provide practical education to improve understanding and safe use of cryptocurrency, leveraging each organization's strengths.
• Dream Machine Innovation Lab, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, UNCF, ShopifyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Historic partnership announced at 2025 HOPE Global Forum to launch HOPE AI, a national strategy for inclusive financial and AI literacy. Coalition of leading nonprofits joining forces to expand AI access, coaching, and opportunity to underserved communities.
• Georgia State University (J. Mack Robinson College of Business)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 July 2025Lead academic partner for AILP³ (AI Literacy Pipeline to Prosperity Project), hosting inaugural summer camp July 7-11 with nearly 40 rising 9th-11th graders. Georgia State contributes nationally recognized student success model and faculty expertise in innovation, finance, technology, education, and entrepreneurship.
• ShopifyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2020Founding partner of the 1 Million Black Business (1MBB) initiative launched in October 2020. Shopify committed resources valued at approximately $130 million to help create and support up to one million new Black-owned businesses by 2030. Upon graduation from HOPE Inside, entrepreneurs receive Shopify education, programming, and resources to launch or expand their businesses.
• Wells FargocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor banking partner hosting HOPE Inside locations at branches including Midtown Anchorage, Alaska and Stone Mountain, Georgia. Wells Fargo aims to establish 50 HOPE Inside locations in low-to-moderate-income communities by year-end as part of its ten-year financial inclusion commitment. Also provides funding through T.D. Jakes Foundation collaboration ($18M over two years for community transformation).
• Nasdaq FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer the Investor Mindset Experience, a personalized online investor education platform designed specifically for prospective and new investors. Nasdaq Foundation funding enables Operation HOPE to provide this investor education platform at no cost to clients, covering investment readiness assessment, wealth-building fundamentals, and transition from earning to making money work.
• FanDuelcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFanDuel has partnered with Operation HOPE, donating over $2.5 million since 2023 to provide free, unlimited financial coaching through the nonprofit's network of 280+ financial wellbeing coaches. Partnership reflects FanDuel's 'Play with a Plan' responsible gaming approach, which emphasizes budgeting, saving, and understanding risk as foundations for financial health.
• SynchronycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSynchrony announced a $2 million commitment to improve financial literacy education in U.S. high schools through grants, in-kind donations, and financial literacy labs. Program includes support for teacher training, classroom resources, and free financial counseling services for teachers provided by Operation HOPE.
• Financial Literacy for All (FL4A)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFL4A is a national initiative co-chaired by John Hope Bryant and Doug McMillon (CEO of Walmart) dedicated to embedding financial literacy into American culture. Operation HOPE provides free coaching and educational programs through this initiative. Green Socks Day Challenge launched as national call to action during Financial Literacy Month.
• Dream Machine AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to launch HOPE AI events at public libraries in Memphis, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama. Free workshops bring AI and financial literacy skills to underserved communities with no prior tech background required. Part of goal to scale from 1,500 to 15,000 HOPE Inside locations.
• Cisco (Tech for Social Good Hackathon)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperation HOPE included as one of seven nonprofit partners in Cisco's first annual Tech for Social Good Hackathon in early 2026. 160+ expert volunteers developed AI-powered solutions for problem statements submitted by organizations working in climate resilience and economic opportunity.
• U.S. BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRibbon cutting celebration of HOPE Inside location at U.S. Bank's Crenshaw branch in Los Angeles. Partnership brings free financial literacy programs to the community at no cost through U.S. Bank's physical branch presence.
• Fulton BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFulton Bank partnership has generated nearly $1 billion in loans to low- and moderate-income homebuyers since 2016. Bank makes substantial LMI home loans through Operation HOPE Lancaster partnership.
• TruistcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDonated former Tucker, Georgia branch to Operation HOPE to provide financial empowerment education. Truist also committed to 1MBB initiative and provides support through municipal partnerships in cities including Charlotte and Salisbury.
• First HorizoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHOPE Inside location at First Horizon (Orange Mound) provides financial wellbeing coaching including the case of Wanda McDonald coaching licensed therapist Ceclia through credit management.
• Clayton HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to empower people on a path to homeownership. Approximately 4,000 people accessed 7,000 Operation HOPE homeownership services through this partnership in 2022, placing them in better position to purchase a home.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• National Council on Aging (NCOA): NCOA is a national nonprofit serving older adults with economic security, health, and aging programs, including financial literacy and benefits counseling. Comparable to Operation HOPE on the social services and economic empowerment mission for vulnerable populations, though with a focused older-adult segment.
• Junior Achievement USA: Junior Achievement is one of the largest youth-focused financial literacy and entrepreneurship education nonprofits in the U.S., serving K-12 students with budgeting, banking, and career programs. Comparable to Operation HOPE's HOPE Inside for Youth and AILP³ initiatives on youth financial literacy, though much larger and broader in scope.

Direct peers

• National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC): NFCC is the national umbrella nonprofit for the credit counseling industry, representing member agencies that deliver financial counseling and education. Directly comparable as a peer nonprofit setting standards and delivering financial literacy programming to underserved consumers, with similar service categories.
• Take Charge America: Take Charge America is a nonprofit credit counseling and financial education agency offering credit counseling, debt management, student loan counseling, and financial literacy programs. Directly comparable to Operation HOPE on services, nonprofit structure, and underserved consumer focus.
• Money Management International (MMI): MMI is one of the largest nonprofit credit counseling agencies in the U.S., offering debt management plans, credit counseling, housing counseling, bankruptcy pre-filing counseling, and financial education. Directly comparable to Operation HOPE on service mix, target audience (financially distressed and LMI consumers), and nonprofit delivery model.
• GreenPath Financial Wellness: GreenPath is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counseling and financial wellness agency providing credit counseling, debt management, housing counseling, and financial education. It is a directly comparable peer to Operation HOPE's HOPE Inside credit, homeownership, and small business programs, both targeting financially underserved individuals through counseling and education.
• Clarifi: Clarifi is a nonprofit financial counseling agency providing credit counseling, housing counseling, and financial education across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. Directly comparable to Operation HOPE on financial counseling, community-based delivery, and LMI target population.
• InCharge Debt Solutions: InCharge Debt Solutions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing credit counseling, debt management, housing counseling, and financial education to individuals and families. Directly comparable to Operation HOPE on service mix (credit, housing, small business support) and target audience.
• National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE): NEFE is a nonprofit foundation focused on research and delivery of financial education, including K-12 financial literacy programming. Comparable to Operation HOPE on the financial literacy education mission, though more research/policy-oriented and less direct-to-consumer coaching.

Others

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): CFPB is the federal regulator that oversees consumer financial products and also funds and promotes financial education through initiatives like its Your Money, Your Goals program. Comparable as an ecosystem participant shaping the financial literacy field in which Operation HOPE operates, though not a direct competitor (regulator rather than service provider).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OperationHope
• Facebookfacebook.com/operationhope
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/operation-hope
• Instagraminstagram.com/operationhopehq

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Operation HOPE