Latinos Progresando

What Latinos Progresando does

Latinos Progresando is a Chicago-based, nonpartisan nonprofit 501c3 organization founded in 1998 by Luis Gutierrez, the son of Mexican immigrants from Little Village. It provides Department of Justice-recognized, affordable immigration legal services — including citizenship, family petitions, DACA renewals, U Visa/VAWA relief, consular processing, and adjustment of status — primarily to immigrant families from more than 60 countries. Beyond legal services, the organization runs a portfolio of community programs under its "Our Chicago" umbrella: Our Rights (Know Your Rights trainings and pro bono legal programs), Our Homes (food distribution, financial assistance, mental health resources through partners like Nourishing Hope and Centro Sanar), Our Shops (small business technical assistance and storefront activation), and Our Stories (art and storytelling commissions).

The organization operates three physical sites on Chicago's Cermak corridor — a headquarters at 2724 W Cermak Rd, a former Marquette Bank branch converted into a Resource Center, and a 9,300 sq ft former Marshall Square public library branch renovated into the award-winning Latinos Progresando Community Center, which houses onsite partners Esperanza Health Centers and Lincoln Park Zoo. It is also the anchor of the Marshall Square Resource Network (MSRN), a coalition of more than 60 partner organizations founded in 2010 that has leveraged over $18 million in community investment, and runs cultural fundraising programming including MEX talks (now in its 13th year), Mexayuno (an annual advocacy breakfast), and Run 4 Latinos (Bank of America Chicago Marathon team).

The business model is a hybrid of philanthropic fundraising and programmatic earned income. Revenue sources include recurring donations and event sponsorships (sollicited through the website via Classy and GoFundMe), corporate and foundation grants (LISC, United Way, Meta, ARPA-funded programs through BACP), and affordable fee-for-service immigration legal work. Distribution is community-led: walk-in registration at the Cermak office (Monday–Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.), partner referrals through the MSRN coalition, and outreach via social media (@latinospro on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Bluesky, YouTube), newsletters, earned media, and annual community events. The team has grown to 25 employees, seven of whom are former agency clients.

Name

Latinos Progresando

Legal name

Latinos Progresando

Website

https://latinospro.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Latinos Progresando is a Chicago-based 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1998 that provides DOJ-recognized, affordable immigration legal services and community programs to immigrant families from over 60 countries, anchored by its 60+ partner Marshall Square Resource Network on the city's Southwest Side.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immigration Legal Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Immigrant & Refugee Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAG), Racial & Ethnic Justice Organizations (BPAGAFAC), Immigration Law Literacy & Rights Education (EDAAADAB)

Keywords

• Immigration legal services
• Community nonprofit programs
• Legal aid services
• Family support services
• Community coalition building

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Support: The organization relies on donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants to fund operations. Donation links are prominently featured on the website. Sponsorships for events like MEX talks and Mexayuno provide another funding stream.
2. Service Fees: Immigration legal services provided at affordable rates. Registration hours are available Monday-Wednesday at 9:30am without appointment requirement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Latinos Progresando is a Chicago-based nonprofit 501c3 organization providing professional, affordable immigration legal services (citizenship, family petitions, DACA renewals, U Visa, VAWA, consular processing) recognized by the Department of Justice. It complements these core legal services with community programs including cultural programming (MEX talks, Mexayuno), family stabilization support (Our Homes), small business technical assistance (Our Shops), cultural preservation initiatives (Our Stories), and coalition-building through the Marshall Square Resource Network.

Product overview

Latinos Progresando is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of immigration legal services and community programs. The core offering is Department of Justice-recognized immigration legal services including citizenship applications, family petitions, DACA renewals, and U Visa assistance. These legal services are complemented by community initiatives including the Marshall Square Resource Network (MSRN), a coalition of 60+ partner organizations. Cultural programming includes MEX talks (annual speaker series) and Mexayuno (advocacy breakfast). The Our Chicago initiative provides integrated support through four areas: Our Rights (legal services expansion), Our Homes (family support), Our Shops (small business assistance), and Our Stories (cultural preservation). Additional programs include the Run 4 Latinos marathon team and Social Emotional Learning curriculum. The organization is a 501c3 nonprofit established in 1998.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Our Chicago: A citywide collaborative working to protect immigrant communities and strengthen Chicago's neighborhoods through legal services, family support, small business investment, and community storytelling.
• Our Rights
• Our Homes
• Our Shops
• Our Stories
• MEX talks
• Mexayuno
• Run 4 Latinos
• Marshall Square Resource Network (MSRN)
• Excellerator Fund

Products and services

• Immigration Legal Services Professional, affordable immigration legal services including citizenship, family petitions, DACA renewals, U Visa assistance, VAWA, consular processing, and Legal Permanent Residence Card Renewal. Recognized by the Department of Justice to provide immigration legal services. Walk-in registration hours Monday-Wednesday at 9:30am.
• MEX talks Annual speaker showcase created by Latinos Progresando to give Mexican and Mexican American leaders a platform to reflect on shared identity and inspire positive change through storytelling. In its 13th year in 2026.
• Mexayuno Annual advocacy-focused breakfast (desayuno) held on Mexican Independence Day to elevate important topics for the Mexican community and forge a path to shared prosperity.
• Run 4 Latinos Team fundraising program where members run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to benefit Latinos Progresando's programs including immigration legal services and community initiatives.
• Marshall Square Resource Network (MSRN) Place-based coalition of more than 60 community organizations, schools, and businesses that collaborate on shared solutions in health, education, peace, and community response. Founded in 2010 by Latinos Progresando.
• Our Chicago Citywide collaborative initiative to protect immigrant communities through four focus areas: Our Rights, Our Homes, Our Shops, and Our Stories, providing legal services, family support, and small business investment.
• Our Homes Family support initiative providing direct assistance including food distribution, financial assistance, mental health resources, and partnerships with local nonprofits to stabilize families during crisis.
• Our Rights Immigration legal services expansion program offering bilingual Know Your Rights trainings, pro bono legal programs, legal representation, civil rights monitoring, and election protection efforts.
• Our Shops Small business support initiative providing financial relief, outreach, technical assistance, and coordinated local campaigns to strengthen commercial corridors and protect jobs.
• Our Stories Cultural preservation initiative investing in art, storytelling, and community documentation through artist commissions, community events, and story archives to shape the public narrative about Chicago immigrants.
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum Train-the-trainer curriculum to develop social emotional and leadership skills for parents at four neighborhood elementary schools, implemented with community parent leaders (Madres Líderes).
• La Cermak Corridor Small Business Program Partnership with family-owned businesses on the Cermak commercial corridor providing marketing assistance, technical assistance, funding opportunity sharing, and safety and walkability support.
• Excellerator Fund Multi-year initiative co-created with Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation to increase investment in Black and Mexican leadership through community-led grants.
• Know Your Rights Workshops Bilingual community education workshops on immigration legal system for residents and nonprofit organization staff, provided both ongoing and in response to policy shifts.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 9,600 clients received legal support over the last four years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ACLU of IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil rights monitoring and protection; Know Your Rights trainings; legal observers; immigration policy advocacy
• Chicago Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Marshall Square Resource Network; resource sharing; community programming
• Centro SanarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health services for families and nonprofit staff; trauma-informed care partnerships
• Greater Southwest Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development collaboration; small business corridor support; community investment initiatives
• Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal professional development; pro bono legal programs; immigration legal sector collaboration
• Illinois HumanitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural programming and storytelling initiatives; immigrant voice documentation
• Increase the PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeace initiatives in Marshall Square; community safety programs; grassroots organizing
• Little Village Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Lawndale Small Business Storefront Activation Program partnership ($250,000 ARPA funding); 26th Street and Cermak corridor revitalization
• Onward Neighborhood HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall business support services; corridor relief fund administration; community resource coordination
• OPEN Center for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural programming; artistic commissions; community arts events; outdoor classroom and courtyard project at Hammond Elementary
• Taller de JoseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity arts and cultural services; creative programming support
• Sinai ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare access; health education and disease prevention; community health initiatives through MSRN
• The Morton ArboretumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban Tree Canopy initiative; planted 122 street trees on Cermak corridor; Tree Ambassador Program collaboration
• The Nature Conservancy of IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban greening and environmental initiatives; street tree planting partnership; Hammond School courtyard project
• Greater Auburn Gresham Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-created Excellerator Fund - multi-year, multi-million dollar initiative to increase investment in Black and Mexican leadership; community-led grants to Black and Mexican-led organizations
• ABC7 ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for MEX talks 2026 event
• Harris TheaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for MEX talks 2026 at 205 E Randolph St, Chicago
• National Museum of Mexican ArtminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for MEX talks 2026; cultural collaboration
• Julian Grace FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for MEX talks 2026
• Marquette BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Mexayuno 2026 and MEX talks 2026; former Resource Center location in Marquette Bank branch
• Wintrust Bank Little VillageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Mexayuno 2026 and MEX talks 2026
• First Women's BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for MEX talks 2026
• Cabrera CapitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Mexayuno 2026
• LUNAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Mexayuno 2026
• The Urbanism BureauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Mexayuno 2026 and MEX talks 2026
• WIPFLIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Mexayuno 2026
• Valdez & Vilim, LLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Mexayuno 2026 and MEX talks 2026
• United AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnel Ruiz from United Airlines is a speaker at MEX talks 2026
• Esperanza Health CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnsite partner at Latinos Progresando Community Center providing healthcare services
• Lincoln Park ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnsite partner at Latinos Progresando Community Center; community programming collaboration
• Nourishing HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood and household items distribution partnership for basic needs support

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RefugeeOne: Chicago-based refugee resettlement and immigration services nonprofit providing legal services, case management, and integration support. Comparable in target population, service mix, and geographic base.
• The Resurrection Project: Chicago-based nonprofit serving immigrant communities through legal services, community organizing, and economic development on the Southwest Side. Closely comparable in mission, geography, and integrated program model combining legal aid with community development.
• National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC): Chicago-based immigrant legal services organization providing DOJ-recognized representation, advocacy, and policy work. Direct comparable on the immigration legal services core offering, though larger in scale and with a stronger national policy footprint.
• Erie Neighborhood House: Chicago-based nonprofit serving immigrant and low-income families on the West Side through education, family support, and community programs. Comparable in community-rooted immigrant services model in Chicago.
• HANA Center: Chicago-based Asian American community nonprofit serving immigrant and refugee communities through social services, advocacy, and cultural programs. Comparable as a place-based, immigrant-serving, community-rooted nonprofit in Chicago.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago: Large regional social services and immigration legal services provider with multiple program areas including refugee resettlement, family services, and legal aid. Overlapping on immigration legal services and social support, but operates as part of a much broader institutional portfolio.
• Heartland Alliance: Chicago-based anti-poverty and human rights organization providing immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, and social services. Overlaps with LP on immigrant legal services and human rights advocacy but operates at significantly larger scale across multiple states.

Emerging players

• Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR): Statewide immigrant rights advocacy coalition based in Chicago. Comparable in policy advocacy and community mobilization for immigrant communities in Illinois, but with a statewide rather than neighborhood-based focus.

Others

• United Way of Metro Chicago: Major Chicago-area funder and convening organization where MSRN is a United Way Neighborhood Network. Comparable as a community investment backbone and ecosystem funder, though operating as a funder rather than direct service provider.
• LISC Chicago: Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago office providing community development capital and small business support. Comparable as a core operational funder for LP and as an ecosystem player in Chicago's community development and small business corridor revitalization space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/latinospro
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@latinosproorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/latinospro
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/latinos-progresando
• Instagraminstagram.com/latinospro

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Latinos Progresando