The Dovetail Project
The Dovetail Project is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 that runs a curriculum-based fatherhood intervention program for young fathers ages 17–24, complemented by a relief fund and family health initiative, serving 750+ graduates and 14,000 families through free, cohort-based programming and community partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Dovetail Project does
The Dovetail Project is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit fatherhood intervention organization founded in 2009 by Sheldon Smith. It delivers a curriculum-based program targeting young fathers ages 17–24, covering parenting skills, life skills, felony street law, and career readiness, with post-graduation support including job placement, GED or trade certification, and ongoing case management.
The organization operates three interconnected programs: the core Fatherhood Program (cohort-based education), the Fatherhood Relief Fund (distribution of free baby care items, personal care items, and household essentials serving over 14,000 families across Chicagoland since its 2020 COVID-era launch), and the Dovetail Family Health Initiative (engaging fathers in family health and wellness decisions). Services are delivered free of charge to participants at the organization's Chicago South Side headquarters and through community events and relief giveaways.
The Dovetail Project is structured as a program of International Neighborhood Collaborative, its parent 501(c)(3). Revenue is generated exclusively through grants and donations — no fees are charged to participants. Notable funders include Chicago Beyond ($1M in 2016), Aetna Better Health of Illinois/CVS Health ($100K in January 2025), and the NBA Foundation with the Chicago Bulls (April 2025). The organization has cumulatively raised over $5 million since founding, serves on a lean 1–10 person staff, and has graduated 750+ fathers across 30 cohorts.
The Dovetail Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Dovetail Project
- Legal name
- The Dovetail Project
- Website
- https://thedovetailproject.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Dovetail Project is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 that runs a curriculum-based fatherhood intervention program for young fathers ages 17–24, complemented by a relief fund and family health initiative, serving 750+ graduates and 14,000 families through free, cohort-based programming and community partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Dovetail Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fatherhood Intervention Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Co-Parenting, Father Engagement & Caregiver Inclusion Programs (EDACALAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)
Keywords
Where The Dovetail Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Dovetail Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants: Primary funding from foundation grants including NBA Foundation, Aetna Better Health of Illinois, and Chicago Beyond
- Individual Donations: Monetary donations from individuals via card, PayPal, cryptocurrency, stock transfers, and Donor Advised Funds
- In-Kind Donations: Donations of baby care items, personal care items, and household supplies from individuals and corporate partners
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Dovetail Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Dovetail Project is a Chicago-based fatherhood intervention nonprofit that delivers a curriculum-based Fatherhood Program to young fathers ages 17-24 covering parenting skills, life skills, felony street law, and career readiness, with post-graduation support including job placement, GED or trade certification, and ongoing case management. It complements the core program with the Fatherhood Relief Fund, which distributes free baby care, personal care, and household essentials to families across Chicagoland, and the Dovetail Family Health Initiative, which engages fathers as active partners in family health and equitable well-being. All three programs are offered at no cost to participants and are funded through foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and individual donations.
Product overview
The Dovetail Project is a fatherhood intervention nonprofit organization that operates three interconnected programs. The core Fatherhood Program provides curriculum-based education for young fathers ages 17-24, covering parenting skills, life skills, and legal literacy, with post-graduation support including job placement and case management. This is complemented by the Fatherhood Relief Fund, which distributes essential goods to families in need, and the Dovetail Family Health Initiative, which engages fathers in family health and wellness. Together, these programs form a comprehensive approach to supporting fathers and strengthening families across Chicago.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fatherhood Program A curriculum-based parenting skills program for young fathers ages 17-24 teaching the responsibilities of parenthood and emphasizing fathers' importance in the lives of their children. Curriculum covers parenting skills, life skills, and felony street law, and graduates receive job placement support, GED or trade certification, and ongoing case management. Provided free to participants.
- Fatherhood Relief Fund A community initiative distributing free baby care items, personal care items, household essentials, and other critical goods to families in need across Chicagoland. Has served more than 14,000 families to date through community giveaway events.
- Dovetail Family Health Initiative A program empowering fathers as active partners in family health and promoting equitable well-being for all families. Focuses on engaging fathers in healthcare decisions and family wellness.
Quantifiable outcome
- Children with active fathers are 75% less likely to become young parents themselves
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Dovetail Project
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Dovetail Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
The Dovetail Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Chicago BullscoreThe Chicago Bulls partnered with The Dovetail Project alongside the NBA Foundation to support fatherhood programs in Chicago, providing visibility and resources to help expand program reach and impact.
- International Neighborhood CollaborativecoreThe Dovetail Project is a program of International Neighborhood Collaborative, a 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the parent nonprofit entity.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Dovetail Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AVANCE: National nonprofit providing early childhood and family support programs targeting underserved Hispanic and at-risk families. Comparable community-based family education and parenting skills curriculum model.
- The Jeremiah Program: National nonprofit providing holistic support for single mothers and their children through education, career development, and family services. Comparable wraparound service model with combined parenting and economic stability focus.
- National Fatherhood Initiative: National nonprofit dedicated to fatherhood engagement through education, resource development, and community programming. Directly comparable mission and target demographic as The Dovetail Project's fatherhood intervention focus.
- The Center for Urban Families: Baltimore-based nonprofit strengthening urban families through fatherhood programming, workforce development, and family services. Comparable urban fatherhood intervention model with similar wraparound service approach.
- Fathers' UpLift: Boston-based fatherhood intervention nonprofit providing counseling, parenting support, and reentry services to fathers. Direct peer in mission, target demographic, and cohort-based service model.
Broad incumbents
- Nurse-Family Partnership: National nonprofit operating evidence-based nurse home-visiting program for first-time parents. Comparable mission of supporting vulnerable parents with structured curriculum and outcomes-based service delivery.
- Parents as Teachers: National home-visiting parent education organization serving families from prenatal through kindergarten. Comparable parent education and family engagement model with scaled national affiliate network.
Regional players
- National Healthy Start Association: National membership organization supporting Healthy Start programs serving at-risk pregnant women, infants, and fathers. Comparable federal grant-funded community intervention model targeting similar demographics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Dovetail Project social profiles
Digital presenceThe Dovetail Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Dovetail Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Dovetail Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Dovetail Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Dovetail Project
What does The Dovetail Project do?
The Dovetail Project is a Chicago-based fatherhood intervention nonprofit that delivers a curriculum-based Fatherhood Program to young fathers ages 17-24 covering parenting skills, life skills, felony street law, and career readiness, with post-graduation support including job placement, GED or trade certification, and ongoing case management. It complements the core program with the Fatherhood Relief Fund, which distributes free baby care, personal care, and household essentials to families across Chicagoland, and the Dovetail Family Health Initiative, which engages fathers as active partners in family health and equitable well-being. All three programs are offered at no cost to participants and are funded through foundation grants, corporate partnerships, and individual donations.
Is The Dovetail Project a public or private company?
The Dovetail Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Dovetail Project founded?
The Dovetail Project was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Dovetail Project based?
The Dovetail Project is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Dovetail Project make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations and in-Kind Donations.
Who are The Dovetail Project's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AVANCE, The Jeremiah Program, National Fatherhood Initiative, The Center for Urban Families and Fathers' UpLift. Broad incumbents are Nurse-Family Partnership and Parents as Teachers. National Healthy Start Association is listed as a regional player.
Does The Dovetail Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Dovetail Project.
What industry is The Dovetail Project in?
The Dovetail Project's product category is Fatherhood Intervention Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACALAI, Co-Parenting, Father Engagement & Caregiver Inclusion Programs, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAC, Family & Parenting Support Services. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8200.