Illinois Public Health Institute

What Illinois Public Health Institute does

Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit public health institute founded in 2001 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. IPHI advances health justice in Illinois and the broader Lake Michigan region by convening multi-sector coalitions, delivering capacity building and training, and operating programs across food systems, housing, healthcare, education, environment, and public health. Core programs include the Chicago Regionwide Community Information Exchange (CIE), the Alliance for Health Equity, Chicago/Illinois CARES (diabetes prevention), the Illinois State Physical Activity and Nutrition (ISPAN) program, the Illinois Alliance to Promote Opportunities for Health (IAPOH, 74+ organizations), Data Across Sectors for Health (DASH, co-led nationally with Michigan Public Health Institute), the Illinois Medical Respite Capacity Building Initiative, and the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub. Technology components include IPHI's CIE platform built on 4medica cloud-based identity resolution infrastructure and the wellconnected social care platform, enabling inter-sectoral data sharing across healthcare providers, social service agencies, and community organizations. The DASH Knowledge Base functions as a searchable national repository of multi-sector data-sharing articles, briefs, toolkits, webinars, and podcasts.

IPHI's revenue model is grant and contract-based rather than commercial: federal funding flows from agencies including the CDC (ISPAN) and USDA (Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub), supplemented by Illinois state funding from the Department of Public Health, Department of Human Services, Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, and State Board of Education, plus foundation support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (DASH). IPHI also administers pass-through grant programs to community organizations, including medical respite capacity building grants to 29 organizations and Innovation Hub sub-grants up to $200,000. Pricing is not applicable as IPHI does not sell products or services commercially; instead, it generates impact through coalition convening, technical assistance, policy advocacy, and grant administration. The organization operates as a convener and coalition leader rather than a product vendor, with go-to-market executed through coalition leadership, government partnerships, regional convenings, and thought-leadership publishing. IPHI employs approximately 40 staff members and is governed by an independent Board of Directors; it has no parent company and no equity investors. In 2024, Dr. Crystal Pirtle Tyler succeeded Elissa Bassler as CEO, and Ed Stellon was hired as the new Chief External Affairs Officer, signaling a renewed focus on integrating health and housing strategy and expanding external fundraising.

Name

Illinois Public Health Institute

Legal name

Illinois Public Health Institute

Website

https://iphionline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that advances health justice through multi-sector coalition convening, capacity building, policy advocacy, and data-sharing platforms serving healthcare, food, housing, education, and public health systems across Illinois and the Lake Michigan region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health Services

NAICS

Administration of Public Health Programs (92312), Administration of Public Health Programs (923120), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health Equity, Access & Social Determinants Programs (BPAIAJAO), Public Health Program Administration & Operations (HLAJAMAB), Health Equity & Social Determinants Program Funding (HLAJALAK)

Keywords

• Public health policy
• Health equity coalitions
• Capacity building services
• Multi-sector data sharing
• Community health partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: IPHI receives significant funding from federal agencies including CDC (for ISPAN program), USDA (for Lake Michigan School Food Innovation Hub), and state agencies including Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Human Services, and Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.
2. Foundation/NGO Funding: Funding from foundations including Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (supports DASH initiative), and partnerships with organizations like National Farm to School Network, Action for Healthy Kids.
3. Grants to Partner Organizations: IPHI administers grant programs and passes through funding to community organizations - including medical respite capacity building grants to 29 organizations, and Lake Michigan School Food Innovation Hub grants.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Illinois Public Health Institute advances health justice by convening multi-sector coalitions, advocating for equitable health policy, building capacity of community organizations, and operating data sharing infrastructure such as the Chicago Regionwide Community Information Exchange. Its work spans chronic disease prevention, food systems, housing and homelessness, healthcare access, and public health infrastructure strengthening across Illinois with national reach.

Product overview

The Illinois Public Health Institute operates as a public health organization rather than a technology product company. Its offerings consist of multiple programs and initiatives focused on advancing health justice: the Chicago Regionwide Community Information Exchange (CIE) is a data-sharing IT platform; Alliance for Health Equity is a hospital-community partnership coalition; Chicago/Illinois CARES focuses on diabetes prevention; ISPAN addresses physical activity and nutrition; IAPOH is a multi-sector coalition; DASH supports multi-sector data sharing nationally; and the Medical Respite Initiative and Lake Michigan School Food Innovation Hub provide specific health/social services. These operate as distinct programs rather than an integrated product suite.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Illinois State Physical Activity and Nutrition (ISPAN): A five-year initiative to make it easier for Illinoisans to live the healthiest lives possible, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Illinois Alliance to Promote Opportunities for Health (IAPOH)
• Data Across Sectors for Health (DASH)
• Chicago CARES

Products and services

• Chicago Regionwide Community Information Exchange (CIE) A regionwide IT platform and coordinated network that enables health care providers, social service agencies, and community organizations to share information securely, creating a single longitudinal record for individuals to facilitate coordinated whole-person care.
• Alliance for Health Equity
• Chicago CARES / Illinois CARES Multi-sector initiatives to expand access to evidence-based diabetes prevention and management programs, including the National Diabetes Prevention Program, diabetes self-management education and support services.
• Illinois State Physical Activity and Nutrition (ISPAN) Program A five-year CDC-funded initiative to implement nutrition and physical activity interventions, focusing on breastfeeding support, early care and education, physical activity/built environment, and nutrition access.
• Illinois Alliance to Promote Opportunities for Health (IAPOH) A multi-sector coalition of 74+ organizations working to address nutrition, physical activity, and chronic health conditions in Illinois through policy advocacy and community capacity building.
• Data Across Sectors for Health (DASH) A national initiative co-led by IPHI and Michigan Public Health Institute that elevates models, principles, and practices supporting equitable multi-sector data sharing across communities.
• Illinois Medical Respite Capacity Building Initiative An initiative funding 29 community organizations across Illinois to expand access to medical respite care for people experiencing homelessness who are recovering from illness or injury.
• Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub A USDA-funded grant-making initiative to support community-driven collaborations that reimagine school meals, offering funding to local food system leaders in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
• Capacity Building Services Strategic guidance and customized support including training, technical assistance, collaborative learning models, and Project ECHO education-based networks to expand skills and impact of public health systems.
• Strategic Planning Services Organizational strategic planning facilitation services for developing forward-looking, equity-centered, and comprehensive organizational strategic plans.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 700 community members helped through Chicago CARES diabetes prevention programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Illinois Alliance to Promote Opportunities for Health (IAPOH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-sector coalition convened by IPHI since 2010, with more than 74 organizations working together to address nutrition, physical activity, and chronic health conditions in Illinois. IPHI leads the coalition's strategic planning and policy agenda.
• Alliance for Health EquitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the nation's largest collaborative hospital-community partnerships, involving IPHI, hospitals, health departments, and community organizations across Chicago and Suburban Cook County. Works on community health needs assessment and health equity initiatives.
• Data Across Sectors for Health (DASH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational initiative led by IPHI in partnership with Michigan Public Health Institute, supported by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Elevates models, principles, and practices for equitable multi-sector data sharing.
• University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on state health assessment and improvement planning, and collaborative research including nutrition/physical activity assessment at early care and education centers statewide.
• Illinois Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState health agency partner for ISPAN program, State Health Improvement Plan partnership, and various public health initiatives.
• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for Illinois Medical Respite Capacity Building Initiative and implementation of Medicaid Section 1115 Waiver for nutrition services.
• Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState office partnered with IPHI to support communities building medical respite systems and address homelessness as a public health issue.
• Cook CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with IPHI in developing the Chicago Regionwide Community Information Exchange for coordinated social and health care.
• City of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with IPHI in creating the Chicago Regionwide CIE and technical assistance for first-ever Cumulative Impact Assessment.
• 4medicacoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing cloud-based data-sharing infrastructure for Chicago Regionwide CIE, specializing in high-quality identity resolution to ensure 'one person, one record'.
• wellconnectedcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner powering the social care platform for Chicago Regionwide CIE, providing user-friendly interface for referral management, resource directories, and care coordination.
• New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner for Chicago Regionwide CIE, providing training and operational expertise to ensure providers are supported from day one.
• Illinois State Physical Activity and Nutrition (ISPAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-year CDC-funded initiative administered by IPHI in collaboration with Illinois Department of Public Health and local health departments in two regions, implementing physical activity and nutrition interventions.
• National Institute for Medical Respite Care (NIMRC)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner with IPHI to provide technical assistance for medical respite programs statewide and manage learning collaborative for capacity building.
• Action for Healthy KidsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Lake Michigan School Food Innovation Hub providing crosscutting support and program evaluation.
• National Farm to School NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Lake Michigan School Food Innovation Hub providing support for program design and outreach.
• Chicago Food Policy Action CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Lake Michigan School Food Innovation Hub providing support for program design and outreach.
• Trinity HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPHI provides coaching and tools to support nine communities with strategic planning for community-led policy and systems change. Individual support for multi-sector collaboratives in Fresno CA, Wilmington DE, and Waterbury CT.
• National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting teams conducting assessments and action plans for active transportation in Illinois communities.
• HealthConnect OnemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based nonprofit coordinating lactation courses to expand culturally appropriate breastfeeding support in BIPOC communities.
• Michigan Public Health InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPHI's counterpart partner in leading the DASH national initiative for multi-sector data sharing.
• Active Transportation AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner guiding volunteer teams in sidewalk audits and active transportation planning in Murphysboro and other Illinois communities.
• Illinois State Board of EducationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing Illinois Enhanced Physical Education Strategic Plan and improving physical education quality for all K-12 students.
• Chicago Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Systems Change Collaborative, Alliance for Health Equity, and Chicago CARES diabetes prevention initiatives.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Michigan Public Health Institute: Michigan Public Health Institute is a nonprofit public health institute in Okemos, Michigan, that is IPHI's explicit counterpart partner in co-leading the national Data Across Sectors for Health (DASH) initiative. Both organizations share the same model of convening coalitions, administering state/federal grants, and operating multi-sector data initiatives, making MPHI IPHI's closest structural peer.
• Louisiana Public Health Institute: Louisiana Public Health Institute is a nonprofit public health institute based in New Orleans that operates the same convening, capacity-building and grant-administration model as IPHI across Louisiana. It is even credited as a co-author with IPHI leadership on assessment-to-action public health blogs, reflecting identical operating playbooks and similar state-level government-grant revenue mixes.
• Health Resources in Action (HRiA): HRiA is a Boston-based nonprofit public health institute that delivers capacity building, coalition convening, grant administration, and Community Health Needs Assessment services to state and local health departments. It competes with IPHI for similar foundation and CDC funding pools and runs analogous multi-sector data and evaluation programs.

Broad incumbents

• National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI): NNPHI is the national membership network of independent public health institutes, of which IPHI is a member. It sets standards, facilitates cross-institute learning, and convenes members on multi-state initiatives, operating as a broader umbrella incumbent over IPHI's specific Illinois focus.
• National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO): NACCHO is the national membership association representing the country's 3,000+ local health departments. As a broader incumbent, NACCHO overlaps with IPHI on local public health capacity building, policy advocacy, and convening, but operates nationally rather than running direct program service in any single state.

Emerging players

• Public Health Foundation: Public Health Foundation is a nonprofit based in Washington, DC that provides training, performance management, and quality improvement services to public health departments. It overlaps with IPHI on capacity-building and workforce development offerings for government health agencies but specializes more in TRAIN learning networks than direct program administration.
• ReThink Health (Rippel Foundation): ReThink Health is the Rippel Foundation's initiative focused on health equity multi-sector collaboration, coalition coaching, and systems-change strategy. It is comparable to IPHI's Health Justice Community of Practice and Trinity Health systems-change coaching work, sharing a similar emphasis on equity-centered coalition leadership.

Others

• Trust for America's Health: Trust for America's Health is a nonprofit policy organization that conducts public health research and federal-level advocacy on chronic disease, emergency preparedness, and health equity. It is comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant that influences federal funding streams (CDC, USDA) on which IPHI depends, rather than as a direct program administrator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illinois-public-health-institute
• Xx.com/iphionline
• Facebookfacebook.com/illinoispublichealthinstitute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Illinois Public Health Institute