Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago

What Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago does

Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 and headquartered at 180 N Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The organization operates as a public health intermediary and backbone entity that enhances the capacity of public health and healthcare systems across Illinois, with a 30-year focus on health equity for systematically marginalized populations including people affected by HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+ youth, transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) communities, justice-impacted individuals, and adolescents. PHIMC delivers impact through a portfolio of branded programs rather than a single product: The Alliance (LGBTQ+ youth advocacy and the Action Camp youth leadership retreat), the TGD Wellness and Equity Program (a $1.5 million statewide IDHS-funded initiative serving 3,758 individuals through 12 partner organizations in FY25), Routine HIV Screening (2,732 screenings via 14 suburban Cook County partners), the School Health Access Collaborative (SHAC), the Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program, the Community Reentry Project, the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances, and National Health Corps Chicago (an AmeriCorps workforce development pipeline).

PHIMC's business model is structurally that of a grant-funded nonprofit intermediary. Revenue flows from three streams: (1) government grants, principally from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and SAMHSA; (2) tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations via a Bloomerang-powered online portal and mail; and (3) fiscal agent services, in which PHIMC accepts directed donations on behalf of partner organizations. The organization administers sub-grants to a network of 100+ community partners rather than delivering all services directly. PHIMC holds no patents, proprietary technology assets, or AI/ML capabilities; its competitive position is built on relationships, regulatory standing with state funders, and 30 years of programmatic credibility. Leadership is led by President and CEO Karen A. Reitan, with a small executive team of approximately 51-100 staff supporting statewide operations.

Name

Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago

Legal name

Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago

Website

https://phimc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

PHIMC is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 that serves as a public health backbone organization across Illinois, enhancing healthcare system capacity for HIV-affected populations, LGBTQ+ youth, transgender communities, and justice-impacted individuals through grant-funded programs and a network of 100+ community partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Assistance (624), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAJAOAL

Health Systems Strengthening & Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Partnerships

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Global Health Initiatives & Partnerships

Keywords

• Public health programs
• Health equity initiatives
• HIV prevention services
• Gender-affirming care
• Grant program administration

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, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: PHIMC accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations through its secure online donation portal (processed by Bloomerang) and by mail. The organization is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
2. Government Grants: PHIMC receives grant funding from government agencies including the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to administer statewide programs such as the Transgender and Gender Diverse Wellness and Equity Program (~$1.5 million awarded to organizations statewide).
3. Fiscal Agent Services: PHIMC serves as fiscal agent for other organizations, accepting directed donations for partner organizations through a drop-down menu on the donation screen.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PHIMC is a nonprofit public health institute that strengthens the capacity of public health and healthcare systems across Illinois. It develops and administers grant-funded community health programs, coordinates collective-impact partnerships, and provides training, capacity building, and fiscal-agent services focused on health equity for marginalized communities.

Product overview

Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) is a nonprofit public health organization that operates as a collection of interconnected programs and initiatives rather than a unified technology product. The organization provides community health services including HIV prevention and screening (Routine HIV Screening), behavioral health and substance use support (Substance Use Services, Next Generation Wellness Network, Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program), LGBTQ+ youth development (The Alliance, Action Camp, Youth Health Conference), gender-affirming care (Transgender and Gender Diverse Wellness and Equity Program), school health infrastructure (School Health Access Collaborative), and workforce development (National Health Corps Chicago). PHIMC serves as a backbone organization that aligns people, strategies, and resources to strengthen public health across Illinois communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Action Camp: Annual 5-day sleepaway camp co-hosted with Youth Services, bringing together LGBTQ+ youth leaders from GSAs and youth groups across Illinois to learn and shape the safer schools movement.
• Transgender and Gender Diverse Wellness and Equity Program
• Regional Substance Use Prevention Integration Center (RSUPIC)
• School Health Access Collaborative (SHAC)
• National Health Corps Chicago
• Protecting Our Patients (POP) Campaign

Products and services

• Transgender and Gender Diverse Wellness and Equity Program Statewide initiative in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services providing comprehensive, medically necessary gender-affirming care to transgender, gender-diverse, and LGBTQ+ people across Illinois, including Healthcare Navigation Specialists and training for healthcare professionals.
• The Alliance (Illinois Safe Schools Alliance) Promotes safety, support, and healthy development for LGBTQ+ youth in Illinois through advocacy, education, youth organizing, and professional development.
• Community Reentry Project Supports individuals navigating reentry after involvement with the justice system, connecting them with health and social services; also runs the Illinois Reentry Conference.
• Routine HIV Screening Promotes and facilitates routine HIV testing in clinical settings to increase early detection and linkage to care, delivered through community partners in suburban Cook County.
• Protecting our Patients (POP) Campaign Campaign promoting health equity, patient protection, and affirming care for communities.
• School Health Access Collaborative (SHAC) Co-hosted with Healthy Schools Campaign, improves school health services infrastructure so Chicago students receive comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable care.
• Substance Use Services Provides substance use prevention, harm reduction, and support services across Illinois communities.
• Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program (OIFSP) Brings care and relief to Chicago neighborhoods most affected by opioid use disorder through community health workers.
• National Health Corps Chicago AmeriCorps program that partners with community organizations to support and train future health leaders while building public health workforce capacity.
• Action Camp Annual 5-day sleepaway camp co-hosted with Youth Services, bringing together LGBTQ+ youth leaders from GSAs across Illinois to learn, organize, and shape the safer schools movement.
• Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances Statewide public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services in Illinois, operated in partnership with HRiA and SAMHSA.
• Next Generation Wellness Network / RSUPIC Regional Substance Use Prevention Integration Center program that increases the capacity of institutions, organizations, and providers to support youth substance use prevention in Chicago.
• SPARK (Substance Prevention and Awareness Resource Kit) Youth substance prevention and awareness resource kit for communities.
• Youth Health Conference Interdisciplinary conference uniting young people and adult allies to address issues impacting youth health and well-being.
• Fiscal Agent Services Serves as fiscal agent for partner organizations, accepting and managing directed donations and funds on their behalf.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2732 Routine HIV screenings conducted by 14 community partners in suburban Cook County
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2024IDHS is the primary government funding partner for PHIMC's statewide initiatives. The partnership includes the $1.5M Transgender and Gender Diverse Wellness and Equity Program to expand gender-affirming care across Illinois. IDHS Secretary Designate Dulce M. Quintero leads the agency, which has over 14,000 employees.
• Brave Space AlliancemajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 June 2024Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center on Chicago's South Side. Awarded funding through TGD Wellness and Equity Program to launch mental health program with licensed counseling services.
• Center on HalstedmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 June 2024Major Chicago LGBTQ+ community center. Awarded funding to deepen commitment to LGBTQ+ youth with housing and culturally competent gender-affirming behavioral healthcare.
• Chicago House and Social Service AgencymajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 June 2024Chicago-based organization operating TransLife Care Program for TGNC individuals since 2013. Awarded funding to expand with two part-time peer health navigators.
• CALOR (AIDS Healthcare Foundation)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 June 2024Organization serving Latines, Spanish-speaking individuals, and immigrants. Implementing comprehensive initiatives for TGD community with emphasis on LGBTQ+ Latines.
• Central Illinois FriendsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 June 2024Peoria-based organization expanding LGBTQ+ services with new clinic inside Peoria's first LGBTQ+ Community Center, counseling, and healthcare navigation.
• Southern Illinois University (Board of Trustees)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 June 2024SIU School of Medicine operates the Transgender and Gender Equity Clinic in Springfield providing gender-affirming primary care, hormone therapy, and mental health services.
• Erie Family Health CentersmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Community health center that has partnered with NHC for over 10 years, hosting 30+ members. NHC members significantly expand work at Erie providing health education, community outreach, and social determinants of health support.
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's HospitalmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024NHC Chicago host site where AmeriCorps member created substance use curriculum tailored to Chicago with specific city resources and materials.
• Health Resources in Action (HRiA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018PHIMC partners with HRiA and SAMHSA to manage outreach and community engagement for the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances since 2018.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Federal agency partnering with PHIMC and HRiA to support the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances through outreach and community engagement.
• National Health Corps (NHC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014NHC is an AmeriCorps program that partners with PHIMC as the NHC Chicago host organization. PHIMC coordinates with community organizations across Chicago to support and train tomorrow's compassionate health leaders through NHC Chicago.
• Youth ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Youth Services co-hosts Action Camp with PHIMC annually. This 5-day sleepaway camp brings together LGBTQ+ youth leaders from GSAs across Illinois. Youth Services' Pride Youth Program and prideLEAD program collaborate with PHIMC's Alliance program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Health Resources in Action (HRiA): Boston-based public health nonprofit that builds capacity for health equity through partnerships, training, and grant administration. HRiA is already a PHIMC partner on the Illinois Helpline, making it the closest comparable backbone organization with overlapping service lines.
• Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI): Statewide Illinois nonprofit that convenes partners, advances health equity, and builds public health infrastructure. Directly comparable as a regional backbone organization serving overlapping Illinois populations and funder base.
• AIDS Foundation of Chicago: Chicago-based nonprofit focused on HIV/AIDS advocacy, prevention, and care services. Overlaps directly with PHIMC's HIV screening and LGBTQ+ health equity programming in the same metropolitan market.
• Howard Brown Health: Chicago LGBTQ+ focused community health center providing primary care, gender-affirming services, and behavioral health. Operates downstream of PHIMC's LGBTQ+ and TGD programming with overlapping populations.
• Center on Halsted: Chicago's largest LGBTQ+ community center providing behavioral health, housing, and youth services. Already a PHIMC grantee under the TGD program, making it both a partner and a comparable service provider.
• Prevention Institute: National nonprofit that advances prevention and health equity through systems change and partnership models. Comparable as a capacity-building and collective-impact intermediary focused on structurally marginalized communities.

Emerging players

• Equality Illinois: Statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights advocacy organization. Adjacent to PHIMC's Alliance work — overlapping on policy and youth advocacy but focused on legislative rather than health-systems change.
• Erie Family Health Centers: Chicago-area federally qualified health center providing community-based primary care. An NHC Chicago partner host site; comparable as a service delivery organization addressing health equity in overlapping Chicago populations.

Broad incumbents

• AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF): Largest global HIV/AIDS service organization, operating direct healthcare delivery. Already a partner via CALOR; comparable as a much larger-scale incumbent providing overlapping HIV and LGBTQ+ services.
• National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO): National membership organization representing local health departments. Operates as a public health capacity-building intermediary at a national scale, broadly comparable to PHIMC's local-level role.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PHIMCnews
• Facebookfacebook.com/PHIMCnews
• Instagraminstagram.com/phimcnews

Compliance1 record

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 Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago