Elim
Elim Christian Services is a 501c3 nonprofit operating two Chicago-area campuses that provide special education, adult day services, therapy, and vocational programs for over 500 children and adults with developmental disabilities, funded through donations, grants, and service fees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersCrestwood, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Elim does
Elim Christian Services is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Crestwood, Illinois, that provides educational, therapeutic, vocational, and community-integration services to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Founded in 1969 to serve graduating students with limited post-school options, Elim now operates two Chicago-area campuses serving more than 220 adults daily and over 500 students and adults combined, with a service continuum that includes Bridges Elementary, Middle School, High School, and the Crossroads Transition Program on the school side, and adult day services, life-skills training, and vocational programming on the adult side. The organization is CARF-accredited and is faith-based, rooted in the Christian Reformed community.
Elim's product surface is service-based rather than technology-based. Core revenue and mission delivery come from School Services and Adult Services, supplemented by HOPE Packs, a social-enterprise program in which adults with disabilities assemble school kits, hygiene kits, military kits, and hunger kits that are distributed nationally and internationally through church and business partnerships. Elim funds its operations through a mix of charitable contributions from individuals, churches, businesses, and grant-making organizations (including the Coleman Foundation), plus service fees for tuition, transportation, lunch, and milk (with a 3% online processing fee). Its GTM is community-led, relying on church networks, volunteer engagement, testimonial storytelling, and events. Operationally, Elim uses standard nonprofit tooling (UKG, TalentLMS, SharePoint, UltiPro) and maintains a formal non-discrimination policy. Strategic relationships include a long-standing partnership with Trinity Christian College through the Alexander DeJong Center for Special Education (CSPED, est. 2006) and a broad network of Chicago-area mission partners.
Elim firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Elim
- Legal name
- Elim Christian Services
- Website
- https://elimcs.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Elim Christian Services is a 501c3 nonprofit operating two Chicago-area campuses that provide special education, adult day services, therapy, and vocational programs for over 500 children and adults with developmental disabilities, funded through donations, grants, and service fees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Elim industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Services and Special Education
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs (EDAKAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG), Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI), Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG)
Keywords
Where Elim is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Crestwood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Elim business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Elim operates as a 501c3 nonprofit organization (EIN 36-2276614) relying primarily on donations from individuals, churches, businesses, and grant-making organizations. Donations support educational programs, adult services, and the HOPE Packs initiative.
- Service Fees: Elim charges fees for certain services including student/client payments for lunch, milk, transportation, tuition, and other services. A 3% processing fee applies to online payments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Service fee structure for students and clients |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Elim product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Elim Christian Services provides special education programs (School Services with Bridges Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Crossroads Transition Program) for students with disabilities, adult day services including life skills development, vocational training, and community integration for adults with developmental disabilities, and the HOPE Packs social enterprise that employs adults with disabilities to assemble and distribute school, hygiene, military, and hunger kits.
Product overview
Elim Christian Services operates as a unified nonprofit service organization offering educational programs for students with disabilities (School Services) and day programs for adults with developmental disabilities (Adult Services). The organization also runs HOPE Packs, a social enterprise program where adults with disabilities assemble and distribute various kits (School Kits, Hygiene Kits, Military Kits, and Hunger Kits) to communities in need. The portfolio consists of core service programs rather than a technology platform architecture.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HOPE Packs: A social enterprise program that provides meaningful work opportunities for individuals with disabilities while supplying essential school supplies, hygiene kits, military kits, and hunger kits to students, families, and communities in need domestically and internationally.
Products and services
- School Services Educational programs for students with disabilities including Bridges Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Crossroads Transition Program, providing specialized instruction, individualized therapy services (occupational, physical, speech), and life skills development for children with various disabilities including cerebral palsy, autism, and intellectual/developmental delays.
- Adult Services Day programs serving adults with developmental disabilities including life skills development, vocational training, and community integration opportunities at two Chicago-area campuses serving over 220 individuals daily.
- HOPE Packs A social enterprise providing meaningful work for individuals with disabilities while supplying essential kits to communities in need, including school supply kits (pencils, folders, notebooks, glue, markers, erasers, scissors), hygiene kits (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, deodorant, combs), military snack and supply kits, and hunger kits (protein and nutritious food items) distributed nationally and internationally.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 220 adults served daily at two campuses
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Elim
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Elim technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Elim partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Trinity Christian College - Alexander DeJong Center for Special Education (CSPED)coreOngoing partnership since 2006 between Elim Christian Services and Trinity Christian College through the Alexander DeJong Center for Special Education. Trinity preservice teachers plan and implement lessons for Elim students, providing real-world teaching experience while serving Elim's student population. Students experience Community Living lessons including library visits, café ordering, wellness activities, and mail center visits on Trinity's campus.
- Chicagoland Prison OutreachminorMission partner supporting Elim's community outreach efforts.
- Faith and ActionminorMission partner in Elim's network of ministry partners.
- Christ CaresminorMission partner serving the broader community through Elim's HOPE Packs program.
- Lampstand MinistriesminorMission partner in Elim's network of ministry partners.
- YMEN (Youth Ministry Effectiveness Network)minorMission partner serving the Chicago area community.
- Restoration MinistriesminorMission partner in Elim's network of ministry partners.
- Roseland Christian MinistriesminorPartner in the Roseland neighborhood serving the local community through HOPE Packs distribution.
- Circle Urban MinistriesminorMission partner serving the urban community.
- Break Through Urban MinistriesminorMission partner providing community support services.
- ResilientminorPartner organization serving the Chicago community.
- Various Chicagoland ChurchesminorChurches including Christ Community Church, Faith Christian Reformed Church (Elmhurst), Faith Church Dyer, Hope Christian Reformed Church, Lombard Christian Reformed Church, Munster Church, Village Church Dyer, and others that host HOPE Packs campaigns and support distribution.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Elim competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Little City Foundation: Chicago-area nonprofit serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, day, and educational programs. Directly comparable to Elim in mission (faith-adjacent, IDD focus), geography (Chicagoland), and service mix (school + adult services).
- Keshet: Chicago-area nonprofit serving individuals with developmental disabilities through education, adult programming, and community inclusion. Highly comparable to Elim on geography, mission, and participant population.
- Hope Services: California-based nonprofit providing employment, adult day, and housing services for people with developmental disabilities. Comparable to Elim on adult vocational services model and similar programmatic mix, though geographically distinct.
- Judson Services: Cleveland-area faith-based nonprofit serving children and adults with developmental disabilities through education, residential, and adult day programs. Highly comparable to Elim on faith-rooted mission, IDD focus, and lifecycle service model.
- Aspire (Chicago): Illinois-based nonprofit providing services for children and adults with developmental disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. Comparable to Elim as a Chicago-area full-lifecycle IDD provider with similar program mix (adult day, employment, residential).
- Giant Steps: Illinois-based nonprofit providing education and therapeutic services specifically for children with autism spectrum disorder. Comparable to Elim's Bridges School and autism programming (Lauren Richmond is Autism Program Coordinator).
- Community Alternatives Unlimited: Chicago-based nonprofit providing adult day services, vocational programs, and community-based supports for adults with developmental disabilities. Directly comparable to Elim's Adult Services division in geography and programming.
Broad incumbents
- Easterseals: National nonprofit network providing disability services, special education, and vocational rehabilitation across the U.S. Comparable to Elim as a large-scale IDD and special education operator, though broader in scope and not faith-based.
- The Arc of the United States: National advocacy and direct-service organization supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable to Elim's adult services and transition programming mission, with much broader geographic reach.
Emerging players
- TouchPoint Autism Services: Chicago-area nonprofit providing ABA therapy and autism services. Comparable to Elim as a regional autism-services provider, though more focused on therapy rather than full lifecycle services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Elim social profiles
Digital presenceElim financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Elim leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Elim funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Elim 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 Elim
What does Elim do?
Elim Christian Services provides special education programs (School Services with Bridges Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Crossroads Transition Program) for students with disabilities, adult day services including life skills development, vocational training, and community integration for adults with developmental disabilities, and the HOPE Packs social enterprise that employs adults with disabilities to assemble and distribute school, hygiene, military, and hunger kits.
Is Elim a public or private company?
Elim is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Elim founded?
Elim was founded in 1969. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Elim based?
Elim is headquartered in Crestwood, United States, in the North America region.
How does Elim make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are service Fees.
Who are Elim's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Little City Foundation, Keshet, Hope Services, Judson Services, Aspire (Chicago), Giant Steps and Community Alternatives Unlimited. Broad incumbents are Easterseals and The Arc of the United States. TouchPoint Autism Services is listed as an emerging player.
Does Elim have an API?
No public API is recorded for Elim.
What industry is Elim in?
Elim's product category is Disability Services and Special Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAAAD, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Schools & Life Skills Programs, with a secondary code of EDAJAKAG, Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills). Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.