Growing Hope
Growing Hope is a Ypsilanti, Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating an integrated local food system—a 1.4-acre urban farm, year-round farmers markets, a commercial incubator/accelerator kitchen, youth education, and food access programs—serving Washtenaw County residents, food entrepreneurs, and food-insecure households.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersYpsilanti, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Growing Hope does
Growing Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2003 and headquartered in Ypsilanti, Michigan, that operates an integrated local food system spanning an urban farm, farmers markets, a commercial incubator kitchen, an accelerator kitchen, youth education, and food access programs. The organization was initially focused on school garden development and expanded over two decades to manage the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers Market (since 2006), the Depot Town Farmers Market (since 2013), a 1.4-acre Urban Farm (established 2008), the Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace and Incubator Kitchen (completed 2018), and the year-round Ypsi Area Online Market (launched 2020), as well as the new Accelerator Kitchen opened in 2026. Its core offerings include subsidized or free field trips, a paid Teen Leadership Program ($14/hour), kitchen rental at affordable hourly rates, farmers market vendor placement, the Home Vegetable Garden Program, and community composting—delivered to Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County residents, food entrepreneurs, youth, and food-insecure households.
Growing Hope's underlying technology is non-proprietary and operationally modest: a year-round online farmers market platform, a web-based tool lending library, Galaxy Digital for volunteer management, and standard digital forms. The organization's competitive differentiation is grounded in community programming models and food systems expertise rather than software or hardware technology. It holds a Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating, a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, and a permanent endowment (Kramer Family Fund) with the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.
The organization's business model relies on a diversified mix of revenue streams: individual donations (one-time, recurring, stock, planned giving, Kroger Community Rewards), foundation and government grants (USDA, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, DTE, BCBSM, United Way, AAACF), corporate sponsorships (Kroger, Domino's, Google, Target, Zingerman's), incubator/accelerator kitchen rental fees, and farmers market vendor fees. Programs use sliding-scale and subsidized pricing—field trips are free for free/reduced-meal-eligible students, paid field trips start at $150 for groups up to 10, and kitchen rates are affordable but not publicly disclosed. The Incubator Kitchen has supported 70+ food businesses and helped launch 17 storefronts, food trucks, and co-packing operations across Southeast Michigan since 2018.
Growing Hope firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Growing Hope
- Legal name
- Growing Hope
- Website
- https://growinghope.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Growing Hope is a Ypsilanti, Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating an integrated local food system—a 1.4-acre urban farm, year-round farmers markets, a commercial incubator/accelerator kitchen, youth education, and food access programs—serving Washtenaw County residents, food entrepreneurs, and food-insecure households.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Growing Hope industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Food Systems
- NAICS
- Community Food Services (62421), Food Crops Grown Under Cover (11141), Other Crop Farming (1119)
- SIC
- Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD), Food Entrepreneurship (Food Trucks/Small Business) (EDAOAKAK), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)
Keywords
Where Growing Hope is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ypsilanti
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Growing Hope business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through one-time and recurring gifts. The organization promotes monthly giving and sustaining donor programs. Donation tiers are framed around programmatic impact: $250 hosts a field trip, $500 provides produce to a family for a season, $1,000 equips a household with a garden bed, $2,500 supports a teen employee's seasonal engagement. The organization also accepts stock donations, planned/bequest giving, and Kroger Community Rewards contributions.
- Foundation and Government Grants: Growing Hope receives grant funding from foundations and government agencies including the USDA, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, DTE Energy Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, and others. These grants support specific programs including youth leadership, farm-to-school, food access, and incubator kitchen operations. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and holds an endowment with the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.
- Corporate Sponsorship and Giving: Corporate partners provide financial support through sponsorship of events (e.g., Ypsi Food Fest), commercial co-venture partnerships (cause marketing), campaign sponsorships, grants, corporate matching, and charity of the year programs. Organizations such as Kroger, Domino's, Google, Target, and others are listed as corporate supporters.
- Incubator Kitchen Rental Fees: The Growing Hope Incubator Kitchen (and newly opened Accelerator Kitchen) provides licensed commercial kitchen space available to rent 24/7 at affordable hourly rates. Food entrepreneurs rent the space to prepare products for farmers markets, retail, and wholesale distribution. This generates rental income while supporting the organization's mission to lower barriers for food entrepreneurs.
- Farmers Market Fees: The Ypsilanti Farmers Market (Downtown and Depot Town locations) operates as a vendor marketplace. Vendor fees contribute to market operations. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks, demonstrating dual-revenue community benefit. A year-round online market (Ypsi Area Online Market) serves as an additional distribution channel for vendors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Free field trips for free/reduced meal eligible students; $150 minimum for paid groups |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Youth paid $14/hour for Teen Leadership Program participation |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Incubator Kitchen available 24/7 at affordable hourly rates |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation tiers tied to programmatic impact |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Growing Hope product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Growing Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates an integrated local food system ecosystem in Ypsilanti, Michigan, comprising a 1.4-acre urban farm, multiple farmers markets (Downtown Ypsilanti and Depot Town plus a year-round online market), commercial Incubator and Accelerator Kitchens for food entrepreneurs, youth food and agriculture education programs, and food access initiatives (SNAP Gap, Double Up Food Bucks, produce cart, Home Vegetable Garden Program).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Growing Hope Urban Farm
Quantifiable outcome
- Incubator Kitchen supported 70+ food businesses and helped launch 17 storefronts, food trucks, and co-packing operations across Southeast Michigan
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Growing Hope
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Growing Hope technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Growing Hope partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Argus Farm StopcoreArgus Farm Stop is a local retailer that stocks products from Growing Hope's food entrepreneurs (e.g., Humusfalafil is available on Argus Farm Stop's shelves). Argus Farm Stop's mission is to grow the local food economy. Tess Rian, Chair of Growing Hope's Board of Directors, works at Argus Farm Stop, creating a natural alignment.
- Food GathererscoreFood Gatherers is a food bank serving Washtenaw County. Growing Hope coordinates with Food Gatherers to donate surplus produce from the Urban Farm to local food pantries and program participants, creating a connected food access network.
- Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA)coreGrowing Hope is an active member of MIFMA. The organization was the third farmers market in Michigan to accept SNAP/EBT and one of the first to participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program, both initiatives supported through MIFMA's network and advocacy.
- Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State UniversitycoreThe Center for Regional Food Systems at MSU works to develop regionally integrated, sustainable food systems. Growing Hope participates in their networks and coalitions to advocate for food systems change and access research and best practices.
- Michigan Incubator Kitchen NetworkcoreGrowing Hope participates in the Michigan Incubator Kitchen Network, sharing best practices and resources with other commercial kitchen incubators across the state to support food entrepreneurs.
- Fair Food NetworkminorFair Food Network operates the Double Up Food Bucks program, which Growing Hope participates in at its farmers markets, allowing SNAP recipients to double their purchasing power on fresh produce.
- National Farm to School NetworkcoreGrowing Hope is part of the National Farm to School Network, working with educators and school administrators to influence food purchasing and education practices at schools to include more fresh, locally grown food.
- Washtenaw County Food Policy CouncilcoreGrowing Hope holds the Urban Agricultural seat on the Washtenaw Food Policy Council and is a member of the Nutrition and Food Access Policy Action Team. The organization also participates in the Washtenaw County Black Farmers Fund and the County's Office of Community & Economic Development initiatives.
- Ypsilanti Community SchoolscoreGrowing Hope supports Ypsilanti Community Schools through Farm to School programming, school garden development, and field trip coordination. The organization sits on the district's Coordinated School Health Team and helped create the district's Wellness Policy.
- KrogerminorKroger is listed as a corporate supporter and partner. Kroger Community Rewards allows shoppers to link their Kroger card to Growing Hope, directing a percentage of spending to the organization. Some of Growing Hope's food entrepreneurs' products are available at Kroger.
- Zingerman's Community of BusinessesminorZingerman's is a well-known Ann Arbor-based food business collective. Chrysanthe Patselas, Farm & Garden Assistant at Growing Hope, also works at Zingerman's Deli. The organizations share community food systems values.
- Old City Acres FarmminorOld City Acres Farm Stand on Emerick Street participates in the Ypsi SNAP Gap Program alongside Growing Hope's markets, allowing SNAP Gap tokens to be redeemed at both locations.
- MI FarmLinkminorMI FarmLink connects farmers with land and other resources. Growing Hope participates in this network to support local grower access to land and farming infrastructure.
- National Right to Food CoalitionminorGrowing Hope is a member of the National Right to Food Coalition, participating in broader advocacy efforts to advance food as a human right at the federal level.
- Eastern Michigan UniversityminorGrowing Hope works with Eastern Michigan University through the Community Engagement Council and partners on nutrition programming. Dayna Popkey, Program Director, holds a master's degree in Human Nutrition from EMU. The university is also a partner in Bright Futures of EMU in Ypsilanti.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Growing Hope competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Eastern Market Corporation: Detroit-based nonprofit operating a historic public market with farm-to-table programming, urban agriculture, and food business support. Comparable to Growing Hope as a regional food-hub nonprofit combining markets, urban farming, and food entrepreneur incubation in Michigan.
- Detroit Black Community Food Security Network: Detroit-based nonprofit operating D-Town Farm and advocating for food sovereignty in communities of color. Directly comparable to Growing Hope's food sovereignty mission, urban farm, and youth/community food justice programming in a similar Michigan context.
- DC Central Kitchen: Washington D.C. nonprofit combining food access (meal distribution), food entrepreneurship (incubator kitchens/Cut Fresh), and job training. Closely comparable to Growing Hope's integrated model of food access + food entrepreneur support + youth/employment programs.
- Local Food Hub: Charlottesville, VA-based nonprofit food hub aggregating local produce, operating an incubator kitchen, and running farm-to-school programs. Comparable to Growing Hope's integrated farm-to-school, processing, and distribution model.
- The Stop Community Food Centre: Toronto-based nonprofit combining food access, urban agriculture, cooking skills, and community engagement. Closely comparable to Growing Hope's integrated food-system model addressing food insecurity, education, and community organizing.
Broad incumbents
- The Food Trust: Philadelphia-based national nonprofit focused on healthy food access, farmers markets, and food policy. Comparable in mission to Growing Hope's food access and policy advocacy work, but operates at a much larger scale across multiple states.
- Wholesome Wave: National nonprofit running Double Up Food Bucks and similar SNAP-incentive programs that Growing Hope participates in. Comparable in food access mission and SNAP-matching model, with a national footprint and broader funder base.
- Fair Food Network: National nonprofit operating Double Up Food Bucks and other healthy food-access initiatives. Growing Hope is a partner/sub-recipient; comparable in mission but operates at a much larger national scale with more diverse funding.
Regional players
- Flint Farmers Market: Michigan-based public market with food access programming and SNAP/EBT acceptance. Directly comparable to Growing Hope's Ypsilanti Farmers Market operations, with a similar Michigan municipal-market context.
Emerging players
- Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS): Michigan-wide nonprofit supporting beginning and underserved farmers through training, resources, and advocacy. Comparable to Growing Hope's local farmer support and food-system advocacy within the same state ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Growing Hope social profiles
Digital presenceGrowing Hope financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Growing Hope leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles24 records
Growing Hope funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Growing Hope 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 Growing Hope
What does Growing Hope do?
Growing Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates an integrated local food system ecosystem in Ypsilanti, Michigan, comprising a 1.4-acre urban farm, multiple farmers markets (Downtown Ypsilanti and Depot Town plus a year-round online market), commercial Incubator and Accelerator Kitchens for food entrepreneurs, youth food and agriculture education programs, and food access initiatives (SNAP Gap, Double Up Food Bucks, produce cart, Home Vegetable Garden Program).
Is Growing Hope a public or private company?
Growing Hope is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Growing Hope founded?
Growing Hope was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Growing Hope based?
Growing Hope is headquartered in Ypsilanti, United States, in the North America region.
How does Growing Hope make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are foundation and Government Grants, corporate Sponsorship and Giving, incubator Kitchen Rental Fees and farmers Market Fees.
Who are Growing Hope's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Eastern Market Corporation, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, DC Central Kitchen, Local Food Hub and The Stop Community Food Centre. Broad incumbents are The Food Trust, Wholesome Wave and Fair Food Network. Flint Farmers Market is listed as a regional player. Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Growing Hope have an API?
No public API is recorded for Growing Hope.
What industry is Growing Hope in?
Growing Hope's product category is Community Food Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAI, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, with a secondary code of BPAGALAD, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative). Its NAICS code is 62421 and its SIC code is 100.