Growing Hope

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.

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

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

• Community food systems
• Urban farming programs
• Food entrepreneurship support
• Farmers market operations
• Youth food education

Headquarters

HQ city

Ypsilanti

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Argus Farm StopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArgus 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 GathererscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowing 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 UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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 NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowing 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 NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair 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 NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowing 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 CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowing 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 SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowing 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.
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger 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 BusinessesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZingerman'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 FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOld 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 FarmLinkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMI 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 CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowing 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 UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowing 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/growingthehope
• Facebookfacebook.com/growinghope
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/growing-hope

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Growing Hope