Renaissance Social Services

What Renaissance Social Services does

Renaissance Social Services, Inc. is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has operated for approximately 24 years (founded circa 2002) with a mission to prevent and end homelessness for vulnerable Chicagoans. The organization delivers a coordinated continuum of six core services: homelessness prevention, street outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, behavioral health care, and clinical case management. In addition, it operates The Renaissance Living Room, a community-based alternative to hospitals and police response for individuals experiencing mental health crises. All services are provided at no cost to beneficiaries, including those living unsheltered on the streets, in shelters, facing eviction, or residing in Renaissance's supportive housing units.

The organization is funded through a diversified mix of individual donations, corporate sponsorships (CIBC, Wintrust, Northern Trust, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Cboe Global Markets), foundation grants (Crown Family Philanthropies, Polk Bros Foundation, Dr. Scholl Foundation, The Owen Langschaedel Foundation, Cuore Emani Foundation), and government grants and contracts from the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, and federal sources supporting housing and supportive services programs. Renaissance is embedded in Chicago's homeless response ecosystem through partnerships with All Chicago, United Way of Metro Chicago, Catholic Charities, Chicago Furniture Bank, and Boston Consulting Group, and is currently conducting a $1 million Campaign for Renaissance to fund capacity-building investments in people, programs, technology, and sustainability.

Renaissance is headquartered at 2501 W. Washington Blvd., Suite 401, Chicago, with 11-50 employees. The organization is led by Executive Director Maura McCauley (effective February 9, 2026, succeeding Michael Banghart after 24 years), Chief Operating Officer Dr. Kendall Martin, Chief Philanthropy Officer John W. Pfeiffer, and Clinical Director Erica Ernst. It holds a four-star Charity Navigator rating and a Platinum GuideStar Transparency rating, and operates fundraising events including Casino Night, A Taste of Hope, Pickleball Social, and Stand Up for the Homeless.

Name

Renaissance Social Services

Legal name

Renaissance Social Services, Inc.

Website

https://rssichicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Renaissance Social Services is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that prevents and ends homelessness through prevention, street outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, behavioral health, and clinical case management. It serves unhoused and precariously housed individuals and families at no cost.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Housing Support Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Behavioral Health–Capable Assisted Living (Mental Health/SUD Support) (HLADABAI)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Supportive housing
• Behavioral health care
• Case management
• Crisis intervention

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropy: Renaissance generates revenue primarily through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants from philanthropic foundations. The organization runs annual fundraising campaigns including a $1 million Campaign for Renaissance to support capacity-building investments.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: As a nonprofit providing homeless services, Renaissance likely receives government funding from federal, state, and local sources including the City of Chicago and State of Illinois for housing and supportive services programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Renaissance Social Services prevents and ends homelessness for vulnerable Chicagoans through a coordinated continuum of programs: homelessness prevention, street outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, behavioral health care, and clinical case management. The Renaissance Living Room program provides a community-based alternative to hospitals or police for individuals experiencing mental health crises. All services are delivered at no cost to beneficiaries and funded through donations, grants, and sponsorships.

Product overview

Renaissance Social Services operates as a nonprofit social services organization offering a continuum of housing and supportive services rather than a technology product platform. The core offering consists of integrated service programs: homelessness prevention, street outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, behavioral health care, and clinical case management. The Renaissance Living Room program provides a community-based alternative to emergency responders for mental health crises. All programs work together as a coordinated system to move vulnerable Chicagoans from streets and shelters into stable housing while providing ongoing supportive services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Homelessness Prevention Services Provides resources and support to households at risk of eviction and homelessness in Chicago to prevent them from losing housing.
• Street Outreach Mobile outreach teams connect people living unsheltered on Chicago streets to housing, healthcare, and other essential services.
• Rapid Re-Housing Provides short-term rental assistance and supportive services to help individuals and families quickly move into permanent housing.
• Permanent Supportive Housing Combines affordable housing with voluntary supportive services including case management, healthcare access, and employment support for individuals and families with disabilities.
• Behavioral Health Care Offers mental health services and substance use support integrated with housing programs to address co-occurring conditions.
• Clinical Case Management Provides individualized support planning, coordination of services, and ongoing monitoring to help participants maintain housing stability.
• The Renaissance Living Room A community-based alternative to hospitals or police response for individuals experiencing mental health crises, providing a safe, home-like atmosphere with peer support and de-escalation services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,196 individuals provided resources to prevent eviction and homelessness
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• All ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal homeless services collaborative organization working with Renaissance on Chicago's response to homelessness. Part of the Chicago Continuum of Care network.
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor consulting firm providing strategic support and expertise to Renaissance. Listed among key partners.
• United Way of Metro ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor community partner and supporter of Renaissance's work in the Chicago area.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of ChicagomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor social services partner in Chicago's homeless response system.
• Chicago Furniture BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing furniture and household items to help families transitioning from homelessness into housing.
• Jenner & Block LLPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded Leadership in Ending Homelessness Award at A Taste of Hope 2025 for diligent pro bono legal counsel to Renaissance.
• Lush Wine & SpiritsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for A Taste of Hope 2025 event, hosting the wine tasting and appetizer event.
• Zanies ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for Stand Up for the Homeless annual comedy event supporting Renaissance.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago: Major Chicago-area social services and housing provider that overlaps with Renaissance across homeless prevention, emergency services, and housing placement. Already a Renaissance partner, indicating direct service overlap.
• Thresholds: Chicago-based nonprofit providing housing, mental health, and substance use services, with a similar integrated housing-plus-behavioral-health model to Renaissance's.
• Heartland Alliance: Chicago-based human services nonprofit offering housing, healthcare, and hope services to those affected by poverty, with comparable program mix.
• All Chicago (formerly All Chicago Making Homelessness History): Chicago collaborative focused on ending homelessness that partners with Renaissance and operates across the same Continuum of Care framework.
• A Safe Haven: Chicago-based nonprofit providing housing, supportive services, and workforce development for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Chicago Coalition for the Homeless: Chicago advocacy and direct-service organization working on homelessness prevention, similar in mission focus to Renaissance but oriented toward policy and case management.

Regional players

• LA Family Housing (LAFH): Large Los Angeles nonprofit providing homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing. Comparable service model but operating in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Volunteers of America (National): National nonprofit operating housing, behavioral health, and supportive services across many states. Larger and broader than Renaissance, but overlapping service lines.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit focused on affordable housing and community development, with comparable housing-related mission and overlapping funder base.

Others

• National Alliance to End Homelessness: National policy and advocacy organization focused on ending homelessness; not a direct service competitor but serves as a knowledge/policy peer informing Renaissance's operating environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/RSSIChicago
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rssichicago
• Facebookfacebook.com/rssichicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/renaissance-social-services-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/rssichicago/?hl=en

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Renaissance Social Services