GRO Community
GRO Community is a Chicago-based 501c3 nonprofit providing trauma-informed mental health services—including counseling, psychiatric care, reentry support, and school-based programs—to Black and Brown boys and men across Illinois and Ohio.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What GRO Community does
GRO Community is a 501c3 nonprofit mental health organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, providing trauma-informed, culturally competent clinical and social services to Black and Brown boys and men ages 5 and up across Illinois and Ohio. The organization operates six office locations (Chicago, Carbondale, Peoria, Rockford, Cincinnati, and Dayton) and delivers a comprehensive suite of services including individual and group counseling, psychiatric services, reentry support, probation services, school-based social-emotional learning, family services, gun violence prevention, and transitional housing. GRO Community does not operate a technology platform; its differentiated capability lies in employing culturally relevant clinicians, including an all-Black male therapist team, and applying evidence-based treatment methodologies grounded in the neurological, biological, and psychological understanding of trauma.
The organization generates revenue through insurance billing across multiple Medicaid managed care plans in Illinois and Ohio (County Care, Meridian Health, Molina, Buckeye, CareSource, United Healthcare Community Plan, Anthem BCBS, Humana) and commercial insurance (Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare), supplemented by a sliding-scale payment option starting at $10 for uninsured clients and donations/philanthropic support. GRO Print Shop, a social enterprise established in 2021, provides screen printing services and second-chance employment for formerly incarcerated individuals. The go-to-market motion is community-led and referral-driven, with primary client acquisition channels including justice system professionals (probation, parole, attorneys), school administrators, community agencies, and direct outreach to parents and guardians. Marketing relies on thought leadership content, earned media, community events, and limited paid advertising (Google AdWords remarketing, Radio One Ohio, Clear Channel billboards).
GRO Community firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GRO Community
- Legal name
- GRO Community
- Website
- https://grocommunity.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- GRO Community is a Chicago-based 501c3 nonprofit providing trauma-informed mental health services—including counseling, psychiatric care, reentry support, and school-based programs—to Black and Brown boys and men across Illinois and Ohio.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GRO Community industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Mental Health Services
- NAICS
- Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Child and Youth Services (62411)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- School-Based Mental & Behavioral Health Services (EDAJAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- School Counseling Services (EDAJAIAA), School Counseling & Guidance Services (Academic/Social-Emotional) (EDAJALAF), Family Engagement & Caregiver Support Programs (SEL/Mental Health) (EDAKAMAK)
Keywords
Where GRO Community is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
GRO Community business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Mental Health Services Revenue: GRO Community generates revenue primarily through billing insurance for mental health counseling, therapy, and psychiatric services. The organization accepts multiple Medicaid and commercial insurance plans in Illinois and Ohio.
- Social Enterprise - Print Shop: GRO Community operates GRO Print Shop, a social enterprise providing screen printing and promotional products (t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags) since 2021. Revenue from print services supports workforce development and sustainable employment for program participants.
- Donations and Philanthropic Support: As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, GRO Community accepts donations to support mental health services for Black and Brown boys and men. The organization conducts fundraising campaigns and receives support from donors committed to #BlackMensMentalHealthMatters.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Sliding Scale - Income-Based |
| Subscription | Per session | Insurance-Covered Services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
GRO Community product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GRO Community provides trauma-informed mental health counseling, psychiatric services, and social support programs for Black and Brown boys and men ages 5 and up across Illinois and Ohio. Its offerings include individual and group therapy, psychiatric evaluations and medication management, school-based social-emotional learning, reentry and probation support, gun violence prevention, transitional housing, and workforce development through the GRO Print Shop social enterprise.
Product overview
GRO Community is a nonprofit mental health and social services organization providing a comprehensive ecosystem of trauma-informed care for Black and Brown boys and men ages 5 and up. The organization operates a unified service model centered on mental health and wellness, combining clinical services (Mental Health Counseling and Therapy, Psychiatric Services), intervention programs (Reentry Services, Probation Services, Gun Violence Prevention Services), community support (School-Based Social Emotional Learning, Family Services, Transitional Housing), and workforce development (Adult Re-entry Clinical Workforce Development, GRO Print Shop). Services are delivered through culturally relevant male counselors who connect with clients in homes, schools, and neighborhoods across Illinois and Ohio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mental Health Counseling and Therapy Individual and group counseling services for men and boys provided by culturally relevant male counselors, creating treatment plans rooted in trust, culture, and care. Designed for Black and Brown boys and men ages 5 and up from low-income families and high-stress environments.
- Psychiatric Services Board-certified psychiatrist-led psychiatric services including medication management, diagnostic assessments, and clinical integration with behavioral health services. Includes telepsychiatry options extending services across Illinois and Ohio regions. Designed for boys and men ages 5 and up needing psychiatric evaluation and medication management.
- Reentry Services Support for formerly incarcerated men transitioning back into society, including clinical workforce development and reintegration assistance. Designed for formerly incarcerated individuals needing clinical support and workforce reintegration.
- Probation Services Clinical support tailored to court-involved youth with progress monitoring and communication to support case objectives. Designed for probation officers, attorneys, and court-involved youth needing clinical intervention.
- School-Based Services Social-emotional learning (SEL) programs implemented in schools to help boys develop emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and social skills. Designed for school districts and administrators seeking behavioral health support for students.
- Family Services Support services for families to help guide their sons toward confidence, growth, and lifelong success. Designed for parents and guardians of boys and young men seeking mental health and behavioral support.
- Gun Violence Prevention Services Programs aimed at preventing involvement in gun violence through education, mentorship, and positive role models, working with at-risk youth to provide alternatives to violence. Designed for at-risk youth in communities impacted by gun violence.
- Transitional Housing Safe and supportive housing for young men transitioning from unstable living situations or the criminal justice system, providing a stable environment for personal growth. Designed for formerly incarcerated individuals and young men in unstable living situations.
- Adult Re-entry Clinical Workforce Development Programs designed to help men reintegrate into society post-incarceration with clinical support and workforce development, including skills training and job placement. Designed for formerly incarcerated men seeking sustainable employment and clinical support.
- GRO Print Shop A social enterprise providing screen-printed and promotional items (T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags), offering sustainable employment opportunities for men and boys with challenges in finding entry-level employment. Established in 2021 as a workforce development program.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,000+ Black men served over three years with improved mental health outcomes
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use GRO Community
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
GRO Community technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
GRO Community partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Dr. IvyminorFacilitator for spiritual healing sound sessions at the All Black Male Therapists Retreat. Dr. Ivy led a transformative group healing session allowing therapists to confront innermost struggles while harnessing the transformative power of sound.
- Illinois Medicaid Managed Care OrganizationscorePartnership with Illinois Medicaid managed care organizations including County Care, Meridian Health, Illinois Medical Card, and others to provide covered mental health services to low-income clients.
- Ohio Medicaid Managed Care OrganizationscorePartnership with Ohio Medicaid managed care organizations including Buckeye Health Plan, CareSource, Molina Healthcare, United Healthcare Community Plan, Anthem BCBS, and Humana to provide covered mental health services.
- Commercial Insurance ProviderscoreIn-network partnerships with commercial insurance providers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna for mental health service coverage.
- Clear Channel BillboardsminorAdvertising partnership using Clear Channel Billboards for community awareness campaigns about mental health services for Black men.
- Radio One OhiominorRadio advertising partnership with Radio One Ohio for mental health awareness campaigns targeting Ohio communities.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights12 records
GRO Community competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Confess Project: Nonprofit that trains Black barbers and community members to be mental health advocates for Black boys and men. Highly comparable to GRO in target population (Black males), community-embedded delivery model, and trauma-informed mission.
- Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation: Mental health nonprofit focused on reducing stigma and expanding access to culturally competent mental health services for Black communities. Comparable to GRO in mission, target population, and school/justice-system outreach channels.
- Therapy for Black Men: Directory and referral network connecting Black men with culturally competent therapists. Directly comparable to GRO in its exclusive focus on Black male mental health access, though delivered via a referral platform rather than in-house clinicians.
- Black Mental Health Alliance: Nonprofit organization providing mental health resources, referrals, and training to Black communities. Comparable to GRO in target population, community-based service model, and emphasis on culturally responsive care.
- Hazel Health: School-based mental health provider delivering teletherapy to K-12 students via partnerships with school districts. Comparable to GRO in its K-12 SEL/school-based mental health channel and managed care contracting, though GRO adds a strong cultural specialization.
- InStride Health: Specialty mental health provider focused on anxiety, OCD, and eating disorders for K-12 students via school and health plan partnerships. Comparable to GRO in the school-based mental health delivery model and managed care contracting.
- Cartwheel Care: School-based mental health provider offering teletherapy and in-person services to students via school partnerships. Comparable to GRO in its K-12 mental health service model, school district sales motion, and focus on reducing access barriers.
Broad incumbents
- JED Foundation: National nonprofit focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention in high schools and colleges. Comparable to GRO in youth mental health focus and school partnerships, but operates as a broader advocacy/curriculum provider rather than a direct-service clinic.
- Mental Health America: Large community-based nonprofit addressing mental health needs, including disparities affecting Black communities. Comparable to GRO in nonprofit, community-based mental health delivery and cultural-competence advocacy, though at much broader national scale.
- Brightside Health: Telehealth mental health provider offering therapy and psychiatry with broad insurance coverage. Comparable to GRO in its therapy-plus-psychiatry integrated model and managed care partnerships, though Brightside is a scaled commercial player without GRO's cultural specialization.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GRO Community social profiles
Digital presenceGRO Community compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
GRO Community financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GRO Community leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
GRO Community subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
GRO Community funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GRO Community 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 GRO Community
What does GRO Community do?
GRO Community provides trauma-informed mental health counseling, psychiatric services, and social support programs for Black and Brown boys and men ages 5 and up across Illinois and Ohio. Its offerings include individual and group therapy, psychiatric evaluations and medication management, school-based social-emotional learning, reentry and probation support, gun violence prevention, transitional housing, and workforce development through the GRO Print Shop social enterprise.
Is GRO Community a public or private company?
GRO Community is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was GRO Community founded?
GRO Community was founded in 2021. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is GRO Community based?
GRO Community is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does GRO Community make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Mental Health Services Revenue is the primary driver. The others are social Enterprise - Print Shop and donations and Philanthropic Support.
Who are GRO Community's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Confess Project, Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, Therapy for Black Men, Black Mental Health Alliance, Hazel Health, InStride Health and Cartwheel Care. Broad incumbents are JED Foundation, Mental Health America and Brightside Health.
Does GRO Community have an API?
No public API is recorded for GRO Community.
What industry is GRO Community in?
GRO Community's product category is Mental Health Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAIAB, School-Based Mental & Behavioral Health Services, with a secondary code of EDAJAIAA, School Counseling Services. Its NAICS code is 621420 and its SIC code is 8300.