What Hope Chicago does

Hope Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2021 that operates a two-generation, debt-free postsecondary scholarship and workforce pathway initiative serving students and parents from five Chicago Public Schools on the South and West Sides (Benito Juárez Community Academy, Farragut Career Academy, Noble Johnson College Prep, Al Raby School for Community and Environment, and Morgan Park High School). The organization enrolls Hope Scholars in any in-network college, university, community college, or workforce credential program covering tuition, room and board, books, fees, a laptop, and a small annual stipend; it concurrently enrolls one parent or guardian per household (Hope Parent Scholars) in their own debt-free degree or credential pathway. Wraparound support is delivered through Student Success Coaches embedded at each partner school, Parent Success Coaches routed through community-based organizations (Instituto del Progreso Latino, Chicago Urban League), emergency funding disbursed via US Bank Pay Cards, and a network of 29 Illinois higher-education institutions and 46 total programmatic partners that provide dedicated on-campus support staff.

The operating platform rests on Submittable, a cloud-based submission management tool that powers the bilingual (English/Spanish) Hope Scholar Portal at portal.hopechicago.org for applications, parent/guardian registration, and emergency funding requests; donations are processed through Classy. There is no proprietary AI/ML layer — the technology stack is conventional SaaS augmented by Google Analytics and Meta Pixel for marketing attribution.

The revenue model is philanthropic rather than commercial: cumulative gross contributions of approximately $90M since 2021 (no specific annual revenue is disclosed) drawn from individual donations (including a Hope Builders monthly recurring program, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, securities gifts, payroll giving, and Donor Advised Funds routed through Chicago Community Trust, Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard) and from corporate and foundation grants anchored by founding partners such as BMO Financial Group ($1M), The Koenig Family Foundation, Gelber Group, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Mielle, Tullman Family Office, and Winston & Strawn LLP. By mid-2026 Hope Chicago had supported more than 2,000 Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars across Illinois with ~400 debt-free program completions and a third-party-validated $4.20 social return per $1 invested.

Name

Hope Chicago

Legal name

Hope Chicago

Website

https://hopechicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hope Chicago is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) that provides debt-free postsecondary scholarships and workforce pathways to Chicago Public School students and their parents simultaneously, supported by embedded coaches, a Submittable portal, and a 29-college Illinois network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education and Workforce Programs (Two-Generation Scholarship Services)

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

akta.pro primary industry

Scholarships, Grants & Education Benefits Administration (Financing-adjacent) (FSAKAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wraparound Student Support & Case Management Services (At-Risk K–12) (EDAJAEAJ)

Keywords

• Debt-free scholarships
• Two-generation programs
• Economic mobility initiatives
• College access programs
• Workforce credential pathways

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, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Hope Chicago receives donations from individual supporters through one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations (Hope Builders program), IRA rollovers (Qualified Charitable Distributions for donors 70½ or older), and tribute gifts in honor or memory of individuals.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: The organization receives support from corporate partners, family foundations, and philanthropic organizations. Founding partners include major donors like BMO Financial Group ($1 million), The Koenig Family Foundation, Gelber Group, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, and others.
3. Securities and Wire Transfers: Accepts gifts of publicly traded securities that have appreciated in value, allowing donors to avoid capital gains taxes while receiving a deduction. Also accepts wire transfers for larger contributions.
4. Payroll Giving: Some employers offer pre-tax payroll deductions as donations to Hope Chicago through workplace giving programs.
5. Donor Advised Funds: Donors can direct gifts through their accounts at Chicago Community Trust, Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, or other philanthropic advisors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Hope Chicago is a two-generation economic mobility initiative that provides debt-free postsecondary scholarships to Chicago Public School high school students (Hope Scholars) and their parents/guardians (Hope Parent Scholars). Coverage includes tuition, room and board, books, fees, a laptop, and an annual stipend, supplemented by wraparound support services such as academic advising, mentoring, tutoring, emergency funding, and dedicated Student Success Coaches at each partner school. The program operates through a network of 29 Illinois colleges and universities plus community-based organizations serving South and West Side Chicago families.

Product overview

Hope Chicago is a two-generation economic mobility initiative offering debt-free postsecondary scholarships and workforce pathways to Chicago Public School students and their parents. The core product portfolio consists of the Hope Scholar Program (providing comprehensive debt-free scholarships for students) and the Parent Scholar Program (enabling parents/guardians to pursue their own degrees). Both programs are supported by the Hope Scholar Portal built on Submittable, through which scholars access emergency funding requests and parent registration forms. The organization also operates the Hope Builder monthly giving program for donor engagement. All offerings are integrated with a network of 29 Illinois higher education institutions and workforce partners providing academic and career support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hope Scholar Program Debt-free scholarship program for Chicago Public School high school students (grades 9-12) at five partner schools, covering tuition, room and board, books, fees, a laptop, and an annual stipend at 29 in-state partner colleges and universities. Includes wraparound support: academic advising, mentoring, tutoring, emergency funding, and dedicated Student Success Coaches embedded at each partner high school.
• Parent Scholar Program Two-generation scholarship program allowing one parent or guardian per Hope Scholar household to pursue debt-free postsecondary degrees or workforce credentials in fields including business administration, education, healthcare, tech, and trades. Recruited with help from community-based partners (Instituto del Progreso Latino, Chicago Urban League) and supported by Parent Success Coaches.
• Hope Builder Monthly Giving Program

Quantifiable outcome

• College enrollment at partner high schools increased from 57% to 74% in first year, with continued growth to 83% by 2024
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Arrupe College, Loyola UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Arrupe College is Loyola University Chicago's alternative college for students who have faced significant barriers to higher education.
• Chicago State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. A historically Black university on Chicago's South Side.
• City Colleges of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor in-network partner including Harold Washington College, Harry S. Truman College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Richard J. Daley College, and Wilbur Wright College. Provides 2-year degree pathways and workforce training for Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars.
• Dominican UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Joined network in January 2024 as one of six new private university additions.
• Eastern Illinois UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Public university in Charleston, Illinois.
• Elmhurst UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Joined network in January 2024 as one of six new private university additions.
• Governors State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Public university serving the south suburban Chicago region.
• Illinois Institute of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Private technology-focused university in Chicago.
• Illinois State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Large public university in Normal, Illinois with strong teacher education programs.
• Lake Forest CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois. Joined network in January 2024.
• Lewis UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Private Catholic university in Romeoville, Illinois. Joined network in January 2024.
• Loyola University ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Large private Jesuit university in Chicago.
• National Louis UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars. Chicago-based university with strong education programs.
• Northeastern Illinois UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars. Public university on Chicago's Northwest Side.
• Northern Illinois UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Public research university in DeKalb, Illinois.
• Roosevelt UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Private university with campuses in Chicago and suburbs. Joined network in January 2024.
• Southern Illinois University CarbondalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Public research university in Carbondale, Illinois.
• Southern Illinois University EdwardsvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Public university in Edwardsville, Illinois.
• Trinity Christian CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Private Christian college in Palos Heights, Illinois. Joined network in 2024 under CEO Aaron Kuecker's prior leadership.
• University of Illinois ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Major public research university in Chicago.
• University of Illinois SpringfieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Public university in Springfield, Illinois.
• University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Flagship public research university in Illinois.
• Western Illinois UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner providing debt-free education pathways for Hope Scholars. Public university in Macomb, Illinois.
• Rivet SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce partner for Parent Scholar Program providing college and career experience designed for working adults to earn a postsecondary degree and pursue economic opportunity.
• Southern New Hampshire UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner for Parent Scholar Program providing online and flexible degree pathways for adult learners.
• Western Governors UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner for Parent Scholar Program providing online, competency-based degree programs for adult learners.
• Western Governors University AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-network postsecondary partner for Parent Scholar Program providing alternative pathways for adult learners.
• Instituto del Progreso LatinocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary community partner for Parent Scholar Program, assisting with application process and providing ongoing workforce coaching and support. Provides Parent Success Coaches for Spanish-speaking families.
• Chicago Urban LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary community partner for Parent Scholar Program, providing workforce coaching and support services for adult learners pursuing education and career advancement.
• AccenturesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkforce partner providing career exposure and professional development opportunities for Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars.
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IllinoissecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkforce partner for Parent Scholar Program providing career pathways in healthcare and corporate support for Hope Chicago operations.
• Bottom LinesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgrammatic partner providing college access and success support services for Hope Scholars.
• College PossiblesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgrammatic partner providing college admission and persistence support for low-income students.
• HIRE360secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkforce partner providing career pathways and training for Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars in Chicago's built environment industry.
• Northwestern MedicinesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkforce partner for Parent Scholar Program providing healthcare career pathways and professional development opportunities.
• One Million DegreescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgrammatic partner providing comprehensive support services including academic coaching, financial guidance, and career development for community college students.
• Discovery Partners InstitutesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce partner providing tech education pathways and career development opportunities as part of the University of Illinois System.
• JumpHiresecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkforce partner providing career readiness and job placement services for Hope Parent Scholars.
• LiftUp EnterprisessecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkforce partner providing career pathways and professional development for Hope Parent Scholars.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Schuler Scholar Program: Illinois-based college access and scholarship program serving low-income, first-generation students from select partner high schools in Lake County. Comparable in its direct high-school partnership model, multi-year scholar support, and scholarship administration focus within the same state.
• College Possible: National nonprofit providing intensive college admission and persistence coaching for low-income students, also a Hope Chicago programmatic partner. Comparable near-peer in target population, coaching model, and outcome-focused service delivery.
• QuestBridge: National nonprofit that connects high-achieving low-income students with full four-year scholarships at top colleges. Comparable in its scholarship-matching function and focus on first-generation, underrepresented students, though operates nationally and without on-the-ground school partnerships.
• One Million Degrees: Chicago-based nonprofit supporting community college students with comprehensive academic, financial, and career coaching. Direct programmatic partner of Hope Chicago; highly comparable in Chicago geography, wraparound support model, and adult/community-college student focus.
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund: National scholarship and college support organization serving Hispanic students and families. Comparable scholarship administration plus wraparound support model serving first-generation and underrepresented students, with comparable scale and donor-funded revenue model.
• Bottom Line: Direct programmatic partner of Hope Chicago providing college access and persistence coaching for low-income students. Highly comparable mission and student-success-coaching delivery model; complements Hope Chicago's program within the same scholar support ecosystem.
• UNCF (United Negro College Fund): Long-established scholarship administration organization supporting African American students and HBCUs. Comparable in administering scholarship dollars and providing student support services, though UNCF operates a federation model across many institutions rather than direct school partnerships.
• Posse Foundation: National organization providing full-tuition scholarships plus leadership development for cohorts of underrepresented students at partner colleges. Highly comparable scholarship-plus-wraparound-support model targeting low-income students of color, though without Hope Chicago's two-generation parent component.
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: Provides substantial multi-year scholarships plus advising for high-achieving low-income students from middle school through college. Comparable in combining sizable scholarships with wraparound support, though focused on high achievers rather than Hope Chicago's open-enrollment approach.

Broad incumbents

• Urban League of Chicago: Long-established Chicago affiliate of the National Urban League providing education, workforce, and economic mobility programs across broader community needs. Directly partners with Hope Chicago on Parent Scholar Program recruitment; broader in mission and scale, with education as one of many service lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/hopechicagoedu
• Facebookfacebook.com/HopeChicagoEdu
• Xx.com/HopeChicagoEdu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hope-chicago

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Hope Chicago