Center for Changing Lives

What Center for Changing Lives does

Center for Changing Lives (CCL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It delivers free, bilingual (English/Spanish) services across five integrated program areas: Financial & Housing Coaching (including HUD-approved homebuyer education), Employment Coaching & Digital Literacy, Small Business Coaching (under a Neighborhood Business Development Center designation from the City of Chicago), Resource Development Coaching, and the Here to Stay Land Trust. CCL operates from two physical sites — a Logan Square headquarters at 1955 N. St. Louis Ave and a South Chicago satellite at 9055 South Houston Avenue — supplemented by virtual Zoom programming and workshops hosted at partner libraries and community centers. Its target population comprises Chicago residents facing systemic economic barriers, including immigrants, English-language learners, people with disabilities, and entrepreneurs in underserved South and West side neighborhoods.

CCL's revenue model is donation-based rather than transactional. All services are provided at no cost to participants, and the organization is funded through individual and corporate charitable donations (including via Network for Good), foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, an annual Gala (the 2025 Gala carried a $100,000 fundraising goal, with sponsorship tiers from $750 to $15,000), and emerging channels such as cryptocurrency, stock, and Donor-Advised Fund gifts processed through every.org. Its technology stack is incidental rather than proprietary: Zoom for virtual delivery, computer labs and digital literacy training for members, a Community Internet Guide co-developed in late 2023 with the Chicago Digital Equity Coalition, and a Squarespace-hosted website (cclconnect.org) that serves as the primary registration and donation hub. The organization is governed independently, led by President & CEO Juliana Gonzalez-Crussi, and holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency; it has no parent company, private equity, or venture capital ownership.

Name

Center for Changing Lives

Legal name

Center for Changing Lives

Website

https://cclconnect.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Center for Changing Lives is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that provides free, bilingual financial, employment, housing, and small business coaching to underserved residents and entrepreneurs across its Logan Square and South Chicago locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Support: CCL relies on charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. The organization accepts online donations via Network for Good, cryptocurrency and stock donations via every.org, and Check donations mailed to their office. They also partner with The Giving Block for cryptocurrency donations. Gala events serve as major fundraising opportunities with sponsorship tiers from $750 to $15,000.
2. Gala Events and Sponsorships: Annual gala events generate revenue through ticket sales, sponsorship packages, and live/silent auctions. The 2025 Gala had a fundraising goal of $100,000. Sponsorship opportunities range from $750 to $15,000, with a special 'Paddle Raise Advocate' sponsorship at $3,000.
3. Cryptocurrency and Stock Donations: CCL accepts nearly 80 cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, etc.), stocks, and Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) donations through their partnership with every.org. These tax-efficient giving methods allow donors to reduce tax burden while supporting the mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Center for Changing Lives (CCL) provides free, bilingual (English/Spanish) financial coaching, HUD-approved housing counseling, employment coaching, small business coaching, and resource development services to individuals, families, and entrepreneurs in Chicago's underserved communities. The organization also operates the Here to Stay Land Trust for affordable housing and serves as a Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) for the City of Chicago.

Product overview

Center for Changing Lives (CCL) is a community-based nonprofit organization providing an integrated suite of free, bilingual (English/Spanish) services. The organization operates five core program areas: Financial & Housing Coaching (including HUD-approved homebuyer education), Employment Coaching & Digital Literacy, Small Business Coaching (as a City of Chicago Neighborhood Business Development Center), Resource Development Coaching, and the Here to Stay Land Trust for affordable housing. All services are free and open to the public.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Financial & Housing Coaching Bilingual (English/Spanish) coaching services helping individuals and families with financial literacy, budgeting, credit building, and HUD-approved housing counseling including homebuyer education. Free and open to the public.
• Employment Coaching & Digital Literacy Job placement assistance, resume support, employment coaching, and digital skills training to help community members access economic opportunities. Includes computer lab access and digital literacy programs. Free and open to the public.
• Small Business Coaching Free small business coaching, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain their businesses. CCL operates as a designated Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) for the City of Chicago.
• Resource Development Coaching Coaching to help community members mobilize resources, access public benefits, and develop financial capabilities to achieve economic stability. Free and open to the public.
• Here to Stay Land Trust Community land trust initiative to promote affordable housing and prevent displacement in Chicago communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• $25,000 pitch competition prize for South Chicago entrepreneurs

Named customers2 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

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TechRise by P33coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechRise is a key partner in presenting the Sweet Home South Chicago Pitch Competition and Vendor Marketplace. Five founders compete for a $25,000 storefront investment in this collaborative event supporting South Chicago entrepreneurs.
• United Way of Metro ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of the Sweet Home South Chicago Pitch Competition, supporting entrepreneurship and economic opportunity on Chicago's South Side through collaborative events and programs.
• Swedish Hospital (Healthcare Transformative Collaboratives)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in offering free financial wellness workshops at Galter Life Center. Topics include budgeting, credit building, SMART goals, and understanding income and benefits. Workshops empower community members to take control of their financial future.
• Verizon (Small Business Digital Ready)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCL hosts Small Business Digital Ready workshops featuring Verizon's free online learning platform for entrepreneurs. Workshops cover topics including AI for businesses, digital marketing, and business growth strategies. Local business owners share their experiences with the platform.
• Chicago Digital Equity CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCL is part of the Steering Team of the Chicago Digital Equity Coalition. Employment coaches Lili Diaz and Rodrigo Perez facilitate the Internet Working Group. One accomplishment was developing the Community Internet Guide in late 2023.
• Here to Stay Community Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy partner working on affordable housing issues. CCL and Here to Stay share missions focused on housing stability and economic opportunity for underserved communities.
• Network for GoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCCL utilizes Network for Good platform for electronic donations, enabling secure online giving to support the organization's free programs and services.
• every.orgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCCL partners with every.org to accept cryptocurrency, stock, and Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) donations. This partnership enables tax-efficient giving options for donors supporting CCL's mission.
• Arise ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor advocacy organization partnering with CCL on advocacy work for economic and racial justice in Chicago.
• Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance (CAFHA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair housing advocacy coalition partnering with CCL on advocacy initiatives addressing housing equity and discrimination.
• Chicago Coalition for the HomelessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomelessness advocacy organization partnering with CCL on housing stability and advocacy for vulnerable populations.
• Unidos USminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Latino advocacy organization. CCL is affiliated with Unidos US, working on economic opportunity and equity for Latino communities.
• Shriver Center on Poverty LawminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolicy organization focused on poverty law and economic justice, partnering with CCL on advocacy for systemic change.
• Liberty Bank for SavingsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal bank sponsor of First-Time Homebuyer Workshops, providing industry experts and sometimes lunch for attendees. Gala 2026 sponsor at the Promoter level.
• BMO BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry expert (Levier Barreda) participates in First-Time Homebuyer Workshops, providing financing expertise to workshop participants.
• BickerdikeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity development organization, Gala 2026 Promoter level sponsor.
• Lift Up CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for financial education workshops including 'Un Plan Práctico para Reducir Deudas' (A Practical Plan to Reduce Debt).
• Immigration Law & Justice of Northern Illinois (formerly Northern Illinois JFON)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal organization co-hosting workshops on tenant rights and public benefits that connect housing rights information with financial education.
• Renaissance South ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community organization, co-presenter of Sweet Home South Chicago Pitch Competition supporting South Side entrepreneurship.
• Claretian AssociatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization, co-presenter of Sweet Home South Chicago Pitch Competition supporting economic development in South Chicago.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chicago Urban League: Chicago-focused nonprofit delivering economic empowerment, workforce development, and small business support to underserved Black and Brown communities — directly comparable to CCL's holistic coaching model.
• Cara Collective: Chicago nonprofit focused on employment placement, coaching, and economic mobility for people impacted by poverty or homelessness — directly comparable to CCL's employment and financial coaching programs.
• Greater Chicago Food Depository: Large Chicago-based social services nonprofit that, like CCL, addresses economic hardship through free, community-based programming and relies on donations, corporate sponsors, and gala fundraising to serve underserved residents.
• Heartland Alliance: Chicago-headquartered anti-poverty nonprofit providing housing, economic, and social services to vulnerable populations. Overlaps with CCL on financial coaching, housing counseling, and immigrant/refugee services.
• Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath): Boston-based nonprofit using coaching and economic mobility programs to help low-income families build financial stability — highly comparable to CCL's coaching-centric, multi-domain model.

Broad incumbents

• National Council of La Raza / UnidosUS Affiliate Network: National Latino civil rights organization that operates an affiliate network providing economic, housing, and immigration-related support — comparable to CCL's bilingual, immigrant-focused service model.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago: National CDFI with a major Chicago presence supporting community development, small business, and affordable housing initiatives. Overlaps with CCL's economic opportunity and community development mission at a much larger scale.

Emerging players

• Mission Asset Fund: Nonprofit social enterprise combining financial coaching, lending circles, and small business support for underserved communities — directly comparable to CCL's integrated financial and small business services.

Regional players

• Woodstock Institute: Chicago-based policy and research nonprofit focused on economic equity, fair lending, and housing — adjacent to CCL's housing counseling, advocacy, and economic justice work.
• Community Investment Corporation (CIC): Chicago-focused CDFI providing financing, technical assistance, and small business support — directly comparable to CCL's NBDC small business coaching mission, with a different (lending-led) service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CCLchicago
• Instagraminstagram.com/cclconnect
• Facebookfacebook.com/CCLchicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-changing-lives

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Center for Changing Lives