What Chicago Scots does

Chicago Scots (legally the Illinois Saint Andrew Society), founded in 1845 in Chicago, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the first and longest-running nonprofit in Illinois. Its dual mission is nourishing Scottish identity through cultural programming and supporting senior care, anchored operationally by Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care, a wholly-owned subsidiary in North Riverside, Illinois. The five-acre campus includes the historic Scottish Home (opened 1910) and the MacLean House memory care residence (opened 2016), offering a continuum of care from Assisted Living to Skilled Nursing delivered in what the organization terms "the Scottish Way: Home, Family and Love."

The organization's revenue mechanics are diverse: annual membership dues at three tiers (Individual $60/year, Family $100/year, Life $1,000), charitable contributions and planned giving, ticket sales and corporate sponsorships across signature cultural events (Scottish Festival & Highland Games at DuPage County Fairgrounds, St. Andrew's Day Gala, Kilted Classic golf tournament, Robert Burns Suppers), and operating revenue from Caledonia Senior Living. Major foundational/capital gifts include a $14 million Negaunee Foundation gift in December 2023 and a $7 million Kith and Kin campaign to build the Georgeson wing of the Scottish Home. Membership also confers reciprocal access to over 100 National Trust for Scotland heritage sites through a partnership with NTS USA.

Distribution and go-to-market operate through direct-to-consumer channels: the chicagoscots.org website, Eventbrite-ticketed events, direct mail donations, and a multi-channel marketing mix (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, WDCB 909 FM radio sponsorship). Corporate sponsors include Wintrust Bank, UL Research Institutes, Roscoe, Georgeson Family & Scot Forge, Belhaven Brewery, ImpEx Beverages, and the Scottish Government. Educational and scholarly programming includes the Scottish American History Forum, the Scottish Genealogy Society, the R. Harper Brown Scholarship for Scottish university study, and the Saltire Scholar Internship Program hosted since 2008 with Entrepreneurial Scotland.

Name

Chicago Scots

Legal name

Illinois Saint Andrew Society

Website

https://chicagoscots.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1845

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Chicago Scots is a 1845-founded Illinois nonprofit that preserves Scottish-American cultural heritage through membership, events, and scholarships while operating Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care in North Riverside.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Cultural Heritage & Senior Living Services

NAICS

Museums (712110), Historical Sites (71212)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Indigenous & Community Cultural Institutions (THAJADAK)

Keywords

• Scottish heritage nonprofit
• Senior living community
• Memory care services
• Cultural festival events
• Ancestry and genealogy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Riverside

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees in three tiers: Individual ($60/year), Family ($100/year), and Life ($1,000). Life members may add additional members for $500. Members receive benefits from both Chicago Scots and National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA through a reciprocal membership program.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the elder care mission at Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care. Accepts cash, check, credit card, stock, annuities, matching gifts, corporate and foundation gifts, and planned giving through wills, annuities, or living trusts. The Negaunee Foundation provided a foundational $14 million gift.
3. Event Ticketing and Sponsorships: Revenue from ticket sales for the annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games (at DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton), the Kilted Classic golf tournament, and the St. Andrew's Day Gala. Corporate sponsors (Roscoe, Georgeson Family & Scot Forge, UL Research Institutes, Wintrust Bank, Impex Beverages, and others) provide sponsorship revenue. Whisky seminars charge $50/ticket.
4. Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care: The organization's principal charity, Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care in North Riverside, IL, operates a continuum of care from Assisted Living to Skilled Nursing. The care is provided 'in the Scottish Way: Home, Family and Love.' The Scottish Home opened in 1910; MacLean House memory care residence opened in 2016.
5. Genealogy Society Dues: The Genealogy Society of Chicago Scots charges $25 annually for membership dues. The group convenes quarterly lectures, presentations, and discussions to educate members on discovering Scottish roots.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Chicago Scots is a membership-based cultural nonprofit that preserves Scottish heritage through annual events (Scottish Festival & Highland Games, St. Andrew's Day Gala, Kilted Classic golf tournament, Robert Burns Suppers), educational programs (Scottish American History Forum, Genealogy Society), and scholarship/internship programs, while operating Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care in North Riverside, Illinois — a continuum of care from Assisted Living to Skilled Nursing provided in the Scottish Way: Home, Family and Love.

Product overview

Chicago Scots operates as a membership-based cultural nonprofit organization offering programs in two integrated areas: Culture (Scottish heritage preservation through annual events, educational programs, and travel benefits) and Care (operating Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care). The core offerings include the annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games, St. Andrew's Day Gala, Kilted Classic Golf Tournament, membership with National Trust for Scotland reciprocal benefits, the R. Harper Brown Scholarship, Saltire Scholar Internship Program, Scottish American History Forum, and the Scottish Genealogy Society. The organization owns and operates Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care as its principal charity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• The Kith and Kin campaign raised $7 million to build the Georgeson wing of the Scottish Home
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rotary InternationalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Rotary International was the Honored Clan at the 2024 Scottish Festival & Highland Games, with Scottish President Gordon McInally leading the Parade of Tartans. All Rotarians received a 15% discount on tickets. The 2026 Games honored Veterans as the Honored Clan to commemorate America's 250th birthday.
• Roscoe CompanycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Roscoe Company (motto: 'Take Pride') is a corporate sponsor of the Pipe Band Competition at the Scottish Festival & Highland Games. Roscoe celebrated its 100th anniversary while sponsoring the Games.
• Georgeson Family & Scot ForgecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Georgeson Family & Scot Forge sponsor the Heavy Athletics events, including the exclusive Georgeson War Hammer competition featuring 260lb and 265lb hand-forged hammers honoring Peter Georgeson's legacy with Chicago Scots.
• UL Research InstitutesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026UL Research Institutes is a corporate partner at the Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
• Wintrust BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Wintrust Bank is the official sponsor of the Patron Tent (Wintrust VIP Tent) at the Highland Games, providing front-row views of Heavy Athletics competitions and the Massed Bands performance. Includes complimentary food & beverage service, whisky masterclass, premier parking, and ring-side seating.
• Belhaven BreweryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Belhaven Brewery is a sponsor at the 2026 Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
• ImpEx Beverages Inc.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026ImpEx Beverages Inc. is the Official Whisky Sponsor, hosting whisky seminars featuring artisanal whiskies up to $250 per bottle. The 2026 VIP Whisky Masterclass features 18-year varietals from anCnoc, Arran, Old Pulteney, and Balblair.
• McAdam Landscape ProfessionalsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026McAdam Landscape Professionals is the Official Children's Area Sponsor at the 40th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
• Duke of PerthminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Duke of Perth is a sponsor at the 2026 Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
• Quaid and RooneyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Quaid and Rooney is a sponsor at the 2026 Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
• Scotland ShopminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Scotland Shop is an official partner and sponsor, offering exclusive discounts to Chicago Scots members. Scotland Shop's tartan finder tool is referenced for members to locate their clan tartan.
• WDCB 909 FMminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026WDCB is the official media sponsor of the Scottish Festival & Highland Games, providing radio coverage and promotion to the Chicago metropolitan area.
• Scottish GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The Scottish Government is a sponsor at the 2026 Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
• Inveraray & District Pipe BandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The four-time World Champion Inveraray & District Pipe Band will make a rare U.S. appearance at the 40th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games on June 12-13, 2026. Special concerts are scheduled for Thursday and Friday evenings at North Central College in Naperville.
• The Center for Gerontology at Concordia University ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Chicago Scots convened a Leadership Symposium (Brain Health & Dementia Care Symposium) in partnership with The Center for Gerontology at Concordia University Chicago, bringing together leading voices from Scotland and the United States to examine the current state and future of brain health and dementia care.
• Royal Conservatoire of ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The Scottish American History Forum collaborates with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to host lectures by important scholars and artists.
• University of Stirling (Scotland)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The Scottish American History Forum collaborates with the University of Stirling to host lectures and seminars by scholars such as Professor Alastair J. Mann and Professor James J. Smyth.
• University of Aberdeen (Scotland)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The Scottish American History Forum collaborates with the University of Aberdeen to host lectures by Professor Marjory Harper and other scholars.
• Northwestern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The Scottish American History Forum collaborates with Northwestern University to host lectures by Professor Edward Muir and other academics.
• DePaul UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The Scottish American History Forum collaborates with DePaul University, hosting Dr. Euan Hague, Director of the School of Public Service, as a representative lecturer.
• Royal Scottish National OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021In May 2021, Caledonia Senior Living became the first aging services community in the U.S. to partner with The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO). Gus Noble joined RSNO CEO Alistair Mackie and violinist Rachel Barton Pine for discussions about the partnership and the power of music for seniors.
• National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA (NTS USA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Chicago Scots partnered with the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA on a reciprocal membership program. Every Chicago Scots member receives a digital NTS USA membership card valid for 12 months, providing complimentary access to over 100 heritage sites in Scotland, plus free or discounted admission to National Trust properties worldwide in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Members also receive the Scottish Travel Guide curated by Chicago Scots' Board of Governors.
• Entrepreneurial ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Since 2008, Chicago Scots has served as a hosting partner for Entrepreneurial Scotland's Saltire Scholar Internship Program, placing students from Scottish Universities with organizations worldwide for cross-cultural experience. Chicago Scots interns gain experience in nonprofit management and bring best practices back to Scotland.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• St. Andrew's Society of the State of New York: Founded in 1756, this is the oldest Scottish charitable society in the United States. Highly comparable to Chicago Scots as a Scottish-American fraternal/cultural nonprofit operating charitable programs (relief, heritage preservation, scholarship) for the New York Scottish-American diaspora.
• St. Andrew's Society of Washington, D.C. Regional Scottish-American charitable society serving the Washington, D.C. area with cultural events, scholarships, and charitable giving. Direct peer operating in a different region with a comparable Scottish-heritage nonprofit model.
• American-Scottish Foundation: Nonprofit founded in 1956 to strengthen Scottish-American ties through cultural, educational, and business exchange. Directly comparable as a U.S.-based Scottish heritage nonprofit running events, scholarships, and business/cultural programming for the Scottish-American community.
• National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA: Reciprocal membership partner of Chicago Scots; a U.S.-based nonprofit fundraising arm of the National Trust for Scotland focused on preserving Scottish heritage sites. Directly comparable in mission (Scottish cultural stewardship) and operates the membership benefit program Chicago Scots extends to its members.

Broad incumbents

• Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA): National umbrella organization representing Scottish clan societies and heritage associations across North America. Broadly comparable as a peer/incumbent that oversees and convenes the network of Scottish-American societies of which Chicago Scots is a leading member.
• Kendal at Oberlin: Nonprofit Quaker-affiliated continuing care retirement community in Oberlin, Ohio. Comparable as a mission-driven nonprofit senior living operator on a single campus, offering a continuum of care similar to Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care.

Emerging players

• Ancient Order of Hibernians: Irish-American Catholic fraternal organization focused on Irish cultural preservation, charitable works, and community events across U.S. regions. Comparable as a peer in the ethnic-heritage nonprofit space operating parallel fraternal/cultural programs for a diaspora community.

Others

• Entrepreneurial Scotland: Scottish leadership nonprofit hosting the Saltire Scholar Internship Program, which Chicago Scots has been a hosting partner for since 2008. Comparable as a partner organization advancing Scottish-American cross-cultural programming.
• Concordia University Chicago Center for Gerontology: Academic partner that co-hosted the December 2025 Brain Health & Dementia Care Symposium with Chicago Scots. Comparable as a partner institution operating at the intersection of senior care research and programming.
• Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO): Strategic partner since 2021 — Caledonia Senior Living was the first U.S. aging-services community to partner with the RSNO. Comparable as a partner organization extending cultural programming reach into senior care, mirroring Chicago Scots' cultural-care hybrid model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZUl61WdIyN66YMToiRj3uw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChicagoScotsIL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-chicago-scots
• Instagraminstagram.com/thechicagoscots
• Xx.com/theChicagoScots

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Chicago Scots