The Chicago Help Initiative
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
The Chicago Help Initiative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Chicago Help Initiative
- Legal name
- The Chicago Help Initiative
- Website
- https://chicagohelpinitiative.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Chicago Help Initiative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Homeless & Social Services
- NAICS
- Community Food Services (624210), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Social Assistance (624)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF)
Keywords
Where The Chicago Help Initiative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Chicago Help Initiative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: CHI relies on individual donations from supporters who contribute financially to support meal programs and social services.
- Corporate Meal Sponsorships: Restaurants, hotels, businesses, and individuals sponsor meals for the Wednesday dinners. Current meal sponsorships cost $1,000, which covers food, supplies, social services, and venue costs.
- Event Fundraising: Annual fundraising gala 'Feeding Hope' with live and silent auctions, plus the 2026 Helping Hands Fundraiser celebrating the 25th Anniversary.
- Foundation Grants: Support from foundations including the Respect 90 Foundation (Joe Maddon's foundation), Cubs Charities, and other corporate sponsors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Per event | Meal Sponsorship - Groups of 10+ |
| Other | Annual | Annual Fundraising Gala Sponsorship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Chicago Help Initiative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Chicago Help Initiative (CHI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free weekly hot meals and wraparound social services to homeless and food-insecure Chicagoans. Its core offering centers on Wednesday sit-down dinners for up to 200 guests at Catholic Charities, supplemented by Saturday morning meals, bag meal distribution across 22 city locations, and the New Foundations Program that connects guests to Medicaid, SNAP, housing lists, State IDs, and other public benefits at 8 community partner locations.
Product overview
The Chicago Help Initiative (CHI) operates as a consortium providing a unified meal services and social support ecosystem. The core offerings center on weekly Wednesday dinners at Catholic Charities supplemented by Saturday morning meals, bag meal distribution, and the New Foundations resource navigation program deployed at 8 partner locations citywide. Supporting services include the Workplace Support Center (Jobs Club) for employment assistance, Adult Learning tutoring, Health and Wellness screenings, Arts and Culture outings, Peer Groups activities, the CHI Resource Guide publication, and special events including the Holiday Bazaar. The portfolio is architected as a single integrated program rather than discrete products—with meal services serving as the entry point for delivering social services, health access, education, employment support, and arts programming to homeless and food-insecure Chicagoans.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Weekly Wednesday Dinners
Companies that use The Chicago Help Initiative
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Chicago Help Initiative technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Chicago Help Initiative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- AIREminorInsurance broker partner listed among CHI's sponsors and partners.
- Eli's CheesecakecoreLongtime restaurant partner and sponsor. Marc Schulman, President of Eli's Cheesecake, has spoken about the positive impact CHI makes in people's lives.
- Gene & GeorgetticoreRestaurant partner that donates meals to CHI's weekly dinner program.
- Greek KitchencoreRestaurant partner that contributes to CHI's meal programs.
- Northwestern MedicinecoreHealthcare partner; practitioners from Stone Psychiatric Institute at Northwestern Medicine are present twice a month to speak with and refer guests to additional services.
- Catholic CharitiescorePrimary venue partner for Wednesday dinners at 721 N. LaSalle Street. CHI serves meals in the Catholic Charities dining room.
- First St. Paul's Lutheran ChurchcorePartner church serving Saturday morning meals at 1301 N LaSalle Dr.
- St. Chrysostom Episcopal ChurchcoreNew Foundations Program partner location in Near North area.
- St. Paul Lutheran ChurchcoreNew Foundations Program partner; Thomas G. was a guest at this location before being housed.
- Mission of Our Lady of AngelscoreNew Foundations Program partner on the West Side of Chicago.
- South Loop Community TablecoreNew Foundations Program partner in Near South Chicago.
- Holy Trinity CathedralcoreNew Foundations Program partner in Humboldt Park.
- Our Lady of AfricacoreNew Foundations Program partner in Bronzeville.
- West Point Baptist ChurchcoreNew Foundations Program partner in Bronzeville.
- The Night MinistrycoreHealth services partner; a nurse practitioner is present at every meal to meet one-on-one with guests who need on-the-spot assistance.
- NorthSide HousingcoreHousing assistance partner; social workers provide direct case management enrollment and services for homeless guests monthly.
- Metropolitan Capital BankminorFinancial literacy partner; volunteers provide one-on-one counseling on bank accounts, credit repair, and financial guidance.
- Red Line ServicecoreArts partner - nonprofit arts organization serving Chicago's homeless population; co-producer of the 'I Have a Name' documentary.
- CitypakminorProvides specially designed backpacks for people experiencing homelessness distributed to CHI guests at events.
- Rags of HonorminorChicago-based apparel company offering job training and employment to homeless veterans; provides warm knit caps to CHI guests.
- Holsten Human Capital DevelopmentminorWorkforce development partner; Executive Director spoke to guests about Holsten's workforce development programs.
- In My Brother's Shoes, Inc.coreCo-produced the 'I Have a Name' documentary with CHI founder Jacqueline Hayes; hosted virtual premiere of the film.
- Streetwise MagazineminorFeatured CHI in a cover story profiling services to combat hunger and homelessness.
- The Safer FoundationminorGuest speaker at CHI meals providing information about services.
- Lincoln Park Community ShelterminorGuest speaker at CHI meals providing information about services.
- FeatherFistminorGuest speaker at CHI meals providing information about services.
- Montclare Supportive Living CommunityminorSupportive living community in Lawndale that caters to low-income seniors; housed CHI guest Thomas G. after a year of coordination.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Chicago Help Initiative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Heartland Alliance: Chicago-based human services organization serving people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and displacement through housing, health, and legal services. Comparable to CHI as a Chicago-focused social services provider with a human-centered, comprehensive approach.
- Feeding America: National umbrella network of food banks and meal programs across the U.S. Comparable to CHI as a hunger-relief operator serving food-insecure populations, though operating at vastly larger scale through a network of 200+ member food banks including the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
- Chicago Coalition for the Homeless: Chicago advocacy and direct services organization focused on homeless families and individuals. Comparable to CHI in serving the homeless population in Chicago but with a greater focus on policy advocacy and systemic change rather than direct meal service.
- Greater Chicago Food Depository: The Chicago region's largest food bank, distributing millions of meals annually through a network of partner pantries and meal programs. Comparable to CHI as a hunger-relief provider in Chicago but operates at vastly greater scale, with formal logistics, warehouses, and partner agencies.
- Salvation Army Metropolitan Division: Major Chicago-area provider of emergency food, shelter, and social services to homeless and low-income populations. Comparable to CHI in guest population and core services, but operates at much larger scale with multiple shelter facilities and dedicated programs.
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago: One of the largest private social services agencies in the Chicago region, providing food, housing, immigration, and social services. CHI uses Catholic Charities as its primary Wednesday dinner venue, evidencing direct operational overlap and serving the same guest population.
Direct peers
- The Night Ministry: Chicago nonprofit providing outreach, housing, and health services to people affected by poverty and homelessness. CHI already partners with The Night Ministry (nurse practitioner on-site at meals), and the organizations are directly comparable in mission and population served.
- NorthSide Housing: Chicago nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to homeless and low-income individuals, including case management and connections to benefits. CHI already partners with NorthSide Housing for monthly case management, evidencing direct alignment in services and mission.
- A Safe Haven: Chicago nonprofit providing housing, workforce development, and supportive services to homeless individuals and those in recovery. Comparable to CHI in workforce-development programming (CHI's Workplace Support Center / Jobs Club) and the integrated services model.
- Lakeview Pantry: Chicago-based nonprofit providing food, mental health services, and case management to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and homelessness. Closely comparable to CHI in mission, guest population, and integrated service model (food + social services).
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Chicago Help Initiative social profiles
Digital presenceThe Chicago Help Initiative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Chicago Help Initiative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
The Chicago Help Initiative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Chicago Help Initiative 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 The Chicago Help Initiative
What does The Chicago Help Initiative do?
The Chicago Help Initiative (CHI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free weekly hot meals and wraparound social services to homeless and food-insecure Chicagoans. Its core offering centers on Wednesday sit-down dinners for up to 200 guests at Catholic Charities, supplemented by Saturday morning meals, bag meal distribution across 22 city locations, and the New Foundations Program that connects guests to Medicaid, SNAP, housing lists, State IDs, and other public benefits at 8 community partner locations.
Is The Chicago Help Initiative a public or private company?
The Chicago Help Initiative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Chicago Help Initiative founded?
The Chicago Help Initiative was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Chicago Help Initiative based?
The Chicago Help Initiative is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Chicago Help Initiative make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Meal Sponsorships, event Fundraising and foundation Grants.
Who are The Chicago Help Initiative's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Heartland Alliance, Feeding America, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Salvation Army Metropolitan Division and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Direct peers are The Night Ministry, NorthSide Housing, A Safe Haven and Lakeview Pantry.
Does The Chicago Help Initiative have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Chicago Help Initiative.
What industry is The Chicago Help Initiative in?
The Chicago Help Initiative's product category is Homeless & Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAKAF, Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs. Its NAICS code is 624210 and its SIC code is 8300.