Project H.O.O.D.

What Project H.O.O.D. does

Project H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Obtain Destiny) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 by Pastor Corey B. Brooks in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood, operating five interconnected program pillars: Violence Prevention, Workforce Development, Youth Programming, Health & Wellness, and Re-Entry Services. The organization serves 15,000+ participants annually with all services delivered at no cost, funded through individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate partnerships (including JPMorgan Chase, Wintrust, and Robert R. McCormick Foundation as lead LEO Center naming donor). Outcomes reported in the input include a 31% reduction in gun homicides in the 60637 ZIP code, 72% six-month workforce retention at a $19/hr average starting wage, and 140+ violence incidents mediated annually. The organization is building a 90,000 sq ft Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center (LEO Center) on S. King Drive, scheduled to open Fall 2026 at a $45M total project cost ($38M, or 84%, raised as of the latest reporting).

Name

Project H.O.O.D.

Legal name

Project H.O.O.D.

Website

https://projecthood.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Project H.O.O.D. is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating five program pillars — violence prevention, workforce development, youth, health, and re-entry — serving 15,000+ Woodlawn residents annually with free services funded by donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Community violence prevention
• Workforce development services
• Youth education programs
• Reentry support services
• Community health services

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time or monthly gifts through NetworkForGood platform. Every dollar stays in Woodlawn with no national overhead or middle layer.
2. Walk With Us! Campaign: Nationwide peer-to-peer fundraising campaign targeting $25M for youth, families, and LEO Center. Supports mentorship, youth development, violence prevention, and economic opportunity.
3. Brick by Brick Walkway: Named gift program with brick engraving in LEO Center Walkway of Destiny at multiple price points ($2,500-$100,000). Legacy opportunity for donors.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Matching gifts, employee volunteer days, sponsored cohorts, and in-kind donations from corporate partners including JPMorgan Chase, Wintrust, and others.
5. Foundation Grants: Multi-year program funding from foundations including Robert R. McCormick Foundation (lead gift for LEO Center), and grant funding for specific programs.
6. Stock & Securities Donations: Appreciated stock donations through DonateStock platform or direct broker transfer, allowing donors to avoid capital gains while claiming full market value deduction.
7. Planned Giving: Bequests in wills, IRA/retirement account beneficiary designations, life insurance beneficiary designations, and charitable remainder trusts for legacy giving.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Project H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Obtain Destiny) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that delivers five integrated social service programs in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood: violence prevention, workforce development, youth programming, health and wellness, and re-entry services. All programs are offered free of charge to community members and are funded through donations, grants, and a capital campaign supporting the 90,000 sq ft LEO Center opening Fall 2026.

Product overview

Project H.O.O.D. operates as a community nonprofit organization offering five interconnected social service programs rather than a traditional software product. The five core programs—Violence Prevention, Workforce Development, Youth Programming, Health & Wellness, and Re-Entry Services—work interlockingly to address community needs holistically. These programs are coordinated through case management via Social Solutions Apricot and are being consolidated into the LEO Center (Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center), a 90,000 sq ft facility opening Fall 2026 that will serve as the permanent home for all programming. The organization does not offer a technology product or software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Violence Prevention Program Community-based violence interruption services using credible messengers and conflict mediators embedded in the Woodlawn neighborhood. Includes a 24/7 community response team, hospital-based intervention in partnership with University of Chicago Medicine, school-based mediators, and peace circles for young men ages 16-24.
• Workforce Development Program Comprehensive job training and placement services in construction, tech, and skilled trades. Includes a Pre-Apprenticeship Construction cohort with OSHA-30 certification, direct-hire employer partnerships with trade unions such as Chicago Roofers Union and IBEW Local 130, and career development support with an average starting wage of $19/hr.
• Youth Programming Entrepreneurship training, after-school tutoring, academic support, college and career readiness coaching, mentorship, and summer internship placement for K-12 youth in Woodlawn. Partners with Chicago Public Schools and hosts the annual Trunk Party sending 300+ seniors to college.
• Health & Wellness Program Free medical access, mental health counseling, recovery navigation, senior programming, and crisis response services for uninsured and underinsured residents. Includes the Southside Free Clinic collaboration with University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and Friend Health (FQHC), operating on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at New Beginnings Church.
• Re-Entry Services Wraparound support for individuals returning from incarceration including job readiness training, job placement, housing navigation, individual counseling, mentorship from people with lived experience, and connection to community resources. Includes the Rebirth Project two-week immersive cohort.
• LEO Center (Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center) 90,000 sq ft community center on S. King Drive in Woodlawn opening Fall 2026. Houses all five program pillars including a workforce training wing with automotive, carpentry, woodworking, welding, and makerspace; youth enrichment hub; health and wellness center; business incubator; cafe and teaching kitchen; and a 400-seat multipurpose hall/theatre. Named after lead gift partner Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 31% reduction in gun homicides in 60637 ZIP code (2024→2025)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• OzingamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction and materials partner contributing to LEO Center build. Local Chicago company providing materials and support for the workforce training construction programs.
• Crane Co.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction industry partner supporting workforce development and providing employment pipeline for program graduates.
• Reed ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal construction firm partner providing workforce training support, site experience, and hiring pipeline for graduates.
• Metro Ford ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner providing workforce placement opportunities and potentially supporting youth programs and transportation access.
• University of Chicago MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for hospital-based violence intervention. Outreach team responds to University of Chicago Medicine hospital bedside for shooting victims, providing immediate crisis support and follow-up services.
• Friend Health (FQHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally Qualified Health Center providing primary care services at the Southside Free Clinic. Patients referred to Friend Health at 6250 S. Cottage Grove for ongoing care after initial consultations.
• University of Chicago Pritzker School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic medical partner collaborating on the Southside Free Clinic initiative, bringing medical students and residents to provide free healthcare services.
• Chicago Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool partnership including embedded mediators at Hyde Park Academy, youth programming collaborations, and Trunk Party college preparation for graduating seniors.
• New Beginnings Church of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome church of Pastor Corey Brooks, founder. Hosts Southside Free Clinic on 1st & 3rd Sundays. Deep partnership for community events, outreach coordination, and faith-based collaboration.
• Chicago Cook Workforce PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner providing job training coordination, employer connections, and career placement support for program participants.
• City Colleges of ChicagomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for workforce development certifications, vocational training pathways, and academic support for program participants.
• Office of Violence Prevention, City of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity agency partnership for violence interruption programming, community response coordination, and public safety initiatives in Woodlawn and Washington Park.
• Chicago Roofers Union (IBEW Local 130)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade union partnership providing direct pathway from construction training program to union-track careers. Workforce graduates placed into apprenticeship programs.
• UPSmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner hosting hiring events. Over 100 neighbors hired on the spot at recent UPS hiring event through workforce program.
• Legal Aid SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal services partner supporting re-entry program participants with legal issues affecting employment and housing access.
• IBEW Local 130coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectrical workers union partnership for pre-apprenticeship program providing direct path to electrical trade careers.
• M. Cannon Roofing CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction employer partner hiring workforce program graduates. Program graduate Terrance now employed as union roofer with this company.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Heartland Alliance: Heartland Alliance is a Chicago-based anti-poverty nonprofit providing housing, healthcare, workforce, and re-entry services for vulnerable populations — directly comparable in multi-pillar social service delivery and wraparound case-management approach.
• Greater Chicago Food Depository: Greater Chicago Food Depository is the Chicago-area food bank network distributing millions of pounds of food annually to community partners — directly comparable to Project H.O.O.D.'s 2M+ lbs food distribution outcome and community-based mutual aid model.
• Safer Foundation: Safer Foundation is one of the largest re-entry and workforce development nonprofits in Illinois, providing employment services, housing navigation, and case management for formerly incarcerated individuals — directly comparable to Project H.O.O.D.'s Re-Entry Services pillar and Rebirth Project cohort model.
• Friend Health (FQHC): Friend Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center on Chicago's South Side providing primary care to uninsured and underinsured residents — a direct clinical partner to Project H.O.O.D.'s Southside Free Clinic and a peer in addressing healthcare access on the South Side.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago: Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago provide youth enrichment, mentorship, after-school programming, and college/career readiness for Chicago youth, including Woodlawn and South Side locations — directly comparable to Project H.O.O.D.'s Youth Programming pillar and Trunk Party outcomes.
• Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership: Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership is the regional Workforce Innovation Board coordinating job training, employer connections, and career placement across Chicago — a direct partner of Project H.O.O.D. and a peer in workforce development outcomes and employer-pipeline design.
• Chicago Urban League: Chicago Urban League is a long-standing Chicago civil rights and workforce nonprofit providing job training, youth programming, and economic empowerment on the South Side — a broad peer in mission, geography, and multi-pillar community development approach.
• Chicago CRED (Create Real Economic Destiny): Chicago CRED is a violence-prevention and economic opportunity organization on Chicago's South and West Sides that uses a similar credible-messenger violence interruption model combined with workforce and behavioral-health programming; directly comparable in mission, geography, and multi-pillar approach.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago: YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago operates community centers with youth programming, workforce initiatives, and health & wellness services across Chicago neighborhoods including the South Side — a broader incumbent with comparable youth, health, and community-center programming but at a regional scale.

Emerging players

• University of Chicago Medicine - Violence Recovery Program: University of Chicago Medicine operates hospital-based violence intervention and recovery programs on the South Side that partner with Project H.O.O.D. for bedside response — an emerging player in the same hospital-linked violence intervention space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@projecthood8919
• Facebookfacebook.com/ProjectHood1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-h-o-o-d
• Instagraminstagram.com/projecthood1
• Xx.com/ProjectHood1

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Project H.O.O.D.