Hope Community, Inc.

What Hope Community, Inc. does

Hope Community, Inc. is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit community development organization founded in 1977 (originally as St. Joseph's House) that serves BIPOC residents primarily in the Phillips neighborhood and surrounding Minneapolis communities. Its core function is delivering an integrated portfolio of programs across five domains: mixed-income rental housing (263 apartments, 70% affordable, managed by partners Aeon and Shelter Management), youth technology and leadership development (Best Buy Teen Tech Center, Career Pathways, Young Men's Group, Camp Readiness), food and regenerative urban agriculture (7,500 square feet of growing space), parks and green-space equity advocacy (Parks and Power program), and community arts (Power of Vision Mural Project, established 2004, 30+ murals). The organization also runs asset-building programs including a Community Ownership Program in partnership with City of Lakes Community Land Trust, entrepreneur training, and free tax clinics.

The underlying operating model is community-led organizing rather than a technology platform: Hope's "technology" is its four-decade relationship infrastructure (more than 4,000 residents engaged in dialogues since 1997; 40+ organizational partners; a leadership-development program in which 41 assessed participants all assumed new community leadership roles). The organization does not disclose a proprietary technology stack, software products, or digital platform. Distribution is purely direct — programming is delivered at Hope's physical facilities (headquarters at 611 E Franklin Ave in Minneapolis) and through neighborhood outreach — with the only digital surface being event-based Instagram accounts and an email newsletter.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across four streams, none dominant: (1) rental income from the 263-unit housing portfolio (managed by professional property management partners Aeon and Shelter Management, pricing not publicly disclosed), (2) donations and grants from individuals, corporations, and foundations, (3) fee-based community space rentals (Gallery Classroom $35/hr, Tech Center Loft $45/hr, Commons Area $65/hr, all with $100 deposits), and (4) fee-based training programs (Community Ownership Program, entrepreneur training). The organization does not disclose total revenue, operates with 62 employees, and is governed by an independent Board of Directors with shared executive leadership (four co-Executive Directors finalized in 2026).

Name

Hope Community, Inc.

Legal name

Hope Community, Inc.

Website

https://hope-community.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Hope Community, Inc. is a Minneapolis nonprofit founded in 1977 that delivers mixed-income housing (263 apartments), youth technology and leadership programs, food and urban agriculture, parks equity advocacy, and community arts for BIPOC residents in the Phillips neighborhood.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing and Community Development

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Affordable housing development
• Community development programs
• Youth leadership programs
• Community organizing services
• Mixed-income housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

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. Rental Income: Revenue from mixed-income rental properties (263 apartments, 70% affordable). Managed by professional property management companies Shelter and Aeon.
2. Donations and Grants: Individual donations, corporate giving, and foundation grants support programming and operations.
3. Community Space Rentals: Rental of community spaces (Gallery Classroom, Tech Center Loft, Commons Area) to external groups for trainings, conventions, and classes.
4. Training Programs: Fee-based training programs including Community Ownership Program and entrepreneurship training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hope Community develops and operates a portfolio of 263 mixed-income rental apartments (70% affordable) in Minneapolis in partnership with Aeon and Shelter Management, while delivering youth technology and leadership programs, community organizing on parks and food justice, asset-building trainings, and arts/mural projects for BIPOC residents and the Phillips neighborhood. The organization funds this work through grants, donations, rental income, fee-based community space rentals, and training program fees.

Product overview

Hope Community is a community development organization in Minneapolis, MN that offers a portfolio of housing, youth development, community engagement, and arts programs. The housing portfolio includes mixed-income rental properties (Children's Village Center, The Jourdain, The Wellstone, The Rose, Hope Block) developed in partnership with Aeon. Youth programs include the Best Buy Teen Tech Center, Career Pathways, Young Men's Group, and Camp Readiness. Community programs include Parks and Power, Food Land and Community, Community Ownership Program, Tax Clinics, and Entrepreneur Training. Arts programs include the Power of Vision Mural Project and Art of Radical Collaboration. The organization also rents community spaces for trainings and events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Children's Village Center
• The Jourdain
• The Wellstone
• The Rose
• The Hope Block
• Best Buy Teen Tech Center
• Career Pathways (Pathways)
• Young Men's Group (YMG)
• Camp Readiness
• Parks and Power
• Food, Land, and Community (FLC)
• Community Ownership Program
• Power of Vision (POV) Mural Project
• Entrepreneur Training
• Tax Clinics
• Community Space Rental

Quantifiable outcome

• Every community member assessed (41 people) had taken on new community leadership roles
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AeoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProperty management partner for Hope's rental housing portfolio. Co-developed the South Quarter with four housing projects on corners of a major Minneapolis intersection. Manages properties including The Jourdain, The Wellstone, The Rose, and Children's Village Center.
• Shelter ManagementcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional property management company contracted to manage Hope's portfolio of rental properties.
• City of Lakes Community Land Trust (CLCLT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CLCLT for Community Ownership Program. Also partnered to rehabilitate 628 East Franklin building into land trust condos. CLCLT provides the land trust model of ownership for new homeowners.
• Best BuycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner providing Teen Tech Center program support. Provides paid internship opportunities for Pathways program participants during June-August.
• The Clubhouse NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal community of 100 Clubhouses in 19 countries. Hope's Teen Tech Center is a member, providing 25,000 youth annually with access to resources, skills, and experiences. Programs participate in global RE@CH Media Festival awards.
• Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Power of Vision mural project since 2014. Provides resources including projector equipment for mural projects. Collaborated on Mural on the Ave project with Project for Pride in Living.
• Project for Pride in Living (PPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in South Quarter development and Power of Vision mural projects. Hope partnered with PPL to create the Mural on the Ave at PPL's building on Franklin Ave.
• YMCA Camp IcaghowanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Camp Readiness program. Hope prepares youth ages 8-15 for week-long camp experience at this Wisconsin camp.
• Prepare + ProsperminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for free tax clinics during tax season. Volunteer accountants provide tax preparation for low-income individuals and families, free savings accounts, and credit reports.
• Neighborhood Development CenterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFacilitates 12-week entrepreneurship training twice a year with weekly group classes, one-to-one mentoring, and small business planning for new and aspiring entrepreneurs.
• EveryoneOnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTech skills partner organization for Pathways program. Representatives fly into Minneapolis to support and celebrate tech skills program completion and distribute certificates.
• People, Parks, and Power (P3)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst national funding initiative focused on supporting community-based organizations addressing park and green space inequities in marginalized communities. Hope serves as Minneapolis's P3 partner through Parks & Power program.
• Propel NonprofitsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided outside facilitation support for Hope's leadership transition discernment process led by the Board of Directors.
• Rondo CLTminorOthersListed as partner/additional resource for Community Ownership Program training.
• PRG HomeStretch TrainingminorOthersProvides homeownership education resources connected through Community Ownership Program.
• Model CitiesminorOthersProvides homebuyer education resources connected through Community Ownership Program.
• Family Housing FundminorOthersProvides resources for building equity in small multifamily ownership through Community Ownership Program.
• Land Bank Twin CitiesminorOthersProvides resources for potential owner-occupants through Community Ownership Program.
• HomeLineminorOthersProvides trainings for landlords connected through Community Ownership Program.
• COPALminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in We Deserve to Breathe mural series with environmental justice themed murals.
• PYC SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in We Deserve to Breathe mural series. Murals installed at PYC School location.
• Inquilinx UnidxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Dignified Housing/Vivienda Digna mural project focused on housing justice.
• Colectivo Cielos Sin LimitesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Dignified Housing mural project with panel murals installed on their buildings.

Scale indicators7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Northside Residents Redevelopment Council (NRRC): Minneapolis-based nonprofit focused on North Minneapolis housing and economic development. Comparable in affordable housing development and community-building mission, but focused on a different Minneapolis geography.

Direct peers

• Urban Homeworks: Saint Paul-based nonprofit that develops affordable housing and community spaces, formerly led by Shannon Smith Jones before she joined Hope. Directly comparable in housing-plus-community-development focus.
• Pillsbury United Communities: Minneapolis-based nonprofit operating community centers, housing, and human services across North Minneapolis. Comparable in operating model (community centers + programs + housing) and in serving BIPOC urban communities.
• Project for Pride in Living (PPL): Twin Cities-based nonprofit that develops affordable housing and provides career training, similar to Hope's integrated model. Both organizations are active in the Phillips/Franklin Ave corridor and have co-developed the South Quarter and Power of Vision mural projects.
• Neighborhood Development Center (NDC): Twin Cities nonprofit that provides entrepreneurship training and small business support. Directly partners with Hope Community to deliver its Entrepreneur Training program; comparable in asset-building and small business development focus.
• Sabathani Community Center: Historic Minneapolis community center providing programming, housing, and human services. Another former employer of Shannon Smith Jones, suggesting direct operational and leadership overlap with Hope's mission.
• Aeon: Twin Cities affordable housing developer and property manager that co-developed the South Quarter with Hope Community and now manages multiple Hope-owned properties. Highly comparable in scale, mission, and Minneapolis footprint.
• City of Lakes Community Land Trust (CLCLT): Minneapolis-based community land trust that partners with Hope on the Community Ownership Program and co-developed the 628 East Franklin land trust condos. Highly comparable in land trust and affordable homeownership mission.

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Twin Cities: National community development financial institution with deep Twin Cities presence that funds affordable housing and community development nonprofits. Operates in the same space as Hope but as a funder/incubator rather than direct service provider.
• Greater Twin Cities United Way: Regional funder and convener supporting nonprofits across the Twin Cities, including Hope Community. Shannon Smith Jones left Hope to lead Community Impact there, making it a directly connected peer in the funding ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@hopeyouthprograms141
• Instagraminstagram.com/parksandpower
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hope-community-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Community, Inc.