HOPEmatch
HOPEmatch is a Charlotte, NC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects donors with working families who fall above the government assistance threshold, operating a web-based family-sponsorship and donation platform that supports year-round programs including Christmas Adopt-a-Family, Back to School Bash, Identity Groups, and a VIP Monthly Giving program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersCharlotte, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What HOPEmatch does
HOPEmatch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2008 in Charlotte, NC by Erin Blackmore to serve working families whose income exceeds government assistance cutoffs yet who still face temporary hardship. The organization operates a web-based donation and family-sponsorship platform (hopematch.org) using Firebase Authentication for account management and Stripe for payment processing, through which donors browse available families, select whom to sponsor, shop personalized wish lists, and drop off gifts that volunteers deliver. Its program portfolio spans seven lines: Christmas Adopt-a-Family (the founding campaign), Back to School Bash, Acts of HOPE (year-round gift baskets), Pop Up Shop (personal essentials), Project Celebrate! (birthdays), Identity Groups (women's empowerment retreats), and Soul Retreat. The organization also runs a VIP Monthly Giving recurring donor program and a volunteer portal, with intake driven by community nominations from caseworkers, teachers, pastors, and neighbors.
The business model is donation-based with five revenue streams: one-time donations, recurring VIP monthly giving, family/student sponsorship units priced from $25 (backpack) to $500 (family of 5+), corporate and nonprofit partnership contributions, and in-kind gift matching capped at roughly $200 per person. Annual beneficiary throughput is 50+ families per year, supported by 100+ active volunteers and a 5-person employee base. The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, anchored by seasonal campaigns (Back to School in August, Christmas Adopt-a-Family November–December, Pop Up Shop in spring) and amplified through email, organic social, earned local media, and a corporate partner roster including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Atrium Health, Lowe's, Hendrick Motorsports, and Charlotte Knights, plus nonprofit collaborators such as Next Level Church, Bright Blessings, and Answer Scholarship.
HOPEmatch monetizes primarily through donor cultivation rather than commercial revenue: donations are tax-deductible, corporate matching gifts are encouraged, and the organization explicitly publishes no financial statements. Operational reach is single-metro (Charlotte, NC) with no claimed geographic expansion. The operating model is volunteer-run with minimal fixed cost, and the strategic moat is built on 16 years of community trust, an established nomination-to-delivery process, and a recipient-to-volunteer feedback loop where previously served families are invited to "pay it forward."
HOPEmatch firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HOPEmatch
- Legal name
- HOPEmatch
- Website
- https://hopematch.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- HOPEmatch is a Charlotte, NC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects donors with working families who fall above the government assistance threshold, operating a web-based family-sponsorship and donation platform that supports year-round programs including Christmas Adopt-a-Family, Back to School Bash, Identity Groups, and a VIP Monthly Giving program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HOPEmatch industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Family Assistance Services
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Fundraisers & Charity Events (Gala/Walks excluded) (MPAGAEAK)
Keywords
Where HOPEmatch is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlotte
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
HOPEmatch business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- One-time Donations: Individual donors make one-time monetary contributions to support HOPEmatch programs. Donations of $20 or more help provide hope and dignity for families.
- VIP Monthly Giving Program: Recurring monthly donations from dedicated supporters. VIP members receive special updates, thoughtful gifts, family photos, a free HOPEmatch t-shirt, reserved parking at events, and business promotion through organizational channels.
- Family Sponsorship: Donors sponsor specific families or students by shopping their personalized wish lists and dropping off gifts. Sponsorship amounts typically range from $100 per student to $200 per person for Christmas programs.
- Corporate and Nonprofit Partnerships: Financial contributions and volunteer support from corporate partners and nonprofit/ministry organizations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Backpack Sponsorship - $25 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Child's Wish-List - $50 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | School Year Sponsorship - $75 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Sponsorship - $100 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Small Family Season - $300 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Family of 5+ Sponsorship - $500 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Soul Retreat Sponsorship - $50 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Christmas Gift Matching - $200/person |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
HOPEmatch product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HOPEmatch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a community-driven donation and family sponsorship platform connecting donors in Charlotte, NC with working families who earn just above the government-assistance threshold. Donors browse available families or students online, shop personalized wish lists, and drop off gifts which volunteers then deliver to recipients. The organization runs seasonal campaigns (Christmas Adopt-a-Family, Back to School Bash, Pop Up Shop) alongside year-round programs such as Acts of HOPE gift baskets, Project Celebrate! birthdays, and Identity Groups for women.
Product overview
HOPEmatch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating as a charitable giving platform that connects donors with families experiencing temporary hardship in Charlotte, NC. The platform is organized around multiple distinct programs including Family Sponsorship (Shop & Drop) for adopt-a-family campaigns, Christmas at HOPEmatch for holiday giving, the Back to School Bash for school supplies, Pop Up Shop for personal essentials, Acts of HOPE for year-round baskets, Project Celebrate! for birthdays, and Identity Groups for women's empowerment. The organization also operates a VIP Monthly Giving Program for recurring donors and manages a Volunteer Portal for community engagement. The core workflow involves community nominations, family screening, donor matching, gift shopping by sponsors, and volunteer-coordinated delivery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Family Sponsorship (Shop & Drop)
Quantifiable outcome
- 50+ families served annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use HOPEmatch
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
HOPEmatch technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
HOPEmatch partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Answer ScholarshipcoreNonprofit partner providing educational support. Part of HOPEmatch's network of ministry and nonprofit partners working to multiply reach and impact across Charlotte.
- Christmas Tree SantascoreHoliday-focused charitable organization aligned with HOPEmatch's Christmas programs for families.
- Next Level ChurchcoreFaith-based partner and founding location for HOPEmatch. Featured in WCNC coverage documenting the backstory of HOPEmatch at this church.
- Sunflower ClubcoreNonprofit partner supporting HOPEmatch's community outreach initiatives.
- Bright BlessingscoreNonprofit organization partnering with HOPEmatch to serve families in need.
- Kaizen FoundationcoreFoundation partner supporting HOPEmatch's charitable mission.
- Bank of AmericacoreCorporate partner providing financial support and employee volunteer opportunities. Listed among Charlotte businesses supporting HOPEmatch.
- Wells FargocoreCorporate partner supporting HOPEmatch's community programs through financial contributions.
- Atrium HealthcoreMajor healthcare system partner supporting HOPEmatch programs in Charlotte.
- Lowe'scoreCorporate partner providing support for HOPEmatch initiatives.
- Coca Cola ConsolidatedminorCorporate partner supporting HOPEmatch's community work.
- Hendrick MotorsportsminorMotorsports partner contributing to HOPEmatch's corporate partnership network.
- David Weekley HomesminorHomebuilding partner in HOPEmatch's corporate network.
- Charlotte KnightsminorMinor league baseball team partner supporting community initiatives.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
HOPEmatch competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bright Blessings: Charlotte-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving children experiencing homelessness or hardship with essentials (backpacks, hygiene items, gifts); directly comparable mission, geography, and adopt-a-family model. Named partner of HOPEmatch.
- Crisis Assistance Ministry: Established Charlotte nonprofit providing emergency financial assistance and basic needs to working families facing hardship; highly comparable working-poor target demographic and Charlotte footprint.
- Christmas Tree Santas: Named holiday-focused charitable partner of HOPEmatch in Charlotte; directly comparable holiday gift-matching model and Charlotte geography.
- Answer Scholarship: Named nonprofit partner of HOPEmatch providing educational support to local students; intersecting closely with HOPEmatch's Back to School Bash and broader family-education programming.
- Charlotte Family Housing: Charlotte-based nonprofit serving families experiencing housing instability with housing, support, and stabilization services; closely comparable local mission and family-focused programming model.
- Sunflower Club: Named Charlotte-area nonprofit partner supporting HOPEmatch's community outreach initiatives; comparable small-local nonprofit footprint and family-services mission.
Regional players
- Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont: Regional workforce-development and family-services nonprofit serving the Charlotte area; comparable working-family demographic with broader economic-mobility focus rather than direct giving.
Broad incumbents
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte: Regional faith-based social services network providing emergency assistance, family support, and holiday programs to vulnerable families in the Charlotte region; overlapping beneficiary group with broader portfolio.
- United Way of Central Carolinas: Regional United Way umbrella funding and convening social services across Charlotte; overlapping donor pool and family-supportive mission, but at a community-funding scope rather than direct service.
- Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte: National faith-based charity with major Charlotte presence providing holiday giving, family support, and emergency assistance; broader service portfolio but directly overlapping programs and donor pool.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HOPEmatch social profiles
Digital presenceHOPEmatch financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HOPEmatch leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
HOPEmatch funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HOPEmatch 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 HOPEmatch
What does HOPEmatch do?
HOPEmatch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a community-driven donation and family sponsorship platform connecting donors in Charlotte, NC with working families who earn just above the government-assistance threshold. Donors browse available families or students online, shop personalized wish lists, and drop off gifts which volunteers then deliver to recipients. The organization runs seasonal campaigns (Christmas Adopt-a-Family, Back to School Bash, Pop Up Shop) alongside year-round programs such as Acts of HOPE gift baskets, Project Celebrate! birthdays, and Identity Groups for women.
Is HOPEmatch a public or private company?
HOPEmatch is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was HOPEmatch founded?
HOPEmatch was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is HOPEmatch based?
HOPEmatch is headquartered in Charlotte, United States, in the North America region.
How does HOPEmatch make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. One-time Donations are the primary driver. The others are VIP Monthly Giving Program, family Sponsorship and corporate and Nonprofit Partnerships.
Who are HOPEmatch's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bright Blessings, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Christmas Tree Santas, Answer Scholarship, Charlotte Family Housing and Sunflower Club. Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, United Way of Central Carolinas and Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte.
Does HOPEmatch have an API?
No public API is recorded for HOPEmatch.
What industry is HOPEmatch in?
HOPEmatch's product category is Nonprofit Family Assistance Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAEAK, Community Fundraisers & Charity Events (Gala/Walks excluded). Its NAICS code is 8134 and its SIC code is 8300.