The Hope Project
The Hope Project is a Muskegon, Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that provides faith-based, trauma-informed recovery services to female survivors of sex trafficking and vulnerable youth ages 8-25 in West Michigan, including case management, therapy, mentoring, residential healing homes, and community education.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersMuskegon, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Hope Project does
The Hope Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 by Jeff and Sue Martineau in Muskegon, Michigan, dedicated to supporting the healing of girls and women who have survived sex trafficking and preventing further cases through mentoring and education. It operates a comprehensive suite of direct-service programs including Survivor Client Services (case management, individual and group therapy, recovery coaching, advocacy, transportation assistance), a Mentor Program pairing survivors and vulnerable youth with Christian mentors, two residential healing homes — Rays of Hope for adult women (opened 2023) and Hope Village for girls ages 11-17 (in development) — plus a hygiene pantry, play therapy, and community education presentations. The organization also co-chairs the Lakeshore Human Trafficking Task Force (LHTTF) and participates in the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force (MHTTF), operating under a faith-based, trauma-informed model that integrates physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual care.
The technology stack is minimal and operational rather than differentiated: web-based donation processing via Stripe (Level 1 PCI compliant, TLS encrypted), Google reCAPTCHA on contact forms, and standard client management systems. No proprietary software, mobile applications, or API platform exists. The revenue model is grant- and donation-funded, with individual monthly recurring giving through a "Guardian Team" program (suggested $25–$200 per month), one-time gifts accepted online, by mail, and via Cash App, supplemented by grants from Community Foundation for Muskegon County, Fremont Area Community Foundation, Mercy Health Sister Simone Courtade Grant Program, Muskegon Rotary Club, Women Who Care of Muskegon County, and corporate sponsors including Staples. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: church partnerships, faith-based volunteer recruitment, Prayer and Worship Nights held 3-4 times annually, and free educational presentations to schools, churches, and organizations. Services are provided free of charge to clients across Muskegon County and Newaygo County, with the organization employing 24 staff and governed by a seven-person board.
The Hope Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Hope Project
- Legal name
- The Hope Project
- Website
- https://hopeprojectusa.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Hope Project is a Muskegon, Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that provides faith-based, trauma-informed recovery services to female survivors of sex trafficking and vulnerable youth ages 8-25 in West Michigan, including case management, therapy, mentoring, residential healing homes, and community education.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Hope Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Human Trafficking Survivor Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)
Keywords
Where The Hope Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Muskegon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Hope Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Monthly recurring donations through Guardian Team program with suggested amounts of $25-$200 per month. One-time and recurring gift options available online.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Guardian Team Monthly Giving |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Hope Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Hope Project is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing free, comprehensive wrap-around services for survivors of sex trafficking and prevention programming for vulnerable youth in West Michigan. Core offerings include case management, individual and group therapy, recovery coaching, advocacy, mentoring, residential housing (Rays of Hope and Hope Village), a hygiene pantry, play therapy, and community awareness education.
Product overview
The Hope Project is a faith-based nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive suite of programs to support survivors of sex trafficking and prevent further cases. The core offerings include Survivor Client Services (case management, therapy, recovery groups, and advocacy), a Mentor Program connecting vulnerable girls and women with mentors, and residential housing programs (Rays of Hope for adult women and Hope Village for girls ages 11-17). Supporting services include a hygiene pantry providing self-care kits, play therapy, and community education initiatives. The organization also co-chairs the Lakeshore Human Trafficking Task Force for regional collaboration. The Hope Project operates primarily in Muskegon County, Michigan with a satellite office in Newaygo County.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Lakeshore Human Trafficking Task Force (LHTTF): A task force co-chaired by The Hope Project, consisting of law enforcement, social services, faith communities, elected officials, survivors, and community advocates dedicated to supporting trafficking survivors.
- Hope Village
- Rays of Hope
Products and services
- Survivor Client Services Comprehensive support services for sex trafficking survivors including case management, individual therapy, group therapy, recovery groups, recovery coaching, advocacy, transportation assistance, and referrals to additional resources. Provided free of charge.
- Mentor Program Program connecting female survivors of sex trafficking and young women ages 11-25 vulnerable to trafficking with compassionate Christian mentors. Mentors and mentees commit to meeting at least four hours monthly for one year.
- Rays of Hope Residential healing home for adult women who have survived sex trafficking, providing comprehensive wrap-around services in a residential setting.
- Hope Village Planned rehabilitative home for girls ages 11-17 who are victims of domestic sexual trafficking, located in an undisclosed location in Muskegon County. Provides 24/7 care, counseling, mentoring, education, life skills, recreational therapy, case management, and security.
- The Hope Project Pantry Hygiene pantry providing self-care kits and basic necessities — lotion, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, tampons/pads, laundry detergent, underwear, socks, leggings — to clients monthly.
- Play Therapy Therapeutic service for children and adults using games and toys to explore feelings and needs, creating an atmosphere of warmth and safety for trauma processing.
- Lakeshore Human Trafficking Task Force (LHTTF) Collaboration co-chaired by The Hope Project consisting of law enforcement, social services, faith communities, elected officials, survivors, and community advocates, providing comprehensive response to human trafficking through prevention, education, response, support, and connection.
- Community Awareness and Education Educational presentations for schools, churches, and organizations on human trafficking awareness and resources, including a 48-minute video developed with the Lakeshore Human Trafficking Task Force for middle and high school students.
Companies that use The Hope Project
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Hope Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
The Hope Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- United Way of the LakeshorecoreCommunity partner logo displayed on website, indicating collaborative relationship in serving the Lakeshore community.
- Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force (MHTTF)coreMember of statewide task force with over 90 member agencies including Federal, State, and local law enforcement, service providers, NGOs, prosecution, and community members working to prevent trafficking, pursue prosecutions, and protect victims.
- Lakeshore Human Trafficking Task Force (LHTTF)flagshipThe Hope Project co-chairs this task force which is a collaboration of law enforcement, social services, faith communities, elected officials, survivors, and community advocates. LHTTF is a registered non-profit operating under THP's 501c3. Provides trainings, community awareness events, and networking.
- Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of CommerceminorCommunity partner member supporting local business and community development in Muskegon Lakeshore area.
- GuideStar / CandidminorOrganization maintains GuideStar Gold Star status and Candid Gold Seal for transparency. Financial information available through GuideStar profile 35-2270341.
- Life Change ChurchminorChurch venue hosting Prayer and Worship Night events on World Day Against Trafficking In Persons.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Hope Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Polaris Project: Operates the National Human Trafficking Hotline and runs direct service programs for trafficking survivors across the U.S. Closest functional peer in survivor services and prevention.
- Restore NYC: Provides long-term housing, therapy, education, and economic empowerment for sex trafficking survivors. Directly comparable wraparound, faith-informed service model.
- Sanctuary for Families: NYC-based nonprofit providing shelter, counseling, legal, and case management services to survivors of trafficking and domestic violence. Comparable multi-service survivor model.
- Shared Hope International: National nonprofit dedicated to eradicating sex trafficking through prevention, protection, and prosecution. Highly comparable as a faith-informed anti-trafficking advocacy and survivor services organization.
- Love146: Survivor care and prevention-focused anti-trafficking nonprofit serving children and youth, with U.S. and international programs. Comparable in targeting minors and survivors of sexual exploitation.
- GEMS (Girls Educational & Mentoring Services): Provides trafficking survivor support, education, and transition services specifically for girls and young women commercially sexually exploited — directly aligned with The Hope Project's gender-and-age focus.
Emerging players
- Thistle Farms: Faith-rooted nonprofit providing housing, therapy, and employment for women survivors of trafficking, addiction, and abuse. Comparable holistic, faith-based recovery framework.
Broad incumbents
- Safe Horizon: Large New York-based victim services nonprofit with dedicated anti-trafficking programs. Comparable survivor-services mission but at much greater scale and broader scope.
- National Network for Youth (NN4Y): National membership organization supporting youth-serving agencies serving homeless, runaway, and trafficked youth. Comparable prevention and youth-services mission at a broader national-policy level.
Others
- Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force: Statewide coalition The Hope Project actively participates in; not a service peer but a key coordinating/ecosystem partner that sets Michigan anti-trafficking policy and resource allocation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Hope Project social profiles
Digital presenceThe Hope Project compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Hope Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Hope Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
The Hope Project subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
The Hope Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Hope Project 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 Hope Project
What does The Hope Project do?
The Hope Project is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing free, comprehensive wrap-around services for survivors of sex trafficking and prevention programming for vulnerable youth in West Michigan. Core offerings include case management, individual and group therapy, recovery coaching, advocacy, mentoring, residential housing (Rays of Hope and Hope Village), a hygiene pantry, play therapy, and community awareness education.
Is The Hope Project a public or private company?
The Hope Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Hope Project founded?
The Hope Project was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Hope Project based?
The Hope Project is headquartered in Muskegon, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Hope Project make money?
One revenue line is on record: individual Donations.
Who are The Hope Project's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Polaris Project, Restore NYC, Sanctuary for Families, Shared Hope International, Love146 and GEMS (Girls Educational & Mentoring Services). Thistle Farms is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Safe Horizon and National Network for Youth (NN4Y). Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force is listed as an others.
Does The Hope Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Hope Project.
What industry is The Hope Project in?
The Hope Project's product category is Human Trafficking Survivor Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAM, Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits, with a secondary code of BPAGADAO, Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.