Non-Profit or Parachurch Organization

What Non-Profit or Parachurch Organization does

MiCHN (Michigan Christian Homeschool Network) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Christian homeschooling families across the state of Michigan. Founded in 1984 as the Information Network of Christian Homes (INCH) by Dennis and Roxanne Smith, it was rebranded to its current name and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2019. MiCHN's mission is to support parent-directed, biblically-based home education and to protect homeschool freedom in Michigan, a role anchored by the organization's historical involvement in the landmark DeJonge v. Michigan case that established the legal right to homeschool in the state. Leadership is currently provided by President Mike Winter and Director of Operations Kim Winter, supported by an approximately 17-person volunteer leadership team covering connections, events, communications, finance, IT, legal counsel, and legislative counsel.

The organization's core products include an annual membership program, the annual INCH Conference held each May in Lansing, an annual Day at the Dome legislative advocacy event at the Michigan State Capitol, a statewide map of local homeschool support groups covering Michigan's 83 counties, an email newsletter, and a library of legal and how-to resources (Homeschool FAQs, Legislative & Position Updates, INCH Conference Recordings). All digital operations — website, membership, event registration, email, and donations — run on the Cause Machine platform provided by Xperience362, LLC, with payment processing handled by Stripe. No proprietary software or mobile applications are developed in-house.

MiCHN's revenue model is composed of three streams: recurring membership dues, one-time and recurring donations (weekly, monthly, or yearly), and INCH Conference registration fees supplemented by a silent auction. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and revenue figures are not published. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth within the Michigan Christian homeschool community, referral from HSLDA, organic content (blog, email, social media), and in-person presence at the INCH Conference and Day at the Dome. Operating geography is exclusively Michigan, with no global footprint claimed.

Name

Non-Profit or Parachurch Organization

Legal name

Michigan Christian Homeschool Network

Website

https://inch.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MiCHN is a Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports Christian homeschooling families through membership, the annual INCH Conference, legislative advocacy, and a statewide network of local support groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: MiCHN offers membership subscriptions that provide access to exclusive community resources, legislative updates, support group networks, and member benefits including discounts on events such as the INCH Conference.
2. Donations: The organization accepts one-time and recurring donations (weekly, monthly, or yearly gift options) from supporters. Donations are used directly to fund MiCHN's advocacy, resources, and operational work supporting Michigan homeschool families.
3. INCH Conference Registration: The annual Inspirational Networking Conference for Homeschoolers (INCH) generates revenue through attendee registration fees. The event also features a silent auction as a fundraising mechanism.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

MiCHN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as Michigan's premier Christian homeschool support and advocacy organization. It provides an annual membership program, an annual INCH Conference, a statewide network of local support groups, legislative advocacy and updates, an email newsletter, and resource libraries covering Michigan homeschool law, curriculum guidance, record-keeping, and graduation. The organization also runs annual events including a legislative advocacy day at the Michigan State Capitol.

Product overview

MiCHN (Michigan Christian Homeschool Network) operates as a 501-c-3 non-profit organization providing a unified platform of support services for Christian homeschool families in Michigan. The organization offers a membership program, annual INCH Conference, advocacy and legislative updates, newsletter, FAQ resources, and a statewide network of local support groups. These services work together to promote biblically-based, family-centered, privately-funded, parent-directed home discipleship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MiCHN Membership Annual membership program providing Christian homeschool families with resources, legislative updates, networking opportunities, event discounts, and access to the member community platform.
• INCH Conference Annual Inspirational Networking Conference for Homeschoolers held in Lansing, Michigan, typically the third week of May, featuring speakers, breakout sessions, teen programs, vendor hall, and family activities.
• Homeschool Day at the Dome Annual advocacy event at the Michigan State Capitol bringing homeschoolers together for guided tours, picnic lunch, rally, and meetings with lawmakers.
• Legislative Position Updates Position updates and advocacy information helping Michigan homeschool families stay informed about homeschooling laws, rights, and pending legislation.
• MiCHN Email Newsletter Email-based newsletter providing homeschool resources, event announcements, and legislative updates to subscribers.
• Homeschool FAQs Comprehensive FAQ resource answering common questions about Michigan homeschooling laws, how to start, record keeping, graduation requirements, and more.
• Homeschool Support Groups Directory Statewide directory and map tool helping families find local homeschool support groups organized by Michigan county, covering all 83 counties.
• Donations Program One-time or recurring donation program allowing supporters to contribute financially to MiCHN's mission of supporting Michigan homeschool families, with weekly, monthly, or yearly gift options.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 Michigan homeschool families were threatened with prosecution annually between 1985-1993 before legal protections were established through advocacy work
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024MiCHN maintains a close, long-standing partnership with HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association). MiCHN actively recommends that all Michigan homeschool families become HSLDA members for personal legal protection. HSLDA provides dedicated legal counsel for Michigan families, including attorney Samuel Johnson. HSLDA also played a pivotal historical role in Michigan through the DeJonge vs. Michigan case, providing legal defense and advocacy that established homeschool freedom in the state. The partnership is co-advocacy oriented with shared goals of protecting and advancing homeschool rights.
• Tim HortonsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Tim Hortons served as a sponsor for MiCHN's 40th anniversary fundraising celebration event held December 12, 2024 at South Church in Lansing, MI. Sponsorship provides marketing visibility and support for the organization's anniversary celebration.
• Jillian Stapleton Art (DBA)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Jillian Stapleton Art, operating as a DBA, was a sponsor for MiCHN's 40th anniversary fundraising celebration event. The sponsorship supports the event and provides marketing visibility for the sponsor.
• Pioneers Home Education Support ServiceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Pioneers Home Education Support Service was a sponsor for MiCHN's 40th anniversary fundraising celebration event. As a home education support service organization, their sponsorship aligns with MiCHN's mission to support Michigan homeschool families.
• Family Renewal, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Family Renewal, LLC was founded by Israel and Brook Wayne (Israel Wayne serves as MiCHN's Vice President and primary media contact). The organization operates as a ministry providing resources and encouragement for Christian families. Israel and Brook serve on MiCHN's leadership team and contribute to MiCHN's mission through conference speaking, writing, and advocacy work.
• Cause Machine (Xperience362, LLC)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019MiCHN's website, membership platform, event management, and content distribution are powered by Cause Machine, operated by Xperience362, LLC. Cause Machine provides the technical infrastructure for community management, membership subscriptions, event registration, email newsletters, and donations. MiCHN is 'Powered by Cause Machine' as displayed on the website footer.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Classical Conversations: Nationwide homeschool community and curriculum co-op model with local campus groups, conventions, and parent training. Overlaps with MiCHN in providing community, events, and curriculum guidance, though operating across all 50 states rather than a single state.
• Texas Home School Coalition (THSC): Texas statewide homeschool membership and advocacy nonprofit providing legislative monitoring, support group network, conventions, and member benefits. Directly comparable state-level model with similar advocacy, conference, and community infrastructure.
• Christian Home Educators Association (CHEA) of California: State-level Christian homeschool membership and advocacy organization that mirrors MiCHN's structure: membership, conference, support groups, and legislative monitoring for a single state. The closest functional analog in a different geography.

Others

• The Old Schoolhouse Magazine: Homeschool-focused publication and community platform covering curriculum reviews, encouragement, and homeschool lifestyle content. Operates in an adjacent content/media lane that intersects with MiCHN's newsletter and resource library audience.
• National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI): Research and policy nonprofit studying homeschool demographics, academic outcomes, and legal status. NHERI's research (including the 2.04M-student estimate) is cited by MiCHN and provides the policy/legitimacy backbone that supports state-level homeschool advocacy organizations.
• BJU Press Homeschool: Homeschool curriculum publisher and distance-learning provider serving Christian homeschool families. Functions as an adjacent ecosystem participant whose customers overlap heavily with MiCHN's membership base.
• Family Renewal, LLC: Ministry and content organization founded by MiCHN Vice President Israel Wayne and Brook Wayne. Provides Christian family discipleship resources, conference speaking, and writing that feeds directly into MiCHN's content and programming ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA): National homeschool advocacy and legal defense organization that has partnered closely with MiCHN since the DeJonge case. HSLDA operates broadly across all 50 states with legal protection and lobbying services, whereas MiCHN is a state-level community and advocacy nonprofit; the organizations are mutual referral partners.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/michn4u
• Facebookfacebook.com/Michn4u
• Instagraminstagram.com/michn4u
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/non-profit-or-parachurch-organization

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Non-Profit or Parachurch Organization