The Evolved Network NFP
The Evolved Network NFP is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free culinary, gardening, and therapeutic programming to youth ages 4 to 24 in South and West Side communities, reaching 700+ youth annually across 5+ partner schools through its proprietary "Evolved Network Way" methodology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Evolved Network NFP does
The Evolved Network NFP is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 86-2023644) founded in December 2021 by Sebastian White, a trained psychotherapist with an M.A. in Clinical Psychology. The organization serves youth ages 4 to 24 in systemically oppressed communities on Chicago's South and West Sides, delivering free culinary, gardening, and therapeutic programming at partner schools including William Ray Elementary, National Teachers Academy, Chicago Jesuit Academy, Carter Woodson Elementary, George Leland Elementary, and Gary Comer Youth Center. Its portfolio comprises seven interlocking programs: The Table Project: By Our Measure (the flagship reaching 700+ youth annually), Project T.E.N. (take-home cooking kits with video instruction), Reclaim the Land (school-based horticulture), the TEN Way Fellowship (an 11-module philosophical dialogue practice co-developed with Dr. Todd DuBose), A Young Chef's Journal placemats distributed through 22+ partner restaurants, school farmers markets with 6+ local farms, and the "By Accident, Choice, or Grace" podcast.
The underlying "technology" is not a software platform but a proprietary methodology — The Evolved Network Way — that uses farm-to-table analogies (Planting, Harvesting, Prepping, Marinating, Sauteing, Flash Frying, Serving, Receiving, Enjoying, Cleaning, Re-Seeding) as a dialogue framework for adults who work with young people. Distribution is direct: programming is delivered on-site at partner schools by a small team of 6 employees plus volunteers, supplemented by restaurant-based placemat distribution and podcast distribution via YouTube, Amazon Music, and Spotify. No APIs, apps, or digital platform exists.
The business model is nonprofit fundraising rather than commercial revenue. Funding sources include individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (notably the NBA Foundation and Chicago Beyond $1 million hyperlocal initiative awarded March 2024), and event-driven revenue from the annual Eat & Evolve gala and chef collaboration dinners at Chicago restaurants (Prairie Grass Cafe, Dove's Luncheonette, Luella's, Demera, Vistro Prime, among others), with ticket prices ranging from $50 to $500. Programming is provided at no cost to youth or schools. Operations are governed by a Board of Directors led by Board President and Chair Melissa Clark (SVP and CFO of Primera Engineers), appointed in February 2025.
The Evolved Network NFP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Evolved Network NFP
- Legal name
- The Evolved Network NFP
- Website
- https://theevolvednetwork.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Evolved Network NFP is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free culinary, gardening, and therapeutic programming to youth ages 4 to 24 in South and West Side communities, reaching 700+ youth annually across 5+ partner schools through its proprietary "Evolved Network Way" methodology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Evolved Network NFP industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Youth Development Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)
Keywords
Where The Evolved Network NFP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Evolved Network NFP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 86-2023644) accepting tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations to support youth programming.
- Event Revenue: Annual Eat & Evolve fundraiser and chef collaboration dinners generate revenue through ticket sales. Events include Prairie Grass Cafe dinners ($10,000 fundraising goals), Dove's Luncheonette ($3,500 raised), Luella's ($3,000 raised), Vistro Prime ($1,000 raised), and others.
- Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations including NBA Foundation and Chicago Beyond's $1 million hyperlocal initiative launched March 2024 to support nonprofits driving economic opportunity for Black youth.
- Programming Fees: Programming provided free of charge to partner schools and youth. Organization states goal of keeping programming affordable and accessible.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free programming for youth at partner schools |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Annual fundraising events with ticket prices ranging $50-$500 |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Volunteer opportunities - no cost to participants |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Evolved Network NFP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Evolved Network NFP delivers free, in-person youth development programming at partner schools and community sites across Chicago's South and West Sides. Programs combine hands-on culinary experiences, gardening/horticulture education, and reflective dialogue using its proprietary "Evolved Network Way" methodology to serve youth ages 4 to 24 from systemically oppressed communities. Programming is funded by donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and ticketed fundraising events.
Product overview
The Evolved Network NFP is a Chicago-based nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected youth development programs centered on food, culinary arts, and land stewardship. Core offerings include The Table Project: By Our Measure (reaching 700+ youth through cooking and gardening), Project T.E.N. (take-home cooking kits), Reclaim the Land (horticulture curriculum), and the TEN Way Fellowship (philosophical framework). Supplementary offerings include the By Accident, Choice, or Grace podcast, A Young Chef's Journal placemats distributed to partner restaurants, School Farmers Markets, and the annual Eat & Evolve fundraising event. All programs are designed for youth in systemically oppressed communities and rooted in the belief that care is learned through relationship.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- By Accident, Choice, or Grace: A podcast exploring presence, possibility, and the unseen threads that shape who we are, hosted by Sebastian White. Features conversations with mentors, friends, and community voices from Chicago's food, education, and healing spaces.
- Project T.E.N.
- The Table Project: By Our Measure
- Reclaim The Land
- TEN Way Fellowship
- A Young Chef's Journal
Products and services
- The Table Project: By Our Measure A comprehensive youth programming initiative reaching over 700 youth ages 4 to 24 annually through immersive cooking, gardening, and communal reflection experiences. Includes modules on restaurant development, teamwork, creativity, community organizing, sustainability, and nutrition. Designed for youth in systemically oppressed communities across Chicago's South and West Sides.
- Project T.E.N. (Together. Evolving. Nourishing.) A take-home cooking experience that brings The Evolved Network's culinary programming into students' homes through seasonally-packed ingredient kits, step-by-step cooking videos with Chef Sebastian, and conversation starters designed for family engagement. Distributed to partner school students.
- Reclaim the Land A horticulture program bringing hands-on gardening, cultural history, and environmental awareness into partner schools. Students learn how food grows, how land matters, and how caring for the earth mirrors caring for ourselves and communities. Piloted at William Ray Elementary, National Teachers Academy, and Chicago Jesuit Academy.
- TEN Way Fellowship A philosophical foundation and dialogue-based practice offering spaces for care professionals to dialogue around dilemmas, possibilities, and consequences in interactions with young people. Uses farm-to-table analogies organized into 11 modules: Planting, Harvesting, Prepping, Marinating/Brazing, Sauteing, Flash Frying, Serving, Receiving/Thanking, Enjoying, Cleaning, and Re-Seeding. Created by Sebastian White and Dr. Todd DuBose.
- School Farmers Markets On-site farmers markets at partner schools that transform school spaces into vibrant hubs of nourishment, relationship, and possibility. Features fresh produce from local farms (Nichols Farm, River Valley Mushrooms, Sky Fall Flowers and others), student-led booths, chef demonstrations, and farmer interactions.
- A Young Chef's Journal Placemats Worksheet placemats designed for children featuring local and seasonal ingredients, guiding young chefs through the process of creating their own dishes while tapping into their senses and imagination. Distributed through 22+ partner restaurants including Prairie Grass Cafe, Luella's Southern Kitchen, Demera, and others. Sponsored by Lurie Children's Hospital and Boelter.
- By Accident, Choice, or Grace (Podcast) A podcast hosted by Sebastian White exploring presence, possibility, and the unseen threads that shape who we are. Features conversations with mentors, friends, and community voices from across Chicago's food, education, and healing spaces. Available on YouTube, Amazon Music, and Spotify.
- Eat & Evolve (Annual Fundraising Event) Annual fundraising event featuring Chicago's top chefs in celebration of food as care, creativity, and community. Supports The Evolved Network's transformative youth programming across Chicago. First held in 2022 at eden restaurant; the 2023 edition was sponsored by William Blair; the 2025 edition is scheduled with corporate and culinary partners.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,497 youth served 2021-2025 with 95% receiving multiple touches and 92% reporting enjoyment
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Evolved Network NFP
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Evolved Network NFP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Evolved Network NFP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Pilot LightcoreFood education nonprofit partner in A Seat at the Table coalition working to build food education initiatives through collaboration with chefs and community organizations.
- Growing HomecoreChicago's first and only USDA-certified organic farm with social mission, partner in A Seat at the Table coalition.
- GardeneerscoreUrban agriculture education organization partnering on food education initiatives.
- BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development)corePartnership providing after-school programming free of charge at George Leland Elementary School.
- Lurie Children's HospitalcoreSponsor of A Young Chef's Journal placemat program providing educational materials to 22+ Chicago restaurants.
- BoeltercoreSponsor of A Young Chef's Journal placemat program supporting restaurant distribution network.
- Prairie Grass CafecoreFounding restaurant partner for A Young Chef's Journal placemat program initiated by Chef Sarah Stegner. Multiple fundraising collaborations and event hosting.
- Nichols FarmminorParticipating farm supplying fresh produce for school farmers markets.
- River Valley MushroomsminorParticipating farm supplying produce for school farmers markets.
- The Paramount GroupcoreRestaurant group including eden that hosts Eat & Evolve fundraising events. CEO Jodi Fyfe serves on TEN's board of directors.
- Green City MarketcoreChicago farmers market where TEN conducts live culinary demonstrations and Executive Director Letisha Steele collaborates on podcast episodes.
- OpenlandsminorConservation organization partner in A Seat at the Table coalition.
- Common ThreadsminorFood education nonprofit partner in A Seat at the Table coalition.
- Gary Comer Youth CentercoreDelivery site for TEN Way modules and Comer Crops and Culinary Team internship programming.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Evolved Network NFP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Openlands: Chicago-area conservation nonprofit that is a coalition partner with TEN in 'A Seat at the Table.' Comparable as a Chicago land/food-systems adjacent organization, though Openlands focuses on regional conservation rather than youth culinary development.
- Green City Market: Chicago farmers market and food education nonprofit that is an active TEN partner, hosting live culinary demonstrations and podcast recordings. Comparable as part of the Chicago local-food ecosystem in which TEN operates, though Green City Market is not a youth-culinary competitor.
Direct peers
- Common Threads: National nonprofit providing hands-on cooking and nutrition education to youth in underserved communities. Comparable in target audience, programming model (culinary education for youth), and food-apartheid mission, with overlapping Chicago operations and A Seat at the Table coalition membership.
- Growing Home: Chicago's first USDA-certified organic urban farm with a social-mission workforce development program. Comparable because it sits at the intersection of urban agriculture, food access, and youth/adult skill-building in Chicago, and is a coalition partner with TEN.
- BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development): Chicago youth development nonprofit providing after-school programming, including at George Leland Elementary, where it partners directly with TEN to deliver TEN programming. Comparable in target population, after-school delivery model, and South/West Side Chicago focus.
- Pilot Light: Chicago-based food education nonprofit that partners with teachers to integrate food education into classrooms. Directly comparable because it operates in the same Chicago food-education-for-youth niche and is an active coalition partner with TEN through 'A Seat at the Table.'
- Gardeneers: Chicago-based nonprofit building garden education programs in schools. Closely comparable to TEN's Reclaim the Land horticulture curriculum, both bringing hands-on gardening and food-system learning into partner schools, and listed as a coalition partner.
Broad incumbents
- 4-H: Large national youth development organization (USDA-affiliated) with longstanding gardening, cooking, and agricultural programming for youth. Comparable in mission overlap on food/garden education for youth, but operates at far greater scale and geographic breadth than TEN.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago: Major Chicago youth development nonprofit providing after-school and summer programming for underserved youth, including at school sites. Comparable in serving Chicago youth ages 4–18 with enrichment programming, though much broader in scope than TEN's food-focused niche.
- After-School All-Stars Chicago: Chicago chapter of national nonprofit providing comprehensive after-school programming at no cost to underserved youth. Comparable in free, school-based enrichment delivery model for Chicago youth, but with broader programming than TEN's culinary/horticulture focus.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Evolved Network NFP social profiles
Digital presenceThe Evolved Network NFP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Evolved Network NFP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Evolved Network NFP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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The Evolved Network NFP 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 Evolved Network NFP
What does The Evolved Network NFP do?
The Evolved Network NFP delivers free, in-person youth development programming at partner schools and community sites across Chicago's South and West Sides. Programs combine hands-on culinary experiences, gardening/horticulture education, and reflective dialogue using its proprietary "Evolved Network Way" methodology to serve youth ages 4 to 24 from systemically oppressed communities. Programming is funded by donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and ticketed fundraising events.
Is The Evolved Network NFP a public or private company?
The Evolved Network NFP is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Evolved Network NFP founded?
The Evolved Network NFP was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Evolved Network NFP based?
The Evolved Network NFP is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Evolved Network NFP make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are event Revenue, foundation Grants and programming Fees.
Who are The Evolved Network NFP's main competitors?
Others on record are Openlands and Green City Market. Direct peers are Common Threads, Growing Home, BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development), Pilot Light and Gardeneers. Broad incumbents are 4-H, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago and After-School All-Stars Chicago.
Does The Evolved Network NFP have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Evolved Network NFP.
What industry is The Evolved Network NFP in?
The Evolved Network NFP's product category is Nonprofit Youth Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAFAN, Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills). Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.