Salt & Light Ministries

What Salt & Light Ministries does

Salt & Light Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit organization headquartered in Urbana, Illinois, operating thrift and grocery retail stores combined with wraparound social programs in the Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area. The organization runs two physical locations — a full-service thrift and grocery store at 1819 S Philo Rd in Urbana and a thrift-only donation drop-off at 1512 W Anthony Dr in Champaign — supported by drive-thru donation centers at both sites. Its core products include the volunteer credit program (where participants earn $1 per hour of store credit, up to 20 hours per month), vocational training across departments such as retail, grocery, warehouse, administration, and customer service, and a technology center providing computer lab access. Supporting services include the REcompute laptop refurbishment and distribution program, Financial Peace University financial education, free tax preparation through the IRS VITA program, and hosting of the Carle Mobile Health Clinic.

The organization's distinctive business model blends retail revenue with nonprofit funding mechanisms. Thrift and grocery sales generate transaction-based income from donated and procured goods, while a recycling operation diverts 200,000 pounds of materials per month from landfills and generates additional income from sale of metal, cardboard, books, clothing, and linens. Financial donations from individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations supplement retail revenue, with the stated goal of becoming self-sustaining. The organization does not publish financial statements and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. In June 2022, Salt & Light acquired ownership of its Urbana retail property from Niemann Foods for $1.865 million, with Niemann forgiving approximately $560,000 in outstanding debt; the transaction was financed by long-time donors and yields approximately $90,000 per year in property tax exemption savings.

Salt & Light serves five primary persona segments: Job Seekers using the credit program for skills and experience, Students and Youth from age 6 through graduate level, Senior Citizens seeking supplemental income and social connection, Community Workers and partner organizations, and General Community Members who shop alongside participants. The organization explicitly frames its model as a relational ministry that treats participants as people rather than recipients, addressing material, relational, and spiritual dimensions of poverty. The go-to-market approach is community-led and event-driven, relying on volunteer orientations, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, Carle Mobile Health Clinic visits, church and organizational partnerships, social media, and recurring fundraising events such as the 2026 Masquerade Ball and Dessert Night to sustain volunteer, donor, and participant engagement.

Name

Salt & Light Ministries

Legal name

Salt & Light Ministries

Website

https://saltandlightministry.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Salt & Light Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit operating thrift and grocery stores in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, serving community members experiencing poverty through a volunteer credit-earning program, vocational training, and wraparound support services including health, tax, and technology access.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Services and Charitable Retail

NAICS

Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Retailers (4594)

SIC

Retail-Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores (5940)

akta.pro primary industry

Donation, Resale & Textile Recycling Coordination (HSAFABAI)

Keywords

• Community thrift retail
• Affordable grocery store
• Vocational training programs
• Volunteer credit model
• Faith-based community services

Headquarters

HQ city

Urbana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Thrift Store Sales: Sale of donated clothing, shoes, furniture, household items, and other gently used goods. 100% of proceeds support programs and services.
2. Grocery Store Sales: Sale of groceries, fresh produce, frozen items with name brand and generic options. Proceeds fund the store credit program for participants.
3. Financial Donations: Direct financial support from donors to sustain operations and continue offering meaningful opportunities to participants. Goal is to become self-sustaining.
4. Donated Goods: Accepts donations of clothing, household items, furniture, and other goods that are sold in stores. Drive-thru donation drop-off available.
5. Recycling Program: Recycling program that redirects 200,000 pounds per month from landfill. Generates substantial income through sale of recycled materials including metal, cardboard, books, clothing, linens, and household items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Salt & Light Ministries operates thrift and grocery stores in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, selling donated clothing, furniture, household items, and groceries. The organization combines retail operations with a volunteer credit program (where participants earn $1/hour in store credit up to 20 hours/month) and vocational training across multiple departments, including retail, grocery, warehouse, and administration.

Product overview

Salt & Light Ministries operates a unified thrift and grocery store model in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, combining retail operations with poverty alleviation programs. The core offerings include a grocery store, thrift store, volunteer credit program, and vocational training across multiple departments. Supporting services include a Technology Center with computer lab access, REcompute laptop recycling, Financial Peace University financial education, VITA tax assistance, and Carle Mobile Health Clinic partnerships. The unique model allows financially struggling community members to earn store credit through volunteering, which they can use to purchase groceries and household items, maintaining dignity while meeting basic needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grocery Store Affordable grocery store offering fresh produce, frozen items, and name-brand and generic food options. The store serves both regular customers and participants earning store credit through volunteer work.
• Thrift Store Thrift retail operation offering clothing, shoes, furniture, and household items. Donations are sorted, processed, and made available for purchase, with proceeds supporting ministry programs.
• Volunteer Credit Program Structured program in which participants earn minimum wage in store credit (up to 20 hours per month) by volunteering at the store, redeemable for groceries and thrift items. Enables financially struggling individuals to meet their needs with dignity.
• Vocational Training Program Job training opportunities across multiple departments including administration, dispatch, clothing processing, retail, grocery, customer service, warehouse, merchandising, and delivery. Participants gain skills in teamwork, problem-solving, self-management, and computer skills.
• Technology Center / Computer Lab Technology access center providing computers with internet access, instruction in basic word processing, web utilization, internet security, social media, and essential computer usage. Lab monitors assist participants with technology needs.
• REcompute Laptop Recycling Program Partnership initiative that refurbishes donated laptops by wiping and installing Linux operating system, then distributes them to community members who otherwise might not have computer access. Recipients complete a computer literacy course to receive a laptop.
• Financial Peace University Dave Ramsey's financial education program providing resources for debt-free living, financial management, and generosity. Participants receive an FPU membership kit with manual, course CDs, and money management tools.
• Tax Assistance (VITA) Free tax preparation services through the IRS VITA program, operated in partnership with Gies School of Business. Helps community members complete required tax documents.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000 pounds of materials diverted from landfills monthly
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Niemann FoodscoreOthers · 9 June 2022Parent company of County Market and Harvest Market grocery stores. Originally provided lease-to-purchase agreement for Urbana property. Accepted offer to sell property at $1.865M while forgiving $560K in outstanding debt owed by Salt & Light.
• REcomputeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2022Laptop recycling project that refurbishes donated laptops with Linux OS for distribution to community members lacking technology access. Salt & Light serves as a laptop drop-off location. Volunteers at S&L's computer lab created a computer literacy course for recipients.
• Carle (Mobile Health Clinic)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular site for Mobile Health Clinic - a 40-foot wheelchair-friendly mobile medical unit providing affordable non-urgent care. Services include chronic condition management, acute illness treatment, physicals, wellness care, immunizations, and lab work. Visits Urbana location first and second Wednesday of each month.
• RosecrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecovery resources partner providing community volunteering and connection opportunities for individuals in recovery.
• Narcotics AnonymouscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts the largest NA meeting in the local community. Three different weekly NA meetings open to anyone seeking support in recovering from narcotics addiction. No registration required.
• Champaign County Cradle to CareerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership supporting youth from cradle to career with coordinated services and opportunities.
• University of IllinoisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership providing placement and research site opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Lakeview College and Illinois Wesleyan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNursing program partnerships providing service site opportunities for nursing students at Urbana location.
• Cunningham Township Housing Assistance ProgramminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment partnership providing work placement location for individuals in the housing assistance program.
• IRS/Gies School of Business VITA ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer Income Tax Assistance program partnership serving as a collection site for free tax preparation services.
• Illinois Legal AidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free legal resources to community members through on-site services at Urbana location.
• First FollowersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to assist returning citizens transitioning back to the community.
• Promise HealthcareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner with information table presence in Urbana lobby to answer healthcare questions and share information about services.
• Faith In ActionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership meeting health needs of senior citizens through coordinated services.
• Urbana Adult Ed and Project READminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdult education partnership providing literacy and educational opportunities.
• Mother Goose on the LooseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly childhood literacy program partnership supporting reading readiness.
• DREEAM AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership providing learning opportunities and support services.
• Express EmploymentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJob seeker support partnership helping connect individuals with employment opportunities.
• RPC Homeless AssistanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless assistance partnership providing computer lab access for clients to complete required documents.
• UPD Crisis Response Intervention Steering TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership supporting crisis response efforts in the community.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United Way: National community-services funder and coordinator. Comparable in that United Way of Champaign County serves as a community-services backbone in the same geography, often co-locating services and coordinating partner referrals.
• Catholic Charities USA: Large national faith-based social services network offering food pantries, thrift, housing, and recovery support. Comparable in faith-based, multi-service nonprofit model, though operates at significantly broader scale and geographic reach.

Direct peers

• Feeding America (Eastern Illinois Foodbank): Regional food bank network addressing food insecurity — the most direct peer for Salt & Light's grocery side. Eastern Illinois Foodbank specifically serves the same Champaign-Urbana region, making the geographic and mission overlap unusually tight.
• Goodwill Industries International: The largest nonprofit thrift and workforce development operator in the U.S. Closest direct peer: both operate thrift retail chains that fund vocational programs, accept donated goods, and use the resale model to support employment training for underserved populations.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores: Nonprofit home goods/furniture resale stores whose proceeds fund housing construction. Directly comparable in operating donated-goods retail that funds mission-related programs, though focused on home goods rather than apparel/grocery.
• St. Vincent de Paul: Faith-based nonprofit operating thrift stores (St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores) that fund programs serving people in poverty, including food assistance and housing. Comparable in mission model, thrift-funded social programs, and Catholic/Christian framing.
• The Salvation Army: Major nonprofit operating thrift stores alongside food assistance, recovery programs (Adult Rehabilitation Centers), and emergency services. Closely comparable in combining thrift retail, food distribution, faith-based mission, and addiction recovery support.

Others

• ReCompute: Direct existing partner of Salt & Light operating the laptop refurbishment program. Included as an ecosystem peer and adjacent technology-recycling operator with overlapping community impact model.
• Cunningham Township (Champaign County): Local government partner already working with Salt & Light for housing assistance program placements. Comparable as a community-services coordinator in the same geography, often serving overlapping client populations.

Emerging players

• Missions Inc. Regional faith-based nonprofit combining thrift retail, food assistance, and recovery programs in the Midwest. Comparable mid-sized peer with similar thrift-store-funded ministry model, though smaller footprint than Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/saltandlightministry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/salt-&-light
• Instagraminstagram.com/saltlight_il

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 Salt & Light Ministries