Lincoln Park Community Services

What Lincoln Park Community Services does

Lincoln Park Community Services (LPCS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood to serve adults aged 18 and older experiencing homelessness. The organization operates a full continuum of housing and support services: an 83-bed Interim Housing Program using the 'On Track' case management method across three tracks (addiction recovery, mental/physical health, employment/education), a Drop-In Program for street-based individuals (Mon–Fri, 1–4 PM), a Street Outreach Program, a Graduate Community serving ~80 alumni annually, and 37 permanent supportive housing units distributed across scattered sites citywide from Austin to Rogers Park to South Shore. Facilities include a 35-bed interim housing site at 600 W. Fullerton (Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, occupied for 20+ years) and a 48-bed interim housing, 20 affordable housing, and drop-in facility at 1521 N. Sedgwick St. (Old Town, opened June 2019). Total capacity is 120 beds/units, with 3,300+ individuals served annually and 1,800+ active volunteers.

LPCS employs approximately 40 staff members across programs, development, HR, facilities, and finance, and is led by CEO Cheryl Hamilton-Hill (formerly CEO of Covenant House IL). The technology stack is minimal: the Galaxy Digital volunteer management web portal for volunteer scheduling, Constant Contact for email, and standard social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube). Intakes occur through the City of Chicago's 311 service, direct street outreach, and self-referral.

The revenue model is multi-source: individual and corporate donations (one-time, monthly recurring, DAFs, IRA RMDs, stock transfers, corporate matching), government grants from HUD, the City of Chicago, and DFSS, and annual fundraising events (Metamorphosis gala and Taste of Fall). Services are free to guests; the only priced offering is Associate Board membership dues at $200 annually or $17 monthly.

Name

Lincoln Park Community Services

Legal name

Lincoln Park Community Services

Website

https://lpcschicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Lincoln Park Community Services is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing interim housing, drop-in services, street outreach, permanent supportive housing, and case management for adults experiencing homelessness, serving 3,300+ individuals annually with 1,800+ volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Housing Support Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Interim housing
• Supportive housing
• Street outreach
• Drop-in services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: LPCS relies on individual and corporate donations, including one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, corporate matching gifts, Donor Advised Funds (DAF), IRA Required Minimum Distributions, stock transfers, and Amazon wishlist item donations.
2. Government Funding: LPCS receives funding support from City of Chicago, HUD (Housing and Urban Development), and DFSS (Illinois Department of Family and Support Services) to support their programs and services.
3. Fundraising Events: LPCS hosts annual fundraising events including Metamorphosis gala (Enchanted Evening) and Taste of Fall to generate support and awareness for their mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Lincoln Park Community Services operates as a nonprofit homeless shelter and social services organization delivering a unified continuum of housing and support services. Core programs include Interim Housing (24-hour emergency shelter with 83 beds), Drop-In Services for street-based individuals (showers, laundry, meals, case management), Street Outreach, and Graduate Community Support with ongoing case management. The organization also manages 37 supportive housing units and provides permanent supportive housing through scattered sites across Chicago.

Product overview

Lincoln Park Community Services operates as a nonprofit homeless shelter and community services organization offering a unified continuum of housing and support services. The core programs include Interim Housing (emergency shelter serving 83 guests daily with 250 served annually), Drop-In Services (daily supportive services for street-based homeless individuals), Street Outreach, and Graduate Community Support (ongoing case management for former shelter residents serving ~80 graduates annually). The organization also manages 37 supportive housing units and provides permanent supportive housing through scattered sites across Chicago. All programs are integrated through case management using the 'On Track' method, with volunteers (1,800+ active) supporting operations through meal preparation, teaching, and front desk assistance via the Galaxy Digital platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Interim Housing Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 250 individuals served annually via interim housing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Saint Clement ParishcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1985Founding partner church that has been integral to LPCS since its establishment. Continues to engage regularly in the mission and provide community support.
• Lincoln Park Presbyterian ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1985Founding partner church; currently hosts LPCS Lincoln Park location (600 W. Fullerton) on lower level of their facility. Ongoing partnership for more than 20 years.
• Church of Our SaviorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1985Founding partner church that originally helped run the shelter out of four community churches and continues to provide integral community support.
• St. Pauls UCCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1985Founding partner church that originally helped run the shelter out of four community churches and continues to provide integral community support.
• City of ChicagocoreOthersPrimary municipal partner providing funding and support for homelessness services. LPCS is connected to clients through the 311 service.
• HUD (Housing and Urban Development)coreOthersFederal housing agency providing funding support for LPCS programs and services.
• DFSS (Illinois Dept. of Family and Support Services)coreOthersState agency providing funding support for LPCS programs and services.
• Musically FedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit that collects unused catering from venues like Lollapalooza and distributes it to organizations like LPCS, helping reduce food waste while feeding guests.
• Junior League of ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's organization dedicated to advancing leadership through volunteer action. Has been volunteering at LPCS since 2013, consistently cooking and serving meals to guests.
• Lakeside BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal bank that hosts Associate Board events including trivia nights and networking events for LPCS.
• Chicago Repair (@chicago_repair)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilanthropy group dedicated to volunteering with LPCS for over four years, cooking and serving monthly meals to guests.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• A Safe Haven Foundation: Chicago nonprofit providing shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. Directly comparable: similar Housing First methodology, similar interim-to-permanent housing pipeline, similar Chicago service area.
• Thresholds: Chicago nonprofit providing housing, mental health, and substance use treatment for adults experiencing homelessness and behavioral health needs. Comparable on the interim housing + supportive services + mental health intersection LPCS addresses through its 'On Track' tracks.
• Sarah's Circle: Chicago nonprofit providing interim housing, case management, and permanent housing for women experiencing homelessness. Comparable on program design (interim housing + supportive housing pipeline) and Chicago service area, though focused on a different demographic segment.
• Cara Collective: Chicago nonprofit focused on employment and housing for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Comparable: similar Chicago footprint, similar trauma-informed and employment-track programming that LPCS includes as one of its three On Track pillars.
• The Night Ministry: Chicago nonprofit providing housing, outreach, and health services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Comparable as a direct service nonprofit in the same Chicago geography offering outreach and shelter-adjacent programming.
• Chicago Coalition for the Homeless: Chicago-based nonprofit focused on homelessness policy, advocacy, and direct services. Highly comparable: operates in the same Chicago ecosystem, serves overlapping populations experiencing homelessness, and depends on similar City of Chicago and HUD funding streams.

Emerging players

• Howard Brown Health: Chicago healthcare nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ and underserved populations, including those experiencing homelessness. Partially comparable: similar Chicago geography and overlap with LPCS's street outreach population, but primarily a healthcare rather than housing provider.

Broad incumbents

• Heartland Alliance: Chicago-headquartered anti-poverty and human rights nonprofit operating housing, healthcare, and refugee services. Comparable as a Chicago-based social services nonprofit serving similar populations with housing and supportive programming, though at significantly larger scale.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago: Large, established Chicago social services nonprofit operating a broad portfolio including shelter, housing, immigration, and food programs. Comparable on funding mix (government + donations) and Chicago geography, but with far wider scope than LPCS's homelessness focus.
• Volunteers of America Illinois: Illinois branch of a national nonprofit operating housing, veteran services, and reentry programs. Comparable as a Chicago-area nonprofit with HUD-funded supportive housing operations and a volunteer-driven model, but with a broader mission than LPCS.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/lpcschicago
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LincolnParkCS/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/LPCSchicago
• Instagraminstagram.com/lpcschicago

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Lincoln Park Community Services