Hope Ignites Chicago
Hope Ignites Chicago is a nonprofit operating a long-term residential scholarship program for motivated youth in need, spanning middle school through college graduation and career launch. It serves 44 scholars and collegians across four Evanston homes, funded through donations, events, and corporate sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersWilmette, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hope Ignites Chicago does
Hope Ignites Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1979 (originally as Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois, rebranded in 2025) that operates a long-term residential scholarship program for motivated young people in need spanning middle school through college graduation and career launch. The organization currently serves 24 residential scholars and 20 collegians (44 total) across four homes on Gaffield Place in Evanston, Illinois, with administrative headquarters at 1100 Laramie Avenue in Wilmette. Core program components include family-style residential housing with live-in Residential Counselors, full-tuition scholarships at three partner schools (Loyola Academy, Regina Dominican, and St. Athanasius), academic tutoring, life and college mentoring (2- and 4+ year commitments), the network-wide My Road curriculum, life skills training, social-emotional support via Family Service Center, and summer experiences including the Silicon Valley STEAM camp and Guate-Maya service trips. The program reports 100% high school graduation, 90% college persistence, and 75% college graduation rates against a national average of roughly 15% for the lowest socioeconomic quartile.
The business model is philanthropy-driven, with no fees charged to scholars or families. Revenue derives from individual donations (one-time, recurring, and multi-year pledges), corporate sponsorships and event fundraising (Drive Fore Hope Golf Outing, Evening of Hope Gala, and Gaffield Palooza with sponsorship tiers from $750 to $22,000), planned giving through the Legacy of Hope program, gifts in kind, and stock/securities contributions. The organization is undergoing an active More Hope capital campaign with a $5.4M stretch goal (approximately $4.3M raised as of latest disclosure) to add a fourth home, consolidate the four-home campus on Gaffield Place, and renovate all properties. Hope Ignites Chicago operates as an independent affiliate of the Hope Ignites Network, a 14-affiliate organization headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, which provides shared programming standards, the My Road curriculum, and college-prep frameworks in exchange for mission fidelity and brand alignment.
Hope Ignites Chicago firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hope Ignites Chicago
- Legal name
- Hope Ignites Chicago
- Website
- https://hopeigniteschicago.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Hope Ignites Chicago is a nonprofit operating a long-term residential scholarship program for motivated youth in need, spanning middle school through college graduation and career launch. It serves 44 scholars and collegians across four Evanston homes, funded through donations, events, and corporate sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hope Ignites Chicago industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)
Keywords
Where Hope Ignites Chicago is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wilmette
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Hope Ignites Chicago business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: The organization receives donations from individual supporters through its website donation portal, mail, phone, and stock transfers. Donors can make one-time or recurring (monthly/quarterly) gifts, as well as multi-year pledges. Donations can also be made in honor or memory of individuals.
- Event Fundraising: Annual signature events including the Drive Fore Hope Golf Outing, Evening of Hope Gala, and Gaffield Palooza generate revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, silent auctions, and paddle raises. Corporate sponsorships range from $750 to $22,000.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide financial support through event sponsorships and ongoing corporate giving programs. Sponsorship tiers include Title, Gold ($22,000), Silver ($17,000), Bronze ($12,000), Benefactor ($4,000), Exclusive Hole ($1,500), and Hole ($750).
- Planned Giving: Legacy planned giving program allows supporters to contribute through wills, trusts, IRA, life insurance, or other assets. The 'Legacy of Hope' campaign provides lasting impact for scholars while offering tax benefits to donors.
- Gifts in Kind: The organization accepts non-cash donations including food, furnishings, computers, cars, and school/office supplies that can be used directly in programs.
- Stock and Securities: Donors can contribute appreciated stock and securities, which can relieve long-term capital-gains taxes and are deductible at full fair market value.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Gold Sponsor - $22,000 tier includes banner signage, exclusive hole sponsorship, two foursomes with meals, eight additional dinner tickets, and podium recognition. |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Silver Sponsor - $17,000 tier includes one foursome and six additional dinner tickets with digital recognition. |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Bronze Sponsor - $12,000 tier includes hole sponsorship and digital recognition. |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Benefactor Sponsor - $4,000 tier sponsors an area or event with signage and four dinner tickets. |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Exclusive Hole Sponsor - $1,500 tier includes hole sign production and two dinner tickets. |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Hole Sponsor - $750 tier includes hole signage placement for the day. |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Hope Ignites Chicago product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hope Ignites Chicago operates a long-term residential scholarship program serving motivated young people in need from middle school through college graduation and into career launch. The program provides family-style housing in supervised residences, college-preparatory education at partner schools, academic tutoring, mentoring, life skills training, and social-emotional support. All services are provided at no cost to scholars and families, funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events, grants, and planned giving.
Product overview
Hope Ignites Chicago is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive youth development program through multiple integrated services. The core offering is the Residential Scholarship Program, which provides long-term holistic support from middle school through college graduation, including family-style housing, college-preparatory education, tutoring, and mentoring. This is complemented by the Collegian Scholarship Program for continued college support, the My Road Curriculum for structured development, and an Alumni Community for ongoing engagement. The organization operates major annual fundraising events (Drive Fore Hope Golf Outing and Evening of Hope Gala) and is executing the MORE HOPE Campaign to expand capacity with a four-home campus on Gaffield Place in Evanston.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Residential Scholarship Program Long-term holistic residential scholarship program for motivated young people in need, spanning middle school through high school. Provides family-style housing with live-in professional Residential Counselors, college-preparatory education at partner schools (Loyola Academy, Regina Dominican, St. Athanasius), academic tutoring, mentoring, life skills training, therapy, and social-emotional support. Free of charge to scholars and families.
- Collegian Scholarship Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% high school graduation rate and college enrollment
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Hope Ignites Chicago
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hope Ignites Chicago technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Hope Ignites Chicago partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.
- Morning WalkminorChicago creative agency that donated time and talent to create the Kennedy Expressway mural celebrating Hope Ignites Chicago. Designers studied alumni speeches, watched videos on rituals, and joined scholar dinners to capture the heart of the mission.
- WintrustminorProvided the platform for the Wintrust Building Mural series on the Kennedy Expressway, which highlighted Hope Ignites Chicago as an organization making impact across Chicago.
- Loyola AcademycorePartner school providing college-preparatory education to Hope Ignites scholars. One of three partner schools (along with Regina Dominican and St. Athanasius) offering reduced tuition for residential scholars.
- Regina Dominican High SchoolcorePartner school providing college-preparatory education to Hope Ignites scholars, particularly serving young women in the program. One of three partner schools offering reduced tuition for residential scholars.
- St. Athanasius SchoolcorePartner school providing college-preparatory education to Hope Ignites scholars. One of three partner schools offering reduced tuition for residential scholars, serving students in grades 7-8.
- Family Service CentercoreProvides therapy services to Hope Ignites scholars. The organization offers excellent and generously discounted therapy services to support scholars' social-emotional development.
- Hope Ignites NetworkcoreNetwork headquarters in St. Louis connecting 14 affiliates across the US and Latin America. Provides leadership, signature college-preparatory programming, shared best practices, scholarship funds, and consistency in training and programmatic standards.
- Airoom Architects, Builders, and RemodelersmajorEngaged for design and build services for the More Hope campaign campus renovations. Additionally procures discounts from vendors and coordinates donated materials and services for the four-home campus project.
- Westmoreland Country ClubminorScholars caddy at Westmoreland during summers as part of Evans Scholars program and earn money for college. Multiple scholars have competed for Evans Scholarships through this opportunity.
- The Greenwood ProjectminorFinancial literacy internship opportunity for Hope Ignites scholars. Multiple scholars have interned with The Greenwood Project during summer breaks.
- Leahy IFPminorScholars rotate through functions at Leahy IFP during summer breaks as career exploration and professional development opportunity.
- Dawn McKenna GroupminorCorporate partner supporting Hope Ignites Chicago.
- KeyBankminorCorporate partner supporting Hope Ignites Chicago.
- William BlairminorCorporate partner supporting Hope Ignites Chicago.
- WintrustminorCorporate partner supporting Hope Ignites Chicago.
- Prairie-CapitalminorCorporate partner supporting Hope Ignites Chicago.
- Symphony FinancialminorCorporate partner supporting Hope Ignites Chicago.
- Frontage Search PartnersminorCorporate partner supporting Hope Ignites Chicago.
- Jacobson RostminorCorporate partner supporting Hope Ignites Chicago.
- Andersen RenewalminorDonated new windows for the 823 Gaffield Place renovation project as part of the More Hope campaign.
- Windy City RepresentativesminorDonated HVAC system installation for the 823 Gaffield Place renovation project as part of the More Hope campaign.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hope Ignites Chicago competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago: Chicago-area youth mentoring nonprofit pairing at-risk youth with adult mentors for educational and social-emotional outcomes. Comparable in mission, target demographic, mentor-driven model, and reliance on community fundraising.
- Cristo Rey Network: National network of 40+ Catholic college-preparatory high schools serving low-income students with work-study-integrated education. Comparable in mission, demographic, and college-prep outcomes focus.
- A Better Chance: National nonprofit providing scholarships and educational opportunities for high-achieving students of color at top college-preparatory schools. Highly comparable residential-scholarship-plus-private-school model serving motivated youth in need.
- Mercy Home for Boys & Girls: Chicago-based residential youth services nonprofit serving at-risk young people through housing, education, and career programming. Highly comparable as a local residential youth charity with similar fundraising and operational model.
- Chicago Scholars: Chicago-based college access and persistence nonprofit serving ambitious first-generation college students from under-resourced communities. Comparable as a Chicago-based college-readiness nonprofit targeting similar demographics with scholarship and mentorship programming.
- Boys Hope Girls Hope Network (Hope Ignites Network affiliates): Sister affiliates under the same Hope Ignites Network (St. Louis-based HQ) operating the same residential scholarship model in other U.S. cities. Direct peer under shared brand, programming, and standards.
Broad incumbents
- KIPP Chicago: Chicago charter school network serving low-income students with college-preparatory programming. Comparable target demographic and college outcomes mission, though delivered through schools rather than residential homes.
- Noble Network of Charter Schools: Largest Chicago public charter school network focused on college persistence for low-income students. Comparable outcomes mission with broader scale; not residential.
Regional players
- SGA Youth & Family Services: Chicago-area nonprofit providing residential and supportive services for youth aging out of foster care. Comparable residential youth development model serving vulnerable populations in the same region.
Others
- Loyola Academy: Partner Jesuit college-preparatory school serving Hope Ignites scholars on reduced tuition. Adjacent participant in the program model rather than direct competitor — but a key input partner whose tuition policies directly affect program economics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hope Ignites Chicago social profiles
Digital presenceHope Ignites Chicago financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hope Ignites Chicago leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Hope Ignites Chicago funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hope Ignites Chicago 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 Hope Ignites Chicago
What does Hope Ignites Chicago do?
Hope Ignites Chicago operates a long-term residential scholarship program serving motivated young people in need from middle school through college graduation and into career launch. The program provides family-style housing in supervised residences, college-preparatory education at partner schools, academic tutoring, mentoring, life skills training, and social-emotional support. All services are provided at no cost to scholars and families, funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events, grants, and planned giving.
Is Hope Ignites Chicago a public or private company?
Hope Ignites Chicago is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hope Ignites Chicago founded?
Hope Ignites Chicago was founded in 1979.
Where is Hope Ignites Chicago based?
Hope Ignites Chicago is headquartered in Wilmette, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hope Ignites Chicago make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are event Fundraising, corporate Sponsorships, planned Giving, gifts in Kind and stock and Securities.
Who are Hope Ignites Chicago's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, Cristo Rey Network, A Better Chance, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, Chicago Scholars and Boys Hope Girls Hope Network (Hope Ignites Network affiliates). Broad incumbents are KIPP Chicago and Noble Network of Charter Schools. SGA Youth & Family Services is listed as a regional player. Loyola Academy is listed as an others.
Does Hope Ignites Chicago have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hope Ignites Chicago.
What industry is Hope Ignites Chicago in?
Hope Ignites Chicago's product category is Youth Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAO, Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDADAHAC, Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8300.