Top Illinois Social Impact Startups (151)

Over the last 15 years, we’ve grown from a startup to a market-leading organization with over 150 team members, and we’ve created an award-winning culture that makes this company an amazing place to work. We've been ranked on multiple best places to work lists including the 2026 BuiltIn Chicago rankings.

Pangea is a digital money transfer platform that makes sending money abroad simple, reliable, and cost-effective. Founded in 2012 and based in Chicago, we’ve helped millions of people send money securely and efficiently, empowering financial freedom across borders. We serve a global customer base with a mobile-first platform that offers low fees, competitive exchange rates, and fast*, secure delivery. Our work...

Habitat for Humanity GTA is a nonprofit housing organization that brings people together to build affordable homes, communities, and possibilities across Toronto, Brampton, Caledon, York Region, and Durham Region. It develops creative solutions to the region’s housing crisis, empowers families, and operates ReStore stores that sell donated new and used home items at low prices to help fund home construction...

Oshkosh Community YMCA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit social services organization dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the organization provides health, wellness, and fitness services to the community. Its mission is to ensure the Y is for all, offering diverse programs and facilities that support individuals of all ages and abilities in achieving a...

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is a leading international theater company dedicated to the works of Shakespeare, producing a year-round season of plays, musicals, and world premieres, alongside extensive education and community engagement programs. It is a Regional Tony Award recipient.

The YMCA of Tuscaloosa is a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, providing services to anyone in need regardless of ability to pay.

The YMCA of South Hampton Roads is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the community by nurturing the potential of children and teens, improving health and well-being, and providing support to neighbors.

Instituto del Progreso Latino was founded in 1977. Our mission is to contribute to the fullest development of Latino immigrants and their families through education, training, and employment that fosters full participation in the changing U.S. society while preserving cultural identity and dignity. Instituto provides services to and positively impacts 8,000 families a year. One of our most well known...

Revolution Workshop is a Chicago-based nonprofit social enterprise that provides free carpentry, woodworking, and construction workforce training for unemployed and underemployed adults, especially people from underserved communities. Working with area businesses, unions, and other employer partners, it prepares participants for construction careers through pre-apprenticeship and technical pathways, coaching, and job placement. Its mission is to advance economic equity while helping...

The Winfield Park District exists to maintain and enhance the quality of life for its citizens by providing year-round recreation, education, and leisure opportunities. It specializes in recreational facilities and services.

The GreenLight Fund works at the intersection of community need and social innovation. GreenLight helps open opportunities for children, youth and families experiencing poverty by engaging deeply with the community and running a consistent annual process to: elevate priority issues not yet being addressed; invest in innovative, proven programs that have a significant, measurable social impact; and galvanize local support...

employU is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit employment service dedicated to creating inclusive workforces for individuals with disabilities and other underserved populations. Its mission is to empower customers with the knowledge, connections, and confidence required to embark on sustainable careers through a 'one-stop-shop' approach that includes adult employment services, youth programs, employability training, paid work experience, and professional assessments.

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is a non-profit organization that protects and advances the rights and best interests of unaccompanied immigrant children. It provides Child Advocates to accompany children through court proceedings and advocates for the creation of a dedicated juvenile immigrant justice system, ensuring the safety and well-being of children across the United States.

Not every candidate is a top performer—and neither is every hiring assessment provider. Wonderlic’s mission is to help HR professionals identify top applicants and predict on-the-job performance by providing them with the most trusted, scientifically validated assessments on the market. Since the company was founded in 1937, more than 200 million Wonderlic assessments have been administered to job candidates. Our...

Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey (PPMNJ) empowers individuals to make voluntary, informed decisions about their reproductive lives by providing safe, affordable healthcare, educational services, and championing public policies to make those services available to all. They provide expert sexual and reproductive care, including birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and abortion care for patients in Essex, Hudson,...

TaskForce Prevention & Community Services is a Chicago grassroots, multi-service nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth and people of color, particularly on the city’s West Side. Founded in 1990, it provides safe spaces for fellowship; HIV/STI screening, education, and affirming counseling; and referrals or programs related to health, housing, food, arts, and advocacy. Its mission is to improve community sexual health, wellbeing,...

The Decatur Family YMCA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit social services organization dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Its mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, serving the community by opening doors to wellness, connection, and opportunity. It provides a variety of fitness, aquatic, and childcare...

The West Morris Area YMCA is a nonprofit charitable organization established in 1889. It is dedicated to strengthening the community by providing best-in-class opportunities that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The organization offers a wide range of programs, fitness facilities, and resources designed to empower individuals of all ages and fitness levels to improve their well-being.

USAgain is a for-profit textile recycling company that collects reusable clothes, shoes, and household textiles to divert them from landfills. Through partnerships with schools, businesses, and municipalities, they operate a wide network of collection bins and 'TreeMachines' to extend the life cycle of clothing. Their mission is to be a global leader in secondhand clothing, creating sustainable value for people...

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is a regional government planning agency that works on behalf of the 7 counties, 284 municipalities, and 8.6 million residents of northeastern Illinois. CMAP is the state-authorized regional planning agency and federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO). State law gives CMAP the responsibility to effectively address development and transportation challenges in northeastern Illinois through...