Overview
Common Threads is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Chicago, IL, USA, committed to improving community health through nutrition and cooking education. With an annual estimated revenue of $15 million, the organization primarily serves under-resourced communities, focusing on empowering children, educators, caregivers, and healthcare professionals with essential cooking and nutrition-related skills. The organization is especially known for its cultural diversity programming, which aims to celebrate food traditions.
Leadership
Key Executive and Board Members
- Linda Novick O'Keefe: Co-Founder and CEO. Under her leadership, Common Threads has expanded to over 750 schools and community partner sites across 10 major U.S. cities, impacting over 600,000 participants. Linda has a background in nonprofit management and emphasizes program evaluation and collaboration with academic experts. She holds an Executive Education Certificate from Harvard University and received the 2018 SWSX Community Service Award.
- Art Smith: Chairman Emeritus and Co-Founder, known for his influential roles in culinary arts.
- Jesus Salgueiro: Vice Chair and Co-Founder, an accomplished artist and educator.
The board also includes industry leaders from various sectors such as technology, healthcare, and education.
Financial Overview
As of 2023, Common Threads reports:
- Total Revenue: $4.11 million
- Total Expenses: $4.08 million
- Net Income: $29,445
- Net Assets: $2.48 million
Eighty-nine point two percent of revenue comes from contributions, while salaries and benefits, essential for program delivery, account for approximately 57.9% of total expenses.
Programs and Impact
Common Threads offers a variety of hands-on programs aimed at promoting nutritional education:
- SMALL BITES: Introduces basic cooking skills and healthy eating concepts.
- COOKING SKILLS & WORLD CUISINE: Focuses on global cuisines.
- COOKING UP HEALTH: Integrates healthful cooking into daily routines.
Common Threads is committed to innovation and improves its curriculum through ongoing research and community feedback. Notably, a recent partnership with the Anahata Foundation expands their "Food As Medicine" initiative in Los Angeles and New York.
Strategic Position
Common Threads is strategically positioned in the nonprofit sector, focusing on nutrition education aligned with the growing societal emphasis on health and wellness. Their integration of cultural responsiveness into cooking programs enhances relevance and community appeal, supporting long-term health improvements.
Competitor Profiling
Common Threads faces competition from various organizations, primarily in the nonprofit and service sectors. Key competitors include:
Competitor 1: SGA Youth and Family Services
- Revenue: $15 million
- Number of Employees: 229
- Employee Growth: 7%
Competitor 2: Independence Pet Group
- Number of Employees: 479
- Employee Growth: 59%
- Note: Revenue data is not available.
Competitor 3: LeaderShape
- Revenue: $35 million
- Number of Employees: 95
- Employee Growth: 8%
Other Competitors
- Friends of the Children: $3.5 million revenue, 34 employees, -3% employee growth.
- The Chicago Public Education Fund: $15 million revenue, 38 employees, -3% employee growth.
- HIMSS: $75 million revenue, 895 employees, 4% employee growth.
Key Personnel at Common Threads
- Meg Savage: Vice President of Growth
- Raquel Perez: Associate Director, Programs
- Jed Miracle: Chief Financial Officer
- Kassandra Hinrichsen: Associate Director, Programs
- Hannah Roucher and Linda Flores: Program Managers
Organizational Focus and Impact
Common Threads focuses on addressing nutritional education challenges in underdeveloped communities, promoting wellness habits and an appreciation for diverse cultural food traditions. Their programs’ cultural inclusivity and affordability make them unique in the nonprofit sector, playing a vital role in promoting healthy dietary practices.
With considerable organizational dynamism evidenced by recent employee growth, understanding the competitive landscape aligns with strategic planning, supports stakeholder engagement, and sustains the organization's impact in community health and nutrition education.
