Partnerships
Partners Advancing the Mission
Revolution Institute recognizes the importance of strategic partnerships to achieve our vision of social and economic equity for all.
By collaborating with high-performing institutional partners with similar impact objectives, we leverage resources effectively and efficiently. Our partnership-based approach allows us to focus on our primary concern of closing the wealth gap, while avoiding duplication of programs and competition with other organizations.
Our Vision: to advance social and economic equity and peaceful communities for ALL people
Engaging the Community
Community engagement is a vital aspect of RI's work. We actively engage in sustained conversations with community members and leaders to gather their feedback and incorporate it into our evolving model. These conversations serve as a platform for providing insights and education on cooperative ownership, helping to sustain the communities we serve.
Supporters
Supporters play a vital role in helping RI develop effective strategies for resource mobilization. Their contributions and expertise are instrumental in strengthening our impact as we work towards closing the wealth gap and creating a more equitable society.
Education & Training
Through partnerships with high-performing institutions who share our objectives and values, Revolution Institute is able to maximize our organizational capacity while remaining nimble and responsive to trainee needs. Our partners have established programming that develops trainees' life and technical skills, providing them with the tools for independence - all while creating a pipeline of skilled talent for dedicated worker cooperatives.
Affiliates: Revolution Workshop
Revolution Workshop serves as a proof of concept and the first iteration of our model: leveraging sector-driven job training and entrepreneurship that provides a sustainable and living wage. Founded in 2018, Revolution Workshop’s construction pre-apprenticeship program has graduated and credentialed over 237 community members, securing 204 alumni long-term employment. Revolution Workshop’s social enterprise produces custom woodworking and carpentry pieces.
The affiliate that Revolution Institute aims to launch next will distinguish itself in three significant ways. Firstly, our new sector-driven workforce development program will focus on cultivating skills specifically tailored to the advanced manufacturing sector. Secondly, our technical training will encompass multidimensional whole human and social development, fostering growth in various aspects. Lastly, our social enterprise will undergo a transformation, transitioning into a for-profit cooperative business model.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, February 26, 2026
8:30 am-10:00 am CT (program to begin at 9:00 am sharp)
Make City, 320 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60612
Project Equity and Revolution Institute invite you to a citywide convening focused on how employee ownership can support business succession, retention, and long-term resilience across Chicago’s manufacturing sector.
As thousands of industrial business owners approach retirement, Chicago faces an urgent need for practical, turnkey succession strategies to keep companies operating and growing in the communities they serve. Employee ownership offers a proven, market-tested solution—one that preserves long-standing firms, protects good manufacturing jobs, rewards workers, and keeps dollars circulating locally.
On Thursday, February 26th, at Make City Incubator, we hope you will join us to learn more about Project Equity and Revolution Institute’s joint initiative to help manufacturing businesses stay rooted in Chicago and thrive through employee ownership.
The event will feature brief presentations followed by networking and informal conversation. During the program, we will:
Introduce the Project Equity–Revolution Institute partnership and its dual focus on raising awareness and developing a pipeline of transition-ready businesses
Highlight how EO offers a ready-made succession, retention, and growth strategy for industrial and manufacturing businesses
Clarify the essential role that advisors, service providers, and business support organizations play in building long-term, self-sustaining demand for EO
Preview upcoming 2026 events and concrete ways to stay engaged and partner with us
We’ve designed this convening for partners working across Chicago’s business support, economic development, and manufacturing ecosystems, including:
Business advisors, including brokers, exit planners, CPAs, CFPs, wealth planners, attorneys and other advisors to small- and mid-sized businesses
Economic development and small business support organizations
Manufacturing and industrial-focused service providersLocal chambers of commerce and trade associations
Civic and community leaders interested in learning more about employee ownership
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Tyler Rivera, Manager of Ecosystem Development at Project Equity (tyler@project-equity.org) or Sequane Lawrence, President & CEO at Revolution Institute (sequane@therevolution.institute).
Click Here to register!
