About Operation HOPE
A national nonprofit, headquartered in Atlanta, that has offered free financial coaching to working Americans for more than three decades.
How it began
Operation HOPE was founded on May 5, 1992, immediately after the April 1992 civil unrest in Los Angeles. John Hope Bryant started it then, and he still leads it today as Founder, Chairman and CEO.
From the start the premise was practical: people rebuild faster when they understand money, can reach fair credit and have someone to walk the path with them.
Silver rights
HOPE describes its mission as silver rights: carrying the promise of the civil-rights movement into the everyday economics of credit, savings, ownership and opportunity. It draws on the history of the Freedman’s Bank and treats financial literacy as a defining civil-rights question of our time.
The HOPE Inside model
HOPE Inside places Financial Wellbeing Coaches where people already go: usually inside a partner bank branch or a community site, in locations across the country, with virtual coaching for everyone else.
American Banker named HOPE Inside its 2016 Innovator of the Year.
Milestones on the road
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May 5, 1992
Operation HOPE is founded in the wake of the Los Angeles civil unrest.
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2016
American Banker names HOPE Inside its Innovator of the Year.
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2017
HOPE Inside Puerto Rico begins, after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
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October 2020
One Million Black Businesses launches, with a goal set for 2030.
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2023
HOPE Inside Maui begins after the wildfires.
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December 2–3, 2026
The 12th HOPE Global Forums meet in Atlanta.
Accountable by design
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Charity Navigator
Four stars for 11 consecutive years, as of its 2024 rating.
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SOC 2® Type 2
HOPE completed a SOC 2 Type 2 examination of its controls.
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501(c)(3)
A registered nonprofit. Donations are tax-deductible under U.S. law.
Walk the road with us
Volunteers, partners and donors keep every program free. Tell us how you would like to help.