Become A Hive Member

Organizational membership to the Hive Network offers benefits and resources with the understanding that increased Network engagement through membership requires a greater commitment of time and talent.

For Example, Member organizations are eligible to lead on proposals to the Hive Fund RFP; staff at member organizations are invited to travel to conferences and global events as representatives of Hive Chicago. There is no fee for membership in Hive Chicago.

Other benefits include: access to thought leaders and innovators, participation in a professional learning community, connections to youth-serving partner organizations, connections to Hive Networks globally, invitations to serve on the Member Advisory Committee, access to conferences, travel grants, and other funding opportunities, invitations to special events and the eligibility to lead on submissions to Hive Fund RFPs.

Network membership is not required to collaborate within the Hive. We are an open community that welcomes participation and collaboration with any organizations or individuals whose work is aligned with ours.

Call for Membership is Closed!

Please join our mailing list to stay up to date on Hive membership cycles.

View the full text of the Membership Guidelines here

To Complete the Membership Process

For the most up-to-date information about the Membership process, timeline and deadlines, please consult the membership page on the Hive Chicago website. You will find all of the documents referenced below linked or located there.

Thoroughly Review these Membership Guidelines;
Identify which Membership Tier applies to your organization;

Hive Member -are non-profit organizations who directly serve Chicago middle- and high-school youth through in-school and out-of-school programs, and whose participation reflects the highest levels of engagement in the Hive.
Hive Community Ally – If the the Hive membership category is not appropriate for your organization but there is an alignment to Hive mission and goals, or if there is an interest in our peer-professional network, a commitment to connected learning principles or access to an audience for our work

Complete the online application as described in membership process;

If your organization is invited to complete the membership process, the following documents will be requested. Membership will not be effective until all documents are received.

Have an Executive review and sign the Hive Membership MOU and submit to membership@hivechicago.org;
All Non-Profit Members: Obtain a copy of your 501(c)(3) or tax documentation;
Select subsidiary organizations ONLY: Confirm that your parent Institution (indicated above as fiscal sponsor or host organization, etc.) has also completed a Hive Ally application http://hivechicago.org/ally;

Membership Options

Membership to the Hive Chicago Learning Network is available for organizations. Applications for organizational membership are submitted by qualified representatives on behalf of the organization and its staff.

Community Members

Individual “Community Members” are eligible to receive some of the same benefits as staff at member organizations, but are not eligible for organizational benefits.

Organization Members

The Hive Chicago Learning Network consists of non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, government agencies, organizational outreach programs, and other organizational networks. However, only non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for the Hive Fund and sometimes, other funding opportunities as well. Moreover, while most members of our network provide a direct service to high-school-aged youth, others indirectly serve our target audience through resources that support learners or educators. Therefore, we have one level of organizational membership: Hive Member.

Hive Members:

are non-profit organizations who directly serve Chicago middle- and high-school youth through in-school and out-of-school programs, and whose participation reflects the highest levels of engagement in the Hive. They are eligible to lead on Hive Fund RFPs.

Hive Fund RFPs guidelines:
- In order to lead on an RFP proposal the organization must be a non-profit organization who directly serves middle- and high-school youth
- New members can not lead a proposal in their first funding cycle

Non-Member Allies

Hive Community Ally:

If the the Hive membership category is not appropriate for your organization but there is an alignment to Hive mission and goals, or if there is an interest in our peer-professional network, a commitment to connected learning principles or access to an audience for our work, please consider becoming a non-member Hive Community Ally.

Ally Networks: are stewards of independent networks of organizations, institutions, or companies and wish to form strategic partnerships with Hive by vouching for select Ally Organization Members from their networks.

Hive Members are also encouraged to be officially recognized as Chicago City of Learning partners. Community Allies are encouraged to directly support the CCOL initiative.

If your organization or program operates under a larger parent institution, especially if that institution acts as a fiscal agent or your legal representative, then they must also be identified as a Hive Community Ally in order to complete your membership.

Important Dates

Hive Member Applications:

Member Application Cycle Opens: June 1, 2017
Member Application Cycle Closes: June 30, 2017

Hive Community Ally Applications

Hive Community Ally Application Cycle Opens: June 1, 2017
Hive Community Ally Application Cycle Closes: June 30, 2017

Applicants will receive notifications of their Hive status in late July.

If you have additional questions about membership, please contact Community Manager, Kenyatta Forbes.

Late applications will not be accepted.