Autism Optimism Illinois Launches Landmark SEC-Regulated Community Investment Campaign
- Feb 16
- 7 min read
Pioneering a New Model of Integrated Autism Care and Community Ownership
DOWNERS GROVE, IL — February 16, 2026 — In an ambitious move to reshape the landscape of autism therapy in the Midwest, Autism Optimism Illinois (AO-IL) today unveiled a pioneering SEC-regulated Regulation Crowdfunding campaign on the FundingHope platform. This offering invites the community, families, advocates, and impact-minded investors to become stakeholder-owners in a first-of-its-kind, fully integrated autism therapy center designed from the ground up to address systemic gaps in care, clinician burnout, fragmented service delivery, instant equity for the managing BCBA, and an impactful community relationship with Misericordia Heart of Mercy, which receives 10% of the net profits.
Founded by Chip Borkowski, a parent of an autistic child who grew disillusioned with the long waitlists, geographic runaround, and transactional nature of conventional autism therapy, AO-IL was conceived not as just another clinic, but as a community-anchored institution.
“We are building something that families deserve, and clinicians dream of,” said Borkowski. “But more importantly, we are funding it in a way that honors the community’s role, not as donors, but as partners. This is not a charity drive. This is a transparent, regulated investment in a sustainable future for autism care.”
The campaign on FundingHope marks a significant departure from donation-based platforms like GoFundMe, operating instead under the stringent regulatory framework of the SEC’s Regulation Crowdfunding. Every potential investor receives a comprehensive Form C disclosure document, detailing financial projections, operational plans, and an extensive outline of associated risks, a level of transparency and accountability that Borkowski describes as “non-negotiable.”
A Fully Integrated, Family-Centered Model of Care
At the heart of the AO-IL model is a fully integrated therapeutic approach. For too long, families navigating an autism diagnosis have been forced to become logistical coordinators, shuttling their children between separate providers for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy.
AO-IL brings all these disciplines under one roof at its flagship location, 3030 Finley Road in Downers Grove, enabling seamless collaboration among clinicians and a unified, holistic treatment plan for each child.
A Clinic Built for Clinician Well-Being and Leadership
The vision extends beyond integrated care to a fundamental reimagining of the clinician’s role. In an industry plagued by high turnover and professional burnout, AO-IL is architecting a clinician-led practice. Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) are offered pathways to equity participation and leadership, supported by a centralized administrative backbone that handles billing, compliance, and credentialing.
“We are building a home for great clinicians to do their best work, unencumbered by the administrative burdens that so often drain the passion from this vital profession,” Borkowski explained.
Profit With Purpose: A Built-In Commitment to Community
Weaving social responsibility into its corporate fabric, AO-IL has established a binding commitment to donate 10% of its net profits to Misericordia Heart of Mercy, a venerable Chicago institution serving individuals with developmental disabilities. This “profit with purpose” pledge ensures the company’s financial success directly fuels broader community impact, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of growth and giving.
Our commitment to expanding access to integrated, clinician-owned care is being supported through an inclusive Regulation Crowdfunding campaign on FundingHope. This community-focused effort allows us to advance our mission, beginning with the launch of our flagship Downers Grove center and extending our model throughout Chicagoland. True to our ethos, this offering is designed to be an accessible, welcoming partnership for all who believe in our vision of a better future for autism therapy.
Key Dates: Ribbon Cutting + Opening Timeline
With a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2026, and clinical services set to begin in May, AO-IL stands at the threshold of bringing its transformative model to life. The campaign on FundingHope represents the final crucial step, turning a vision forged from personal experience into a tangible reality built by and for the community it serves.
“This is more than an investment opportunity,” Borkowski concluded. “It is an invitation to join a movement, to prove that integrated autism therapy can be clinically excellent, ethically grounded, financially sustainable, and deeply connected to community. Together, we are not just funding a clinic; we are building a beacon for what autism care can and should be.”
About Autism Optimism Illinois (AO-IL)
Autism Optimism Illinois is a clinician-led, community-anchored organization establishing a new standard for integrated autism therapy in Illinois. Its flagship therapy center, opening in Downers Grove in May 2026, will provide coordinated Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy under one roof. Built on principles of clinician equity, family partnership, and social impact, including a 10% net profit pledge to Misericordia, AO-IL aims to eliminate waitlists, reduce clinician burnout, and deliver exceptional, compassionate care.
The company is currently conducting a Regulation Crowdfunding offering to finance its launch and expansion. Learn more at:https://invest.fundinghope.com/offering/aoil/details
About Misericordia Heart of Mercy
Misericordia Heart of Mercy is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that supports over 800 children and adults with developmental disabilities, offering a continuum of care that includes residential, educational, and vocational programs. Founded in 1921, Misericordia is renowned for its compassionate community model that emphasizes ability, dignity, and inclusion. The organization provides a loving home and opportunities for personal growth, enabling individuals to reach their fullest potential. Learn more at:https://www.misericordia.com
About FundingHope
FundingHope is an SEC-registered funding portal and member of FINRA that specializes in Regulation Crowdfunding offerings for mission-driven companies. The platform connects impact-focused entrepreneurs with a community of investors who seek both financial returns and positive social change. FundingHope provides end-to-end campaign support, compliance guidance, and investor relations services to help businesses raise capital while building a base of engaged stakeholders. Learn more at:www.fundinghope.com
SEC Compliance Disclaimer
Autism Optimism Illinois, Inc. is conducting an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding. The full details of the offering, including risks, are available in the company’s Form C offering statement at:https://invest.fundinghope.com/offering/aoil/details
No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if sent in response, will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities can be accepted, and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering is qualified, and any such offer may be withdrawn or revoked, without obligation or commitment of any kind, at any time before notice of acceptance. A prospective purchaser’s indication of interest is non-binding.
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. This press release contains forward-looking statements subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially.
Media Contact
Chip Borkowski — Founder & CEO — Autism Optimism Illinoischip@autismoptimism-il.com(630) 254-1718www.autismoptimism-il.com
Investment Portal:https://invest.fundinghope.com/offering/aoil/details
A Special Note of Thanks from Chip Borkowski, Founder
The journey to find the perfect home for Autism Optimism Illinois was a critical first step in our mission, and it was made possible by the exceptional expertise and dedication of two outstanding local real estate partners. On behalf of our entire AO-IL team, I extend our deepest gratitude.
Salmon Partners
Our sincere thanks to Steve Lieberman and the team at Salmon Partners, the Downers Grove-based boutique commercial real estate investment firm that owns 3030 Finley Road. From our very first conversation, it was clear that Salmon Partners operates differently. Their hands-on, tenant-focused philosophy, centered on retention, quality service, and proactive property management, resonated deeply with our vision for a long-term, community-anchored home.
Salmon Partners didn’t just see us as lessees; they saw us as partners in creating a valuable asset for the community. Their commitment to improving and operating best-in-class medical office properties provided us with the confidence that our clinic’s physical environment will be meticulously maintained, allowing us to focus entirely on our clinical work. We are proud to be tenants of a firm that values lasting relationships as much as we do.
Kammes Commercial Real Estate
We are immensely grateful to Michael Kammes and the expert team at Kammes Commercial Real Estate (affiliated with Re/Max Suburban) in Wheaton. Their role as our dedicated tenant representatives was indispensable. In a complex market, they provided the data-driven, strategic guidance necessary to navigate our search and secure a facility that meets every one of our operational and aspirational needs.
Their full-service expertise in leasing and consulting transformed our list of requirements into a tangible reality. The team’s deep knowledge of the suburban Chicago commercial landscape and their relentless advocacy ensured we found not just a space, but the space—one that will facilitate our integrated model and support our growth for years to come.
TrustBank Wheaton & Market President Mark Spehr
A special note of appreciation to TrustBank Wheaton and Market President Mark Spehr for serving as our trusted financial partner. All Autism Optimism Illinois business accounts are held at TrustBank, an institution that embodies the community-focused values at our core. Mark and his team have provided not just banking services, but strategic financial counsel and steadfast support from the earliest stages of this venture.
Their local expertise and personalized approach give us tremendous confidence as we build the financial infrastructure for a sustainable, mission-driven clinic. In a world of impersonal banking, TrustBank Wheaton stands out as a true partner invested in our success and the prosperity of the DuPage County community we serve.
Together, these partners have provided the perfect blend of real estate integrity, transactional excellence, and financial stewardship. They have been foundational in turning the blueprint of Autism Optimism Illinois into a buildable, bankable, and sustainable reality. We are thrilled to begin our work at 3030 Finley Road and are proud to have such exemplary professionals as part of our story.
3030 Finley Road — Downers Grove, IL
The sprawling 5,100-square-foot clinic at 3030 Finley Road offers a thoughtfully designed space where every square foot serves a purpose. The generous layout features plentiful private therapy rooms for one-on-one sessions and an expansive, bright gym perfect for dynamic group activities and motor-skills therapy.
Clinicians will enjoy dedicated private offices and a welcoming breakroom, while families appreciate a comfortable reception area and the convenience of four private bathrooms, essential for client training and comfort.
All of this is conveniently located on a single, easily accessible first floor with ample reserved parking and a dedicated drop-off area, ensuring a seamless and welcoming experience from the moment families and staff arrive. This isn’t just a clinic; it’s a purpose-built environment where exceptional therapy, clinician well-being, and family convenience are equally prioritized.
Staff Entrance Views
[Insert image here — Aerial view from above 3030 (facing north); staff entrance just off Finley Rd.; parking space #10 highlighted]
Ribbon-Cutting 4/2/26 & Grand Opening Launch May 2026
Very accessible from all parts of Chicagoland!
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