One Million Degrees

What One Million Degrees does

One Million Degrees (OMD) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that delivers a four-pillar wraparound support model — personal coaching, academic support, professional development, and financial stipends — to low-income and first-generation community college students. Its flagship institutional relationship is with the City Colleges of Chicago, the largest community college system in Illinois (73,000+ students across seven colleges), where OMD operates through an opt-out enrollment model that automatically enrolls eligible full-time credit students; under a five-year 2026-2030 partnership, OMD will scale to serve 3,000+ students annually with up to $5M per year in CCC institutional funding supplemented by over $20M in combined foundation investments. The organization has been the subject of a decade-long randomized controlled trial conducted by the University of Chicago's Inclusive Economy Lab, which documents 73% higher associate-degree completion and $14,246 higher annual earnings seven years after enrollment relative to a control group.

OMD's product surface extends beyond direct scholar support to include OMD Works (workforce development connecting scholars to employer partners such as Aon, Allstate, Enova, PwC, Microsoft, Relativity, and JPMorganChase for internships and apprenticeships), an Advisory & Capacity Building Services line that consults for peer institutions, the Coaching Program (a volunteer mentorship pipeline drawing 2,700+ corporate coaches), Student Development Sessions, and Community Applications (mobile app and website built on Salesforce). The business model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack: institutional payments from community college systems (largest), major philanthropic foundation grants (Ballmer Group, Pritzker Foundation, CCC Foundation), corporate sponsorships and employer partnerships, and individual donations via an Associate Board of emerging professionals. Geographic reach now spans Illinois (Chicago metro plus a University of Illinois System statewide partnership), Ohio, and Louisiana via a Complete College America national expansion, with a staff of 51-100 employees under CEO Dr. Aarti Dhupelia (appointed August 2025).

Name

One Million Degrees

Legal name

One Million Degrees

Website

https://onemilliondegrees.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

One Million Degrees is a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides coaching, academic support, professional development, and financial stipends to low-income and first-generation community college students, primarily through institutional partnerships with the City Colleges of Chicago and other community college systems in Illinois, Ohio, and Louisiana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Support Services / Community College Wraparound Support

NAICS

Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic Advising & Degree Planning (EDALABAA), Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

Keywords

• Community college support
• Student wraparound services
• Workforce development training
• Nonprofit education services
• Scholar coaching programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Institutional Funding from Community College Partners: Community college systems contribute direct institutional funding to cover the majority of program costs. City Colleges of Chicago committed up to $5 million annually as part of a five-year partnership agreement (2026-2030), representing the largest single revenue stream.
2. Foundation Grants: Philanthropic foundation grants fund program expansion, direct service delivery, and capacity building. Notable grants include: Ballmer Group ($3.5 million grant), Pritzker Foundation ($5 million commitment), CCC Foundation ($5 million commitment), OMD's own $1 million contribution toward the partnership. The organization also partners with Complete College America nationally and receives support from PwC Foundation for national expansion.
3. Corporate Sponsorships and Employer Partnerships: Employer partners (Aon, Allstate, PwC, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Enova, Relativity, and others) provide financial sponsorships for programs, events (Degrees of Impact Gala, Return on Impact Employer Breakfast), and workforce development initiatives including apprenticeships. These partnerships are structured as philanthropic investments in exchange for talent pipeline access, employee engagement, and visibility.
4. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to OMD's annual fund and special campaigns. The organization maintains donor privacy (does not sell or share donor information). Donation levels range from $100 to $5,000 per gift. The FY26 Associate Board Impact Snapshot reported $15,000+ raised through the Scholar Storytelling Campaign.
5. Workforce Development Grants: JPMorganChase contributed $6 million to support workforce development initiatives in Chicago through collaboration with CCC and OMD, specifically targeting middle-skills job pathways in finance, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

One Million Degrees delivers a four-pillar wraparound support program to low-income community college students: personal coaching (one-on-one and group mentoring from staff and corporate volunteers), academic support (accountability calls and campus resource navigation by OMD Program Coordinators), professional development (student development sessions on time management, resume building, LinkedIn training, and mock interviews), and financial support (stipends for books, transportation, and college costs). Services are embedded inside partner community college systems via an opt-out enrollment model, complemented by the OMD Works employer talent pipeline and an Advisory & Capacity Building consulting practice for peer institutions.

Product overview

One Million Degrees is a nonprofit organization that provides a comprehensive student support ecosystem centered around its core OMD Support Model—a holistic wraparound support system combining academic coaching, financial assistance, professional development, and personal mentoring. The organization operates multiple integrated products: OMD Works (workforce development and apprenticeship programs), Advisory & Capacity Building Services (consulting for institutions), the Coaching Program (volunteer mentorship), Student Development Sessions (professional skills training), and the Community Applications (mobile app and website). These offerings work together to accelerate community college students' progress toward degrees and economic mobility, with additional programs like the Associate Board providing leadership development and employer partnership opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OMD Support Model (Four-Pillar Wraparound Support) Holistic, RCT-validated student support program delivered to community college students at partner institutions. Pillar 1 — Personal Coaching: one-on-one and group mentoring from OMD staff and volunteer coaches. Pillar 2 — Academic Support: accountability calls with OMD Program Coordinators embedded on each campus and guidance navigating campus resources. Pillar 3 — Professional Development: Student Development Sessions on time management, self-care, resume building, LinkedIn training, and mock interviews. Pillar 4 — Financial Support: stipends for books, transportation, and college costs. Delivered free to eligible students via opt-out enrollment at partner colleges.
• OMD Works (Employer Talent Pipeline) Workforce development program connecting OMD scholars with employer partners through customized apprenticeship programs (Aon's Earn and Learn, Allstate's national virtual apprenticeship), internship opportunities, and pre-work-based learning training. Includes career panels, speed networking, and Wisdom in the Workplace events held on partner community college campuses. Designed for corporate partners seeking diverse, motivated talent and engaged employees.
• Advisory & Capacity Building Services Consulting and advisory services for community colleges and state systems seeking to grow sustainable talent pathways. Includes strategic planning and recruitment, co-created program design, training and technical assistance, and program implementation and evaluation to help other institutions embed OMD's evidence-based model.
• Pre-Work-Based Learning Program Five-week, paid pre-work-based learning program designed to equip students with critical skills for careers in financial services, tech, and business before they begin internships or other earn-and-learn programs. Provided to OMD scholars in partnership with employers such as Relativity and others.
• Associate Board Membership Program Community of early-to-mid career professionals committed to advancing OMD's mission through volunteerism, fundraising, advocacy, and professional engagement. Subcommittees cover Scholar Support, Fundraising & Partnerships, and Community Building & Events. Optional $150 annual membership dues apply. FY27 term runs July 2026 – June 2027.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73% higher likelihood of earning an associate degree within 3 years (RCT, UChicago Inclusive Economy Lab)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and secondary.

• City Colleges of Chicago (CCC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Five-year partnership (2026-2030) to scale OMD's research-backed wraparound support model across all seven CCC colleges, targeting 3,000+ students annually. CCC committed up to $5 million annually (majority of program costs). Partnership builds on 20+ years of collaboration and a decade-long RCT demonstrating 73% higher degree completion and $14,246 higher annual earnings for OMD participants.
• Harper CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026Harper College partnered with OMD to scale wraparound support to 1,000+ students annually, with Harper committing $2 million to fund the program. Over a decade, graduation rates increased from 13% to 47%, demonstrating the model's effectiveness at a suburban Chicago community college.
• AonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAon launched its Chicago apprenticeship program in 2017 in partnership with CCC and OMD. The program has supported 100+ apprentices through OMD. Apprentices gain paid full-time work experience, free college tuition, dedicated OMD mentorship, and a path to full-time employment. Aon's Earn and Learn program is cited as a model for employer-led talent development. Bridget Gainer (VP Global Public Affairs) and Anna Piepmeyer (Director Community Impact) serve on OMD's Executive Advisory Board.
• AllstateflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllstate partnered with OMD in 2021 to launch a fully virtual national apprenticeship program supporting 100 scholars across the U.S. in HR, cybersecurity, marketing, IT, finance, data governance, and sales. The partnership includes an inaugural in-person Apprentice Connections + Next Gen Rising Hackathon event. Allstate also sponsors OMD through workforce development investment and event support.
• Enova InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnova's partnership with OMD is rooted in corporate coaching, OMD Works sponsorship, and Executive Advisory Board leadership. Joe DeCosmo (CTO and CAO at Enova) co-chairs OMD's Board of Directors. Jasmine Kent (Head of DEI) serves on the Executive Advisory Board. Enova employees volunteer as OMD coaches and report higher job satisfaction and team cohesion as a result.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft supports OMD through LinkedIn Learning training for scholars (generative AI certification), work-based learning programs, and technology skills development. Nisaini Rexach (Head of Community Engagement, Chicago) and Michelle Hudson (Director, Operational Excellence) serve on OMD's Executive Advisory Board. Microsoft is also an employer partner providing internships and career exposure to OMD scholars.
• RelativitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelativity hired OMD scholar Paul as an intern following his completion of OMD's Pre-Work-Based Learning Program. Jennifer Westropp (Director, Talent Development and Performance) serves on OMD's Executive Advisory Board. Relativity supports OMD's workforce development through internship placement and talent pipeline engagement.
• Complete College AmericaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOMD launched a national partnership with Complete College America to deliver its holistic coaching and career-preparation model to additional states. PwC Foundation funding supports this expansion. Programs are active in Ohio (partnering with Ohio Association of Community Colleges) and Louisiana (with Delgado Community College), with plans for additional states.
• University of Illinois SystemflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOMD was selected for a statewide partnership with the University of Illinois System in April 2025, representing a significant expansion of OMD's model within Illinois beyond the Chicago metro region.
• University of Chicago Inclusive Economy LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab (IEL) has conducted a decade-long RCT of OMD's program since 2017, providing rigorous external evaluation. Key findings: 73% higher degree completion, $14,246 higher annual earnings, 94% higher fall-to-spring persistence. Kelly Hallberg (Scientific Director) is cited as a key research collaborator. The RCT provides OMD's primary evidence base.
• Prairie State CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-area community college partner in OMD's regional expansion beyond City Colleges of Chicago, extending the evidence-based wraparound support model to an additional suburban college.
• South Suburban CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-area community college partner in OMD's regional expansion beyond City Colleges of Chicago, extending the evidence-based wraparound support model to an additional suburban college.
• Delgado Community College (Louisiana)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelgado Community College in New Orleans is a national expansion partner via OMD's Complete College America partnership, bringing OMD's holistic coaching and career-preparation model to Louisiana as part of the PwC Foundation-funded national expansion.
• Ohio Association of Community CollegescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level partner via OMD's Complete College America national expansion, working with Ohio's community colleges to implement OMD's holistic student support model. Funded in part by PwC Foundation support for national scaling.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• OneGoal: OneGoal is a direct peer — a nonprofit that supports low-income, first-generation students from high school through college completion with similar coaching, postsecondary planning, and wraparound support. Both organizations share a similar target population, evidence-based approach, and workforce outcomes focus, and Tiffany Gholston (OMD's CSO) was previously chief of staff to OneGoal's CEO.
• Bottom Line: Bottom Line is a direct peer nonprofit providing one-on-one college access and success advising to low-income, first-generation students. It shares OMD's mission of degree completion for underrepresented students, employs a similar coaching-based model, and targets comparable community college and four-year student populations.
• Braven: Braven is a direct peer nonprofit that partners with community colleges and universities to support low-income, first-generation students through career preparation, coaching, and employer connections. Its dual focus on academic and career outcomes directly parallels OMD Works and the apprenticeship/internship employer pipeline model.
• iMentor: iMentor is a direct peer that pairs low-income students with volunteer mentors for college access and success. While primarily focused on high school-to-college transitions, its volunteer coaching model and outcomes-focused approach closely mirror OMD's coach recruitment and persistence support for community college students.
• Single Stop USA: Single Stop USA is a direct peer nonprofit that partners with community colleges to connect low-income students to wraparound benefits and support services (housing, food, childcare, financial aid). Both organizations address non-academic barriers to community college completion through institutional partnerships.
• America Needs You: America Needs You is a direct peer that provides intensive mentoring, career development, and professional networking to low-income, first-generation college students. Its dual focus on degree completion and career outcomes mirrors OMD's four-pillar model, particularly the professional development pillar.
• Year Up: Year Up is a direct peer that provides workforce training, professional coaching, and corporate internships to low-income young adults, with strong employer partnerships. While it operates its own training program rather than embedding in colleges, its employer-driven apprenticeship model and outcomes focus closely parallel OMD Works.

Emerging players

• College Advising Corps: College Advising Corps places recent college graduates as full-time advisers in high schools to support college access and success. While focused on advising rather than wraparound support, it addresses similar student success outcomes and is increasingly expanding into community college settings.

Broad incumbents

• TNTP (formerly The New Teacher Project): TNTP is a broader incumbent education nonprofit that addresses teacher quality, school performance, and increasingly college and career pathways. While not focused specifically on community college student support, it serves overlapping low-income student populations and operates in adjacent policy and advocacy spaces.
• Jobs for the Future (JFF): JFF is a broader incumbent national nonprofit that drives transformation in the American workforce and education systems, with deep focus on community college student success and workforce development. While a much larger organization operating across multiple initiatives, it works in overlapping policy and systems-change spaces.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/1MillionDegrees
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ief60606
• Facebookfacebook.com/OneMillionDegrees
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/one-million-degrees

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about One Million Degrees