Burton D. Morgan Foundation

What Burton D. Morgan Foundation does

Burton D. Morgan Foundation is a private foundation established in 1967 in Hudson, Ohio by entrepreneur and philanthropist Burt Morgan (1916-2003), operating with a staff of 1-10 and stewarding an endowment whose annual draw funds entrepreneurship-focused grantmaking. The Foundation concentrates its activity in Northeast Ohio, distributing grants to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and ecosystem builders across four stated priorities: free enterprise education, entrepreneurship education, second-stage business support, and funding entrepreneurs. Annual grants awarded have ranged from $4,798,500 (2020) to $6,720,335 (2021), with cumulative grants of approximately $75 million distributed during Deborah Hoover's tenure as President and CEO from 2007 to 2022.

The Foundation's programmatic surface is anchored on three flagship initiatives: Scalerator NEO, a six-month cohort-based educational program for companies with $3-15 million in annual sales, taught by Babson College faculty and delivered at no cost to participants; NEOLaunchNET, a co-curricular cross-campus entrepreneurship program delivered at five Northeast Ohio universities (Baldwin Wallace, Case Western Reserve, Kent State, Lorain County Community College, and John Carroll); and YIPPEE Exchange, a digital marketplace launched in 2021 that connects K-12 educators to free entrepreneurship education resources via a points-based model. Supporting programs include Morgan Startup Grants (microgrants for early-stage entrepreneurs), BASE Roundtables (peer learning for second-stage businesses), and the Edward Lowe Foundation Suite of Programs (retreats for established companies added in 2023). The Foundation uses Salesforce operationally for NEOLaunchNET administration and Credly for digital badge issuance, but operates no proprietary technology platform.

The Foundation's business model is endowment-funded grantmaking: revenue is generated from endowment returns and distributed via grants and program operations rather than commercial sales. Programs are free to participating companies and educators, funded jointly by the Foundation and partners such as the Richard J. Fasenmyer Foundation (which contributed a $3.75 million legacy gift in 2018). The customer base spans K-12 educators and students, collegiate entrepreneurs, adult entrepreneurs and startups, and second-stage businesses with revenues of $1M-$50M. Recent strategic emphasis has been on deepening the second-stage business vertical through the Edward Lowe Foundation partnership, expanding programmatic surface with the Sopko Advocate Program (2025), and renewing leadership with the 2026 hires of Christina Utrup (CFO/COO) and Zach Mikrut (Program Manager).

Name

Burton D. Morgan Foundation

Legal name

Burton D. Morgan Foundation

Website

https://bdmorganfdn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Burton D. Morgan Foundation is a 1967-established private foundation in Hudson, Ohio that funds entrepreneurship education, collegiate entrepreneurship, and second-stage business growth in Northeast Ohio via grants, cohort programs, and ecosystem partnerships with no cost to participants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

Keywords

• Private foundation grantmaking
• Entrepreneurship education programs
• Second-stage business growth
• Ecosystem building services
• Nonprofit entrepreneurship funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Hudson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grantmaking from Endowment: Burton D. Morgan Foundation operates as a private foundation drawing upon endowment resources placed under the careful stewardship of its Board of Trustees. The Foundation awards grants to support entrepreneurship education, second-stage businesses, collegiate entrepreneurship, and ecosystem building across Northeast Ohio.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Burton D. Morgan Foundation is a private foundation in Northeast Ohio that supports entrepreneurship education and second-stage business growth primarily through grantmaking from its endowment and direct program delivery. Its core offerings include cohort-based growth accelerators (Scalerator NEO), campus entrepreneurship programs (NEOLaunchNET), a digital resource marketplace for K-12 educators (YIPPEE Exchange), microgrants for early-stage entrepreneurs (Morgan Startup Grants), peer learning for established businesses (BASE Roundtables), and retreats in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation for second-stage companies. All programs are delivered free of charge to participants, funded by the foundation's endowment.

Product overview

Burton D. Morgan Foundation is a private foundation offering a portfolio of entrepreneurship support programs rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include Scalerator NEO (a six-month growth accelerator for companies with $3-15M in sales), NEOLaunchNET (a cross-campus university entrepreneurship program across five Northeast Ohio institutions), YIPPEE Exchange (a digital marketplace for K-12 entrepreneurship education), Morgan Startup Grants (microgrants for early-stage entrepreneurs), BASE Roundtables (peer learning for second-stage companies), and the Edward Lowe Foundation Suite (retreats and programs for established businesses). The foundation also issues digital credentials through Credly including Scalerator Alumni, NEOLaunchNET Venture Builder, and Sopko Advocate badges. Most programs are delivered in-person or virtually through partner organizations, with the foundation serving as funder and ecosystem builder rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Scalerator NEO: A cohort-based educational program for entrepreneurs and their teams targeting companies with sales between $3 million and $15 million. Six-month transformational program focused on delivering immediate growth.
• NEOLaunchNET
• YIPPEE Exchange
• Morgan Startup Grants
• Entrepreneurship Education Experiment (E3)
• BASE Roundtables
• Sopko Advocate Program
• Rooted & Rising

Products and services

• Scalerator NEO A six-month cohort-based educational program for entrepreneurs and their leadership teams targeting Northeast Ohio companies with $3 million to $15 million in annual sales. Focused on the 'Three C's' (Customers, Cash, and Capacity) and taught by Babson College faculty, the program combines workshops, peer-to-peer exercises, and mentoring to drive immediate, measurable growth. Delivered free of charge to participating companies.
• NEOLaunchNET A co-curricular, cross-campus entrepreneurship program serving students, alumni, staff, and faculty at five Northeast Ohio universities (Baldwin Wallace University, Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, Lorain County Community College, and John Carroll University). Delivers free programming including mentorship, hackathons, microgrants, and sessions with successful entrepreneurs to promote entrepreneurial thinking, innovative mindset, creative collaboration, and venture creation.
• YIPPEE Exchange A digital marketplace supporting entrepreneurship education for K-12 youth through a market-based approach to philanthropy. Educators receive points to select and 'purchase' high-quality educational products and programs from funders; funders sponsor categories aligned with their mission. Built in partnership with the Young Entrepreneur Institute and technology provider WonderKiln.
• Morgan Startup Grants Catalytic microgrant funding provided to nonprofit organizations and collegiate institutions for dissemination to early-stage entrepreneurs. Provides small amounts of seed funding intended to help young businesses launch and grow as part of the foundation's 'Funding Entrepreneurs' priority.
• BASE Roundtables A program under the foundation's second-stage businesses priority providing peer-learning and networking opportunities for established companies with revenues between $1 million and $50 million operating in Northeast Ohio.
• Edward Lowe Foundation Suite of Programs Suite of programs delivered in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation (initiated 2023) for second-stage businesses, including Leadership Retreats, an Entrepreneur-in-Residence Retreat at Big Rock Valley in Cassopolis, Michigan, and a virtual Operating Systems Retreat. Available to growth-focused entrepreneurs in the foundation's network.
• Sopko Advocate Program A community recognition program honoring the legacy of Bob Sopko (1960-2024). Community members take the Sopko Pledge and receive a physical Sopko Pin (featuring bridge, wings, and hands symbolism) plus a digital badge issued through Credly to demonstrate their commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs.
• Digital Badges via Credly Digital credentialing offering in partnership with Credly that issues verifiable, portable badges for program participants across Scalerator Alumni, NEOLaunchNET Venture Builder, Sopko Advocate, Morgan Collective, Morgan Startup Grant, and Growth Driven Entrepreneurial Leadership achievements. Badges can be shared on LinkedIn and other professional networks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% of participating companies increased growth by 25%+ after Scalerator NEO
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Edward Lowe FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership started in 2023 to provide resources and tailored program options for second stage businesses. Programs include Leadership Retreats, Entrepreneur-in-Residence Retreat, and Operating Systems Retreat, conducted virtually and onsite at Big Rock Valley property in Cassopolis, Michigan.
• Young Entrepreneur Institute (YEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to sponsor Enspire annual conference for youth entrepreneurship educators and develop YIPPEE Exchange marketplace. YEI serves as regional hub for youth entrepreneurship.
• NEOLaunchNET Partner UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of five Northeast Ohio institutions: Baldwin Wallace University, Case Western Reserve University, Case Western Reserve University School of Law IP Venture Clinic, Kent State University, Lorain County Community College, and John Carroll University. Operating universities deliver campus-based entrepreneurship programming.
• MAGNET (Manufacturing Success)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Learning and Networking Series for Second Stage Entrepreneurs. MAGNET serves as innovation, technology and job center in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood supporting manufacturing industry workforce development.
• Entrepreneurship Funders Network (EFN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive network for action including community, corporate, institutional, family, and other foundations. EFN's mission is to galvanize philanthropic funders to inspire entrepreneurship and strengthen ecosystems. Morgan Foundation has been deeply engaged since 2017.
• Deshpande FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bring Deshpande Symposium On the Road to Northeast Ohio and co-host annual symposium focused on innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education.
• JumpStartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Higher Education Collaboration Council celebrating decade of connectivity across collegiate ecosystem. Joint work on Changemaker Grant Program.
• Bounce Innovation HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAkron-based innovation hub where Morgan Foundation supports elements of the project. Home to MORTAR program for diverse entrepreneurs and coworking spaces. Opened May 2019.
• University of Akron Research FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant recipient for STRIDE (Startup Teams Rising in the Development of Entrepreneurship) Accelerator pilot providing intensive training and mentoring for hard tech startups.
• Entrepreneurship Policy AdvisorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Daniel Isenberg developed the Scalerator program. Babson College faculty deliver the six-month cohort-based educational program for scaling companies.
• Ernst & YoungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with YEI and Morgan Foundation to roll out mini-grants program at Enspire 2018 for K-12 educators.
• Kent State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to LaunchNET KSU program and STRIDE Accelerator. Zach Mikrut served as Director of LaunchNET before joining Morgan Foundation as Program Manager in 2026.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ashoka: Larger global nonprofit supporting social entrepreneurs with fellowship and ecosystem programs; broader in geography and sector than Burton D. Morgan Foundation but directly comparable on the mission of advancing entrepreneurship as a force for societal change.

Direct peers

• Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: The largest US private foundation dedicated to entrepreneurship, funding research, education and ecosystem building nationally; directly comparable to Burton D. Morgan Foundation in mission (advancing entrepreneurship) and business model (endowment-funded grantmaking plus direct programs).
• Bounce Innovation Hub: Akron-based innovation hub hosting MORTAR program for diverse entrepreneurs that Burton D. Morgan Foundation supports; directly comparable as a regional entrepreneurship infrastructure operator with overlapping funding relationship.
• Deshpande Foundation: Active entrepreneurship philanthropy foundation that co-hosts the Deshpande Symposium with Burton D. Morgan Foundation; runs innovation and entrepreneurship programs in higher education and ecosystem building, making it a directly comparable peer in mission and operating model.
• JumpStart Inc. Northeast Ohio entrepreneurship support organization and Higher Education Collaboration Council partner; provides direct venture and education support comparable to NEOLaunchNET and Morgan Startup Grants, overlapping geography and customer base.
• Blackstone Charitable Foundation: Corporate-affiliated foundation focused on entrepreneurship and workforce development; originally affiliated with NEOLaunchNET launch in 2012, making it a directly comparable peer for entrepreneurship-focused grantmaking and program delivery.
• Young Entrepreneur Institute: Core program partner that co-developed YIPPEE Exchange and co-sponsors the Enspire educator conference with Burton D. Morgan Foundation; serves as regional hub for youth entrepreneurship, overlapping mission, geography, and customer base.
• Edward Lowe Foundation: Private foundation exclusively dedicated to second-stage business growth; provides retreats at Big Rock Valley that Burton D. Morgan Foundation accesses via 2023 partnership; directly comparable mission focus on second-stage entrepreneurs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/bdmorganfdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/burtondmorgan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-burton-d--morgan-foundation
• Xx.com/bdmorganfdn

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments2 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Burton D. Morgan Foundation