Akron Urban League

What Akron Urban League does

The Akron Urban League is a private 501(c)(4) civic and social welfare nonprofit founded in 1925 and headquartered at 440 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron, Ohio. It provides economic, educational, and social assistance to Summit County residents regardless of background, operating four core program centers: the Workforce Success Center (job placement, resume writing, career coaching, Career Navigator, Career Clothing Closet), the Education Achievement Center (Scholars Academy for grades 9-12 with scholarships, Summer Enrichment Camp for grades 3-6, Young Adult Council for ages 16-26), the Entrepreneur Empowerment Center (Minority Business Assistance Center, MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy, Aspire Academy partnership), and the Restorative Services Center (record expungement, barrier removal, justice-impacted reentry support). It also operates Health Equity and Voter Rights advocacy programs and participates as a delegation member representing Akron's 2025 All-America City Award.

Its underlying technology is standard nonprofit operational tooling: Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, OneNote, Google Workspace, and online registration forms, with HubSpot CRM, Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, Google Maps, Slack, and U.S. Bank Payment Solutions surfaced as third-party tools that the organization teaches to small-business clients rather than operating as integrated proprietary platforms. The Aspire Academy online learning platform offering more than 3,000 courses is provided through the Adecco Group US Foundation partnership rather than developed in-house. No AI/ML capabilities, proprietary models, patents, or production APIs are disclosed.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: individual and corporate donations and foundations, government grants (notably the Ohio Development Services Agency Minority Business Development Division funding MBAC), event sponsorships for signature events including the Centennial Gala, MLK Breakfast, and Small Business Tech Summit, AUL Guild and AUL Young Professionals membership fees, minor program fees ($100-$175 per child for Summer Enrichment Camp), and reserve contributions such as the $2.4M MacKenzie Scott gift in 2023. Programs and services are predominantly provided free of charge to participants, with revenue concentrated on donations and grants rather than commercial fees.

Name

Akron Urban League

Legal name

Akron Urban League

Website

https://www.akronurbanleague.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1918

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Akron Urban League is a 100-year-old Akron, Ohio-based nonprofit that provides free economic, educational, workforce-development, entrepreneurship, restorative, and civic-engagement programs to Summit County residents, with state-backed small-business assistance across nine counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community and Social Services (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community & Adult Education (Municipal/Community Schools) (EDAAAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC)

Keywords

• Community services
• Workforce development
• Youth education
• Entrepreneurship support
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Akron

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The organization relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund programs and operations. The website features multiple donation options including one-time and recurring gifts, and the organization celebrated receiving a $2.4M gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
2. Membership Fees: The AUL Guild membership program provides annual membership opportunities for supporters, with different sponsorship levels available for the annual gala and other events.
3. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for signature events including the Centennial Gala, MLK Breakfast, and other community events provide revenue and community engagement opportunities.
4. Program Fees: Summer camp enrollment fees ($175 for first child, $125 for second, $100 for additional children) along with minimal program fees where applicable.
5. Government Grants: The Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) is supported by the Ohio Development Services Agency Minority Business Development Division, providing management, technical and professional assistance to small businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Akron Urban League is a nonprofit civic organization that delivers free economic, educational, and social assistance programs to Summit County, Ohio residents through dedicated service centers covering workforce development, entrepreneurship support, youth education, restorative services for justice-impacted individuals, and minority business assistance. Programs are delivered on-site at the Akron headquarters and through community events, with selected digital offerings such as the Aspire Academy learning platform.

Product overview

The Akron Urban League is a non-profit community organization providing economic, educational, and social assistance to Summit County residents through a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offerings include: Workforce Success Center (job placement, career coaching, clothing closet) for employment support; Education Achievement Center and Scholars Academy for youth development; Entrepreneur Empowerment Center including MBAC, MORTAR Academy, and Aspire Academy for business development; Restorative Services Center for justice-impacted individuals; and Health Equity and Voter Rights for advocacy. These programs work together to provide a continuum of services from youth enrichment through adult workforce development and entrepreneurship support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Restorative Services Center: Justice-impacted support services including barrier removal, job placement, and record expungement.
• Education Achievement Center
• Entrepreneur Empowerment Center
• Workforce Success Center
• Scholars Academy
• Young Adult Council
• Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC)
• MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy
• Summer Enrichment Camp
• AUL Guild
• AUL Young Professionals

Products and services

• Restorative Services Center Provides barrier-removal services for justice-impacted individuals including emotional intelligence training, workforce development, record expungement, and expungement clinics to help residents reclaim their future.
• Education Achievement Center Helps young people prepare for their futures through academic enrichment, creative expression, leadership development, and essential life skills programming.
• Entrepreneur Empowerment Center Provides business coaching, training, certification support, and networking connections to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain successful businesses.
• Workforce Success Center Offers job placement assistance, resume writing support, professional skill training, career coaching, interview preparation, and connections to employer partners.
• Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) Helps emerging business owners achieve market success through resources, procurement opportunities, certification support (MBE/EDGE/VBE/WBE), and access to capital loan programs; free assistance to minorities, women, veterans, and small disadvantaged businesses in Summit, Stark, Wayne, and surrounding counties.
• MORTAR Entrepreneurship Academy Intensive 8-week cohort-based entrepreneurship course that challenges and inspires entrepreneurs who are ready to start or scale their enterprises; part of the Entrepreneur Empowerment Center.
• Aspire Academy Free online learning platform with more than 3,000 courses and live learning opportunities designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners develop skills needed to start, grow, and sustain successful businesses.
• Scholars Academy College and career readiness program for high school students in grades 9-12 providing workshops, scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and guaranteed scholarship dollars upon program completion.
• Summer Enrichment Camp Yearly educational summer camp for children in grades 3-6 featuring academic enrichment, field trips, sports, games, and creative experiences running June through July, with tiered family pricing.
• Training and Certifications Connects participants to high-quality skills training including digital literacy, industry certifications, job readiness workshops, and employer-led training; offers certifications including Microsoft Office, State-Tested Nursing Assistant, and Certified Production Technician.
• Career Clothing Closet Provides free professional clothing and accessories to job seekers and professionals in need for interviews and new job roles.
• Young Adult Council Provides a platform for meaningful engagement, dialogue, and action for young adults ages 16-26 on critical issues including police accountability, education, mental health, community relations, and civic engagement.
• Health Equity Advances health equity by connecting individuals and families to health education, preventive care, workforce pathways in healthcare careers, and community partnerships supporting overall wellness.
• Voter Rights Upholds democracy by breaking down barriers to voting through voter registration, election education, get-out-the-vote efforts, and the Voting in Jail Project for detained or incarcerated individuals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Scholarship funds awarded to students annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Urban LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Akron Urban League is one of 90+ National Urban League affiliates. The partnership includes shared mission alignment, economic outlook reports by National Urban League President Marc Morial, advocacy coordination including the Fair Budget Coalition, and access to national resources and best practices.
• Ohio Development Services Agency - Minority Business Development Division (MBDD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe seven MBACs across the State of Ohio are supported by MBDD. Akron MBAC provides management, technical and professional assistance, access to capital, surety bonding, connection to business opportunities, and assistance with MBE/EDGE/WBE/VBE Certification.
• Ohio Justice BuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for recurring reentry and expungement clinics to help justice-involved individuals clear criminal records and remove employment barriers.
• The Freedom BLOCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 2025 Juneteenth Community Celebration held at Akron Urban League headquarters.
• Akron NAACPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 2025 Juneteenth Community Celebration.
• TomTod IdeascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through PREVENT initiative for the Akron Kids Against Gun Violence program, including production of the youth-led documentary 'Talking Kids Off The Trigger' premiering at Akron Urban League.
• ConxusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for State-Tested Nursing Assistant Certification and Certified Production Technician programs through Workforce Success Center.
• Stark State CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for State-Tested Nursing Assistant Certification program offered through the Training and Certifications program.
• Adecco Group US FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing the Aspire Academy free online learning platform featuring 3,000+ courses designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners develop skills needed to start, grow, and sustain successful businesses.
• Ohio Department of Development – Minority Business Assistance CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Hustle & Holly holiday networking event for local entrepreneurs.
• Black Chamber of Commerce, Summit CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Hustle & Holly holiday networking event for local entrepreneurs, creatives, and small business owners.
• Healthcare Providers and Community OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic health partnerships to increase access to services and improve health outcomes across Summit County, connecting residents to health resources, workforce readiness opportunities, preventive care initiatives, and community support services.
• Various Community OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Resource Forum partners including ADM Board, AMHA, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Akron METRO, ASIA Inc., Child Support Enforcement Agency, Community Action, Greenleaf Family Center, Hope & Healing, International Institute, Job and Family Services, NAMI, OPEN M, Summit County Children Services, Summit DD, Summit County Public Health, United Way, and Victim Assistance.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cleveland Urban League: Another Ohio-based National Urban League affiliate offering workforce, education, and entrepreneurship programs. Directly comparable mission, funding model, and program mix, but in a larger metro.
• Columbus Urban League: National Urban League affiliate serving Central Ohio with similar workforce, youth, and small-business programs. Comparable in mission and structure to AUL.

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: The parent network of 90+ affiliates including AUL; provides shared advocacy, research, and brand infrastructure. Functions as the umbrella organization rather than a direct competitor.
• Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio: Regional workforce development and training nonprofit with overlapping mission around job placement, certifications, and barrier removal; larger and broader geographic reach than AUL.

Regional players

• Urban League of Greater Cincinnati: Ohio-affiliated Urban League operating in a different regional market (Southwest Ohio). Comparable program mix but does not compete geographically with AUL.
• Youngstown/Warren Regional Urban League: Smaller Ohio Urban League affiliate serving a neighboring region with similar workforce and community programs; useful peer for benchmarking program scale and funding.

Others

• United Way of Summit County: Local funder and convener in the same geography; partners with AUL through the Community Resource Forum and overlaps on community service delivery, but operates a grantmaking rather than direct-service model.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve: Akron-area youth development nonprofit offering summer programming and academic enrichment that overlaps with AUL's Summer Enrichment Camp and Scholars Academy, though without workforce or entrepreneurship services.
• NAACP Akron Branch: Local civil rights and civic engagement organization that co-hosts events with AUL (Juneteenth) and overlaps on advocacy and voter rights programming, though without AUL's direct-service workforce stack.

Emerging players

• Dress for Success Cleveland: Nonprofit providing free professional clothing and career development to job seekers, directly analogous to AUL's Career Clothing Closet and Career Navigator programs in the same regional labor market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@akronurbanleaguetv
• Facebookfacebook.com/AkronUrbanLeague
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/akron-urban-league
• Instagraminstagram.com/akronurbanleague
• Xx.com/akronul

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

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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 Akron Urban League