The Outlet
The Outlet is a Springfield, Illinois non-profit that pairs boys and young men ages 8-22 from single-parent homes with adult male volunteer mentors, delivering in-person mentoring, scholarships, and related youth services funded entirely through donations and fundraising campaigns.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersSpringfield, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Outlet does
The Outlet is a Springfield, Illinois-based non-profit mentorship organization founded in 2006 that pairs boys and young men ages 8-22 from single-parent homes with adult male volunteer mentors recruited from community, business, and faith-based networks. Its core program delivers one-on-one mentoring relationships, group workshops, educational trips, and life-skills guidance to address the documented gap in positive male role models for youth in single-parent households in the Springfield area. The organization operates without technology as a delivery layer — services are conducted in person at its 3306 South 6th Rd. facility, with an online adaptation introduced during COVID-19 and a parallel meal-relief program.
The Outlet is funded entirely through donations, grants, and fundraising campaigns rather than fees; all youth services are provided at no cost. Revenue streams include general individual and corporate donations, two named scholarship funds (the Marcus Butler Scholarship Fund and the Dr. Clarice Ford Scholarship Fund) supporting college and trade school access, and the IGNITE Capital Campaign — an ongoing effort that has secured funding to purchase the former St. Joseph's Home property and is raising an additional $3.5 million to renovate the facility and expand program capacity. A recent $100,000 institutional gift from Meridian Health Plan indicates movement beyond the historical base of individual donors and local community partners.
The operating geography is limited to Springfield, Illinois, with a headcount of 1–10 and a 14+ year track record of documented outcomes including high school graduation, college/trade school enrollment, entrepreneurship, alumni returning as mentors, and participant-reported gains in identity and purpose. Its partnership ecosystem spans United Way of Central Illinois, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, Bank of Springfield, Springfield Rotary Club, and multiple area churches and businesses — providing both volunteer mentors and a durable donor pipeline that anchors the organization's local competitive position.
The Outlet firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Outlet
- Legal name
- The Outlet
- Website
- https://theoutletillinois.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Outlet is a Springfield, Illinois non-profit that pairs boys and young men ages 8-22 from single-parent homes with adult male volunteer mentors, delivering in-person mentoring, scholarships, and related youth services funded entirely through donations and fundraising campaigns.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Outlet industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Mentorship Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Peer Support, Mentoring & Student Leadership (SEL) (EDAKAMAO)
Keywords
Where The Outlet is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Springfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Outlet business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and community organizations to fund its mentorship programs. It operates multiple donation pages and fundraising campaigns including the IGNITE Capital Campaign for facility expansion.
- Capital Campaign Funding: The IGNITE Capital Campaign is seeking $3.5 million to fully renovate the former St. Joseph's Home facility to serve more youth.
- Scholarship Donations: Designated scholarship funds including the Marcus Butler Scholarship Fund and Dr. Clarice Ford Scholarship Fund, which receive donations directed toward college and trade school scholarships.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
The Outlet product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Outlet delivers a free, community-based Mentorship Program that pairs boys and young men ages 8-22 from single-parent homes in the Springfield, Illinois area with positive adult male role models from a variety of professional backgrounds. Mentor-mentee pairs meet regularly during scheduled program hours to discuss life topics, participate in group workshops, and attend educational trips, supplemented by named scholarship funds (Marcus Butler and Dr. Clarice Ford) for college and trade school access.
Product overview
The Outlet is a non-profit mentorship organization offering a unified portfolio of youth development programs and services. Its core offering is the Mentorship Program, which pairs boys and young men ages 8-22 with adult male role models through a relationship-based model. Supporting services include two named scholarship funds (Marcus Butler Scholarship Fund and Dr. Clarice Ford Scholarship Fund) for higher education access, the IGNITE Capital Campaign for facility expansion, and COVID-19 relief programs including online mentorship and meal distribution. The organization operates primarily in Springfield, Illinois, serving youth from single-parent homes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mentorship Program One-on-one and group mentorship service pairing young males ages 8-22 from single-parent homes in Springfield, IL with positive adult male role models from diverse professional backgrounds; relationships are built through life-topic discussions, group workshops, and educational trips during scheduled program hours.
- Marcus Butler Scholarship Fund Designated scholarship fund providing college, university, or trade school scholarships to youth from single-parent households and previously incarcerated individuals, named in honor of a dedicated Outlet mentor.
- Dr. Clarice Ford Scholarship Fund Designated scholarship fund providing college, university, or trade school scholarships to youth of The Outlet, named in honor of a former Outlet board member.
- Online Mentorship Program Remote delivery channel for the core mentorship service, providing continued mentor engagement and support to mentees and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- COVID-19 Meal Program COVID-19 relief service providing meals and supplies to youth and families in the Outlet community during the pandemic.
Quantifiable outcome
- Program participants have graduated high school, gone on to college or trade school, become entrepreneurs, and returned to become mentors themselves
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Outlet
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The Outlet technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Outlet partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Cherry Hills ChurchminorSupported COVID-19 Drop Off Meal Program as community partner.
- Country MarketminorSupported COVID-19 Drop Off Meal Program.
- Koke Mill Christian ChurchminorSupported COVID-19 Drop Off Meal Program.
- MJ KellnerminorSupported COVID-19 Drop Off Meal Program.
- O'Shea BuildersminorSupported COVID-19 Drop Off Meal Program.
- West Side Christian ChurchminorSupported COVID-19 Drop Off Meal Program.
- American Business ClubminorMentorship program partner supporting the organization.
- Asian Indian Women's OrganizationminorMentorship program partner.
- Central Baptist ChurchminorMentorship program partner.
- Isringhausen ImportsminorMentorship program partner.
- Hope ChurchminorMentorship program partner.
- Bank of SpringfieldminorMentorship program partner.
- Express Employment ProfessionalsminorMentorship program partner.
- Pawnee Christian ChurchminorMentorship program partner.
- Springfield Rotary ClubminorMentorship program partner.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Outlet competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- MENTOR (National Mentoring Partnership): National umbrella organization that supports and advocates for youth mentoring programs, providing resources, research, and standards across the field. Comparable as a sector-shaping peer and indirect competitor for grant funding in the youth-mentoring space.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Large national youth-development organization offering afterschool programming, mentorship, and life-skill services to young people from diverse backgrounds. Comparable in youth development mission, though broader in scope (not male-only or single-parent-focused).
- YMCA of the USA: Large national youth-development organization offering afterschool programs, sports, and mentoring across local Y branches. Comparable as a community-based youth services provider competing for the same donor pool and volunteer hours in Springfield-area communities.
Direct peers
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit that matches adult volunteers with young people, typically from single-parent or challenging home environments. Most directly comparable to The Outlet in mission, mentor-pair model, and target demographic.
- Mentoring USA: National nonprofit providing school and community-based group mentoring programs for at-risk youth, with structured curriculum delivered by trained adult mentors. Comparable to The Outlet in mentor-pair model and youth-development focus.
- Boys to Men Mentoring Network: Group-mentoring organization serving adolescent boys through adult male mentors, with programs addressing life skills, responsibility, and healthy masculinity. Directly comparable in target demographic (boys/young men) and mentor-pair delivery model.
- 100 Black Men of America: National mentoring organization focused on African American youth, pairing successful adult male mentors with young people for education, health, and economic empowerment. Comparable to The Outlet in targeting boys and young men from single-parent homes with positive male role models.
- National Fatherhood Initiative: National nonprofit focused on father involvement and providing male role models for children, with mentoring and community programs. Comparable to The Outlet in targeting boys/young men in father-absent households through male mentorship.
Emerging players
- Hope for the Young: Faith-based youth mentoring and scholarship nonprofit pairing adults with youth from single-parent or under-resourced homes. Comparable in mission, target demographic, and integration of mentoring with scholarship support.
- SCORE Mentors: National nonprofit providing free mentoring and education to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, including youth-focused programs. Comparable as a volunteer-driven mentoring nonprofit, though focused on entrepreneurship rather than personal development.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Outlet social profiles
Digital presenceThe Outlet financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Outlet leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Outlet funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Outlet M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Outlet
What does The Outlet do?
The Outlet delivers a free, community-based Mentorship Program that pairs boys and young men ages 8-22 from single-parent homes in the Springfield, Illinois area with positive adult male role models from a variety of professional backgrounds. Mentor-mentee pairs meet regularly during scheduled program hours to discuss life topics, participate in group workshops, and attend educational trips, supplemented by named scholarship funds (Marcus Butler and Dr. Clarice Ford) for college and trade school access.
Is The Outlet a public or private company?
The Outlet is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Outlet founded?
The Outlet was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Outlet based?
The Outlet is headquartered in Springfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Outlet make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are capital Campaign Funding and scholarship Donations.
Who are The Outlet's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are MENTOR (National Mentoring Partnership), Boys & Girls Clubs of America and YMCA of the USA. Direct peers are Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Mentoring USA, Boys to Men Mentoring Network, 100 Black Men of America and National Fatherhood Initiative. Emerging players are Hope for the Young and SCORE Mentors.
Does The Outlet have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Outlet.
What industry is The Outlet in?
The Outlet's product category is Youth Mentorship Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJALAL, Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs, with a secondary code of EDAKAMAO, Peer Support, Mentoring & Student Leadership (SEL). Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.