Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center

What Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center does

Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center (GECRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in April 2002 and headquartered at 346 Taft Avenue in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It provides cost-free after-school and summer tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment programming to low-income and academically at-risk students in kindergarten through 8th grade who attend schools within Glen Ellyn School District 41 and Community Consolidated School District 89, covering Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Carol Stream, Lombard, and Wheaton in DuPage County. Programs are delivered directly on-site at five partner school locations — Abraham Lincoln, Churchill, and Park View Elementary Schools; Hadley Junior High School; and Glen Crest Middle School — with a High Impact Tutoring (HIT) module layering sustained small-group literacy tutoring on top of the elementary program at Churchill. The Summer Program, launched in expanded full-day, full-week form at Arbor View Elementary in June 2026, serves more than 200 students annually with academic enrichment, project-based learning, social-emotional learning, field trips, transportation, and meals, targeting in particular low-income English Language Learner populations. Annual reach spans students from 14 different countries and people groups.

GECRC's operating model is anchored by in-kind partnerships with the two public school districts, which supply space, transportation, snacks, student assessment data, and curriculum alignment. Service delivery is volunteer-intensive: volunteer tutors (drawn from retired teachers, current and former parents, college and high school students) are recruited, onboarded, and tracked through Better Impact and Volgistics/VicNet; each tutor commits to a minimum of one day per week for at least a semester and is paired with the same student for relational continuity. The 11-50 person staff includes an Executive Director, Associate Director of Program and Volunteers, Site Leads for each partner school, a Development Manager, a Communications and Volunteer Coordinator, and an Administrative Assistant, governed by an 11-member volunteer Board of Directors. Curriculum is Common Core-aligned, evaluated using district MAP scores and direct teacher communication, and integrates Project-Based Learning and Social-Emotional Learning frameworks.

Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropy: one-time and recurring individual donations (processed via PayPal and GiveSmart), event-based fundraising (the annual Literary Event with featured authors, Mahjong for GECRC, Picklepalooza, Rock Around the Block, Dare to Dream, and Spellapalooza), corporate and foundation sponsorships (Marcel's Culinary Experience, Kiwanis of Glen Ellyn, Ball Foundation, Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust, Northwestern Medicine, DuPage Foundation), and PTC collective donations. There is no fee charged to qualifying families; all programs are provided at no cost. The technology stack supporting operations is a conventional nonprofit SaaS portfolio — WordPress for the website, Gravity Forms for donation capture, Better Impact and Volgistics for volunteer lifecycle management, GiveSmart and PayPal for donations and event ticketing, Giftworks for donor management, and Constant Contact for the quarterly newsletter — with no proprietary AI/ML components or public APIs.

Name

Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center

Legal name

Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center

Website

https://gecrc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center (GECRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 that delivers cost-free after-school and summer tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment programming to low-income and academically at-risk K-8 students in Glen Ellyn School District 41 and CCSD89, reaching 200+ students annually across DuPage County, Illinois.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Education & Tutoring Services

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Test Prep Learning Centers (SAT/ACT, AP/IB, State Exams) (EDANAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accelerated Learning & Grade Advancement Programs (EDAJAGAE), Extended Learning Time Programs (After-School/Summer Intervention) (EDAJAGAK), Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), Summer School & Extended-Year Academic Catch-Up (EDANAJAH)

Keywords

• After-school tutoring
• Youth mentoring services
• Summer enrichment programs
• Nonprofit education programs
• Literacy intervention services

Headquarters

HQ city

Glen Ellyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual donations (one-time and recurring): Online donations via GiveSmart/PayPal accepting Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, plus mailed checks. Recurring options include monthly, quarterly, or annual gifts. Donors can direct gifts to specific funds such as the D89 Expansion.
2. Event-based fundraising (Literary Event, Mahjong, Picklepalooza, Rock Around the Block, Dare to Dream): Ticket sales, sponsorships, raffles, silent auctions, and match challenges tied to annual and one-off fundraising events. 2023 Literary Event raised $27,000; Picklepalooza raised $8,000 in sponsorships; Dare to Dream 20th Anniversary raised more than $50,000.
3. Corporate and community sponsorship / grants: Sponsorships from businesses such as Marcel's Culinary Experience, Kiwanis of Glen Ellyn, Ball Foundation, Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust, Northwestern Medicine, plus PTC collective donations and grants (e.g., $11,500 from D89 PTCs in Winter 2020).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center (GECRC) operates free, in-person after-school and summer tutoring, mentoring, social-emotional learning, and enrichment programs for low-income and academically at-risk K-12 students in Glen Ellyn School District 41 and CCSD 89. Core program lines include the Elementary After-School Program (delivered at Abraham Lincoln, Churchill, and Park View Elementary Schools), the Junior High After-School Program (delivered at Hadley Junior High and Glen Crest Middle School), and the Summer Program (expanded to a full-day, full-week format at Arbor View Elementary in 2026), supported by a specialized High Impact Tutoring (HIT) module and a volunteer tutor pipeline.

Product overview

Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center (GECRC) operates a portfolio of free, in-person out-of-school academic and enrichment programs for under-resourced K-12 students, organized around three core program lines: the Elementary After-School Program (delivered at Abraham Lincoln, Churchill, and Park View Elementary Schools), the Junior High After-School Program (delivered at Hadley Junior High and Glen Crest Middle School), and the Summer Program (most recently expanded to a full-day, full-week format at Arbor View Elementary in 2026). The High Impact Tutoring (HIT) module layers on top of the elementary program at Churchill to provide sustained small-group literacy tutoring. Volunteer operations, donor stewardship, and event fundraising are supported by named products/modules such as the Volunteer Tutor program, the annual Literary Event (which has featured authors such as Mary Laura Philpott, Catherine Newman, Mary Beth Keane, and Luis Urrea), the Mahjong for GECRC fundraiser, Picklepalooza, Spellapalooza, and Rock Around the Block, as well as donation and volunteer portals (PayPal/GiveSmart for donations, Better Impact/Volgistics for volunteers, Constant Contact for the newsletter). All programs are delivered at no cost to qualifying families and operate within Glen Ellyn School District 41 and CCSD 89 boundaries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• High Impact Tutoring Program (H.I.T.): Specialized small-group academic program (2-4 students per tutor) offered in partnership with District 41 at Churchill Elementary School to narrow the achievement gap for students with the greatest learning gaps.
• Mahjong for GECRC
• Picklepalooza
• Rock Around the Block
• Dare to Dream
• GECRC Literary Event
• Spellapalooza

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 low-income ELL middle school students to be served through the Glen Crest expansion (CCSD89 partnership)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

40 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Glen Ellyn School District 41flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational partner since 2006 providing space at Abraham Lincoln, Churchill, and Hadley Junior High; supports curriculum alignment and the High Impact Tutoring (HIT) program. Featured in District 41's #WeAreD41 broadcast video series.
• Community Consolidated School District 89 (CCSD89)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner since 2020 for the Glen Crest Middle School program and since 2023 for Park View Elementary. D89 provides in-kind space, bus transportation, student assessment data, and one Classroom Coordinator; GECRC provides additional staff and community volunteer coordination. Target: 40 low-income ELL middle school students.
• Glenbard School District 87minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as an essential ongoing community partner; receives GECRC students as they transition to high school (e.g., GECRC alum Denise Umubyeyi progressed to Glenbard West).
• First Congregational Church of Glen EllynminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as essential ongoing community partner that has donated, volunteered, and provided resources.
• First Presbyterian Church of Glen EllynminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as essential ongoing community partner that has donated, volunteered, and provided resources.
• Giving DuPageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner listed as essential ongoing supporter through donations, volunteering, and resources.
• Glen Ellyn Food PantryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing food security resources to GECRC families.
• Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing health/welfare resources.
• Glen Ellyn Lions ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService club partner; donated, volunteered, and presented a check to GECRC.
• Glen Ellyn Park DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing recreational resources and space.
• Glen Ellyn Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting the 2023 Literary Event and providing literacy/enrichment resources to GECRC students.
• Glen Ellyn Rotary ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService club community partner that has donated, volunteered, and provided resources.
• Glenbard Parent SeriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent education partner providing resources for GECRC families.
• Illinois State Representative Terra Costa HowardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic official supporting GECRC; recognized in the 2019 'A Summer to Remember' recap as a community supporter.
• Kiwanis Club of Glen EllyncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides nutritious snacks for elementary after-school program alongside the school district. Event-level sponsor of the 2023 Literary Event ($11,500 collective D89 PTC donation in Winter 2020 also involved Kiwanis sponsorship of Spellapalooza).
• Morton ArboretumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing enrichment and field trip resources.
• The Bookstore of Glen EllyncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosts the annual Literary Event, selling featured-author books and supporting author engagement. Bookseller team shared summer must-read titles at the 2026 Literary Event.
• Marcel's Culinary ExperiencecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent-level sponsor of the GECRC Literary Event and the 20th Anniversary Dare to Dream celebration; provided food/auction items.
• Griffin Harvey Group - Compass Real EstatecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2025 Mahjong wine raffle and Picklepalooza.
• Missy MahjongcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated time and expertise to teach sold-out beginner Mahjong lessons at the 2025 Mahjong fundraiser, which carried over to Mahjong for GECRC 2026.
• Clingen, Callow & McLean, LLCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored the sold-out Book Pull and gift certificate prizes at the 2026 Literary Event. Board member Jodi Henninger Herbold is an attorney at the firm.
• Pickled WheatoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts the annual Picklepalooza pickleball fundraiser at its Wheaton venue.
• Glen Oak Paddle HutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the 2025 inaugural Mahjong fundraising event, providing hospitality and service.
• Arrowhead Golf ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted or co-hosted GECRC's 20th Anniversary Dare to Dream celebration in summer 2022.
• Better ImpactcoreTechnology or IntegrationVolunteer management platform powering GECRC's online volunteer application, onboarding, and program-site rosters (school year and summer).
• VolgisticscoreTechnology or IntegrationVolunteer hour tracking platform used by GECRC; volunteers log in to VicNet to post service hours by site.
• PayPalcoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party payment processor that secures credit card donations made through the GECRC website.
• GiftworkscoreTechnology or IntegrationDonor management service provider authorized to use donor personal information to support GECRC operations.
• GiveSmartcoreTechnology or IntegrationEvent ticketing and donor CRM platform powering the Literary Event ticket sales, Mahjong for GECRC 2026 tickets, and online donations/match challenges.
• Custom Direct, Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides website design, development, and hosting for the GECRC website.
• Glen Ellyn Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGECRC is a proud member of the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, which provides local business networking and visibility.
• Luis Urrea (author)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPulitzer Prize Finalist author who donated his time to support the 2016 GECRC Literary Event.
• Mary Laura Philpott (author)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured author of the sold-out 2023 Literary Event; traveled to Glen Ellyn to discuss her award-winning memoir 'Bomb Shelter' and helped raise $27,000.
• Mary Beth Keane (author)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured author of the 2024 Literary Event presenting 'The Half Moon.'
• Catherine Newman (author)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured author of the 2025 Literary Event presenting 'Sandwich.'
• Amity Gaige (author)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSent a special video message for the 2026 Literary Event in support of GECRC.
• Victory Sports CampcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts a week of day camp for GECRC summer school children each summer, including during the expanded 2019 and 2018 summer programs.
• People's Resource CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided art activities and 'Brain Breaks' (Go-Noodle) for GECRC summer school students in 2018 and 2019.
• Bulls/Sox AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided sports camp experiences for GECRC summer school students in 2018 and 2019.
• Brookfield Zoo AmbassadorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided field trip experiences for GECRC summer school students.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Reading Partners: National nonprofit providing volunteer-led literacy tutoring to under-resourced K-8 students, with a similar model of community volunteers, school-site delivery, and cost-free programs. Directly comparable in target population, volunteer-driven delivery, and school district partnerships.
• Communities In Schools: National nonprofit that places coordinators inside public schools to connect at-risk students with tutoring, mentoring, and social services. Highly comparable in the school-embedded service delivery model and focus on low-income K-12 students.
• After-School All-Stars: National nonprofit offering free after-school and summer programs to under-resourced youth, with comparable after-school + summer portfolio and free-to-family pricing. Operates a similar school-district partnership model.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National mentoring nonprofit pairing adult volunteers with youth for sustained one-on-one relationships. Highly comparable on the mentoring and relationship-continuity dimensions of GECRC's volunteer tutor program.
• City Year: National nonprofit deploying near-peer AmeriCorps mentors/tutors into under-resourced public schools for full-day academic and SEL support. Comparable in the in-school, volunteer-driven, academic-gap-closing mission.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Large national youth development nonprofit offering after-school programming, tutoring, and enrichment at dedicated club facilities. Comparable in target population (low-income youth) and after-school focus, but operates at much larger scale and runs dedicated clubhouses rather than embedding in schools.
• Sylvan Learning: National for-profit tutoring franchise offering small-group and 1:1 academic tutoring for K-12 students. Comparable on small-group tutoring and K-12 academic intervention, but operates on a paid tuition model rather than GECRC's free, school-embedded, mission-driven model.
• Mathnasium: National franchise providing small-group math tutoring for K-12 students. Comparable on the small-group tutoring format and academic remediation focus, but operates as a paid retail service rather than a free school-embedded nonprofit.

Regional players

• United Way of DuPage County: Regional community-services funder in DuPage County; not a direct program operator but a key GECRC community partner (Giving DuPage). Comparable as a regional nonprofit addressing similar student/family needs in the same geography.
• Oak Park Regional Housing Center: Suburban Chicago-area nonprofit serving immigrant and refugee families through community-based programs. Comparable in the immigrant/refugee student support and family resource connection elements of GECRC's mission, though focused on housing rather than tutoring.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/gecrc
• Facebookfacebook.com/gecrc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gecrc
• Instagraminstagram.com/gecrc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center