STRIVE Atlanta

What STRIVE Atlanta does

STRIVE Atlanta is a nonprofit workforce development organization founded in 2022 as the Southeast regional site of STRIVE International (originally founded in East Harlem in 1984). Operating from 236 Forsyth Street SW, Suite 502 in Atlanta, it delivers tuition-free job training, career coaching, and lifetime supportive services to adults 18 and older facing systemic employment barriers — with particular focus on justice-impacted young adults (Future Leaders, ages 18–24) and returning citizens (Fresh Start, ages 25+). The organization is one of five directly operated STRIVE sites, alongside New York, Birmingham, New Orleans, and North Jersey, with ten additional affiliate partners extending the network to 15 locations nationwide.

The core service model is a five-pillar framework: career coaching, the STRIVE START job readiness workshop, occupational skills training, job placement, and lifetime supportive services. At the Atlanta site specifically, the offering includes a 7-week Certified Logistics & Inventory Control Training program (yielding OSHA 10, Forklift Operation, MSSC Certified Logistics Associate, and Inventory Control certifications) and Office Administration Training (yielding Microsoft Word and Excel certifications), delivered in partnership with Atlanta Technical College and Chattahoochee Technical College. Outcomes are tracked rigorously: 80% graduation rate, 75–76% job placement rate, 70% long-term retention rate, and a 1% recidivism rate for Fresh Start graduates. Over 85,000 individuals have been served across the network since 1984.

The revenue model is entirely philanthropic — no tuition is charged to participants. Funding comes from four streams: foundation grants (Justice and Mobility Fund $5M, MacKenzie Scott $8M, Ballmer Group, Gates Foundation, Weinberg Foundation, Truist Foundation, Gotham Gives), government contracts (US Department of Labor, NYC SBS, Delta Regional Authority), corporate partnerships (Assured Guaranty contributed ~$800k), and individual donations (including the Young Professionals Network and annual gala, which raised over $1.1M in 2024). The national organization's operating budget is projected at $17M in 2024 and $20M in 2025. Distribution occurs through weekly in-person and virtual info sessions, an online self-serve registration portal, community referral partners, and an advisory council of community ambassadors.

Name

STRIVE Atlanta

Legal name

STRIVE International Inc.

Website

https://strive.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

STRIVE Atlanta is a nonprofit workforce development organization offering tuition-free job training, career coaching, and lifetime support to adults facing systemic employment barriers — particularly justice-impacted individuals — in the Metro Atlanta area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community College / Training Provider Workforce Pathways Programs (EDAAAOAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO), Job Readiness Training & Soft Skills Development (EDAKANAD)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Tuition-free job training
• Career coaching programs
• Occupational skills certification
• Reentry employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Grants: STRIVE receives significant grant funding from foundations and government agencies. Major funders include The Justice and Mobility Fund ($5M), Ballmer Group, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Truist Foundation, Wilson Sheehan Foundation, Gotham Gives, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and various government sources including US Department of Labor.
2. Government Contracts: STRIVE receives federal, state, and local government funding including support from Delta Regional Authority, NYC Department of Small Business Services, NYC Council, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and US Department of Labor.
3. Individual Donations: STRIVE accepts one-time gifts, recurring donations, and honor/memory donations through online platforms. The organization also has a Young Professionals Network with monthly pledge options.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partnerships and sponsorships from companies like Assured Guaranty, which contributed nearly $800k in charitable support, and other employer partners who support workforce training programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

STRIVE Atlanta delivers tuition-free workforce development programs that prepare adults facing systemic employment barriers for careers in essential industries. Core offerings are anchored by the proprietary five-pillar model — Career Coaching, STRIVE START job-readiness workshop, Occupational Skills Training, Job Placement, and Lifetime Supportive Services — and at the Atlanta site are delivered through 7-week training tracks in Certified Logistics & Inventory Control (OSHA 10, Forklift, MSSC, Inventory Control) and Office Administration (Microsoft Word/Excel), in partnership with Atlanta Technical College and Chattahoochee Technical College.

Product overview

STRIVE is a national workforce development nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of tuition-free programs designed to help adults facing systemic barriers to employment achieve life-changing careers. The core offering is the Career Path program, a five-pillar model encompassing career coaching, the STRIVE START job readiness workshop, occupational skills training, job placement, and lifetime supportive services. This core is supplemented by specialized programs including Future Leaders (for justice-involved youth 18-24) and Fresh Start (for adults 25+ with justice involvement). At STRIVE Atlanta specifically, the Career Path program offers Certified Logistics & Inventory Control training (7 weeks, M-F) and Office Administration training, with local partnerships with Atlanta Technical College and Chattahoochee Technical College for training delivery. Additional support initiatives include Digital Skills training, Health and Wellness Support, and a Women's Empowerment Initiative. All programs provide lifetime follow-up and support to graduates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Career Path Program STRIVE's flagship tuition-free workforce development program using the five-pillar model to help adults 18+ build careers in essential industries and in-demand fields, including personalized career coaching, the STRIVE START job readiness workshop, occupational skills training, job placement assistance, and lifetime supportive services for graduates.
• Certified Logistics & Inventory Control Training Tuition-free 7-week (Monday-Friday, blended in-person and virtual) workforce training program at the Atlanta site delivering OSHA 10, Forklift Operation, MSSC Certified Logistics Associate, and Inventory Control credentials for careers in the supply chain industry.
• Office Administration Training Tuition-free training program at the Atlanta site covering general office administration, customer service, and digital skills through blended in-person and virtual instruction, leading to Microsoft Word and Excel certificates for administrative careers.
• Future Leaders Program Tuition-free program for justice-involved young adults ages 18-24 that delivers job training, career exploration, work experience, community service opportunities, leadership development, and paid internships, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Fresh Start Re-entry Program Tuition-free re-entry program for adults 25+ who were previously incarcerated, on parole, or on probation, providing case management, housing and wellness referrals, career training, credentialing, and job placement in high-demand fields.
• Digital Skills @ STRIVE Initiative designed to bridge the digital divide for individuals facing societal and systemic barriers to employment, providing digital skills training, internet access, and hardware/software for students who need it.
• Health and Wellness Support System Holistic wellness initiative offering wellness screenings, mental health education, one-on-one and group support, and additional services to support students' well-being as part of the broader training experience.
• Women's Empowerment Initiative Initiative delivering tailored services and programming for women students including professional development workshops, peer support groups, mental health services, childcare referrals, and financial education workshops.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% graduation rate, 75% placement rate, 70% retention rate across all programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Atlanta Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner for STRIVE Atlanta providing specialized technical certifications and educational pathway connections for students.
• Chattahoochee Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner for STRIVE Atlanta providing specialized technical certifications and educational pathway connections for students.
• The Bridgespan GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting partner helping STRIVE develop an extensive action plan with milestones for success as part of the 10-year growth strategy.
• Northwell HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partner providing healthcare career pathways and internships for STRIVE Future Leaders graduates.
• Ochsner HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare employer partner in New Orleans providing career pathway opportunities for STRIVE graduates in non-clinical healthcare roles.
• Cafe Reconcile New OrleanscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate partner providing workforce development to justice-impacted young adults in New Orleans through STRIVE programming.
• Career Resources Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate partner providing STRIVE services in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury, Connecticut.
• Central Baltimore's CFUFminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate partner serving men in Baltimore communities through STRIVE workforce development programming.
• Justice Resource Institute (JRI)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate partner in Boston, MA - one of the largest human services providers in the Commonwealth with over 100 programs.
• Samaritan Ministry of Greater WashingtonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate partner in Washington, D.C. that integrated STRIVE DC into its operations in August 2016.
• Second Chance (San Diego)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate partner providing workforce readiness training and job placement programs to youth and adults in San Diego, California.
• Newark Regional Business PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for STRIVE North Jersey launch serving Essex, Union, and Hudson counties.
• LISC New JerseycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Initiatives Support Corporation supporting STRIVE North Jersey expansion in New Jersey communities.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Year Up: Year Up is a national workforce development nonprofit offering tuition-free training and job placement for young adults ages 18-24, with a strong focus on disadvantaged populations. Directly comparable to STRIVE's Future Leaders program in target audience (youth/young adults facing barriers), nonprofit funding model, and outcome-based storytelling to employers.
• The Fortune Society: Fortune Society is a NYC-based re-entry nonprofit offering workforce training, employment placement, housing, and holistic support for justice-impacted individuals. Comparable to STRIVE Fresh Start in re-entry mission and wraparound services; smaller in geographic scope (NYC-centric) but stronger on housing/behavioral health wraparounds.
• Per Scholas: Per Scholas provides tuition-free IT/tech training and career advancement for adults from underserved communities across 17+ U.S. cities. Closely comparable to STRIVE's occupational skills training + job placement model, employer partnership model, and tuition-free financing via philanthropy and corporate partners.
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): CEO provides employment services specifically for people returning from incarceration, with immediate-work transitional jobs and retention support. Direct peer to STRIVE's Fresh Start re-entry program, sharing the justice-impacted focus, government/philanthropic funding mix, and outcomes-driven placement metrics.
• Generation (now ProsperBridge): Generation operates tuition-free, employer-aligned workforce training programs for unemployed/underemployed adults across multiple countries and industries. Comparable to STRIVE Career Path in employer-aligned curricula, short-duration tuition-free training, and outcomes-based employment metrics.
• NPower: NPower delivers tuition-free tech and digital skills training plus job placement for young adults and veterans from underserved communities. Comparable to STRIVE's Digital Skills initiative and Career Path occupational training in mission (tech-adjacent workforce dev for barriered adults) and tuition-free nonprofit model.

Emerging players

• Roca: Roca focuses on high-risk young people ages 16-24, including those impacted by incarceration, providing intensive behavioral and workforce training. Comparable to STRIVE's Future Leaders in target population and high-touch, justice-impacted model, with heavier emphasis on behavioral/relational intervention.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill is the largest U.S. workforce development network with career training, placement, and supported employment across hundreds of locations. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering overlapping job-readiness services and serving similar barriered populations, though Goodwill operates retail-funded and across many program verticals.

Regional players

• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS): JVS is a regional workforce development organization offering job training, career coaching, and placement services in the Bay Area and Boston. Comparable to STRIVE's Career Path in career-coaching + placement model and tuition/sliding-scale funding, though smaller national footprint.

Others

• CareerSource / American Job Centers Network: State and regional Workforce Development Boards (WIOA-funded) like CareerSource operate publicly funded American Job Centers delivering similar job-readiness, occupational training, and placement services. Comparable to STRIVE as competitors and partners in the public workforce development funnel, though structured as publicly funded quasi-governmental bodies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/striveintl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 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 STRIVE Atlanta