Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow

What Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow does

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development organization founded in 1983 in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. The organization provides free education, job training, certification, and employment placement services to opportunity youth (ages 17-24) and underserved adults across Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx, with a participant base that is over 90% People of Color. OBT operates a three-tiered program portfolio: foundational Educational Programs (GED preparation, ESOL, adult literacy, basic computer training), sector-based Advance Training Programs (Pharmacy Technician, CNA/Patient Care Technician, Cloud Engineering, Digital Marketing, Bridge to Crafts Careers Masonry Restoration, Hospitality), and Employment Services (career readiness, case management, job placement, and the Stay at Work alumni support program). All services are provided free of charge to participants, including classes, certifications, books, supplies, professional clothing, transportation assistance, and lunch stipends.

The organization's underlying technology stack is intentionally modest, comprising standard virtual learning systems for remote programming, Microsoft Office certification tools (NorthStar), and case management systems; OBT does not offer any public API or proprietary technology platform. A distinctive asset is the Spectrum Learning Lab at OBT's Industry City program office and the Bridge to Crafts Careers masonry training partnership with Green-Wood Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark that provides hands-on training facilities. OBT reports an 87% program completion rate, 72% credential attainment, and 70% post-program job placement rate, serving over 1,500 individuals annually across sites.

OBT's business model is grant- and contract-funded rather than revenue-generating in the commercial sense. The organization operates on an annual budget of $8.5 million (as of 2021) with a staff of 85, funded primarily by city and state government contracts (NYC HRA, DYCD, workforce development boards) and government grants (NYCEDC place-based grants), supplemented by private donations and foundation grants including an active 2025 Fund campaign. The go-to-market is community-led: OBT reaches participants through community-based outreach, school partnerships, employer partnerships (Forrest Solutions, Spectrum, Green-Wood Cemetery), and referrals from government programs. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Vincent Chirico, with Dr. Darlene Williams serving as President and CEO since September 2021.

Name

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow

Legal name

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, Inc.

Website

https://obtjobs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 that provides free education, job training, certifications, and employment placement to over 1,500 opportunity youth and underserved adults annually across Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development and Adult Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Pre-Service ECE Credential Programs (Certificates/Diplomas/Degrees) (EDACAIAA)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Adult education programs
• Job training certification
• Career readiness services
• Nonprofit workforce programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts and Grants: Primary funding from city and state government contracts that fund workforce development programs, as well as government grants for specific initiatives.
2. Private Donations and Foundation Grants: Donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations including their 2025 Fund campaign for transportation, food, and clothing support.
3. Program Revenue (Free Services): All programs are provided free of charge to participants including classes, certifications, books, supplies, professional clothing, transportation, and lunch stipends.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OBT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free workforce development services to opportunity youth (17-24) and underserved adults in Brooklyn and Queens, including GED preparation, ESOL, adult literacy, basic computer training, sector-based certification programs (Pharmacy Technician, CNA/Patient Care Technician, Cloud Engineering, Digital Marketing, Masonry Restoration, Hospitality), career readiness, case management, and ongoing alumni support through the Stay at Work (SAW) program. All services, supplies, certifications, and supportive resources are provided at no cost to participants.

Product overview

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) is a nonprofit workforce development organization that operates a portfolio of interconnected educational and training programs. The organization offers a three-tiered program structure consisting of Educational Programs (GED preparation, ESOL classes, adult literacy, and basic computer training), Advance Training Programs (healthcare certifications including Pharmacy Technician and CNA/Patient Care, technology training including Cloud Engineering, construction/masonry training, digital marketing, and hospitality), and Employment Services (career readiness, case management, and job placement). The Stay at Work (SAW) program provides ongoing alumni support. Programs are available in Brooklyn and Queens, NYC, with services provided free of charge to participants including classes, certifications, books, supplies, professional clothing, transportation stipends, and lunch.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GED Preparation Classes High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation program that helps adults earn their GED diploma, including workplace skills, industry credentials, and career mentoring. Morning and evening options available.
• ESOL Classes English for Speakers of Other Languages adult education program that helps participants master daily communication skills and English language proficiency with morning or evening classes.
• Adult Literacy Education Program Literacy improvement program that helps adults increase their reading and writing abilities through individualized academic support and instruction.
• Basic Computer Classes Foundational computer skills training program that helps participants develop essential technology literacy for workplace readiness.
• Pharmacy Technician Training Healthcare industry certification program that prepares participants for pharmacy technician careers. Graduates prepare to pass the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Pharmacy Technician exam.
• CNA/Patient Care Technician Training Healthcare certification program that trains participants for certified nursing assistant and patient care technician positions in medical facilities.
• Cloud Engineering Training Technology training program that prepares participants for careers in cloud support engineering. Includes a Bridge Program for accessibility and offers 12+ college credits at CUNY School of Professional Studies upon completion.
• Digital Marketing Training Digital marketing industry training program that teaches participants online marketing skills, social media, and digital advertising strategies for career placement.
• Bridge to Crafts Careers Masonry Restoration Training Construction training program including the Bridge to Crafts Careers Masonry Restoration Technician Training Program, offered in partnership with Green-Wood Cemetery for hands-on restoration and preservation training.
• Hospitality Training Hospitality industry job training program that prepares participants for careers in hotels, restaurants, and event management.
• Stay at Work (SAW) Program Ongoing career and education support program for alumni, providing continued guidance and resources regardless of where participants are in their career journey.
• Case Management / Resource Coordination Individualized case management and resource coordination services that provide participants with wraparound support including mental health assistance, food stipends, childcare vouchers, and transportation assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% program completion rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Perch AdvisorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021OBT partnered with Perch Advisors, an economic development consulting firm, to conduct research in Sunset Park to identify programming needed to connect residents to tech jobs on the waterfront. Given Sunset Park's diversity and immigrant communities, the research identifies the right paths to new tech jobs and asks that businesses play an active role in those efforts.
• Forrest SolutionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerForrest Solutions partners with OBT to provide job training, development, and actual paying jobs for program participants. They hire OBT graduates for roles in mailroom, messenger logistics, corporate ambassador, and management positions. One notable hire, Andrew Brown, progressed from messenger to assistant manager.
• SpectrumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpectrum partnered with OBT to open the Spectrum Learning Lab at OBT's program office at Industry City in Brooklyn. The ribbon-cutting ceremony included NYS Assembly Member Felix Ortiz. This partnership boosts technology resources and digital literacy for OBT participants.
• Green-Wood CemeterycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOBT partnered with Green-Wood Cemetery (a National Historic Landmark) for the Bridge to Crafts Careers Masonry Restoration Technician Training Program. This unique partnership provides hands-on training at the cemetery for 10-14 young adults (18-27) in a 10-week program. Graduate Shanae became a 4th-year apprentice with Local 28.
• CUNY's Network for College Success (N4CS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOBT is a founding Community Based Organizational (CBO) member of CUNY's Network for College Success, a collaboration between CUNY's office of K16 initiatives, CUNY colleges, and CBOs to increase college persistence and graduation rates.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit serving opportunity youth (18-24) with training, corporate internships, and wraparound supports. Highly comparable in target segment, outcome-driven model, and employer partnership structure; well-capitalized competitor with NYC presence.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing free tech workforce training (IT support, software engineering, cybersecurity) to underserved adults. Directly comparable in mission, target population, and free-to-participant model, with a stronger tech-training focus and a broader geographic footprint that creates competitive overlap in NYC.
• Seedco: NYC-based national nonprofit focused on economic opportunity and workforce development for low-income individuals. Comparable in workforce development focus, NYC base, and target population of underserved adults.
• The HOPE Program: Brooklyn-based nonprofit providing workforce training, adult education, and wraparound services to New Yorkers with significant barriers to employment. Closely comparable in geographic focus (Brooklyn), service model, and target population.
• The Door: NYC-based youth services nonprofit serving 12-24 year olds with education, workforce training, legal, and wellness services. Comparable in opportunity youth focus and integrated service model; serves similar age range in same metro.
• STRIVE: NYC-based workforce development nonprofit providing job readiness, sector-based training, and placement services to adults facing barriers to employment. Direct peer in geography, target population, and free training model.

Regional players

• Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation: Brooklyn-based community development organization providing workforce training, education, and youth services to East New York and Cypress Hills residents. Strongly comparable in Brooklyn geography, opportunity youth focus, and wraparound service model.
• Brooklyn Community Services: Brooklyn-based social services nonprofit providing education, workforce, housing, and behavioral health services. Comparable in Brooklyn focus and target population, with broader social service offerings that include workforce development components.

Broad incumbents

• Henry Street Settlement: Long-standing NYC settlement house providing workforce development among broader social services (education, housing, arts). Comparable in target population and Lower East Side/Brooklyn footprint, but operates as a much broader multi-service organization.
• Goodwill Industries of New York and New Jersey: Large regional Goodwill affiliate providing job training, placement, and workforce services across NY/NJ. Comparable in target population and workforce mission, with a much larger footprint and the Goodwill retail funding engine supporting operations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/obtjobs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/obt1983
• Facebookfacebook.com/obtjobs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/opportunities-for-a-better-tomorrow
• Instagraminstagram.com/obtjobs

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow