Futures and Options
Futures and Options is a NYC-based nonprofit founded in 1995 that connects public high school students — predominantly youth of color and first-generation immigrants — with paid internships, career readiness workshops, and employer mentors across 125+ corporate and nonprofit partners throughout the five boroughs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Futures and Options does
Futures and Options is a New York City-based nonprofit organization founded in 1995 by Dr. Barbara Christen as a pilot project of the Alliance for Downtown New York. The organization provides career development programming and paid internship placements for NYC public high school students, with a particular focus on youth from historically marginalized communities — 88% of students identify as youth of color, 49% are first in their family to attend school in the US, 24% were born outside the US, and 35% speak English as a second language. Its core offerings include The Internship Program (paid, mentored placements at NYC employers), Career Essentials and Advanced Career Essentials (10- and 8-workshop career readiness curricula), the Urban Leadership Fellows Program (a six-week municipal finance internship partnership with The Municipal Forum of New York, active since 1996), and ongoing Alumni Engagement programming including mentorship, college guidance, and the Barbara L. Christen and Patricia S. Machir Scholarships ($20K over four years each).
The organization operates as an intermediary across a multi-sided ecosystem, connecting 22 NYC public school partners with 125+ employer partners spanning 15+ industries (financial services, legal, consulting, healthcare, arts, technology, government) and 4 nonprofit partners. Programs are delivered free of charge to students; employer partners pay intern wages (at least $16-17/hr) and provide in-kind volunteer time. There is no proprietary technology platform — the stack consists of Salesforce (donor management), MailChimp (email), and WordPress (website) — with the organization's primary "technology" being its curated student-employer matching methodology, 30+ years of curriculum IP, and human-intensive coaching infrastructure. Outcome metrics include 96% college enrollment, 91% student-reported work-readiness growth, and $1.074M in student wages/stipends/scholarships earned in FY25.
The business model is a classic nonprofit charitable revenue stack: individual donations (including a Champions monthly giving program), foundation grants, corporate sponsorships (Platinum $10K+, Gold $5K+ tiers at fundraising events), and substantial in-kind contributions from employer partners in the form of paid intern wages and volunteer engagement. Fundraising is anchored by two annual events — Dream Big Gala (October, The Plaza NYC) and A Toast to Brighter Futures (Spring, hosted by the Junior Board), with the 2026 Toast event raising a record $98,000. The organization holds a Charity Navigator Four Star rating, Candid Platinum Transparency 2026 seal, and Great Nonprofits Top Rated recognition, reflecting strong financial accountability. Leadership is provided by Executive Director Carolyn Silver (joined May 2021, succeeded Patricia S. Machir who led the organization from 2007-2021) and a Board chaired by Paul Zemsky, with a Junior Board of young professionals supporting fundraising and volunteer activities.
Futures and Options firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Futures and Options
- Legal name
- Futures and Options
- Website
- https://futuresandoptions.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Futures and Options is a NYC-based nonprofit founded in 1995 that connects public high school students — predominantly youth of color and first-generation immigrants — with paid internships, career readiness workshops, and employer mentors across 125+ corporate and nonprofit partners throughout the five boroughs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Futures and Options is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Futures and Options business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Monthly giving program (Champions) and one-time donations from individuals supporting NYC youth career development.
- Foundation Grants: Grant funding from foundations supporting youth development and career exploration programs.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Event sponsorships at Dream Big and Toast events, ranging from Platinum ($10,000+) to Gold ($5,000+) tiers. Corporate partners include Cahill, Brown Brothers Harriman, King & Spalding, Paul Weiss, Zurich, and others.
- Employer Partnership Value: Employer partners provide internship wages, volunteer time, and workplace experiences. While not direct revenue, this represents substantial in-kind support enabling program delivery.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Futures and Options product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Futures and Options provides paid, mentored internship placements connecting NYC high school juniors and seniors with employers across corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits. The organization complements internships with a career-readiness curriculum (Career Essentials and Advanced Career Essentials workshop series), a specialized Urban Leadership Fellows municipal finance internship, alumni engagement programming including mentorship and college guidance, and Dream Big Scholarships supporting college attendance. All services are delivered free of charge to students.
Product overview
Futures and Options operates as a nonprofit career development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offerings include The Internship Program (paid work experience at NYC employers), Career Essentials and Advanced Career Essentials (career readiness workshop series), and the Urban Leadership Fellows Program (specialized municipal finance internship). These programs are supported by the Alumni Engagement Program providing ongoing mentorship, college guidance, and Dream Big Scholarships for program graduates. The organization also offers Volunteer Programs enabling professionals to engage with students through mock interviews and career exploration activities. All programs work together to provide NYC high school students with a continuum of career exploration, professional skill development, and educational support services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Internship Program A paid, mentored internship program connecting NYC high school juniors and seniors with employers across corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits. Includes career readiness workshops, field trips, employer worksite placements, and ongoing program coordinator support. Delivered at no cost to students.
- Career Essentials A 10-workshop after-school career-readiness program teaching communication, public speaking, resume writing, and time management skills. Students develop Create-A-Company projects and attend employer field trips.
- Advanced Career Essentials An 8-workshop advanced career readiness series for students who completed Career Essentials, focusing on professional and technical skills through hands-on learning with workplace tools.
- Urban Leadership Fellows Program A six-week paid summer internship program in partnership with The Municipal Forum of New York, training high school seniors in the Municipal Finance industry through supported internships and supplemental workshops. 900 ULF interns have participated since 1996 and alumni have received $1,619,700 in scholarships.
- Alumni Engagement Program Ongoing support for Futures and Options alumni including mentorship, college guidance workshops, scholarships, networking events, and career development resources. Supported by an active Alumni LinkedIn group.
- College Guidance Initiative Workshops and one-on-one counseling on college applications, financial aid, and school selection for current students and alumni.
- Alumni Mentorship Program Pairs older alumni or Junior Board members with recent students for one-on-one mentorship supporting college and career navigation.
- Dream Big Scholarships The Barbara L. Christen Scholarship and Patricia S. Machir Scholarship, each awarding $20,000 over four years ($5,000 per year) to exemplary alumni attending college.
- Volunteer Programs Opportunities for professionals to volunteer as mock interviewers, Create-A-Company judges, and career exploration field trip hosts. 550+ corporate volunteers engaged in FY25.
Companies that use Futures and Options
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Futures and Options technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Futures and Options partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.
- The Municipal Forum of New York, Inc.coreCollaboration providing the Urban Leadership Fellows Program, an immersive six-week summer program exposing graduating high school seniors to the Municipal Finance industry through paid internships with municipal finance related companies.
- S&P GlobalcoreMajor employer partner hosting Futures and Options interns for hands-on work experience in financial information and analytics.
- EvercorecoreEmployer partner providing internship opportunities in investment banking and restructuring advisory.
- JPMorgan ChasecoreMajor employer partner with extensive internship placements. Awarded 2026 Corporate Volunteer Engagement Award. Employees serve as mock interviewers and mentors.
- Morgan StanleycoreEmployer partner hosting field trips, externships, and internships. Provides career exploration opportunities for students.
- GuidehousesecondaryProfessional services firm providing internship opportunities for students.
- Houlihan LokeycoreInvestment banking employer partner hosting interns. Board member Hugh Nelson serves as Treasurer.
- KrollsecondaryEmployer partner providing risk and financial advisory internship experiences.
- Landor and FitchsecondaryBrand strategy firm providing internship and career exploration opportunities.
- Oliver WymancoreManagement consulting firm employer partner. Board member Daniel Tannebaum serves as Partner.
- Voya FinancialcoreEmployer partner hosting internships and field trips. Board member Michael Peters serves as COO. Event sponsor.
- NYLAGsecondaryLegal services nonprofit providing internship opportunities for students.
- #GoBeyondsecondaryEmployer partner with positive testimonials about intern program. 100% would rehire.
- Friends of Governors IslandminorNonprofit partner providing internship site on Governors Island.
- CahillsecondaryPlatinum sponsor ($10,000+) at A Toast to Brighter Futures 2026 event.
- Brown Brothers HarrimansecondaryGold sponsor ($5,000+) at A Toast to Brighter Futures 2026 event.
- King & SpaldingsecondaryGold sponsor ($5,000+) at A Toast to Brighter Futures 2026 event.
- Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLPsecondaryGold sponsor at A Toast to Brighter Futures 2026. Board member Alice Eaton serves as Deputy Chair of Restructuring.
- Zurich InsurancesecondaryGold sponsor at A Toast to Brighter Futures 2026. Advisory Council member Yvette Auyeung is Senior Underwriter. Board member John Diaz is President of Customer & Distribution Management.
- Arts ConnectionsecondaryNonprofit partner sharing career-readiness expertise with students.
- Breakthrough New YorksecondaryEducation nonprofit partner sharing career-readiness expertise.
- East Harlem Tutorial ProgramsecondaryEducation nonprofit partner in East Harlem sharing career-readiness expertise.
- Opening ActsecondaryArts education nonprofit partner sharing career-readiness expertise.
- Partnership for Afterschool EducationminorAfterschool education nonprofit partner.
- Summer SearchsecondaryYouth services nonprofit partner sharing career-readiness expertise.
- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLPsecondary2026 Dream Big Award honoree Dan Fisher is partner at firm.
- The Carlyle Groupsecondary2026 Dream Big Award honoree Josh Katzeff is at firm.
- BlackRockcoreMajor employer partner hosting field trips and internships. Alumni Omar Santos interned at BlackRock.
- I AM CARIBBEINGminorEmployer where alum Ruth Kendall interned in 2020.
- Her AgendaminorEmployer where alum Ruth Kendall interned in 2021.
- Cohn ReznicksecondaryAccounting firm where alum Afua Awuah interned in 2015.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Futures and Options competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit providing young adults from low-income communities with paid internships, professional training, and college credits. Directly comparable to Futures and Options in offering paid internship placement and career readiness programming, though Year Up serves young adults rather than high school students.
- Bottom Line: Nonprofit supporting first-generation-to-college students from low-income backgrounds with college access and career readiness services. Directly comparable in serving similar student demographics with career-readiness and college access outcomes, though operating across multiple cities.
- The Door: NYC-based youth development nonprofit providing comprehensive services including career development, internships, and education support for NYC young people. Comparable in serving diverse NYC youth populations with career exploration and workforce readiness programming.
- Henry Street Settlement: Long-established NYC settlement house providing youth education, workforce development, and social services. Comparable in serving diverse NYC populations with career exploration and skill-building programming across multiple Lower East Side locations.
- Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free technology training and career placement for adults from low-income backgrounds. Comparable in career-readiness and employer-matching mission for underserved populations, with similar employer partnership model.
- iMentor: NYC-based nonprofit pairing high school students from low-income communities with adult mentors for college and career success. Closely comparable in targeting NYC high school students with mentorship-driven programming and college/career outcomes, though focused on long-term mentoring rather than paid internships.
- Summer Search: National youth development nonprofit providing mentorship, experiential learning, and college/career support to students from low-income backgrounds. Already a nonprofit partner of Futures and Options, and comparable in serving NYC youth with career-readiness and post-secondary pathways.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City: NYC youth mentoring nonprofit matching students with adult mentors for college and career exploration. Comparable in NYC youth development mission and career-readiness support, with similar employer volunteer engagement model.
- NPower: National nonprofit providing tech-focused workforce development and job placement for young adults from underserved communities. Comparable as a career-readiness and employer-matching nonprofit, though focused specifically on IT/tech career paths.
Regional players
- DreamYard Project: Bronx-based youth development organization providing arts education, college access, and career programming to NYC youth. Comparable in serving NYC public school students with college and career exploration support, with a stronger arts-education focus than Futures and Options.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Customer concentration
Futures and Options social profiles
Digital presenceFutures and Options financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Futures and Options leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Futures and Options funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Futures and Options 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 Futures and Options
What does Futures and Options do?
Futures and Options provides paid, mentored internship placements connecting NYC high school juniors and seniors with employers across corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits. The organization complements internships with a career-readiness curriculum (Career Essentials and Advanced Career Essentials workshop series), a specialized Urban Leadership Fellows municipal finance internship, alumni engagement programming including mentorship and college guidance, and Dream Big Scholarships supporting college attendance. All services are delivered free of charge to students.
Is Futures and Options a public or private company?
Futures and Options is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Futures and Options founded?
Futures and Options was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Futures and Options based?
Futures and Options is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Futures and Options make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants, corporate Sponsorships and employer Partnership Value.
Who are Futures and Options's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Year Up, Bottom Line, The Door, Henry Street Settlement, Per Scholas, iMentor, Summer Search, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City and NPower. DreamYard Project is listed as a regional player.
Does Futures and Options have an API?
No public API is recorded for Futures and Options.