What Ready To Succeed does

Ready to Succeed (RTS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Santa Monica, California, that supports former foster youth in their transition from college to career. Founded in 2016 by Romi Lassally (CEO) and Patrick McCabe (President), RTS runs a four-year Career Accelerator program that begins with college sophomores and continues through the first year of full-time employment, combining 1:1 career coaching, access to a 500+ professional mentor network, paid internship and fellowship placements, basic-needs financial support, and mental health and wellness services. The organization reports a 100% six-year college graduation rate among its Scholars against a 4% national average for foster youth and an 84-85% career-track placement rate within 12 months of graduation. RTS does not build proprietary technology; its product is high-touch human service delivery, supported by a Scholar Portal and standard operational tooling.

The Career Accelerator is complemented by a portfolio of specialized programs: the Pat McCabe Impact Fellowship (paid project-based fellowships at social impact organizations), Project Dorm Room (dorm supply distribution serving over 1,000 college-bound foster youth since 2017), the Graduate School Pathways Program, a formalized Alumni Program serving 270+ graduates, Camp Ready (an overnight career-readiness bootcamp hosted at Loyola Marymount University since 2023), and Basic Needs and Study Abroad scholarships. Services are delivered directly to beneficiaries across more than 10 University of California and California State University campuses in Southern California, in partnership with university counseling offices and a corporate partner network that includes AEG, Disney, DreamWorks, JP Morgan, HBO, Sony Pictures, Snap, and Warner Bros. Discovery.

RTS generated approximately $4.7 million in revenue in FY25 (July 2024-June 2025) with a projected FY26 budget of $6 million. Revenue is highly concentrated in foundation grants (87.6%, ~$4.1M from a small set of major foundations including Arrillaga, Pritzker, R&S Kayne, and Fox), with individual donations (10.1%), in-kind contributions (1.6%), and corporate sponsorships (0.4%) making up the balance. The organization operates from two Los Angeles offices (Brentwood headquarters and Downtown LA, opened 2025), employs approximately 25-30 full-time staff across senior leadership, development, partnerships, and scholar programs, and is governed by an active board chaired by Todd Kessler.

Name

Ready To Succeed

Legal name

Ready to Succeed

Website

https://readytosucceedla.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ready to Succeed is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a four-year college-to-career program for former foster youth, combining career coaching, financial aid, mental health support, and corporate partnerships. It serves 400+ Scholars across Southern California on a $4.7M FY25 budget.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Youth Education and Career Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Foster youth services
• Career coaching programs
• College to career support
• Nonprofit youth development
• Scholarship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: The majority of Ready to Succeed's revenue (approximately 87.6% or $4.1 million in FY25) comes from foundation grants. Major foundation funders include Arrillaga Foundation, Pritzker Foundation, R&S Kayne Foundation, Fox Foundation, and others. These are typically multi-year grant agreements for program support, scholarships, and operational funding.
2. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute approximately 10.1% of total revenue (~$477,000 in FY25). This includes major donors, monthly giving programs, and end-of-year campaigns. The organization also hosts fundraising events like the annual Graduation Celebration and 10th Birthday Celebration.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate partners provide sponsorship revenue, employee volunteer hours, and guaranteed application reviews for scholars. Corporate partners include Fortune 500 companies like AEG, Disney, DreamWorks, JP Morgan, and others who sponsor events, programs, and provide internship opportunities.
4. In-Kind Donations: In-kind contributions (~$75,000 in FY25) include products for Project Dorm Room such as bedding, towels, toiletries, school supplies from corporate product partners like LevTex Home, PERIOD, Hot Topic, Dr. Bronner's, and others.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ready to Succeed is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a 4-year RTS Career Accelerator program for former foster youth, combining 1:1 career coaching, professional networking with 500+ professionals, paid internship and fellowship opportunities, basic needs scholarships, and mental health support from college through the first year of employment. The organization also runs complementary programs including the Pat McCabe Impact Fellowship, Project Dorm Room, Graduate School Pathways Program, Alumni Program, Camp Ready bootcamp, and Basic Needs and Study Abroad scholarships. All programs are provided free of charge to eligible scholars and funded through foundation grants, individual donations, and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

Ready To Succeed is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of programs designed to help former foster youth navigate from college to career. The core offering is the RTS Career Accelerator, a 4-year program built on five pillars: 1:1 career coaching, network building with 500+ professionals, career track opportunities, targeted financial support, and mental health/wellness support. This core program is complemented by specialized initiatives including the Pat McCabe Impact Fellowship (paid project-based fellowships at social impact organizations), Project Dorm Room (dormitory supply kits), Graduate School Pathways Program (graduate school application support), Alumni Program (continued early-career support), Camp Ready (overnight career-readiness bootcamp), Basic Needs Scholarship ($5,000/year for essential expenses), and Study Abroad Scholarship. The organization also partners with over 500 professionals and corporate partners including Fortune 500 companies to provide internship and career placement opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project Dorm Room: Program that provides essential dorm supplies including bedding, towels, school supplies, and a sense of belonging to college-bound foster youth.
• Pat McCabe Impact Fellowship
• Graduate School Pathways Program (GSPP)
• RTS Career Accelerator

Products and services

• RTS Career Accelerator A personalized multi-year program helping foster youth in college build professional skills, meaningful relationships, and real-world experience from college to career. Includes 1:1 career coaching, network building with 500+ professionals, career track opportunities, targeted financial support, and mental health/wellness support. Provided free of charge to eligible former foster youth scholars.
• Pat McCabe Impact Fellowship A paid fellowship program providing select RTS Scholars with project-based experiences at social impact organizations. Participants gain critical work experience and build professional networks while host organizations receive essential support. Since 2020, 96 fellows have been served and earned a total of $260K in stipends while completing 16,000+ hours of community impact.
• Project Dorm Room A program providing college-bound former foster youth with essential dorm room supplies including bedding, towels, toiletries, school supplies, and gift cards, along with a sense of community. Since 2017, supporters have equipped over 1,000 students across Southern California.
• Graduate School Pathways Program (GSPP) A program providing former foster youth with comprehensive support to pursue graduate education, including academic guidance, personalized coaching, financial assistance for application fees and exams, and ongoing mentorship through the graduate school application process.
• Alumni Program A formalized alumni network providing continued support during the critical early-career stage, offering career advising, networking opportunities, workshops, industry panels, exclusive programs like the Arrillaga Foundation Scholarship, and community-building events. Over 270 RTS graduates are thriving through this network.
• Camp Ready An immersive overnight career-readiness bootcamp designed to welcome incoming Scholars and equip them with the tools, connections, and confidence needed to begin their college journeys. First hosted in-person in 2023 at Loyola Marymount University.
• Basic Needs Scholarship A scholarship program providing Scholars with $5,000 per year to help cover essential expenses such as housing, groceries, and transportation, ensuring they can stay focused on their education.
• Study Abroad Scholarship A scholarship introduced in 2025 designed specifically for Scholars pursuing study abroad programs, helping ensure that financial barriers do not prevent talented young people from participating in opportunities that build confidence, adaptability, and cross-cultural competency.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% graduation rate within 6 years (compared to 4% national average for foster youth)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• AEGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFortune 500 entertainment and sports company providing internship opportunities and guaranteed application reviews for RTS scholars. Scholar Ciclalis interned as Talent Acquisition Intern.
• DisneycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing career opportunities and professional network access for RTS scholars.
• DreamWorks AnimationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment industry partner that has hired RTS scholars for internships and provided career pathway opportunities. Scholar Chrisie interned at DreamWorks.
• JP MorgancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial services partner providing internship and career opportunities for RTS scholars.
• HBOcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment industry partner. RTS Alumni Ashtyn Coleman accepted full-time position at HBO after interning at UTA.
• Sony PicturescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment industry partner providing career opportunities for RTS scholars.
• Snap Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partner providing career opportunities and professional network access for RTS scholars.
• Warner Bros. DiscoverycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment industry partner providing internship and career opportunities.
• BoeingsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing career development opportunities for RTS scholars.
• Bank of AmericasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial services partner supporting RTS through career opportunities.
• TikToksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partner providing career development support.
• SurveyMonkeysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting RTS programs and operations.
• Canyon RanchsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerWellness partner supporting RTS through career opportunities.
• National Center for Youth Law (NCYL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Fellowship host partner. RTS Fellow Abby helped secure $150,000 grant for the organization. NCYL provides real-world experience in youth advocacy.
• Stepping Forward LAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Fellowship host partner providing paid fellowship opportunities. Scholar Bailey participated in fellowship and later hired part-time. Provided 1,600 hours of work from RTS fellows over 3 years.
• LA TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Fellowship host partner. Scholar Ajani completed summer internship through the partnership.
• Hollywood CPRsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Fellowship host partner. Hosted Social Media Intern through RTS Fellowship program.
• AltaSeasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Fellowship host partner at the waterfront innovation campus in San Pedro.
• Justin Carr Wants World Peace FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Fellowship host partner. Scholar Ciclalis placed at the foundation for the Pat McCabe Impact Fellowship.
• Remarkably UssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Fellowship host partner. Scholar Sara interned through the fellowship program.
• Young StorytellerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Fellowship host partner providing creative media experience opportunities.
• Group Effort InitiativesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Fellowship host partner supporting youth development programs.
• WIN LAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Fellowship host partner supporting women and families in Los Angeles.
• Seventh Generation AdvisorssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact Fellowship host partner. Executive Director praised RTS Fellows as exceptional.
• LevTex HomesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProject Dorm Room product partner providing bedding and home goods for foster youth dorm rooms.
• PERIODsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProject Dorm Room product partner providing menstrual products for scholars.
• Dr. Bronner'ssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProject Dorm Room product partner providing personal care products.
• Hot TopicsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProject Dorm Room product partner providing merchandise for dorm supply kits.
• P.F. Candle Co.supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProject Dorm Room product partner providing candles and home goods.
• Coop Sleep GoodssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProject Dorm Room product partner providing bedding and sleep products.
• Love Has No LimitssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProject Dorm Room sponsor supporting foster youth in Southern California.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• First Place for Youth: California-based nonprofit serving current and former foster youth with housing, education, and career-readiness programs from age 18-24. Most directly comparable peer to RTS: same geography, same beneficiary population, same transition-to-adulthood mission.
• iFoster: National nonprofit providing foster youth (and foster families) with resources, benefits access, and life-transition support including education and employment pathways. Directly comparable on beneficiary population and focus on college/career navigation for foster youth.
• Together We Rise: National nonprofit focused on improving the foster care experience, including college transition support (dorm supplies, scholarships) - directly mirrors RTS's Project Dorm Room program and serves the same population through school partnerships.
• College Track: Multi-site nonprofit delivering a 10-year college-completion program for first-generation and underrepresented students, from high school through early career. Highly comparable multi-year cohort coaching model, target population overlap, and college-to-career focus.
• John Burton Advocates for Youth: California nonprofit dedicated to improving outcomes for current and former foster youth, particularly through higher education policy and support programs. Same geography and beneficiary focus, complementary policy-and-program approach to college access.
• Boys Hope Girls Hope: National nonprofit providing housing, education, and direct support to college-bound youth from vulnerable backgrounds, including foster care alumni. Comparable longitudinal support model with a college-completion mandate similar to RTS.
• uAspire: National nonprofit focused on college affordability through financial aid advising and scholarships for first-generation and low-income students. Comparable college-success focus area, particularly relevant to RTS's scholarship and basic-needs support layer.

Broad incumbents

• Year Up: Large-scale national workforce development nonprofit connecting low-income young adults (ages 18-24) with corporate internships and jobs, and a clear college/career pathway model. Wider scope and scale than RTS, but directly comparable on career-coaching, corporate-partner placement, and youth-to-career mechanics.

Regional players

• Tipping Point Community: Bay Area-based anti-poverty nonprofit that funds and partners with organizations serving low-income individuals and families, with a strong focus on education-to-career pathways. Different geography and an investor/funder role rather than direct beneficiary delivery, but closely aligned mission on breaking the poverty cycle in California.

Others

• National Center for Youth Law: National legal advocacy organization advancing rights of system-involved and low-income youth, and an existing RTS Impact Fellowship host partner. Same beneficiary population (foster and system-impacted youth) but operates via legal/policy advocacy rather than direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/readytosucceedla
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ready-to-succeed-la
• Instagraminstagram.com/readytosucceedla
• TikToktiktok.com/@readytosucceed?lang=en
• Xx.com/ready_tosucceed

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Ready To Succeed