After School Matters

What After School Matters does

After School Matters is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 1991 (originally as Gallery 37), that delivers paid out-of-school programming to Chicago teens ages 14-18. Its program portfolio spans four core disciplines — Arts, Communications & Leadership, Sports, and STEM — offered through a hybrid model of apprenticeship, internship, and intensive formats. Programs are delivered at more than 350 locations citywide, anchored by four flagship teen-dedicated facilities: the Gallery 37 Center for the Arts (downtown), the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center for After School Matters (Bronzeville, 2017), Gately Park (Pullman, 2021, with a recently added Lutz Family Annex), and the newly opened After School Matters Orleans Teen Center (Cabrini, November 2025). The organization serves nearly 20,000 teens annually and reports more than 450,000 teens served since inception, with paid participation structured around apprentice stipends (~$480 per program) and intern wages (~$17.05/hr).

The operational backbone consists of a citywide partner network of approximately 160+ community-based organizations that host programming, supplemented by internal infrastructure for enrollment (Cityspan), program quality, and outcome tracking (ASM Teen Dashboard). The underlying technology stack is conventional nonprofit-grade rather than proprietary — there is no indication of a custom platform product being developed or commercialized. Revenue mechanics rely on a diversified philanthropic mix: individual donations, corporate and foundation grants (e.g., Bank of America, Crown Family Philanthropies, Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust, Walgreens, Motorola Solutions Foundation), government funding (City of Chicago, State of Illinois, federal sources), earned income from a small TEENMADE e-commerce shop selling products made by teen participants, and a multi-year capital campaign ("Teens Building Chicago's Future," nearly $32 million raised) underwriting facility development. Participants incur no tuition; "pricing" operates on the funder side via grants and contributions rather than per-seat fees.

The strategic posture is geographic and capacity expansion within Chicago rather than multi-market scaling, with deepening institutional partnerships (most notably with the Obama Presidential Center, opening 2026) and selective program extension (e.g., ASM Launch, serving ages 18-24) intended to extend the model's reach and outcomes. After School Matters is nonprofit-structured and does not operate a commercial product line; the closest analog to a "product roadmap" is its facilities expansion pipeline and program-portfolio evolution, funded primarily through philanthropy rather than recurring service revenue.

Name

After School Matters

Legal name

After School Matters

Website

https://afterschoolmatters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

After School Matters is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing paid out-of-school programming in arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM for teens ages 14-18, serving nearly 20,000 youth annually across 350+ program sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Nonprofit Programs

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), After-School Enrichment & Activities Facilitation (Arts/STEM/Clubs) (HSAAAHAD), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• After-school programs
• Teen workforce development
• STEM education programs
• Arts education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Donations: Individual donations through online giving, mail, wire transfers, securities transfers, and planned giving through wills/trusts. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Grants: Corporate partners provide funding at various levels ($250K+, $100K, $50K, $25K, $10K tiers). Major funders include Bank of America, Chicago Bulls, CVS Health, Google, GCM Grosvenor, Peoples Gas, Rivers Casino, Chicago White Sox, ComEd, and others. Also receives government grants from City of Chicago and State of Illinois.
3. TEENMADE E-commerce Store: 100% of revenue from the TEENMADE shop is reinvested into ASM programs. Products include apparel, prints, jewelry, metal works, toys, paintings, stained glass, mosaics, cards, wellness products, and photography created by teen artists.
4. Teen Stipends (Cost Recovery): Teens receive stipends ($480 for apprentices, $17.05/hr for interns) which are funded through City of Chicago, Illinois State Board of Education, Chicago Public Schools, and private donors. This represents program cost rather than revenue generation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

After School Matters delivers paid out-of-school programming for Chicago teens ages 14-18 across four content pillars: Arts, Communication & Leadership, Sports, and STEM. Programs take the form of apprenticeships, outreach assistantships, and internships run during Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions, with teens earning stipends ($480 for ages 14-15) or hourly wages ($17.05/hour for ages 16+). The organization supplements these core programs with the ASM Launch program for recent graduates ages 18-24, TEENMADE e-commerce shop selling teen-created products, and free mental health counseling through Adler University.

Product overview

After School Matters is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of after-school and summer programs for Chicago teens. The core offering consists of paid apprenticeship, outreach assistantship, and internship programs across four content pillars: Arts (performing, visual, and culinary), Communication & Leadership (business, journalism, marketing, media), Sports (instruction, stadium management, health and wellness), and STEM (applied and natural science, audio/visual, industrial and information technology). Programs serve teens ages 14-18 with financial stipends, with special programs like ASM Launch for graduates ages 18-24. Supporting products include the TEENMADE e-commerce shop selling teen-created merchandise, the ASM Alumni Network, TEAM ASM endurance fundraising, and the Teen Momentum Monthly giving program. The organization operates four dedicated teen facilities across Chicago: The Michael and Karyn Lutz Center, Gallery 37 for the Arts, Gately Park, and the newly opened Orleans Teen Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TEENMADE: An e-commerce shop selling art, apparel, and crafts created by Chicago teens in After School Matters programs. 100% of TEENMADE revenue is reinvested into ASM programs.
• ASM Launch

Products and services

• After School Matters Core Programs Paid out-of-school programs for Chicago teens ages 14-18 across four content pillars: Arts, Communication & Leadership, Sports, and STEM. Delivered via apprenticeship, outreach assistantship, and internship formats during Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions.
• Apprenticeship Programs Hands-on programs where teens ages 14-15 learn skills in a specific content area and earn a $480 stipend for program completion.
• Internship Programs Integrated workplace experiences for teens ages 16+ that directly connect to career pathways, with teens leading independent and team-based projects while earning $17.05/hour.
• Outreach Assistantships Introductory workplace experiences where teens ages 16+ receive mentorship to produce team-based projects and earn a stipend.
• STEM Programs Science, technology, engineering, and math programming added to ASM's content pillars in 2007, covering applied and natural science, audio/visual technology, and industrial and information technology.
• ASM Launch A paid program for recent high school graduates (ages 18-24) that helps them make concrete plans for their future through career-focused opportunities and continued mentorship.
• TEENMADE Shop E-commerce platform selling unique art, apparel, jewelry, prints, toys, and handmade items created by Chicago teens in After School Matters programs. 100% of revenue is reinvested into ASM programs.
• Teen Mental Health Counseling Partnership with Adler University Community Health Services offering free 1:1 telehealth mental health counseling, workshops, and trainings to ASM teens and instructors.
• Peacemakers Program ASM's Peacemakers program offering teens the opportunity to help reduce violence and tensions in their communities, launched in 2017.
• ASM Ventra Transit Support Program that helps pay for teens' CTA fare by adding money directly onto their Ventra card for transportation to ASM programs.
• ASM Teen Dashboard Online portal via Cityspan for teens to manage applications, accept offers, view program schedules, access teen pay information, and communicate with instructors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 in 10 teens report having fun, feeling challenged, and satisfied with their program experience
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers18 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

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

• Obama Presidential CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2026The Obama Presidential Center is launching basketball and volleyball programs for South Side teens through a partnership with After School Matters. Programs run from July to August at the center's Home Court facility, with about 100 teens expected to participate initially. ASM also hosting its 2026 Gala at the venue.
• Chicago BullscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 January 2026Chicago Bulls collaborated with Derrick Rose on 'The Rose Collection' retail collection. Proceeds from a special edition basketball benefit After School Matters. This is a marketing and tribute initiative by the NBA franchise honoring their retired legend.
• Adler University / Adler Community Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership providing free mental health support to teens through telehealth counseling. Since inception, nearly 1,000 youth and 200 instructors have accessed services including counseling, workshops, and trainings. The U.S. Surgeon General visited ASM in December 2022 to learn about teen mental health support.
• Chicago Park DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver programs at park locations throughout Chicago and operate the Gately Park facility which is a wing of the Gately Park field house.
• Chicago Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 1995 to deliver programs in Chicago high schools. Supports teen recruitment and program delivery in school settings.
• Chicago Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver programs at library branches across Chicago, expanding access to ASM programming in community settings.
• 160+ Community-Based OrganizationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorASM partners with over 160 CBOs across Chicago including museums, cultural organizations, social service agencies, and educational nonprofits. Partners deliver programs and receive administrative support and funding from ASM. Examples include: Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Joffrey Ballet, National Museum of Mexican Art, Project Exploration, Guitars Over Guns, Second City, Chicago Architecture Center, DuSable Museum, and many others.
• Gallery 37 Alumni (Maggie Daley Legacy)coreOthersAfter School Matters originated in 1991 as Gallery 37, founded by First Lady Maggie Daley as a summer arts program with 260 teens and 55 teaching artists at Block 37.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Largest national youth development nonprofit serving teens after school and during summer. Comparable mission (safe spaces, enrichment, workforce readiness), comparable paid-staff/paid-program model, but with multi-city reach rather than ASM's single-city focus.
• National 4-H Council: National youth development organization offering project-based programs in STEM, agriculture, civic engagement, and arts. Comparable apprenticeship-style programming for school-age youth, though delivered via a club/cooperative model rather than ASM's centralized teen centers.
• YMCA of the USA: National nonprofit operating teen after-school, summer, and youth workforce programs across hundreds of U.S. cities. Overlaps with ASM on mission, age range (teens), paid-staff model, and corporate/foundation funding mix.
• Police Athletic League (PAL): National youth enrichment nonprofit providing after-school programming, sports, and STEM to urban youth. Comparable target population (urban teens) and comparable facility/site model, with the differentiator of strong municipal/public-safety ties.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit serving at-risk youth with adult mentors and after-school programming. Comparable outcome metrics (high school graduation, college enrollment), but delivers primarily through one-to-one mentoring rather than ASM's cohort-based apprenticeship model.
• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit providing paid apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways for young adults aged 18-24. Closest direct match to ASM's apprenticeship/internship stipends model and to the ASM Launch program for older youth.

Regional players

• Chicago Park District: ASM's own partner at Gately Park and across Chicago. Operates parallel youth programming (sports, summer camps, enrichment) and shares facilities with ASM; competes for some teen participants and corporate sponsorships within the same city.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Public Schools: Largest K-12 district and a long-standing ASM partner (since 1995). Provides an in-school alternative/supplement to ASM programs; CPS budget priorities and after-school program offerings directly shape ASM's recruitment pipeline and competitive context.
• National Urban League: Historic civil rights and youth development organization running workforce, education, and youth programs nationally. Broader than ASM (advocacy, adult workforce, housing) but directly comparable in its urban youth services and corporate/foundation funding mix.

Emerging players

• iMentor: National nonprofit pairing high school students with mentors for college and career readiness. Comparable age cohort and outcomes narrative (college enrollment), with a tech-enabled mentoring model that could be a complementary or competing pathway for similar donor dollars.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AftrSchoolMttrs
• Facebookfacebook.com/afterschoolmatters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/after-school-matters
• Instagraminstagram.com/afterschoolmatters
• Xx.com/aftrschoolmttrs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 After School Matters