CTE Foundation
CTE Foundation is a Santa Rosa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit intermediary connecting Sonoma and Lake County high schools, local employers, and post-secondary institutions to deliver career-connected learning, internships (Path to Purpose), CTE pathway programs, and grant funding for students.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSanta Rosa, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CTE Foundation does
CTE Foundation (legal name: Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation of Sonoma County) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 and headquartered at 1030 Apollo Way, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, California. The organization acts as the countywide education-to-workforce intermediary, connecting K-12 schools, employers, post-secondary institutions, and donors to deliver career-connected learning to high school students in Sonoma County (and, as of late 2025, Lake County). It does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its core function is program coordination, compliance stewardship, and partnership orchestration across the regional talent pipeline.
The foundation's portfolio centers on Path to Purpose, a countywide internship program launched in September 2025 in partnership with the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) that places high school juniors and seniors with 42+ employer host sites for 40+ hours of hands-on experience, with the option to earn early college credit through Santa Rosa Junior College. Surrounding offerings include 145+ CTE pathway programs in healthcare, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, and skilled trades (delivered through 15 high schools since 2013), a Virtual Career-Connected Learning video portal, the annual Spark the Future fundraiser, and grant funding (over $4.6 million directed to schools). CTE Foundation holds California Department of Justice approval to serve as the custodian of background checks and fingerprinting records for Path to Purpose employers under AB 506, materially lowering employer compliance burden.
CTE Foundation generates no fee revenue; it is funded through grants and donations. Revenue streams include institutional grants (Sutter Health via CMSP, Gates Foundation's Accelerate ED Network, County of Sonoma ARPA, Peter E. Haas Jr. Family Fund, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools), corporate philanthropy and event sponsorship, and individual giving via monthly, multi-year, stock, donor-advised fund, and legacy channels. Since founding, the organization reports $18.2+ million invested and 27,000+ students directly impacted, with a lean staff of approximately 1-10 employees led by Executive Director Eli Weinzveg (appointed June 2025) and a board chaired by Julianna Graham.
CTE Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CTE Foundation
- Legal name
- Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation of Sonoma County
- Website
- https://ctesonomacounty.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CTE Foundation is a Santa Rosa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit intermediary connecting Sonoma and Lake County high schools, local employers, and post-secondary institutions to deliver career-connected learning, internships (Path to Purpose), CTE pathway programs, and grant funding for students.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CTE Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development and Career-Connected Education Programs
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Under-18 / High School-to-University Foundation Pathways (EDAIAJAI), Career & Technical Education (CTE) & Trade Skills Media (EDAGALAG)
Keywords
Where CTE Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Rosa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CTE Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Grants and Foundation Funding: CTE Foundation receives grants from organizations such as Sutter Health ($250,000 through CMSP grant), Gates Foundation (through Accelerate ED Network), County of Sonoma (ARPA funding), and private funders including Peter E. Haas Jr. Family Fund. They have invested $18.2+ million total since founding in 2012.
- Individual and Corporate Donations: The organization accepts donations through various channels including monthly Honor Roll program, multi-year pledges, gifts of stock, donor-advised funds, corporate philanthropy, Spark the Future event sponsorship, employee matching programs, and legacy/planned giving. Tax ID (EIN): 46-5607272.
- Program-Based Grants: Sutter Health's $250,000 investment through their NextGen Scholars Workforce Development Program supports the three-year health career pathways partnership, providing wraparound support services for students including transportation, childcare, and tutoring.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
CTE Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CTE Foundation acts as an education-to-workforce intermediary that invests in and coordinates career-connected learning programs across Sonoma County. It runs the Path to Purpose countywide high school internship program, deploys CTE pathway programs inside 15 high schools, delivers Virtual Career-Connected Learning online resources, administers grants directly to schools, and hosts the annual Spark the Future community event. The foundation aligns K-12 schools, employers (42+ partners), post-secondary institutions, and donors to prepare students for careers through internships, work-based learning, and career exploration.
Product overview
CTE Foundation operates as an education-to-workforce intermediary organization offering a portfolio of career-connected learning programs. The core offerings include Path to Purpose (countywide high school internship program), CTE Programs (industry pathway programs in schools), and Virtual Career-Connected Learning (online career exploration platform). Additional offerings include grant programs supporting schools, the annual Spark the Future fundraising event, and career exploration video resources. These programs collectively aim to connect students with employers, provide hands-on career experience, and prepare Sonoma County students for high-demand careers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Path to Purpose: A countywide high school internship program that connects high school juniors and seniors with local employers for 40+ hours of hands-on career experience during the spring semester, with opportunity to earn early college credit from Santa Rosa Junior College.
Products and services
- Path to Purpose Countywide high school internship program connecting juniors and seniors with 42+ local employers for 40+ hours of real-world career experience during spring semester, with opportunity to earn early college credit through Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC). Free to high school students; centralized application, customized matching, and equity-driven access across all 15 Sonoma County high schools.
- CTE Programs (Career Technical Education Pathways) Career-focused educational programs across multiple industries including healthcare, construction, engineering, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, skilled trades, hospitality, and more, implemented in partnership with 15 Sonoma County high schools since 2013. Includes program such as North Bay Construction Corps (in partnership with North Coast Builders Exchange).
- Virtual Career-Connected Learning Online platform providing virtual career exploration experiences including facility tours, career discovery videos, and personal stories from industry professionals across sectors such as Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, Automation, Business & Creative Arts, Construction, Energy & Environment, Food & Beverage, Healthcare, Hospitality & Tourism, and Women in STEM. Free career exploration resource for students and educators.
- Grants Program Grant funding directly to schools ($4.6+ million in grants since founding) supporting expansion of career-connected learning and enabling innovation in CTE programming. Awards are made to Sonoma County K-12 schools and districts to launch or scale CTE pathway work.
- Healthcare Career Pathways (NextGen Scholars) Three-year, $250,000 healthcare workforce development program in partnership with Sutter Health (via Sutter Health's NextGen Scholars Workforce Development Program and a County Medical Services Program grant) guiding up to 40 students per year in Sonoma and Lake Counties through health career pathways with personalized advising, career readiness workshops, wraparound support services (transportation, childcare, tutoring), and a student stipend initiative. Includes the CNA training program delivered via Fox Pacific Academy in partnership with Elsie Allen High School Foundation.
- Spark the Future Annual Event Annual fundraising and community event bringing together leaders from education, business, and community to celebrate career-connected learning and enable sponsorships. Includes sponsorship opportunities for corporate and community partners.
Quantifiable outcome
- 96% graduation rate for CTE concentrators vs. 85% for non-CTE students
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use CTE Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CTE Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
CTE Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Sutter Healthcore$250,000 three-year partnership through Sutter Health's NextGen Scholars Workforce Development Program to strengthen health career pathways for students in Sonoma and Lake Counties. Each year, CTE Foundation guides up to 40 students through healthcare programs with personalized advising, career readiness workshops, and wraparound support services including transportation, childcare, and tutoring. A student stipend initiative removes financial barriers to participation in work-based learning.
- Beyond Equity in EducationsecondaryPartnered to host Inclusive By Design workshop for employers and mentors focused on creating internships where all students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered. Developed Five Key Strategies for Inclusion and Belonging framework.
- Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE)coreFounding partner in Path to Purpose countywide internship program. SCOE collaborates on regional framework design, aligning with district pathways, and promoting policies for smoother transitions out of high school. Dr. Amie Carter, Superintendent of Sonoma County Schools, serves as champion for the program.
- County of SonomacoreThe region's largest employer joined as one of the first official employer partners in Path to Purpose, helping set the standard for public sector involvement. County Board of Supervisors Chair Lynda Hopkins champions the initiative. County also provided ARPA funding supporting transformation at Title I schools.
- Santa Rosa Metro ChambersecondaryWorkforce partner supporting Path to Purpose program. CEO Ananda Sweet stated support for the initiative connecting local businesses with next generation of talent. Chamber helps recruit employer participants and promotes workforce development goals.
- North Coast Builders ExchangesecondaryWorkforce partner and original partner supporting North Bay Construction Corps program. Now runs the program linking students with builders for contractor readiness training.
- Elsie Allen High School FoundationcoreKey partner in CNA training program, supporting student recruitment, application coordination, and program access. CTE Foundation worked alongside this foundation to provide mentorship, advising, and wraparound support throughout the healthcare certification program.
- Santa Rosa Junior CollegecorePost-secondary partner providing early college credit through Career Education Department. Students completing 40+ hour internships can enroll in SRJC's Internship Class (99i) to earn one early college credit. SRJC's H.O.P.E. Center hosts student panels on health sciences pathways.
- Sonoma State UniversitysecondaryPost-secondary partner aligned with pathways connecting K-12 to post-secondary education. Dean Elisabeth Wade serves on CTE Foundation board.
- Stark Reality RestaurantssecondaryOwned by Mark and Terri Stark, this hospitality group provided work-based learning opportunities at four restaurants (Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar, Bravas Bar de Tapas, Monti's, and Grossman's Noshery & Bar) for culinary students from Analy and Healdsburg High Schools.
- Sonoma County Economic Development CollaborativesecondaryWorkforce partner supporting Path to Purpose program through economic development alignment.
- Sonoma County Hispanic Chamber of CommercesecondaryWorkforce partner supporting Path to Purpose program through Hispanic business community engagement.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CTE Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Junior Achievement USA: Large nonprofit delivering K-12 career readiness, work-readiness curricula, and employer engagement programs nationally. Comparable as a similar education-to-workforce intermediary targeting high school students with employer-backed programming, though at far larger scale and broader scope than CTE Foundation.
- Year Up: Large nonprofit workforce-development intermediary providing training, employer internships, and wraparound support to young adults transitioning to careers. Comparable intermediary model with employer-funded internships and outcome tracking, though focused on older youth (18-24) rather than high school juniors/seniors.
- Foundation for California Community Colleges: California nonprofit supporting community college workforce and CTE pathways, including dual enrollment initiatives aligned with the K-12 to postsecondary transition. Comparable as a state-level intermediary funding career-connected learning, employer partnerships, and early college credit pathways.
Direct peers
- Genesys Works: Nonprofit intermediary that places high school students into paid corporate internships and provides workforce readiness training, with regional chapters (Bay Area among them). Highly comparable model: student pipeline + employer hosts + wraparound support for underrepresented youth pursuing career pathways.
- Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG): National dropout-prevention and career-readiness nonprofit operating in K-12 schools, connecting students to employer partners and tracking graduation outcomes. Comparable as a K-12 intermediary measuring graduation rate uplift and work-based learning placements, with similar metrics and school-district partnerships.
Emerging players
- Big Shoulders Fund: Chicago-based nonprofit foundation that funds and supports CTE/career programming in Catholic high schools with employer engagement. Similar foundation-intermediary model funding career-connected learning within a defined school footprint.
Others
- National Skills Coalition: National advocacy intermediary advancing state and federal workforce and CTE policy, with focus on employer engagement and equity. Comparable as a workforce ecosystem intermediary, though more policy/advocacy-oriented rather than direct program delivery.
Regional players
- CareerSource Sonoma County (via CareerSource North Bay): Local workforce development board serving Sonoma and surrounding counties, funding employer-aligned training and youth programs such as WIOA-funded work experiences. Directly comparable regional workforce intermediary that competes for similar employer and student pipelines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CTE Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceCTE Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CTE Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
CTE Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CTE Foundation 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 CTE Foundation
What does CTE Foundation do?
CTE Foundation acts as an education-to-workforce intermediary that invests in and coordinates career-connected learning programs across Sonoma County. It runs the Path to Purpose countywide high school internship program, deploys CTE pathway programs inside 15 high schools, delivers Virtual Career-Connected Learning online resources, administers grants directly to schools, and hosts the annual Spark the Future community event. The foundation aligns K-12 schools, employers (42+ partners), post-secondary institutions, and donors to prepare students for careers through internships, work-based learning, and career exploration.
Is CTE Foundation a public or private company?
CTE Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CTE Foundation founded?
CTE Foundation was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CTE Foundation based?
CTE Foundation is headquartered in Santa Rosa, United States, in the North America region.
How does CTE Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Grants and Foundation Funding is the primary driver. The others are individual and Corporate Donations and program-Based Grants.
Who are CTE Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Junior Achievement USA, Year Up and Foundation for California Community Colleges. Direct peers are Genesys Works and Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG). Big Shoulders Fund is listed as an emerging player. National Skills Coalition is listed as an others. CareerSource Sonoma County (via CareerSource North Bay) is listed as a regional player.
Does CTE Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for CTE Foundation.
What industry is CTE Foundation in?
CTE Foundation's product category is Workforce Development and Career-Connected Education Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAJ, Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs, with a secondary code of EDAIAJAI, Under-18 / High School-to-University Foundation Pathways. Its NAICS code is 61171 and its SIC code is 8200.