Roots and Wings
Roots and Wings is a Boca Raton-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating Project UpLift, a free small-group after-school reading tutoring program, and the Above and Beyond teacher recognition program across 20 Title One elementary schools in Palm Beach County, Florida, serving approximately 1,500 students annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBoca Raton, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Roots and Wings does
Roots and Wings is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 by Ted Hoskinson and headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. The organization operates two core programs: Project UpLift, a free small-group after-school reading tutoring program delivered by certified teachers inside Title One public elementary schools in Palm Beach County for students in grades 1-3 reading one to two grade levels below proficiency, and the Above and Beyond Awards, a peer-nominated teacher and staff recognition program that has honored nearly 2,000 educators since inception. Programs are delivered directly through partnerships with 20 Title One schools in a single school district, with each school's own certified teachers running the small-group instruction and Literacy Coordinators supplying individualized lesson plans.
The organization has layered AI-enabled functionality onto its tutoring program through BuddyBooks, a third-party AI-powered reading coach developed by ObjectiveEd with National Science Foundation SBIR support, piloted across 1,450+ students in grades 3-5 beginning October 2025. BuddyBooks combines expressive AI narration with real-time pronunciation, fluency, and vocabulary feedback to provide structured independent reading practice between human-led tutoring sessions. Roots and Wings is funded entirely through donations, grants, sponsorships, planned giving, and fundraising events rather than fee-for-service revenue; sponsorship tiers range from $50/month recurring donations supporting one student to $5,000 class sponsorships, and the 10th Anniversary Gala in February 2026 generated $385,000. Notable institutional funders include Impact 100 PBC ($100,000), the Mithun Foundation ($40,000), and the Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation ($40,000), and the organization has been recognized as a top-rated nonprofit by Charity Navigator, Candid (GuideStar), Great Nonprofits, and Extraordinary Charities.
Roots and Wings firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Roots and Wings
- Legal name
- Roots and Wings, Inc.
- Website
- https://rootsandwingsinc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Roots and Wings is a Boca Raton-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating Project UpLift, a free small-group after-school reading tutoring program, and the Above and Beyond teacher recognition program across 20 Title One elementary schools in Palm Beach County, Florida, serving approximately 1,500 students annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Roots and Wings industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Nonprofit Services (Literacy and Teacher Recognition)
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- K–12 Remedial Reading & Literacy Intervention (EDANAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Literacy & Numeracy Intervention (Reading/Math Support) (EDAJALAD), Reading & Literacy Centers (Phonics, Comprehension, Writing) (EDANAHAD), Literacy Foundations (Phonics, Reading Fluency, Comprehension) Platforms (EDAFAOAD), Reading Intervention & Remediation (Decoding, Fluency, Comprehension) (EDAKAJAD)
Keywords
Where Roots and Wings is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boca Raton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Roots and Wings business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations and Fundraising: The nonprofit generates revenue through individual donations, event ticket sales, sponsorships, and auction purchases. The 10th Anniversary Gala raised $385,000. Recurring giving options include $50/month donations to support one Project UpLift student.
- Planned/Legacy Giving: Structured planned giving vehicles including bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, beneficiary designations, and endowed gifts. Supports long-term sustainability of programs.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Local businesses sponsor individual schools, provide in-kind donations, and support events. Sponsor a child for $500 per year.
- Grant Funding: Foundations and civic groups provide grant funding. Notable grants include $100k from Impact 100 PBC, $40k from Mithun Foundation, and $40k from Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | $50/month recurring donation supports one Project UpLift student |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | $250 sponsors a Project UpLift student for half the school year |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | $500 sponsors a Project UpLift student for the full school year |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | $5000 sponsors a Project UpLift class of ten students for a full school year |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Roots and Wings product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Roots and Wings delivers free small-group after-school remedial reading tutoring (Project UpLift) to Title One elementary students in grades 1-3 reading below grade level, paired with a peer-nominated teacher recognition program (Above and Beyond Awards) offering certificates, gifts, and $200 monetary awards. The organization partners directly with 20 Title One public elementary schools in Palm Beach County, where certified teachers from the students' own schools deliver the small-group instruction with individualized lesson plans from Literacy Coordinators, and is increasingly supplemented by the BuddyBooks AI-powered reading coach for grades 3-5.
Product overview
Roots and Wings operates two core programs: Project UpLift, a free small-group after-school reading tutoring program for Title One elementary school students in grades 1-3, and the Above and Beyond Awards, a teacher recognition program. These are complemented by BuddyBooks, an AI-powered reading coach that provides additional structured practice for students in grades 3-5, and a Legacy Giving planned giving platform for donor engagement. Project UpLift serves approximately 1,500-1,600 students across 20 Title One schools in Palm Beach County, while Above and Beyond Awards has recognized nearly 2,000 educators since 2016.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Project UpLift: A free small-group after-school tutorial program providing remedial reading instruction to Title One elementary school students in grades 1-3 who are reading one or two grades below grade level, taught by certified teachers in their home schools.
- Above and Beyond Awards
- BuddyBooks
Products and services
- Project UpLift A free small-group after-school tutorial program providing remedial reading instruction to Title One elementary school students in grades 1-3 who are reading one or two grade levels below proficiency. Delivered on school campuses by certified teachers from the students' own schools, with individualized lesson plans created by Literacy Coordinators. Free for students and funded entirely through donations, sponsorships, and grants.
- Above and Beyond Awards A peer-nominated teacher and non-instructional staff recognition program honoring educators who demonstrate exemplary dedication to their students, school, and community. Winners receive ceremonies, certificates, gifts, gift cards, and a $200 monetary award. The program has recognized nearly 2,000 educators since 2016 and is delivered across all 20 Title One partner schools in Palm Beach County.
- BuddyBooks AI Reading Coach An AI-powered reading coach integrated into Project UpLift that provides structured independent reading practice for students in grades 3-5. Students alternate between listening to expressive AI narration and reading aloud, receiving real-time gentle corrections, with tracking of pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, and reading time. Originally developed for students with dyslexia and now expanded to help reluctant and struggling readers build fluency.
- Legacy Giving Program A planned giving platform enabling donors to support Roots and Wings' literacy programs through wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, IRA charitable distributions, charitable gift annuities, and endowed gifts. Provides structured vehicles for long-term sustainability of Project UpLift and Above and Beyond Awards.
Quantifiable outcome
- 94-96% of Project UpLift students showed reading gains; 88% of third graders promoted to fourth grade at same rate as peers; 77% exceeded iReady growth goals
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Roots and Wings
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Roots and Wings technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature3 records
Roots and Wings partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Title One Schools (Palm Beach County)corePartnership with 20 Title One public elementary schools across Palm Beach County to deliver Project UpLift tutoring and Above and Beyond Awards. Schools include Crosspointe, Jupiter, Boca Raton Elementary, S.D. Spady, Plumosa School of the Arts, Freedom Shores, Pine Grove, and others. Certified teachers from each school deliver the tutoring program.
- Best of Delray Beach Facebook GroupminorCommunity partnership for holiday campaign. Group members consistently show up for local families and nonprofits, helping amplify Roots and Wings' mission and rally grassroots donations.
- Starboard Group Toy DriveminorCo-sponsorship of FREE Holiday Concert & Toy Drive at Old School Square on December 5. Partnership culminated in community event supporting Project UpLift students.
- ObjectiveEdcoreObjectiveEd developed BuddyBooks, an AI-powered reading coach tool. The company is supported by the National Science Foundation's SBIR program. BuddyBooks began as a resource for students with dyslexia and expanded to help reluctant and struggling readers build fluency. Roots and Wings piloted BuddyBooks starting October 2025 with 1,450 students in grades 3-5.
- Bound For CollegeminorPartnership between Roots and Wings founder Ted Hoskinson and Bound For College founder Mark Sauer to help low-income students get college degrees. Two non-profits team up to help students pay for college.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Roots and Wings competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Reading Is Fundamental: National nonprofit focused on children's literacy and reading engagement, providing books and literacy resources to underserved K-12 students. Closely comparable mission to Roots and Wings' Project UpLift literacy intervention focus.
- Reach Out and Read: National nonprofit that integrates literacy into pediatric care and supports early childhood reading. Comparable as a literacy-focused nonprofit serving young students from low-income families with measurable reading outcomes.
- First Book: Nonprofit providing books and educational resources to children in low-income communities, including Title One school programs. Comparable as a literacy-focused organization partnering directly with Title One schools to improve reading access and outcomes.
- Raising A Reader: National nonprofit focused on early literacy and family engagement in reading, partnering with schools and early childhood programs. Comparable to Roots and Wings in delivering literacy interventions through school partnerships targeting underserved students.
- Literacy Inc (LINC): Nonprofit that mobilizes communities to support children's literacy, with programs embedded in schools serving low-income neighborhoods. Highly comparable model: school-based literacy programming for K-12 students in high-need communities.
- Children's Literacy Initiative: Nonprofit that partners with schools to deliver professional development and literacy coaching for educators serving high-need students. Comparable dual focus on student reading outcomes and teacher capability building.
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: Global book-gifting program mailing free books to children from birth to age five. Comparable as a high-profile literacy nonprofit focused on early childhood reading access for underserved families.
- 826 National: Network of youth writing and tutoring centers supporting K-12 students with literacy skills. Comparable as a nonprofit providing free literacy support to underserved students through structured programs.
Broad incumbents
- United Way of Palm Beach County: Established regional nonprofit operating in the same Palm Beach County geography as Roots and Wings with broad education, literacy, and community programs. Comparable as a similarly situated Palm Beach County nonprofit competing for overlapping donor and corporate sponsorship dollars.
Regional players
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County: Regional nonprofit serving Palm Beach County youth with after-school programs that often include homework help and literacy support. Comparable in operating school-age after-school programming in the same geographic market and competing for overlapping donor and grant funding.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Roots and Wings social profiles
Digital presenceRoots and Wings financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Roots and Wings leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Roots and Wings funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Roots and Wings 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 Roots and Wings
What does Roots and Wings do?
Roots and Wings delivers free small-group after-school remedial reading tutoring (Project UpLift) to Title One elementary students in grades 1-3 reading below grade level, paired with a peer-nominated teacher recognition program (Above and Beyond Awards) offering certificates, gifts, and $200 monetary awards. The organization partners directly with 20 Title One public elementary schools in Palm Beach County, where certified teachers from the students' own schools deliver the small-group instruction with individualized lesson plans from Literacy Coordinators, and is increasingly supplemented by the BuddyBooks AI-powered reading coach for grades 3-5.
Is Roots and Wings a public or private company?
Roots and Wings is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Roots and Wings founded?
Roots and Wings was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Roots and Wings based?
Roots and Wings is headquartered in Boca Raton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Roots and Wings make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are planned/Legacy Giving, corporate Sponsorships and grant Funding.
Who are Roots and Wings's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Reading Is Fundamental, Reach Out and Read, First Book, Raising A Reader, Literacy Inc (LINC), Children's Literacy Initiative, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and 826 National. United Way of Palm Beach County is listed as a broad incumbent. Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is listed as a regional player.
Does Roots and Wings have an API?
No public API is recorded for Roots and Wings.
What industry is Roots and Wings in?
Roots and Wings's product category is Educational Nonprofit Services (Literacy and Teacher Recognition). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAJAA, K–12 Remedial Reading & Literacy Intervention, with a secondary code of EDAJALAD, Literacy & Numeracy Intervention (Reading/Math Support). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.