Girls Empowerment Network

What Girls Empowerment Network does

Girls Empowerment Network is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 in Austin, originally as The Ophelia Project. Its mission is to teach self-efficacy to girls and gender-expansive youth in grades 3-12, built around a proprietary Seven Cs curriculum framework (Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication, Coping Skills, Creativity, Confidence, and Changemaking). The organization delivers programming through four primary channels: Radiant G Circle (school-based programs in 60+ Texas schools), Radiant G Camp (week-long summer day camps for grades 3-6), Radiant G Conference and the new Radiant G Summit (multi-city and statewide events), and the Spark Change Project (a collaboration with the Excellence & Advancement Foundation centering girls of color in advocacy). Geographic reach spans Central Texas, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and virtual delivery, with cumulative reach of 117,000+ girls since 1996 and 15,000+ served annually.

The organization's revenue model is multi-stream and typical of a mid-sized nonprofit: foundation grants (including a $1.2 million Hogg Foundation for Mental Health award), individual donations, corporate partnerships (Adobe, Netspend, AMD, Comerica, Thermo Fisher Scientific, DPR Construction), sliding-scale program fees for camps and conferences ($250-$400 per camper, with scholarships), school district contracts, and a Girl Advocacy League membership giving circle ($10/month or $100/year minimum). Leadership transitioned in 2025 with Brittany Yelverton confirmed as CEO after 12 years of service, replacing former CEO Julia Cuba Lewis. The organization's competitive positioning rests on 30 years of curriculum refinement, documented outcome metrics (98% grade promotion, 94% improved stress handling), and a diversified Texas school district network that is difficult for new entrants to replicate.

Name

Girls Empowerment Network

Legal name

Girls Empowerment Network

Website

https://girlsempowermentnetwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Girls Empowerment Network is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 that teaches self-efficacy to girls and gender-expansive youth in grades 3-12 via its proprietary Seven Cs curriculum, delivered through school partnerships, camps, conferences, and advocacy programs across Texas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), School Climate, Culture & Belonging Initiatives (DEI-Aligned) (EDAKAMAM), Civic Participation & Leadership Development (Voting, Advocacy, Community Leadership) (EDAAADAL)

Keywords

• Youth empowerment programs
• Girls education services
• Self-efficacy curriculum
• Nonprofit youth services
• School-based mentoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission to empower girls through self-efficacy programs
2. Program Fees: Sliding scale fees for summer camp programs, with suggested pricing of $400 and minimum of $250, plus scholarship options
3. Foundation and Grant Funding: Funding from foundations such as Hogg Foundation ($1.2 million grant for mental health policy fellows), Texas Bar Foundation, and other institutional donors
4. Corporate Partnerships: Professional development workshops and volunteer activations for corporate partners, employee resource groups, and community organizations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Girls Empowerment Network delivers self-efficacy programs for girls in grades 3-12 across Texas through school-based curricula, summer day camps, multi-city conferences, and advocacy initiatives. Its offerings are anchored in a proprietary Seven Cs framework (Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication, Coping Skills, Creativity, Confidence, and Changemaking) and reach roughly 15,000 girls and supporters annually through partnerships with 60+ Texas schools, corporate engagements, and community-based programming.

Product overview

Girls Empowerment Network operates a multi-program platform focused on teaching self-efficacy to girls in grades 3-12 across Texas. The core offerings include Radiant G Circle (school-based program), Radiant G Camp (summer day camp), Radiant G Conference (multi-city events), and Radiant G Summit (statewide intergenerational event). The Spark Change Project provides advocacy training for girls of color. Additional programs include the Youth Ambassador Council (advisory), Girl Advocacy League (membership), Corporate Engagement Workshops (professional development for adults), and Spark Kits (resource materials). All programs are built around the Seven Cs curriculum framework: Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication, Coping Skills, Creativity, Confidence, and Changemaking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Radiant G Circle: School-based program for girls in grades 3-12 using self-efficacy curriculum to build skills and help girls discover they are powerful. Previously known as Girl Connect. Partners with 60+ Texas schools.
• Radiant G Camp
• Radiant G Conference
• Radiant G Summit
• Spark Change Project
• Girl Advocacy League (GAL)
• Youth Ambassador Council (YAC)

Products and services

• Radiant G Circle School-based self-efficacy program for girls in grades 3-12, delivered in 60+ Texas schools in partnership with Austin ISD, Houston ISD, Dallas ISD and others. Includes parent outreach and teacher professional development.
• Radiant G Camp Week-long in-person summer day camp for girls entering grades 3-6, featuring games, crafts, creative projects, and mentoring from high school counselors using the Seven Cs curriculum.
• Radiant G Conference Statewide, multi-city conferences in Austin and Houston for girls in grades 3-8 and the people who care about them, featuring community building, empowering activities, and expert-led breakout sessions.
• Radiant G Summit Statewide event for women and gender-expansive professionals in high school and above, emphasizing self-efficacy, professional development, career readiness, mentorship, and community building.
• Spark Change Project Collaboration with Excellence & Advancement Foundation that centers Black and Brown girls as leaders in advocacy, helping them discover their activist voices and engage peers in positive social change.
• Corporate Engagement Workshops Professional development workshops for corporate partners and employee resource groups, adapted from the girls' Seven Cs curriculum and covering Self-Compassion, Personal & Professional Growth Mindset, The Power of Language, and The State of Girls.
• Girl Advocacy League (GAL) Membership Membership program for gender justice advocates supporting the organization through donations, volunteering, and fundraising, with access to empowering programming events and community connections.
• Spark Kits Resource kits that provide activities and content for self-efficacy building, including the Lead With Your Voice Spark Kit and Unstoppable Activist Spark Kit.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of Radiant G Circle participants promote to next grade on time
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Excellence & Advancement Foundation (The Excellence Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the Spark Change Project, a program designed to center Black and Brown girls as leaders in advocacy. The Excellence Project and Girls Empowerment Network jointly developed this initiative in January 2021 to empower girls to discover their activist voices and galvanize peers for social change. Five cohorts of the Spark Change Project have hired 25 youth ambassadors.
• Excellence ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSee Excellence & Advancement Foundation - collaboration on Spark Change Project to center girls of color as leaders in advocacy.
• Raising Travis CountystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Raising Travis County, a voter-approved initiative from Travis County Health & Human Services dedicated to expanding access to high-quality child care and out-of-school-time programs.
• AdobeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for engagement and professional development workshops.
• NetspendminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing employee engagement and volunteer opportunities.
• AMDminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for professional development workshops.
• ComericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for engagement and volunteer activities.
• Thermo Fisher ScientificminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for professional development.
• DPR ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate engagement partner.
• Houston MethodistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPower Chat sponsor.
• Young Women's Alliance (YWA)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic community partner.
• Junior League of Austin (JLA)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic community partner.
• United Way HoustonstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic community partner.
• AmeriCorpsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for service and volunteer coordination.
• University of Texas at AustinminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUniversity partnership for work-study positions.
• University of Houston-DowntownminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUniversity partnership for work-study positions.
• St. Edward's UniversityminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUniversity partnership for work-study positions.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Girls Inc. National nonprofit network operating local Girls Inc. affiliates that deliver school- and community-based empowerment, leadership, and STEM programming for girls ages 5-18. Directly comparable mission (girls' self-efficacy and leadership) and curriculum-driven model, but at national scale versus GEN's Texas concentration.
• Step Up Women's Network (Step Up): National nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and developing underserved teen girls through after-school programs, mentorship, and college access. Closest peer in terms of school-affiliated self-efficacy, mentoring, and outcome measurement; operates in major metros rather than Texas-specific.

Direct peers

• Girl Scouts of Central Texas: Regional Girl Scouts council serving the same Central Texas geography with girl-serving programs built around confidence, leadership, and life skills. Highly comparable audience (school-age girls in Texas) and program model, but focused on troop-based/scout-experience delivery rather than a curriculum-driven school partnership model.
• Latinitas: Austin-based nonprofit that empowers Latina girls and gender-expansive youth through media, technology, and storytelling programs. Shares GEN's Austin base, focus on girls of color, and SEL/self-efficacy outcomes, but emphasizes tech and media production rather than school-district curriculum delivery.

Others

• National Women's Law Center: National advocacy organization working on policy issues affecting women and girls, including mental health, education, and gender equity. Adjacent comparator on the policy/advocacy arm of GEN's work (Girl Advocacy Day, YPAR, policy fellows) rather than direct service delivery.
• National Girls Collaborative Project: National catalyst and convener organization that connects and strengthens STEM and self-efficacy programs serving girls. Functions as a peer network/ecosystem partner rather than direct delivery competitor; relevant as a funding and capacity-building channel for girls' empowerment nonprofits.

Regional players

• Communities In Schools of Central Texas: Local affiliate of the Communities In Schools network placing site-based coordinators inside Texas schools to support student attendance, behavior, and SEL outcomes. Comparable school-embedded delivery model and Texas footprint, but co-ed and broader dropout-prevention scope.
• YWCA Greater Austin: Local chapter of the YWCA national network serving women and girls in Central Texas through leadership, safety, and empowerment programs. Comparable mission and Texas footprint, with a broader women-and-families remit versus GEN's narrower school-age girls focus.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area: Local Boys & Girls Clubs affiliate delivering after-school academic, leadership, and SEL programs to K-12 youth in Central Texas school and community sites. Comparable population reach and school-based delivery infrastructure, but co-ed and broader youth-development orientation rather than girls-only self-efficacy.

Emerging players

• Spark Change Project / Excellence & Advancement Foundation: Co-developer of GEN's Spark Change Project, focused on centering Black and Brown girls as advocacy leaders in Texas. Direct operational partner and thus a closely aligned comparator, though smaller and narrower in scope than GEN's full program portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/girlsempowermentnetwork
• Xx.com/Girls_EN

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Girls Empowerment Network