The Clubhouse Network

What The Clubhouse Network does

The Clubhouse Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab to provide free, out-of-school STEM learning environments for youth ages 13–18 from low-income communities. The organization operates a global hub-and-spoke network of 164 Clubhouses across 20+ countries, hosted within partner organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs, libraries, community centers, and schools, supplemented by Best Buy Teen Tech Centers as a major sub-brand. Each site provides free access to technology tools including AI, virtual reality, video production, graphic design, web coding, programming, circuitry, 3D modeling and printing, and digital music production, supported by adult volunteer mentors.

The core technology stack centers on a research-grounded "Clubhouse Learning Approach" (constructionist, project-based) developed with MIT Media Lab researchers including Mitchel Resnick. Digital infrastructure includes the Clubhouse Village members-only online social network for cross-site collaboration and the 2023-launched 'the Ville' virtual reality campus built with Engagez. Supporting programs include the Clubhouse-to-College/Career (C2C) pathway program, the biennial Teen Summit, the annual RE@CH Media Festival, Youth Leadership Councils, and the International Clubhouse Alumni Network (ICAN). The organization measures impact through alumni surveys reporting 97% citing the Clubhouse as the most important support for setting high goals, and 90%+ reporting increased motivation, self-belief, and career confidence.

The business model is a donation-funded nonprofit with no fees charged to youth members. Revenue streams comprise individual donations (via website, check, stock, and Donor-Advised Funds at Fidelity Charitable and Schwab Charitable), corporate sponsorship (Best Buy, Intel, Adobe, Cisco, Macromedia, HP, LEGO), government grants (notably three U.S. Department of Justice multi-year grants totaling $5M awarded in 2015, 2017, and 2020), and foundation support (Gates Foundation, Intel Foundation, Best Buy Foundation). The organization has been independently incorporated as a 501(c)(3) (EIN 82-1178906) since 2018, headquartered at 2101 Washington St, Roxbury, MA, with a central network staff of approximately 11–13 employees supporting the global footprint.

Name

The Clubhouse Network

Legal name

The Clubhouse Network, Inc.

Website

https://theclubhousenetwork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Clubhouse Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates 164 free, community-based STEM learning centers in 20+ countries, serving youth ages 13–18 from low-income communities with mentorship, technology access, and college/career pathway programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth STEM Education Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Mentoring, Coaching, Alumni Networking & Peer Support Platforms (EDAFAMAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student & Alumni Communities (BPAMABAK), Community Hosting & Membership Platforms (MPACAJAF)

Keywords

• Youth STEM education
• Out-of-school learning
• Community learning centers
• Mentorship programs
• Digital divide initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The Clubhouse Network accepts individual donations through its website, by check, and stock transfers. Donors can contribute directly or through Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) via Fidelity Charitable and Schwab Charitable.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors (Best Buy, Intel, Adobe, Cisco, Macromedia, HP, LEGO, etc.) provide financial support, technology donations, and implementation partnerships. Best Buy specifically opens Teen Tech Centers implementing the Clubhouse model.
3. Government Grants: U.S. Department of Justice awarded three multi-year grants ($1M in 2015 for 3 years, $2M in 2017 for 3 years, $2M in 2020 for 3 years) to strengthen mentor participation. National Science Foundation manages Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.
4. Foundation Support: Foundations including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Intel Foundation, and Best Buy Foundation provide grants and programmatic support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Clubhouse Network operates a global network of free, out-of-school community-based learning centers (Clubhouses) where youth ages 13-18 from low-income communities gain hands-on access to STEM technology tools (AI, VR, 3D printing, programming, video production) and adult mentorship. The Network supports 164 Clubhouses across 20+ countries through partner-hosted sites, supplemented by digital platforms (Clubhouse Village online community, the Ville VR campus) and pathway programs like Clubhouse-to-College/Career (C2C), Teen Summits, RE@CH Media Festival, and the International Clubhouse Alumni Network (ICAN).

Product overview

The Clubhouse Network is a nonprofit organization offering a global network of free STEM learning centers for youth ages 13-18 from low-income communities. The core offering consists of Clubhouses and Best Buy Teen Tech Centers (a partnership sub-brand), which provide hands-on technology experiences with adult mentors. Supporting programs include the Clubhouse-to-College/Career (C2C) pathway program, RE@CH Media Festival for youth media projects, biennial Teen Summits, and the International Clubhouse Alumni Network (ICAN). The network also operates digital platforms including the Clubhouse Village online community and a virtual reality campus 'the Ville' developed with Engagez. The Flagship Clubhouse in Boston serves as the original site and model for the international network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Best Buy Teen Tech Centers: State-of-the-art technology centers implemented as members of The Clubhouse Network, helping youth develop tech skills to prepare for college and careers. Operated in partnership with Best Buy.
• Flagship Clubhouse
• Clubhouse Village

Products and services

• Clubhouses (STEM Learning Centers) Free, out-of-school community centers where youth ages 13-18 (some as young as 10-12) discover and explore STEM topics with adult mentors, gaining technology skills and confidence through hands-on creative projects using AI, VR, video production, graphic design, web coding, programming, circuitry, 3D modeling and printing, and digital music production.
• Flagship Clubhouse The original Clubhouse located in Roxbury, MA, serving Boston's youth and serving as a model site for the international Clubhouse community.
• Best Buy Teen Tech Centers State-of-the-art technology centers operated by Best Buy in partnership with The Clubhouse Network, implementing the Clubhouse learning model and space design to help youth develop tech skills for college and careers.
• Clubhouse-to-College/Career (C2C) Program Program supporting Clubhouse members in planning for the future through field trips, job shadow days, professional workshops, internships, and college exploration activities.
• RE@CH Media Festival Global media festival platform for youth members to showcase projects using technology, expressing personal experiences and ideas through various media categories with awards and prizes.
• Teen Summit Biennial, week-long event bringing youth leaders together from Clubhouses worldwide to participate in projects addressing issues through creativity and technology.
• International Clubhouse Alumni Network (ICAN) Lifelong worldwide community of Clubhouse alumni providing ongoing professional development, personal growth opportunities, resume review, and career resources.
• Annual Conference Annual event for the global Clubhouse community to build skills, share ideas, reflect on experiences, and plan for the future, attended by 300+ staff and partners annually.
• Youth Leadership Councils Councils supporting young people's personal leadership growth and ensuring youth voices are represented in Clubhouse decision-making, with toolkit resources for launching councils.
• Clubhouse Village Members-only online social network enabling Clubhouse members and coordinators to connect, share projects, collaborate globally, and expand their worldview in a safe digital community.
• Virtual Reality Campus 'the Ville' Online virtual reality campus created in partnership with Engagez, enabling Clubhouse members worldwide to connect and collaborate in immersive virtual spaces.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of alumni reported Computer Clubhouse was the most important source of support for setting high goals
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered founding/flagship, core/primary, supporting and regional.

• MIT Media Labfounding/flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993The Clubhouse Network was founded in collaboration with MIT Media Lab in 1993. MIT Media Lab co-founder Mitchel Resnick was instrumental in establishing the first Computer Clubhouse. The partnership provides ongoing research-grounded methodology and intellectual leadership for the learning model.
• Best Buycore/primaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBest Buy became a Network sponsor and implementation partner in 2011, opening Teen Tech Centers that implement the Clubhouse learning model and space design. Best Buy has committed to opening at least 100 Teen Tech Centers (Clubhouses) across the United States. Best Buy Foundation supports the program through funding and technology donations.
• Intelcore/primaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntel became title sponsor in 2000 with commitment to expand to 100 Clubhouses worldwide. Intel Foundation has funded the Clubhouse program for over 15 consecutive years, supporting C2C Scholarships and the Intel Making! @ Clubhouses program. Partnership created with MIT Media Lab and The Clubhouse Network in 2014.
• EngagezsupportingTechnology or IntegrationIn 2023, The Clubhouse Network partnered with Engagez to create an online virtual reality campus called 'the Ville,' enabling global youth to connect and collaborate in immersive digital environments.
• SENACYT (Panama)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Panama's Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation began in 2015, introducing Clubhouse ideas and activities in 200+ InfoPlazas community technology centers around Panama through Rincónes Clubhouses program.
• Adobe SystemssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdobe partnered with The Clubhouse Network in 2008 to offer Adobe Youth Voices 'Create With Purpose' program to 25 Computer Clubhouses. Adobe Systems, along with Autodesk, Macromedia, HP, LEGO, and Haworth Furniture, signed on as Network sponsors in 2000.
• Clubhouse-to-College/Clubhouse-to-Career (C2C) PartnerssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarious corporations and educational institutions support the C2C program through field trips, job shadow days, visiting technologist days, professional internships, and college exploration opportunities for Clubhouse youth.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 4-H: 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the US, operating community-based clubs focused on STEM, citizenship, and leadership for youth ages 5-19. It is the closest mass-scale analog to TCN's hub-and-spoke youth-development network, with comparable reliance on partner organizations and federal/state funding.
• Code.org: Code.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on expanding access to computer science education for K-12 students, especially underrepresented groups. TCN and Code.org share the digital-divide framing, target the same underserved youth demographic, and rely on similar corporate/foundation funding structures (e.g., Microsoft, Google, Infosys Foundation).
• After School Matters: After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit providing out-of-school programming (including STEM and media production) to underserved teens. It mirrors TCN's combination of free teen STEM programming, partner-hosted sites, and program-led college/career pathway exposure.
• NAF (National Academy Foundation): NAF runs career-themed academies (STEM, health sciences, etc.) in US high schools serving underrepresented students, with structured internship and college/career-readiness pipelines. It parallels TCN's C2C program philosophy of career pathway exposure for underserved youth.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Boys & Girls Clubs of America operates a nationwide network of youth development facilities hosted by partner organizations — the same hub-and-spoke hosting model that The Clubhouse Network uses. Several B&GCs actually host Clubhouses inside their facilities, making them both direct partners and the closest structural analog.
• Iridescent: Iridescent is a nonprofit that runs STEM engagement programs (including the Curiosity Machine platform) for youth from underserved communities, often in partnership with libraries and community centers. It shares TCN's mentor-supported, project-based STEM learning model for low-income youth.
• Mouse: Mouse (formerly Mouse.org / Generation Mouse) is a NYC-based nonprofit that builds STEM learning communities for youth in under-resourced neighborhoods. It directly parallels TCN's hub model of community-based STEM learning environments for underserved teens with adult mentors.
• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): FIRST runs a global network of K-12 STEM robotics and innovation programs (FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Robotics Competition) supported by corporate sponsors and operating in thousands of schools. It mirrors TCN's STEM-for-underrepresented-youth mission with comparable corporate sponsor structures (e.g., Qualcomm, Boeing) and similar youth-mentor-led learning format.
• Technology Student Association: TSA is a national student organization that runs STEM competitions, conferences, and curriculum for middle and high school students. It parallels TCN's biennial Teen Summit format and youth-led project showcase model (akin to TCN's RE@CH Media Festival).

Emerging players

• MIND Research Institute: MIND Research Institute is a nonprofit that delivers math learning programs (ST Math) in schools serving low-income students. It overlaps with TCN on the educational-equity-for-underrepresented-youth thesis but focuses specifically on elementary math rather than adolescent multi-disciplinary STEM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/theclubhousenetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/ClubhouseNetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clubhouse-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/theclubhousenetwork
• Xx.com/theclubhousenet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 The Clubhouse Network