The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management

What The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management does

The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit alliance founded in 1966 by Washington University Professor Sterling H. Schoen to expand inclusion in graduate management education. Originally focused on equipping African American men with business leadership skills, the mission broadened in 1970 to include women, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans, and in 2004 to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents committed to the inclusion mission. The organization operates as a three-sided platform coordinating 22 top-tier member MBA programs, 80+ Fortune 500 corporate partners, and a pipeline of ~1,700 current MBA students plus 12,000+ alumni. CGSM does not grant degrees or run a school itself; instead, it operates the common application, fellowship coordination, and recruiting infrastructure that connects these constituencies.

The Consortium's core products are the Common Application portal (apply.cgsm.org), which allows prospective MBA candidates to apply simultaneously to multiple member schools through a single submission; Hello Fellow (hellofellow.cgsm.org), a web-based networking and engagement platform supporting resume sourcing, job postings, e-blasts, and social engagement among students, alumni, and corporate partners; and the annual Orientation Program & Career Forum (OP), a four-day closed recruiting event. The flagship OP provides corporate partners with 120-day early access to incoming MBA students for internships and full-time roles. Since inception, the Consortium has facilitated more than $665 million in cumulative fellowship support distributed to Consortium members through member-school funding programs. Operationally, CGSM runs MAPS in-person recruiting events across major U.S. cities, Member School Webinars, and participates in national MBA Tours and affinity-conference recruiting (NBMBAA, NSBE, SHPE).

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure with three primary streams: tiered corporate partner membership fees (benchmark-framed against $30,000-$50,000 executive-recruiter costs per placement), individual donations and annual fund contributions, and member-school operational and fellowship support. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees with representation from member schools, corporate partners, and alumni, and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. CGSM does not disclose organizational revenue or financial statements; its recently appointed CEO Eric Allen (July 2025) leads a leadership team organized across External Affairs, Recruitment and Admissions, Corporate Relations, Database Operations, and Marketing functions.

Name

The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management

Legal name

The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management

Website

https://cgsm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit alliance founded in 1966 that operates a common MBA application, coordinates fellowship funding, and runs the annual Orientation Program & Career Forum to connect mission-aligned MBA candidates with 22 top-tier member schools and 80+ Fortune 500 corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Graduate Management Education Alliance

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)

Keywords

• MBA diversity fellowship
• Graduate management education
• MBA talent pipeline
• Corporate recruiting services
• Nonprofit education alliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Chesterfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partner Membership Fees: Corporations pay annual partnership fees to The Consortium for access to the MBA talent pool, early recruiting opportunities, participation in the Orientation Program & Career Forum, access to the Hello Fellow database, and representation on the Corporate Advisory Board. Partnership levels determine access to various benefits.
2. Individual Donations and Annual Fund: Philanthropic contributions from individuals, including alumni and supporters, fund The Consortium's operations, recruitment efforts, the Orientation Program & Career Forum, and fellowship support for Consortium Fellows. The Consortium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 43-0962198).
3. Member School Support: Member schools provide funding opportunities (fellowships and scholarships) to Consortium students. Member schools contribute to The Consortium's operational support and participate in the alliance to recruit mission-aligned MBA candidates.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (CGSM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit alliance that operates a common MBA application portal serving 22 top-tier business schools, distributes fellowship funding to mission-aligned MBA candidates, runs the exclusive Hello Fellow networking platform connecting students, alumni, and corporate partners, and hosts the annual Orientation Program & Career Forum (OP) that gives corporate partners early recruiting access to a diverse MBA talent pool.

Product overview

The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management is a nonprofit alliance that operates primarily as a membership and networking organization rather than a traditional technology product company. Its core offerings center around: (1) a common application platform enabling prospective MBA students to apply to multiple member schools simultaneously, (2) Hello Fellow, an exclusive web-based networking platform connecting students, alumni, and corporate partners, (3) the annual Orientation Program & Career Forum (OP), a four-day signature event, (4) fellowship and scholarship funding opportunities, and (5) recruiting services for corporate partners. The organization does not offer a technology product with integrations, APIs, or AI capabilities. Rather, it functions as a conduit between top-tier MBA programs, corporations seeking diverse talent, and MBA candidates committed to inclusion in business education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hello Fellow: Exclusive networking and social engagement platform for Consortium students, alumni, and corporate partners.
• Orientation Program & Career Forum (OP)

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 50% of mission-aligned MBA talent at top-tier business schools comes through The Consortium
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Partnerships

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

• Chicago Booth School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2024The Consortium announced the addition of Chicago Booth School of Business as a new member school in June 2024. Chicago Booth joined the network of top-tier MBA programs committed to expanding access and increasing representation in business education.
• Duke Fuqua School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2024Duke Fuqua School of Business was announced as a new member school in April 2024. Duke's addition was highlighted in Consortium news, with Associate Dean of Admissions Shari Hubert featured in recruitment events. Fuqua hosts Diverse Perspectives events in cities like New York, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Durham.
• Columbia Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Columbia Business School joined The Consortium within the past three years (added by 2023). Columbia is one of the most prestigious member schools, participating fully in the Consortium application, OP, and recruiting network.
• Stanford Graduate School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Stanford GSB joined The Consortium within the past three years (added by 2023). Stanford is among the most prestigious member schools in the network, participating in the common application, OP, and corporate recruiting events.
• Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Kellogg School of Management joined The Consortium within the past three years (added by 2023). Kellogg participates in member school webinars, recruiting events, and the Consortium network.
• University of Rochester Simon Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1968The University of Rochester Simon Business School joined The Consortium in 1968, expanding its academic reach. Simon remains an active member school with student liaisons representing the school. The school participates in OP and the broader Consortium network.
• University of Southern California Marshall School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1968USC Marshall School of Business joined The Consortium in 1968, expanding its academic reach and strengthening its mission. USC Marshall has produced notable alumni including Bill West and David Medina (Class of 1993).
• Washington University in St. Louis Olin Business SchoolflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1966Washington University in St. Louis Olin Business School was the founding member school of The Consortium. Founded in 1966 by Professor Sterling H. Schoen, the school brought together 60 educators, business leaders, and community advocates. The founding class included 21 African American men and 27 corporate partners. Olin remains an active member school, with student liaisons representing the school in The Consortium's network.
• Tuck School of Business (Dartmouth College)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTuck School of Business is a member school of The Consortium. Dawson Her Many Horses (Class of 2010) is a Tuck alumnus and Senior Vice President & Head of Native American Banking at Wells Fargo. Tuck hosts Tuck Summer Visit Day events and participates in member school webinars.
• Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCornell Johnson is a member school of The Consortium. The school participates in member school webinars, recruiting events, and the Consortium's annual OP.
• Emory University Goizueta Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmory Goizueta is a member school. Dorothy Kittner, Senior Associate Dean of the Center for Experiential Learning at Washington University, has endorsed The Consortium's work. Emory's one-year MBA program is the exception to the rule that Consortium applications are only for two-year full-time programs.
• Georgetown University McDonough School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgetown McDonough is a member school. The school participates in The Consortium's application process, OP, and member school webinars. Georgetown alumni and students are active in the Consortium network.
• Indiana University Kelley School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndiana Kelley is a member school. Ruby Jones (Kelley '18) serves as Committee Chair for the Corporate Advisory Board and Principal MBA Campus Recruiter at Medtronic. Kelley hosts virtual roundtable discussions and participates in member school webinars.
• University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Ross is a member school. David Wooten (Ross '87) is Associate Dean for One Year Master's Programs at Ross. Alumni including Jason Brown (Michigan Ross alum, small business owner) have been featured in Consortium communications. Ross hosts events like Leadership at Ross and participates in the Sanger Leadership Center programs.
• New York University Leonard N. Stern School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYU Stern is a member school. Beth Briggs is Dean of Students MBA + Graduate Programs at NYU. Stern participates in member school webinars and Consortium recruiting events.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNC Kenan-Flagler is a member school. Noemi Morillo-Vasquez serves as Director, EE&R, Career & Leadership for MBA Programs & Alumni at UNC. The school participates in Consortium events and recruiting.
• Rice University Jones Graduate School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRice Jones is a member school of The Consortium. The school participates in member school webinars and Consortium recruiting events. Rice's represented student liaisons appear in Consortium materials.
• University of Virginia Darden School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUVA Darden is a member school. Student liaisons from Darden are listed in Consortium materials. Darden participates in member school webinars and the Consortium's recruiting network.
• University of Washington Foster School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Washington Foster is a member school. Jean Gekler represents Foster as Senior Associate Director, MBA Career Management on The Consortium's Board of Trustees. Foster participates in Consortium events and recruiting.
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison WSB is a member school. Blair Nelson Sanford is Assistant Dean, MBA and Master's Programs. The school participates in The Consortium's application process and recruiting events.
• Yale School of ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYale SOM is a member school. Ebonie Jackson, Assistant Dean of Inclusion and Diversity at Yale University, serves on The Consortium's Board of Trustees. Kavitha Bindra is Assistant Dean and Executive Director, Executive Education. Yale participates in member school webinars.
• University of California, Berkeley Haas School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC Berkeley Haas is a member school. Élida M. Bautista is Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Haas. Haas participates in member school webinars and Consortium recruiting events.
• UCLA Anderson School of ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCLA Anderson is a member school. Alex Lawrence is Vice-Chair of The Consortium's Board of Trustees and Assistant Dean and Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at UCLA Anderson. The school participates in Consortium events.
• Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarnegie Mellon Tepper is a member school. Colleen (McMullen) Robinson is Executive Director, Community and Inclusion at Tepper. Student liaisons from Tepper are listed in Consortium materials. The school participates in Consortium events and recruiting.
• Corporate Advisory Board (CAB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) was created in 1989 and is comprised of leaders from major corporations (corporate partners) across the country. The CAB acts as an advisory board to The Consortium, influences the scope of Consortium programs, heightens visibility in the corporate community, provides guidance on policy matters, strategic planning, growth initiatives, and fundraising. CAB membership is offered at specific partnership levels.
• Chevron CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChevron Corporation is a corporate partner of The Consortium, represented on the Corporate Advisory Board by Crystal White, HR and Organizational Capability Manager.
• CVS HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVS Health is a corporate partner, represented on the Corporate Advisory Board by Yoandrée Pierre-Jacques, Senior Program Manager, Corporate University Relations.
• Deloitte Services LPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeloitte is a corporate partner of The Consortium, represented on the Corporate Advisory Board by Rick Aviles, Consultant.
• General Mills, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral Mills is a corporate partner of The Consortium, represented on the Corporate Advisory Board by Courtney Schroeder, Manager, Diversity & Inclusion.
• Humana Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumana is a corporate partner of The Consortium, represented on the Corporate Advisory Board by Chantelle Johnson. Tyler Edwards (Olin '21) also serves as CAB Member-At-Large and Director, DEI Strategy and Risk at Humana.
• Johnson & Johnson, Family of CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohnson & Johnson is a corporate partner of The Consortium, represented on the Corporate Advisory Board by Cody Sumerix.
• Liberty Mutual InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiberty Mutual Insurance is a corporate partner of The Consortium, represented on the Corporate Advisory Board by Jacquitta Pool, Diversity & Inclusion Associate Program Manager.
• Wells FargocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWells Fargo is a corporate partner of The Consortium, represented on the Corporate Advisory Board by Troy Keen, CIB Development Officer. Notable alumnus Dawson Her Many Horses (Tuck '10) is Senior Vice President & Head of Native American Banking at Wells Fargo.
• Ford Motor CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFord Motor Company is a corporate partner of The Consortium, represented on the Corporate Advisory Board by Brian Wesley, Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader.
• MedtroniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedtronic is a corporate partner of The Consortium. Ruby Jones (Kelley '18) serves as Committee Chair for the Corporate Advisory Board and is Principal MBA Campus Recruiter at Medtronic.
• NikecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNike is a corporate partner of The Consortium. Consortium alumnus Stephen Mendoza serves as Finance Manager at Nike, where he contributes to work with athletes, consumers, and communities.
• egnite HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShay Freeman (Simon '15) is Committee Chair, Alumni Relations at egnite Health and serves on The Consortium's Board of Trustees.
• The Steve FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Steve Fund is a strategic partner of The Consortium. David Rivera from The Steve Fund provided insight and advice for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month content on the Consortium Blog, demonstrating collaboration on minority mental health in the MBA community.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA): A national membership organization focused on increasing representation of Black professionals in business schools and corporate leadership. Operates annual conference and recruiting events; directly comparable as a parallel diversity-in-business-education pipeline serving overlapping candidate pools and corporate partner sets.
• ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America): Largest Latino-focused professional association in the U.S., with strong MBA pipeline and corporate development programs. Directly comparable mission (expanding Latino representation in business), corporate partner model, and student/conference structure.
• Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT): Nonprofit that prepares high-achieving underrepresented talent for MBA admissions and business leadership through a multi-year fellowship. Directly comparable in funnel (pre-MBA prep, MBA placement, career acceleration) and corporate partner structure.
• Forté Foundation: Nonprofit alliance of leading companies, business schools, and nonprofit partners focused on launching women into business leadership. Highly comparable as a multi-stakeholder (corporates + member schools + students) alliance structure around MBA diversity.
• SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity): Nonprofit that provides career development and internship/leadership pipelines for underrepresented students, including robust corporate partner relationships. Comparable as a talent pipeline org with corporate funding model serving overlapping candidate populations.
• The Toigo Foundation: Nonprofit focused on increasing leadership representation of underrepresented talent in finance and business through MBA fellowships and career support. Closely comparable in fellowship-funded MBA talent model and corporate partnership structure.
• INROADS: Nonprofit that develops and places talented underrepresented youth in corporate internships and leadership roles. Comparable as a corporate-funded talent pipeline with multi-year development programs and Fortune 500 partner base.

Emerging players

• Riordan Programs / Riordan Fellows: UCLA-based leadership development pipeline program for diverse undergraduate and graduate students. Comparable mission and pipeline approach, but smaller scale and UCLA-anchored rather than multi-school.
• Prep for Prep: Nonprofit developing leaders from underrepresented communities through education and leadership development pipeline, with eventual placement at elite institutions. Mission-aligned but earlier in the educational funnel (K-12 through college) than The Consortium.

Broad incumbents

• GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council): Industry body representing leading business schools and the GMAT exam; convenes the MBA Tour and broader MBA recruiting ecosystem. Comparable as a multi-school MBA ecosystem convener, but broader commercial focus rather than diversity-targeted mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cgsm.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/the-consortium-for-graduate-study-in-management
• Instagraminstagram.com/cgsm1966
• Xx.com/cgsm_mba

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management