Seeds Access
SEEDS Access (formerly New Jersey SEEDS) is a Newark-based nonprofit founded in 1992 that operates three free academic programs preparing motivated, low-income students for placement at selective independent schools and competitive colleges across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersNewark, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Seeds Access does
SEEDS Access (formerly New Jersey SEEDS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization founded in 1992 and headquartered at 494 Broad Street, Suite 105, in Newark, New Jersey. The organization runs three sequential free academic programs—Young Scholars (4th-5th graders in Greater Newark), Scholars (7th-8th graders across New Jersey), and College Scholars (11th-grade high school juniors statewide)—designed to prepare motivated, high-achieving students from low-income households for admission to selective independent schools and competitive colleges. Each program spans 14-17 months and combines Saturday classes hosted at partner private schools and universities, multi-week summer residential sessions, and individualized college counseling; all services are free to eligible students and funded entirely through private donations, foundation grants, and corporate partnerships. Program delivery occurs across approximately 10 partner locations, including Newark Academy, Far Brook School, The Pingry School, Seton Hall Prep, The Masters School, Drew University, The College of New Jersey, Bucknell University, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Since 1992, SEEDS has produced 3,541 graduates, placed students at 100+ selective day and boarding schools (including Phillips Andover, Phillips Exeter, Lawrenceville, and Groton), and secured over $145 million in financial aid. The organization invests approximately $17,000 per student (cost basis) to unlock $450,000 or more in tuition scholarships per graduate. Outcome metrics include 99% matriculation to competitive colleges, 100% college enrollment among high school seniors in the pipeline, and 90-100% financial aid at partner schools. A Guidance department and Alumni Association extend support through college completion and into early career entry via corporate internship partnerships with Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Chase, Barclays, Morgan Stanley, ADP, Atlantic Health Network, Merck, and Movado, plus a professional development program delivered in partnership with BRAVENx.
SEEDS has no venture capital, private equity, or institutional equity investors. John F. Castano serves as President & CEO; Imani DeJesus is VP of Programs & Guidance (returned August 2022 after founding the College Scholars Program in 2016). The Board of Trustees is chaired by Polly Palumbo, Ph.D. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed; the organization carries Charity Navigator four consecutive 4-star ratings and GuideStar Exchange Gold status. Program delivery is human-capital intensive—counselors, teachers, and guidance officers serve roughly 450 students annually with an additional 550+ alumni receiving post-program guidance support.
Seeds Access firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Seeds Access
- Legal name
- SEEDS – Access Changes Everything
- Website
- https://seedsaccess.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SEEDS Access (formerly New Jersey SEEDS) is a Newark-based nonprofit founded in 1992 that operates three free academic programs preparing motivated, low-income students for placement at selective independent schools and competitive colleges across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Seeds Access industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Access Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gifted & Talented Education (GATE) Programs (EDAJAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies) (EDAMALAB), Summer School & Extended-Year Academic Catch-Up (EDANAJAH)
Keywords
Where Seeds Access is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newark
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
Seeds Access business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: SEEDS receives monetary gifts from individuals who support educational access for motivated, high-achieving students from low-income households. Donations may be made online, by phone, or by mail.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporations provide financial support, internships, and workplace opportunities for SEEDS graduates. The organization has a Corporate Partnership Program and corporate partners provide meaningful internships.
- Foundation and Institutional Grants: SEEDS receives support from foundations and institutional donors. The organization is recognized by major foundations including Bank of America and others.
- Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: SEEDS accepts planned gifts through wills, trusts, and bequests. Sample bequest language is provided on the website. A gift of $17,000 can underwrite the full cost of a student's SEEDS experience through the Named Scholar program.
- Gifts of Securities and Stock: Donors may contribute appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds directly to SEEDS, potentially avoiding capital gains taxes while receiving a charitable income tax deduction.
- In-Kind Gifts: SEEDS accepts donations of goods, services, or unique experiences for fundraising events and auctions, helping generate critical funding for educational opportunities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free programs for all eligible students |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Seeds Access product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SEEDS Access Changes Everything prepares motivated, high-achieving students from low-income households for admission to selective independent day/boarding schools and competitive colleges. The organization operates three tuition-free programs (Young Scholars, Scholars, and College Scholars) that combine summer residential sessions, Saturday classes, and academic/counseling support, and places graduates at partner schools with 90-100% financial aid.
Product overview
Seeds Access (formerly New Jersey SEEDS) operates as an educational access nonprofit offering three distinct academic programs: the Young Scholars Program (14-month program for 5th-6th graders), Scholars Program (14-month program for 8th graders), and College Scholars Program (17-month program for high school juniors). All programs are free to eligible students and include substantial financial aid assistance for placement at selective independent schools and colleges. The organization also provides Guidance and Alumni Association support services to graduates throughout their educational journey.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Young Scholars Program A free 14-month academic program that prepares 5th and 6th-grade students from low-income households in Greater Newark (Newark, Irvington, Orange, East Orange) for placement at selective private day or boarding middle schools with substantial financial aid. Includes two five-week summer sessions and Saturday classes during the academic year.
- Scholars Program A free 14-month academic program that prepares 8th-grade students from low-income communities throughout New Jersey for placement at selective private day or boarding high schools with substantial financial aid. Includes a three-week residential summer program, Saturday classes during the academic year, and a second three-week residential program.
- College Scholars Program A free 17-month education experience designed to prepare and place top-performing, low-income high school students from eligible public high schools into highly competitive colleges and universities with sufficient financial aid. Includes Saturday classes, a three-week summer residency, and ongoing guidance through the first two years of college.
- Guidance Program Provides ongoing support to SEEDS graduates enrolled in middle schools, high schools, and colleges, including annual visits, academic and social guidance, college selection support, and organizing college tours and cultural events.
- Alumni Association Official alumni association for graduates of SEEDS programs (Scholars, Young Scholars, or College Scholars) providing ongoing resources, professional development opportunities, internships, mental health resources, and networking services for alumni in college and beyond.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,541 graduates since 1992
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Seeds Access
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Seeds Access technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Seeds Access partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Newark AcademycoreNewark Academy hosts Saturday classes for Young Scholars Program during the academic year. Students attend Saturday programming at this Livingston, NJ location as part of their academic preparation.
- Far Brook SchoolcoreFar Brook School in Short Hills hosts summer programming for Young Scholars Program. Students participate in five-week summer sessions at this location.
- The Pingry SchoolcoreThe Pingry School in Basking Ridge hosts Saturday classes for Scholars Program during the academic year.
- Seton Hall Preparatory SchoolcoreSeton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange hosts Saturday classes for Scholars Program during the academic year.
- The Masters SchoolcoreThe Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY hosts summer residential programming for Scholars Program.
- Drew UniversitycoreDrew University in Madison hosts Saturday classes for College Scholars Program during the school year.
- The College of New JerseycoreThe College of New Jersey in Ewing hosts Saturday classes for College Scholars Program during the school year.
- Bucknell UniversitycoreBucknell University in Lewisburg, PA hosts summer residential programming for College Scholars Program.
- Hobart and William Smith CollegescoreHobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY hosts the three-week summer residential experience for College Scholars Program.
- Partner High Schools (65+ schools)coreSEEDS partners with over 65 public high schools across New Jersey for the College Scholars Program. Partner schools include institutions in Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset, and Union counties.
- Selective Independent Schools (100+ schools)coreSEEDS places students at over 100 selective independent day and boarding schools across the country, including Phillips Academy Andover, Phillips Exeter, Lawrenceville, Groton, and others. These schools provide substantial financial aid (90-100% of tuition).
- Atlantic Health NetworkminorAtlantic Health Network provides internship opportunities for SEEDS scholars and alumni as part of corporate partnership program.
- Automatic Data Processing (ADP)minorADP provides internship opportunities for SEEDS scholars and alumni as part of corporate partnership program.
- BarclaysminorBarclays provides internship opportunities for SEEDS scholars and alumni as part of corporate partnership program.
- Goldman SachsminorGoldman Sachs provides internship opportunities for SEEDS scholars and alumni as part of corporate partnership program.
- J.P. Morgan ChaseminorJ.P. Morgan Chase provides internship opportunities for SEEDS scholars and alumni as part of corporate partnership program.
- Morgan StanleyminorMorgan Stanley provides internship opportunities for SEEDS scholars and alumni as part of corporate partnership program.
- MerckminorMerck partners with SEEDS to offer Finance Early Talent Internships through its Future Talent Program, providing practical hands-on experience in Finance roles.
- MovadominorMovado offers brand marketing and corporate strategy internships for SEEDS alumni through their corporate partnership program.
- BRAVENxminorSEEDS and BRAVENx have partnered to offer SEEDS alumni enrolled in college access to professional development through a 14-week career development program.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Seeds Access competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- QuestBridge: National nonprofit connecting high-achieving low-income students with admission and full scholarships to top colleges — highly comparable in serving the same target student profile with college placement outcomes.
- Bottom Line: Nonprofit providing college access and success coaching to low-income students from high school through college graduation — comparable mission and emphasis on persistence through degree completion.
- The Posse Foundation: National college-access nonprofit that identifies, recruits, and places diverse student cohorts ('posses') at top colleges with full scholarships — comparable cohort-based college placement model.
- Prep for Prep: NY-based nonprofit that prepares high-achieving students of color for placement at competitive independent schools, with extensive ongoing guidance through college and career — closely mirrors SEEDS' three-stage academic pipeline.
- Minds Matter: National nonprofit providing rigorous academic preparation, mentoring, and college advising to low-income high school students — directly comparable supplemental college-access model to SEEDS' College Scholars.
- Oliver Scholars Program: NY-based nonprofit that prepares high-achieving African American, Latino, and other underrepresented students for success at top independent schools and colleges — directly comparable mission and school-placement approach to SEEDS.
- A Better Chance: National nonprofit that identifies, recruits, and places high-achieving students of color into leading independent schools and top colleges — the closest national-scale analog to SEEDS' core mission and placement model.
- Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO): National nonprofit providing academic preparation, college advising, and career access programs for low-income students — directly comparable college-readiness and corporate internship pipeline as SEEDS.
Broad incumbents
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: National foundation providing scholarships and educational support to high-achieving low-income students — comparable target demographic but at significantly larger endowment scale and national reach.
- KIPP Foundation: National charter network serving low-income students with a college-prep mission — operates at much larger scale across K-12, representing a broader, school-based alternative to SEEDS' supplemental model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Seeds Access social profiles
Digital presenceSeeds Access compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Seeds Access financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Seeds Access leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Seeds Access funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Seeds Access 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 Seeds Access
What does Seeds Access do?
SEEDS Access Changes Everything prepares motivated, high-achieving students from low-income households for admission to selective independent day/boarding schools and competitive colleges. The organization operates three tuition-free programs (Young Scholars, Scholars, and College Scholars) that combine summer residential sessions, Saturday classes, and academic/counseling support, and places graduates at partner schools with 90-100% financial aid.
Is Seeds Access a public or private company?
Seeds Access is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Seeds Access founded?
Seeds Access was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Seeds Access based?
Seeds Access is headquartered in Newark, United States, in the North America region.
How does Seeds Access make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships, foundation and Institutional Grants, planned Giving and Estate Gifts, gifts of Securities and Stock and in-Kind Gifts.
Who are Seeds Access's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are QuestBridge, Bottom Line, The Posse Foundation, Prep for Prep, Minds Matter, Oliver Scholars Program, A Better Chance and Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO). Broad incumbents are Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and KIPP Foundation.
Does Seeds Access have an API?
No public API is recorded for Seeds Access.
What industry is Seeds Access in?
Seeds Access's product category is Educational Access Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAGAA, Gifted & Talented Education (GATE) Programs, with a secondary code of EDAMALAB, Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.