What HEAF does

HEAF (Harlem Educational Activities Fund) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 and headquartered at 2090 Seventh Avenue in Harlem, New York City. The organization delivers a fully-funded, no-cost 11-year college access program to motivated public-school students from underserved NYC communities, beginning in 6th grade and continuing through college graduation and into early careers. Programming is structured across three core brands: HEAF Achieve (intensive multi-year on-campus academic enrichment, individualized advising, and social-emotional learning for grades 6-12), HEAF Inspire (school- and community-based delivery through embedded advisors in partner public high schools and community organizations), and HEAF Community (citywide workshops, panels, and resource fairs). Supplementary programming includes Summer Quest, a Winter Conference for current college students, Learning for Social Impact travel trips, and an Alexandra Korry Scholarship for students pursuing law and public service.

The organization does not sell a technology product; its "platform" is a human-delivered, relationship-intensive service stack built on direct program delivery, in-school advising, and an active alumni network. Revenue mechanics are donation-based: HEAF is funded primarily through individual donations, foundation and corporate grants, fundraising events (annual galas, spring soirees, summer benefits), and named scholarships such as the Cross River Scholarship. Key corporate partners include TIAA/Nuveen, Sodexo, Perella Weinberg Partners, Nasdaq, and Cross River. Reported outcomes include 100% high school graduation and four-year college acceptance among participants and 80%+ bachelor's degree completion within six years. The customer base is a single segment of NYC underserved youth; the donor base is concentrated among a small set of repeat financial-sector sponsors and seasonal event fundraising. Leadership transitioned in August 2022 with Michael G. Johnson appointed President & CEO, supported by a C-suite appointed in late 2022.

Name

HEAF

Legal name

Harlem Educational Activities Fund

Website

https://heaf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HEAF (Harlem Educational Activities Fund) is a NYC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free academic enrichment, college prep, and career exposure to underserved NYC public school students through an 11-year program from 6th grade through college graduation, funded by donations and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: HEAF operates as a fully-funded scholarship program supported primarily through donations, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and fundraising events including annual galas, spring soirées, and summer benefits. The organization has a 36-year track record of fundraising to sustain operations.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners including TIAA, Nuveen, Sodexo, Perella Weinberg Partners, and others provide financial support, employee volunteering, scholarships (such as Cross River Scholarship), and in-kind support through workshops and career exposure programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

HEAF provides free, multi-year academic enrichment, college preparation, and career exposure programs to motivated New York City public school students from under-resourced communities. Its core offerings include HEAF Achieve (intensive grades 6–12 programming plus college guidance), HEAF Inspire (school- and community-based academic enrichment delivered via partner sites), and HEAF Community (citywide workshops and resource fairs). All services are provided at no cost to students and families, supported through donations, corporate partnerships, and grants.

Product overview

HEAF (Harlem Educational Activities Fund) is a nonprofit college access organization offering a portfolio of educational programs rather than a unified technology product. The core programs include HEAF Achieve (intensive multi-year academic enrichment for grades 6-12 with continued college guidance), HEAF Inspire (school and community-based programming in partnership with public schools), and HEAF Community (citywide workshops, panels, and resource fairs). Additional programs include Summer Quest (summer enrichment), Winter Conference (four-day event for college students), Learning for Social Impact travel trips, and College Decision Day annual celebration. Career exposure is provided through various industry panels including Women in STEM, Health/Science/Tech, and corporate partner sessions with Sodexo, Perella Weinberg Partners, and Nasdaq. The organization also administers the Alexandra Korry Scholarship for students pursuing law, social justice, or public service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HEAF Achieve: Intensive multi-year academic enrichment, individualized advising, social-emotional learning, and college access support for students in grades 6-12
• HEAF Inspire
• HEAF Community
• Summer Quest

Products and services

• HEAF Achieve

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of HEAF students graduate from high school and are accepted to 4-year colleges
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TIAA and NuveencoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024TIAA's partnership with HEAF throughout the 2024-25 school year provided a generous grant and strong time commitment from TIAA employees. Students were exposed to professional career paths and personal development opportunities through this collaboration.
• Cross RiverminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Cross River provided generosity through the Cross River Scholarship program, offering substantial scholarships to HEAF students. Honored at 2024 Spring Soirée.
• Morgan State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024HEAF's Learning for Social Impact trip included a visit and tour of Morgan State University for 11th and 12th graders as part of college exposure.
• SodexocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Corporate partner hosting panels including 'Soft Skills to Pay the Bills Workshop' and 'Pursuing Your Passion' Industry Immersion sessions. Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation awarded HEAF inaugural Women Empowerment Grant. Sodexo team members participate in career fairs and mentorship activities.
• Perella Weinberg PartnerscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Corporate partner developed 'Power of Personal Branding' Industry Immersion session to help students think critically about defining and maintaining authentic sense of self. Investment Banking Analysts led career discussions and networking advice.
• StreetSquashminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaborated with HEAF and Boys and Girls Club of Harlem to host the second annual Community Wellness Retreat celebrating mental health awareness.
• Boys and Girls Club of HarlemminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnered with HEAF and StreetSquash to host Community Wellness Retreat for mental health awareness month.
• East Harlem Tutorial ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Peer college access organization participating in annual College Decision Day celebration with HEAF.
• Goddard Riverside OPTIONS ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Peer college access organization participating in annual College Decision Day celebration with HEAF.
• First Tee of Metropolitan New YorkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Peer organization participating in College Decision Day event celebrating NYC students' college acceptances.
• New Settlement College Access CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Peer college access organization participating in College Decision Day celebrations.
• Police Athletic League Harlem CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Venue partner for HEAF's third annual Community Resource Fair in 2026.
• Columbia University (Bollinger Forum)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Columbia University's Bollinger Forum served as venue for the second annual Community Resource Fair.
• SantanderminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Santander team led Financial Literacy: Budget and Savings panel at HEAF Winter Conference.
• NasdaqcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Nasdaq President & CEO Adena Friedman hosted HEAF students at Nasdaq's Times Square offices for career exposure and discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion. Friedman was honored at HEAF Gala 2021.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• iMentor: National nonprofit pairing underserved high school students with college-educated mentors for college access and success. Comparable to HEAF's career-exposure and advising pillars, particularly for first-generation NYC students, though delivers service primarily through a 1:1 mentoring model rather than multi-year cohort enrichment.
• Bottom Line: National nonprofit providing college access and success advising to first-generation students from under-resourced communities. Comparable to HEAF's long-duration advising model but serves multiple metro areas with a larger, more standardized footprint.
• Posse Foundation: National nonprofit identifying and supporting diverse cohorts of students through leadership development and college access at top institutions. Comparable to HEAF's college-access mission and cohort-based model but operates nationally with a broader reach and a more selective, leadership-focused identity.

Direct peers

• East Harlem Tutorial Program: East Harlem-based nonprofit providing after-school tutoring, academic enrichment, and college access support to underserved NYC youth. Directly comparable to HEAF in mission, geography, target population, and program structure; explicitly named as a peer in HEAF's College Decision Day collaborations.
• Goddard Riverside OPTIONS Program: Upper West Side-based college access program serving NYC youth through advising, test prep, and college application support. Comparable to HEAF's college access and preparation services; named as a peer in HEAF's annual College Decision Day celebration.
• StreetSquash: Harlem-based nonprofit combining academic tutoring, college access, and youth development for underserved NYC students. Comparable to HEAF in combining academic enrichment with long-term youth development; partnered with HEAF on the Community Wellness Retreat.
• New Settlement College Access Center: Bronx-based nonprofit providing college advising, SAT prep, and application support to first-generation and underserved NYC students. Directly comparable to HEAF's college-prep and advising services and explicitly listed as a peer in HEAF's College Decision Day event.
• Boys and Girls Club of Harlem: Harlem-based youth development nonprofit offering after-school programming, academic support, and college/career preparation. Comparable to HEAF in target population and program mix; partnered with HEAF on community programming.

Emerging players

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City: NYC affiliate of a national youth-mentoring nonprofit serving underserved youth through 1:1 mentoring relationships, including college and career readiness support. Comparable to HEAF in mentoring and career-exposure mission but does not offer the structured multi-year academic-enrichment curriculum HEAF provides.

Regional players

• First Tee of Metropolitan New York: NYC-based youth development nonprofit combining character education with college access programming for underserved youth. Comparable to HEAF in NYC focus and college-access programming but wraps services around a sports-based engagement model; named as a peer in HEAF's College Decision Day.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOGiv6rIuT_-gkFE0RQfKag/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/HEAFNYC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heaf-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/heafnyc
• Xx.com/heafnyc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 HEAF