On Point for College
On Point for College is a Syracuse-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps first-generation, low-income youth across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley access, persist in, and graduate from college, and find employment afterward.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersSyracuse, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What On Point for College does
On Point for College is a Syracuse-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1999 by Ginny Donohue that provides college access, persistence, and career services to first-generation, low-income youth across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. Its core Education Services cover application assistance, financial aid navigation, transportation to campuses, dorm supplies, and ongoing advising, while Career Services, added in 2008, support post-graduation employment. The organization has served 11,000+ students since inception, placing 8,700+ in college and supporting 2,500+ graduates, with 2,000+ students assisted annually across a seven-county region, and students attending 300+ different colleges nationwide.
The service model is community-based and high-touch rather than technology-driven. Outreach is conducted at community centers, homeless shelters, GED sites, libraries, schools, and refugee organizations. The organization runs two physical offices (Syracuse headquarters at 224 Harrison Street and a Utica office at 2608 Genesee St.) and supplements in-person services with two third-party SaaS platforms: a Purplewire-based Student & Volunteer Portal and a NeonCRM-based Donor Portal. There are no proprietary technology systems or AI/ML capabilities.
Revenue is entirely grant- and donation-funded, with no fees charged to students. Major disclosed funders include the KeyBank Foundation ($400,000 in 2026), Mother Cabrini Health Foundation (2026), Kresge Foundation (three-year grant), USA Funds ($450,000 in 2013), a $1.9 million federal replication grant (2012), the Corporation for National and Community Service ($110,394 in 2020), and corporate donors including AT&T, NBT Bank, and KS&R. Additional revenue comes from individual giving and annual fundraising events (Celebration, Golf for Grads Tournament). The organization is led by Executive Director Sam Rowser (since 2016, 14+ year tenure) and operates with 11-50 staff (24 reported in 2019).
On Point for College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- On Point for College
- Legal name
- On Point for College, Inc.
- Website
- https://onpointforcollege.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- On Point for College is a Syracuse-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps first-generation, low-income youth across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley access, persist in, and graduate from college, and find employment afterward.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
On Point for College industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit College Access and Career Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth-to-Adult Bridge & College Readiness (Noncredit) (EDAAAEAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)
Keywords
Where On Point for College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Syracuse
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
On Point for College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Grant Funding: Primary revenue source from foundations and government grants. Major funders include KeyBank Foundation ($400,000 for rural workforce development), Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, Kresge Foundation (three-year grant), and federal funding ($1.9 million replication grant).
- Individual and Corporate Donations: Donations from individuals and corporations including AT&T ($25,000), KS&R ($25,000), and others. Organization runs annual fundraising events including Celebration and Golf for Grads Tournament.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
On Point for College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
On Point for College delivers free, direct college access, persistence, and career services to first-generation, low-income, refugee, immigrant, and housing-vulnerable youth ages 17–29. Services span the full student lifecycle: college search, application and financial aid assistance, transportation to campus visits, dorm supplies, ongoing persistence advising, and post-graduation job placement. It is delivered through offices in Syracuse and Utica, community outreach across seven counties, and regular campus visits to 300+ colleges nationwide.
Product overview
On Point for College operates as a nonprofit service organization offering a unified portfolio of programs to help first-generation youth access and complete higher education and achieve career success. Its core Education Services and Career Services work together as an integrated support system, guiding students from college enrollment through graduation and into employment. The Rural Workforce Development Initiative extends these services to underserved rural populations in Central New York. Supporting these programs are digital platforms including the Student & Volunteer Portal and Donor Portal, which enable stakeholder engagement and program delivery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Education Services College access and persistence support services that help first-generation, low-income youth ages 17–29 get into college, stay enrolled, and graduate. Includes application assistance, financial aid guidance, transportation to campuses, dorm supplies, and ongoing advising.
- Career Services Career pathway support and employment assistance helping students transition from college completion into meaningful careers, including job placement and workforce development services for graduates.
- Rural Workforce Development Initiative Workforce development program providing advising, upskilling, and career pathway support to help underserved young people pursue education and enter growing industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and energy, across six rural counties in Central New York.
Quantifiable outcome
- 11,000+ students helped since 1999; 8,700+ placed in college
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use On Point for College
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
On Point for College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
On Point for College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Mohawk Valley Community CollegecoreMVCC co-hosted the 'We've Got Your Back' Conference with On Point for College and is a key partner in serving Utica-area students.
- New York State Higher Education Services CorporationcoreProvided grant support for the 'We've Got Your Back' Conference addressing challenges facing vulnerable college students.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
On Point for College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- uAspire: Nonprofit that advises students on financial aid and college affordability. Comparable to On Point's financial aid guidance component but with a narrower, more specialized scope.
- Bottom Line: Nonprofit focused on college access and degree completion for first-generation students from low-income backgrounds. Directly comparable to On Point in mission, target population, and persistence-focused advising model.
- College Track: Comprehensive college access, persistence, and career readiness program for first-generation students from underserved communities. Mirrors On Point's end-to-end lifecycle support and similar target population.
- College Possible: National nonprofit providing intensive near-peer coaching for low-income and first-generation college access and persistence. Closely comparable to On Point in target population, intensive advising model, and emphasis on graduation outcomes.
- OneGoal: Nonprofit supporting high school students through college enrollment and persistence with a structured three-year program model. Comparable to On Point's persistence-focused advising for first-generation students.
Others
- National College Access Network (NCAN): National membership and advocacy organization for the college access and success field. Comparable as the industry body that recognized On Point's excellence (Swedlow Award) and convenes peer organizations.
Emerging players
- iMentor: Nonprofit pairing low-income students with mentors for college access and persistence. Comparable in population and outcomes focus, though On Point's model is more service-direct than mentoring-based.
- Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing tuition-free tech workforce training and career advancement for adults from underserved backgrounds. Comparable to On Point's career services and workforce development initiative in target industries.
- Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit providing career pathway training for young adults. Comparable to On Point's career services and rural workforce development expansion, with stronger employer placement infrastructure.
Broad incumbents
- KIPP Foundation: National charter school network with extensive K-12 to college access programming through KIPP Through College. Comparable as a college attainment organization serving low-income, first-generation students, though operating through schools rather than external support.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
On Point for College social profiles
Digital presenceOn Point for College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
On Point for College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
On Point for College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
On Point for College 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 On Point for College
What does On Point for College do?
On Point for College delivers free, direct college access, persistence, and career services to first-generation, low-income, refugee, immigrant, and housing-vulnerable youth ages 17–29. Services span the full student lifecycle: college search, application and financial aid assistance, transportation to campus visits, dorm supplies, ongoing persistence advising, and post-graduation job placement. It is delivered through offices in Syracuse and Utica, community outreach across seven counties, and regular campus visits to 300+ colleges nationwide.
Is On Point for College a public or private company?
On Point for College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was On Point for College founded?
On Point for College was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is On Point for College based?
On Point for College is headquartered in Syracuse, United States, in the North America region.
How does On Point for College make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are individual and Corporate Donations.
Who are On Point for College's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are uAspire, Bottom Line, College Track, College Possible and OneGoal. National College Access Network (NCAN) is listed as an others. Emerging players are iMentor, Per Scholas and Year Up. KIPP Foundation is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does On Point for College have an API?
No public API is recorded for On Point for College.
What industry is On Point for College in?
On Point for College's product category is Nonprofit College Access and Career Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAEAK, Youth-to-Adult Bridge & College Readiness (Noncredit), with a secondary code of EDAAAOAD, Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.