What hitops does

HiTOPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1987 and headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. It provides inclusive, youth-informed sex education and LGBTQ+ youth support services across New Jersey through a portfolio of programs including the signature ABCs (Affirming our Youth, Building a Foundation, Collaborating Districtwide) comprehensive sex-education curriculum for grades 2-12, student workshops, professional development for school staff, school consulting (GSA setup, SOGIE training, HIB intervention), corporate DEI training, and The Faith Initiative. Direct youth services include weekly support groups (TConnect, First & Third, Banner), a drop-in center, The Closet (free identity-affirming clothing resource for ages 11-24), and TransParenthood (parent support group). Signature events include the annual virtual Trans Youth Forum and the Princeton Half Marathon.

The organization has no proprietary technology platform; service delivery relies on evidence-based curricula, in-person programming at its Princeton headquarters (relocating to The Arts Council of Princeton from August 2026), school-based engagements, and virtual Zoom programming, with a staff-moderated Discord community for youth. All programs are delivered free of charge to youth and families. The organization operates with 1-10 employees and a volunteer/board-supported governance structure.

The business model is donation-and-grant-funded: primary revenue streams are individual donations (cash, recurring monthly, stock transfers), foundation and government grants (notably a $4.8M federal grant in 2010 and a $500K legacy gift in 2008), and fundraising events (Princeton Half Marathon, Sips at Sunset). Go-to-market is hybrid: direct-to-consumer service delivery to youth through support groups and drop-in, community-led school-district partnerships for ABCs, and event-driven fundraising. Customer/beneficiary segments span LGBTQ+ youth ages 11-24, parents/families, schools and youth-serving organizations, faith communities, and corporations seeking DEI/SOGIE training. Geographic scope is regional (NJ) with virtual extensions.

Name

hitops

Legal name

HiTOPS

Website

https://hitops.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HiTOPS is a Princeton, NJ-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 that provides inclusive, youth-informed sex education, LGBTQ+ youth support groups, and professional development training to schools, families, and corporations across New Jersey, free of charge to participants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Services and Sex Education

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family-School Collaboration & Inclusion Planning Support (EDAKABAK), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Sex education services
• Youth support programs
• LGBTQ+ youth services
• School-based sex education
• Comprehensive health education

Headquarters

HQ city

Princeton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals through gifts of cash, recurring monthly donations, and stock transfers. Primary revenue stream supporting operations.
2. Foundation and Government Grants: Grants from foundations and government agencies including past federal grants (e.g., $4.8m Teen PEP grant from U.S. Department of Human Services).
3. Fundraising Events: Revenue from events including the annual Princeton Half Marathon, community fundraisers, and sponsorship opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

HiTOPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides inclusive, youth-informed sex education and LGBTQ+ support across New Jersey. Core offerings include comprehensive school-based sex education (ABCs), professional development for educators and corporations, weekly LGBTQ+ youth support groups, a Drop-In Center, a gender-affirming clothing resource (The Closet), a parent support group (TransParenthood), youth leadership programs, the annual Trans Youth Forum, and the Princeton Half Marathon fundraising event.

Product overview

HiTOPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a comprehensive suite of youth-focused programs and services rather than a traditional software product. The core offerings include: (1) Education and Training programs—ABCs (signature sexual health education), Student Workshops, Professional Development for School Staff, and Consulting Services for Schools; (2) LGBTQ+ Youth Programs—Youth Support Groups (TConnect, First & Third, Banner), Youth Drop-In Center, The Closet (free affirming clothing resource), and TransParenthood (parent support); (3) Youth Leadership—Young Adult Spot (YAS), Trans Youth Advisory Board, and Internships; (4) Signature Events—Trans Youth Forum and Princeton Half Marathon; and (5) Community Support—Faith Initiative, Health Care Resources referrals, and Lending Library. These programs collectively provide sex education, social support, and affirming communities for LGBTQ+ youth and allies throughout New Jersey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Teen PEP: Prevention Education Program - an innovative statewide peer leadership training and education program
• Trans Youth Forum
• Princeton Half Marathon

Products and services

• ABCs Comprehensive Sex Education HiTOPS' signature systemic sexual health education program for students in grades 2-12 and trainings for educators, administrators, and parents; the program works with all stakeholders over several years to build internal capacity within school districts.
• Student Workshops Single-session or short-series workshops for grades 5-12 and early childhood/elementary students on Affirming All Identities and Health & Sex Education topics including consent, family diversity, gender roles, LGBTQ+ history, and being an ally.
• Professional Development for School Staff Workshops equipping educators, school professionals, and families with information, tools, and strategies to ensure schools are affirming; includes SOGIE Retreats and the SOGIE Ambassador Series (train-the-trainer program).
• Consulting Services for Schools Comprehensive consulting for schools including starting Gender & Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), SOGIE Ambassador training, curriculum development and leasing, policy assessment and development, and HIB (Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying) intervention.
• Professional Development and Training (Corporations/Community) Customized training for corporations, small businesses, affinity groups, youth-serving organizations, and community groups on creating affirming workplaces and environments; includes half-day, full-day, and two-day retreat formats.
• The Faith Initiative Two-part series building affirming spaces within Christian faith communities for LGBTQ+ youth and their families, incorporating lived-experience stories, SOGIE training, and scriptural references.
• LGBTQ+ Youth Support Groups Three distinct weekly support groups: TConnect (trans, nonbinary, genderfluid teens 14-18), First & Third (LGBTQ+ teens 14-18), and Banner (middle school youth 11-13); groups meet in-person and via Zoom September through April.
• Youth Drop-In Center Drop-in program for youth ages 11-18 to hang out, play games, do arts and crafts, access free snacks and health products, and connect with services; held Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3pm-4:30pm, September through April.
• The Closet Free identity-affirming clothing, toiletries, and self-care items for young people ages 11-24, provided in a safe, welcoming, judgment-free space during Drop-In hours and monthly pop-up events.
• TransParenthood Weekly support group for parents and family members of trans, nonbinary, and gender-questioning youth, meeting Mondays 6:30-8:00pm on Zoom.
• Young Adult Spot (YAS) Social advocacy group for LGBTQ+ young adults ages 18-25; YAS Leaders plan and host signature events like Queer Career Day and Queer Prom, support Closet Pop-Up events, and engage in monthly leadership meetings.
• Trans Youth Advisory Board Group of trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth ages 11-24 serving as ambassadors to create spaces where trans and gender-expansive voices are centered, heard, and celebrated.
• Trans Youth Forum Annual virtual day-long celebration created by and for trans and nonbinary youth, featuring special guests, spotlights, and community connection.
• HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon Annual fundraising event in its 13th year featuring in-person and virtual half marathon options, a youth run for ages 18 and under, volunteer opportunities, and corporate sponsorship options.
• Health Care Resources Referral resources for clinical health services following the closure of HiTOPS' Health Clinic in December 2014, providing links to Planned Parenthood and Henry J. Austin Health Center locations in New Jersey.
• MSW Internships / Field Placements Graduate student field placement opportunities for MSW students, offering macro-focused (nonprofit leadership) and clinical/direct-practice positions including facilitating LGBTQ+ support groups; applications open for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Quantifiable outcome

• 81 support group sessions conducted for 135 young people with 6,800 Discord messages
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Garden State EqualitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsor of the Trans Youth Forum and advocacy partner for trans rights in New Jersey. Co-host of Jersey for Trans Healthcare Campaign.
• ACLU NJminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsor of the Trans Youth Forum 2026.
• Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New JerseyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsor of the Trans Youth Forum 2026 and referral partner for health services.
• Trans Equity CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Spotlight feature at Trans Youth Forum 2026.
• New Jersey Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Collaborative partnership to reduce HIV/AIDS amongst youth through peer-to-peer education. HiTOPS was contracted by the state as a site for free confidential HIV testing.
• Princeton Center for Leadership Training (now Center for Supportive Schools)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Collaborative partnership to deliver Teen Council model across New Jersey schools for comprehensive sexual health education.
• THRIVE NJ CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHiTOPS is part of the THRIVE NJ Coalition, a coalition of leading experts in sex education in New Jersey working together on the 'Helping Youth THRIVE: Teaching Sex Ed in NJ' initiative.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hetrick-Martin Institute: NYC-based 501(c)(3) providing direct services, support groups, and drop-in programs for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–24. Closest direct comparable in mission, programming mix, and youth-support model, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• Answer (Rutgers): Rutgers-based national sex-education organization providing training, curricula, and advocacy for comprehensive sexuality education. Comparable to HiTOPS' ABCs and student workshops in mission, methodology, and school-district targeting, though housed in a university.

Broad incumbents

• GLSEN: National nonprofit focused on LGBTQ+ K–12 students, operating GSA programs, educator training, and policy advocacy. Highly comparable to HiTOPS' school-based ABCs, consulting, and SOGIE training work, but at national scale and as a pure advocacy/education body.
• PFLAG National: National organization supporting parents, families, and allies of LGBTQ+ people through chapters and direct support. Directly mirrors HiTOPS' TransParenthood parent support model and faith-community work, but at national scale and via volunteer chapters.
• SIECUS: National policy and advocacy organization for comprehensive sex education. Comparable to HiTOPS on the sex-education mission and federal/funder relationships, but focused on policy rather than direct service delivery.

Emerging players

• The Trevor Project: National LGBTQ+ youth organization operating crisis-intervention and mental-health programs including a 24/7 hotline, with growing education and advocacy work. Overlaps with HiTOPS on affirming LGBTQ+ youth support but is significantly larger and crisis-focused.
• True Colors United: National nonprofit addressing LGBTQ+ youth homelessness through training, advocacy, and direct service. Partial overlap with HiTOPS' youth support mission, but focused specifically on housing/homelessness rather than the broader sex-ed and identity-affirming services HiTOPS provides.

Regional players

• Garden State Equality: New Jersey's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, partnering with HiTOPS on the Trans Youth Forum and the Jersey for Trans Healthcare Campaign. Comparable as an NJ-anchored LGBTQ+ organization, but focused on policy/advocacy rather than direct youth services.

Market position

Strengths6 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HiTOPSPrinceton
• Instagraminstagram.com/hitops_princeton
• TikToktiktok.com/@hitopsinc
• Xx.com/HiTOPSinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 hitops