Center For Leadership Development

What Center For Leadership Development does

Center for Leadership Development (CLD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1977 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, that delivers youth development programming for African American and minority students in grades 4-12 across Central Indiana. The organization operates a portfolio of 20+ programs structured as an age-progressive pipeline: elementary-level programs (Jr. Self-Discovery, Imani Book Club), middle school programs (Precious Miss for girls grades 6-8, Project MR. for boys grades 7-10, Success Prep for rising 9th graders), high school programs (the 13-week flagship Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project, Business Orientation Project, SAT Prep), and post-secondary support services delivered through the College Prep Institute (free one-on-one guidance counseling, tutoring, internships, mentorship, and the Scholarship Track connecting students to 20+ college/university partners).

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure: tax-deductible donations and corporate sponsorships provide the majority of funding, supplemented by foundation grants (recently including a $450K NBA Foundation grant, $300K Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust grant, and major Lilly Endowment funding for the RISE Campaign), nominal participant program fees of $20-$30 against actual per-participant costs of approximately $475, and event-based sponsorship revenue from the annual Minority Achievers Awards Gala, Golf Classic, and College Prep Conference. CLD operates with a small full-time staff (11-50 employees) supplemented by 200+ volunteers, and is currently executing a $33 million RISE Campaign to fund a 20,000 sq. ft. headquarters expansion that will increase service capacity by 60%. Programs are delivered at headquarters, satellite locations, and in-school partnerships throughout Central Indiana, with reported outcomes of 92% college enrollment, 95% college persistence, and 46% degree completion among College Prep alumni — meaningfully above Indiana's 25% six-year graduation rate for African American students at public institutions.

Name

Center For Leadership Development

Legal name

Center for Leadership Development

Website

https://cldinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Center for Leadership Development is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 in Indianapolis delivering 20+ youth development programs for African American students grades 4-12 in Central Indiana, including the flagship Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project and free College Prep Institute services funded primarily by donations and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

College Readiness & Admissions Prep Centers (Small-Group Workshops) (EDANAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB), Test Prep Learning Centers (SAT/ACT, AP/IB, State Exams) (EDANAHAH), K–12 Core Curriculum Small-Group Tutoring Centers (Math/ELA/Science/Social Studies) (EDANAHAA)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• College preparation services
• Leadership training programs
• Character education programs
• Minority youth mentoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: CLD operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund operations and programs.
2. Grants and Foundation Funding: CLD receives significant grant funding from foundations including NBA Foundation ($450,000), Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust ($300,000), Lilly Endowment, and others to support facility expansion, programs, and services.
3. Program Fees: Nominal program fees ($20-$30 per participant) offset a small portion of actual program costs. The organization heavily subsidizes programs, with actual costs being $475 per participant for flagship Self-Discovery program.
4. Sponsorships and Event Revenue: Annual events including the Minority Achievers Awards & Scholarship Gala, Golf Classic, and College Prep Conference generate sponsorship revenue from corporate partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Center For Leadership Development delivers youth development programming for minority students in grades 4-12 across Central Indiana, anchored by the flagship 13-week Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project and supported by grade-specific programs (Jr. Self-Discovery, Precious Miss, Project MR., Success Prep, College Prep, SAT Prep, STEM Initiatives). The College Prep Institute provides free one-on-one guidance counseling, tutoring, internships, and scholarship-track services connecting students with more than two dozen college and university partners offering over $4.5M in annual scholarships.

Product overview

Center for Leadership Development (CLD) is a non-profit youth development organization offering a portfolio of educational programs and services for minority youth in Central Indiana. The organization operates a platform-plus-programs model centered on its flagship Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project, complemented by age and grade-specific programs including Precious Miss (grades 6-8 females), Project MR. (grades 7-10 males), Jr. Self-Discovery (grades 4-6), and Success Prep (rising 9th graders). Supporting services include the College Prep Institute providing free tutoring and guidance counseling, SAT preparation, internship/mentorship programs, and a scholarship track connecting students with college and university partners. STEM initiatives, including partnerships with Purdue, Lilly, and Rose-Hulman, provide specialized science and engineering exposure. Programs are delivered through Indianapolis Youth Development framework focused on character development, educational excellence, leadership effectiveness, community service, and career achievement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• College Prep Institute (CPI): A college readiness resource center within CLD dedicated to assisting students in grades 4 through 12 with free resources and services including guidance counseling, tutoring, college research, and workshops.

Products and services

• Precious Miss Eight-session all-girl program for young ladies in grades 6-8 that builds self-esteem, self-worth, positive body image, and achievement-oriented character traits. Nominal $20 fee per participant.
• Project MR. (Male Responsibility) Six-session all-male program for grades 7-10 that equips African American males with principles, behaviors, attitudes, and values leading to personal development and career success.
• Success Prep Four-week high school readiness program exclusively for students entering 9th grade and supportive adults covering academic, behavioral, and social expectations; culminates in a college tour. $30 includes one parent and one student.
• Role Model/Advisor Experience One-day initiative connecting students in grades 8-12 with accomplished professionals who serve as career mentors, exposing youth to diverse career pathways and professional networks.
• Jr. Self-Discovery Eight-week program for 4th-6th graders building communication skills, study habits, leadership behaviors, and interest/career awareness at the elementary level.
• Imani Book Club Six-week summer reading program for grades 4-12 that improves reading and comprehension through age-appropriate classes, presentations, debates, and journaling. $25 per participant.
• Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project (SD/CE) 13-week flagship program for grades 10-12 covering communication, presentation skills, career goals, and college preparation. $25 per participant; actual program cost ~$475 subsidized through donations and grants.
• College Prep Institute (CPI) Free college readiness resource center for students grades 4-12 and their families, providing one-on-one licensed guidance counseling, college research and selection, tutoring, internships, and professionally-led workshops.
• College Prep Program Comprehensive college readiness program teaching students how to choose the right college, gain admission, succeed in college, and graduate. Demonstrated outcomes: 92% college enrollment and 95% persistence among alumni.
• SAT Prep Course Six-week SAT preparation course covering critical reading, writing, math sections, test format, directions, test-taking procedures, and time management strategies.
• Business Orientation Project (BOP) Program for grades 10-12 teaching youth about business and entrepreneurship from African-American business professionals, covering career planning, business operations, speeches, business letters, and interview skills.
• Emerging Scholars Annual initiative for high school students grades 10-12 providing critical information on college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and FAFSA completion; mandatory for CLD College Scholarship Track participants.
• STEM Programs STEM education initiatives including Bowen Engineering/MEP Initiative, Rawls Scholars Medicine Initiative, STEM Workshops, and partnerships with Purdue, Eli Lilly, and Rose-Hulman providing hands-on engineering and science experiences.
• CLD Scholarship Track Scholarship program for high school seniors completing SD/CE, College Prep, and Emerging Scholars; provides access to college and university partner scholarships via more than two dozen institutional partners.
• Internship and Career Readiness Program Five-session internship preparation series covering internship fundamentals, cover letter and resume development, interviewing preparedness, professional branding, and business decorum.
• Tutoring Services Free tutoring for students grades 4-12 through the College Prep Institute, covering math, science, foreign languages, social studies, reading, and language arts.
• CLD Alumni Professional Mentorship Program One-on-one mentorship connecting CLD professional alumni with high school and college students to provide guidance, support, and career direction through meaningful career conversations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% college enrollment rate for College Prep program alumni (vs. 25% statewide for African American students)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Ivy Tech Community CollegeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2022First educational partner to donate to CLD's RISE Campaign with a $50,000 gift. Funds support construction of 20,000 sq. ft. addition to CLD headquarters. Ivy Tech is Indiana's largest community college with over 150,000 students.
• Cummins Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Cummins-CLD Senior Leadership Speaker Series connects CLD students with Cummins executive leaders to learn about engineering careers and explore paid internship opportunities.
• Eskenazi Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Through Rawls Scholars Medicine Initiative, CLD students interact with medical professionals at Eskenazi Health, shadow trauma services staff, and tour Eskenazi Hospital.
• Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership with IPS and IU Health for health sciences students providing leadership and professional development experience through the Crispus Attucks IU Fellows program.
• CargillcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner with Purdue University's College of Agriculture to present the Purdue Agriculture Initiative, allowing students to engage in hands-on projects and learn about agriculture industry careers.
• MEPI (Minority Engineering Program of Indianapolis)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in Rose STEM Program to encourage underrepresented students to pursue STEM degrees.
• Bowen EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015In partnership with Bowen Engineering and Purdue University IDEAS Learning Community, CLD students experience hands-on learning about engineering concepts and complete group projects with Purdue engineering students and faculty.
• Eli Lilly and CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Lilly Summit introduces youth to STEM careers through workshops, tours, and networking at Eli Lilly. Lilly Internships and Summer Experience programs provide STEM students with pharmaceutical industry exposure and real-world experience.
• Anderson UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege/university partner offering scholarship opportunities to CLD alumni. Part of network of over two dozen educational institutions partnering with CLD.
• Butler UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLD alumni have received full tuition scholarships to Butler University. Butler is among the primary college/university partners supporting CLD's scholarship mission.
• Indiana State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege/university partner providing scholarship opportunities to CLD alumni graduates.
• Purdue UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough programs like the IDEAS Learning Community and Rawls Scholars Medicine Initiative, Purdue partners with CLD on engineering and medical career pathways for minority students.
• Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRose-Hulman partners with CLD to encourage historically underrepresented students with strong aptitude in math and science to pursue STEM degrees through the Rose STEM Program.
• DePauw UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege/university partner offering scholarship opportunities to CLD alumni.
• Marian UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege/university partner offering scholarship opportunities to CLD alumni, including through Saint Joseph's College.
• Earlham CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege/university partner providing scholarship opportunities to CLD alumni graduates.
• Vincennes UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndiana's first college providing scholarship pathways for CLD alumni.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• College Possible: National nonprofit providing intensive college access and success coaching for low-income and underrepresented students. Comparable as a college-readiness nonprofit that delivers measurable outcomes (coaching, test prep, college enrollment support) through a near-peer mentorship model similar to CLD's Role Model/Advisor Experience.
• KIPP Indy Public Schools: Indianapolis charter school network serving a predominantly minority, low-income student population with a college-prep mission. Comparable as a K-12 college-readiness operator in the same geography serving overlapping student demographics with similar outcome-focused framing.
• Bottom Line: National college access and success nonprofit focused on first-generation students from low-income backgrounds. Comparable because it pursues the same outcomes CLD reports — high college enrollment and graduation rates for underrepresented students — and competes for similar outcome-based foundation funding.
• 100 Black Men of Indianapolis: Indianapolis chapter of the national African American mentoring organization focused on youth development, education, and leadership for the same demographic as CLD. Highly comparable as a peer nonprofit pursuing mentoring, education, and college/career pathways for African American youth in Central Indiana.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis: Local affiliate of the national Boys & Girls Clubs movement, providing after-school and youth development programming to Indianapolis youth including college/career prep. Comparable as a community-based youth development nonprofit operating in the same geography with overlapping programming categories.
• Indiana Black Expo: Major Indianapolis-based African American community organization running education, youth leadership, and college/career programming. Comparable as a peer Central Indiana nonprofit serving the same demographic with overlapping youth development and college readiness objectives.
• Indianapolis Urban League: Local affiliate of the National Urban League focused on African American community advancement through education, workforce, and youth programs. Comparable as a peer Indianapolis-based community nonprofit addressing the same demographic with overlapping education and youth development priorities.

Regional players

• Jack and Jill of America: National African American family organization providing cultural, educational, and youth leadership programming through local chapters. Comparable as a peer organization serving African American youth with education and leadership development, though delivered through family/membership chapters rather than the cohort/workshop model CLD uses.

Broad incumbents

• United Negro College Fund (UNCF): National African American higher education organization administering scholarships and supporting HBCUs. Comparable because it manages the same scholarship pipeline CLD partners feed into, serves the same demographic, and competes for some of the same corporate and foundation funders (NBA Foundation among them).
• National Urban League: National civil rights and urban advancement organization running workforce, education, and youth programs. Comparable as a broader umbrella entity with local affiliates (including Indianapolis Urban League) pursuing similar education and youth development objectives for African American communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CLDinc
• TikToktiktok.com/@cldindy
• Xx.com/CLDincorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Center For Leadership Development