Geek Partnership Society

What Geek Partnership Society does

Geek Partnership Society (GPS) is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 (originally as MiSFiTS) that serves the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) geek community through a portfolio of programs rather than a unified product. Its core offerings include annual youth STEAM initiatives (Space Camp Scholarship, Project Lighthouse STEM Grants), an annual Writing Contest with multiple divisions and the Iron Pen flash fiction contest held at CONvergence, an Arts Initiative, and a network of recurring community clubs (Crafty Geek, DIODES Steampunk, Geek Physique, Geeks Read, Photography, Anime, United Geeks of Gaming). The organization historically operated the 3,000+ sq ft Event Horizon community center in Minneapolis (2010-2023), capable of hosting 200+ people, but vacated that space in January 2023 and now operates from WareSpace in St. Paul. GPS runs an all-volunteer operation with no paid staff and no proprietary technology, relying on a WordPress website and third-party SaaS platforms (Eventbrite, Charity Auctions Today, Skedda, Vanco) for ticketing, auctions, room bookings, and payment processing.

The organization's revenue model is diversified across multiple small streams: free basic membership via newsletter subscription, sustaining "Card-Crying Geek" membership at $5/month or $60/year, donations, merchandise sales through Threadless, charitable auctions at partner conventions, an annual Pirate Cruise fundraiser with tiered tickets ($70-$5,000), and space rental. GPS raises funds through a Go-to-Market approach centered on community-led engagement: partnerships with local conventions (CONvergence, Anime Twin Cities, CONsole Room, Minicon, MarsCon, Anime Fusion, Furry Migration, Decongestant), Twin Cities Pride booth presence, social events, and a newsletter-driven member base. The 2020 COVID-era #SaveGPS GoFundMe raised $20,135 to keep operations solvent, and the 2021 membership drive targeted $48,000 — figures that suggest an annual operating budget in the low six figures. Following the 2023 facility closure, GPS has shifted to a mostly-hybrid operating model, continuing core programming from a smaller footprint with no paid staff.

Name

Geek Partnership Society

Legal name

Geek Partnership Society

Website

https://geekpartnership.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Geek Partnership Society is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the Twin Cities geek community through youth STEAM scholarships, writing contests, community clubs, and convention-based fundraising events, operated entirely by volunteers since 1998.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Gaming Social Networks & Community Platforms (profiles, guilds, forums, discovery) (MPAFAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research & Science Fair Competitions (Science Fairs, Research Symposiums) (EDAMAGAL), Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies) (EDAMALAB), Robotics, Engineering & Makers Camps (EDAMALAE)

Keywords

• Community programming
• Youth STEAM scholarships
• Speculative fiction contests
• Community space rental
• Nonprofit membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: Free basic membership through newsletter subscription. Sustaining Card-Carrying Geek membership at $5/month or $60/year. Donations and fundraising support operations.
2. Fundraising Events: Annual events including Holiday Auctions, Pirate Cruise fundraiser, Pride booth participation, and charity auctions at partner conventions (CONvergence, Minicon, CONsole Room, MarsCon).
3. Space Rental: Facility rental for community groups and events. Formerly operated Event Horizon community center with 3,000+ sq ft of event space.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of GPS branded merchandise including t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, stickers, and notebooks through Threadless online store.
5. STEAM Programs: Revenue generation for youth programs including Space Camp Scholarships, Writing Contests, and Project Lighthouse STEM grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Geek Partnership Society is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers community programs, events, and youth STEAM opportunities for the Twin Cities geek community. Its core deliverables include an annual speculative-fiction Writing Contest, an Iron Pen flash-fiction contest, a Youth Space Camp Scholarship, Project Lighthouse STEM grants, an Arts Initiative, a network of recurring community clubs, ongoing charity auctions, and event hosting and room rentals at its physical facility.

Product overview

Geek Partnership Society (GPS) is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) non-profit offering a portfolio of community programs rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include the annual Writing Contest and Iron Pen flash fiction contest, a Youth Space Camp Scholarship, Project Lighthouse STEM Grants, and an Arts Initiative. GPS also manages a network of ongoing clubs (crafting, gaming, anime, book clubs, fitness, photography, and steampunk), runs charity auctions at partner conventions, provides event hosting and room rental via its physical facilities, and organizes social events including movie nights, picnics, holiday auctions, and Geeks@Pride. The organization is powered by a WordPress website and uses third-party platforms (Eventbrite, Charity Auctions Today, Skedda) for ticketing, auctions, and room bookings respectively.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Geek Partnership Writing Contest Annual speculative fiction writing competition with divisions for Youth 1, Youth 2, Open, Poetry, and Graphic Novel categories, plus the Scott Imes Award, designed for aspiring writers in the geek community.
• Iron Pen Writing Contest Flash fiction contest held at CONvergence where contestants write a 100-word story based on a surprise prompt item, with winners receiving gift cards to local comics and game shops.
• Youth Space Camp Scholarship Annual scholarship program that sends selected youth to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, supporting STEAM programming and educational theme challenges for nearly 20 years.
• Project Lighthouse STEM Grants STEM grant initiative that provides funding to youth for science, technology, engineering, and math education projects, supplementing GPS's other STEAM offerings.
• Arts Initiative Program supporting arts and creative activities within the geek community, including participation in the Northeast Minneapolis Art-A-Whirl and visual arts events.
• Community Clubs Program Ongoing program of recurring community clubs covering crafting, steampunk, fitness, book discussion, photography, media appreciation, anime, and gaming for Twin Cities geeks.
• Charity Auctions Recurring charity auction fundraiser held at partner conventions (CONvergence, CONsole Room, Minicon, MarsCon) and online, raising funds for GPS educational and community activities.
• Event Hosting and Room Rental Provision of physical event space and meeting rooms for community groups, partner organizations, and private events, managed via the Skedda booking platform at GPS's Twin Cities facility.
• Social Events and Gatherings Community social gatherings including movie nights, annual picnics, holiday emporiums, Geeks@Pride booth participation, and other in-person and hybrid events.
• Card Carrying Geek Membership Program Sustaining membership program offering benefits including neato cards, rental discounts on GPS spaces, and trip tickets for the annual Pirate Cruise fundraiser, available at $5/month or $60/year.
• Pirate Cruise Fundraiser Annual Pirate Cruise fundraising event with tiered sponsorship levels from $70 Crew to $5,000 Choose Your Own Title (which includes two Space Camp scholarships).

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 20 years of providing STEAM programming to youth
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CONsole RoomcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Doctor Who convention partner. Provides space for GPS charity auctions. GPS has auction presence at their annual convention.
• Anime FusionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024October anime convention where GPS has presence with charity auction.
• Furry MigrationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024September furry convention where GPS has presence with party room and auction.
• DecongestantminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024October convention where GPS participates.
• Anime DetourminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024April anime convention, part of Anime Twin Cities partnership.
• MarsConminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021GPS partnered with Marscon to bring virtual charity auction edition during the convention in March 2021.
• MN Furs / Furry MigrationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Furry community organization that uses GPS facility for Furry Migration convention and ongoing meetings.
• Society of Creative Anachronism (Barony of Nordskogen)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Historical reenactment group (SCA) that uses GPS facility for meetings and events.
• Harisen DaikominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Taiko drumming group that rehearses at GPS facility.
• Minnesota Science Fiction Society / MiniconminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Science fiction convention (Minicon) that GPS supports through charity auctions and presence.
• Convergence Events / CONvergencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Major key partnership established in 2010 representing unprecedented level of cooperation and support between two organizations. CONvergence is a major annual convention in Minneapolis. GPS has significant presence at the convention including party rooms, charity auctions, and merchandise sales.
• Anime Twin Cities / Anime DetourcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Key partnership established in 2010. Anime Twin Cities runs Anime Detour convention. GPS partnered with them to help run the Event Horizon facility.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• MarsCon: Minnesota-based sci-fi/fantasy convention run as a nonprofit. Direct comparable in format and scale: small, volunteer-run regional fan convention that partners with GPS for charity auctions.
• Minnesota Science Fiction Society (Minicon): Long-standing Twin Cities nonprofit that runs Minicon, one of the oldest regional sci-fi conventions in the U.S. Comparable scale, structure, and mission: volunteer-led Minnesota 501(c)(3) serving sci-fi/fantasy fans through conventions and member programs.
• Convergence Events (CONvergence): The nonprofit organization that runs CONvergence, the largest sci-fi/fantasy convention in the Twin Cities and GPS's closest partner since 2010. Both are volunteer-driven Minnesota 501(c)(3)s serving the local geek community through conventions, programming, and fundraising.
• GeekGirlCon: Seattle-based nonprofit that runs an annual convention and year-round programming for women and non-binary geeks. Closest mission-aligned national peer: nonprofit focused on building geek community, with education and convention programming.
• MN Furs (Furry Migration): Nonprofit Minnesota organization running Furry Migration convention. Closely comparable community/membership nonprofit serving a niche fandom, and an active facility partner of GPS.
• CONsole Room: Nonprofit running a Doctor Who-themed Twin Cities convention. Very similar in structure to GPS — small volunteer nonprofit hosting a niche sci-fi/fandom event and partnering with GPS for charity auction space.
• Anime Twin Cities: Nonprofit that runs Anime Detour and was a co-developer of GPS's former Event Horizon facility. Functionally a peer: small all-volunteer Minnesota nonprofit serving a sub-community of geeks via conventions and community programming.

Broad incumbents

• Society for Creative Anachronism: Larger international nonprofit focused on medieval reenactment and crafts. Shares GPS's volunteer-driven model, interest-community structure, and use of physical meeting spaces for chapters (including the Barony of Nordskogen, which meets at GPS).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/geekps
• Xx.com/geekps
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3679146

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Geek Partnership Society