826michigan
826michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 that provides free creative and expository writing programs to K-12 students across Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Ypsilanti through school partnerships, library-based labs, and a volunteer-driven publishing program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersAnn Arbor, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What 826michigan does
826michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 as a chapter of the 826 National network, serving K-12 students across Southeast Michigan with free creative and expository writing programs. The organization operates in three cities (Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Ypsilanti) and delivered programs to 4,492 students through 19 school partnerships and 160 teacher relationships in the 2024-25 school year. Program delivery relies on a volunteer network of 195 active contributors providing 1,910 hours annually, with no proprietary technology platform underpinning the operations.
The core product portfolio is organized into two delivery models: open-enrollment programs (After-school Writing Lab for ages 8-14, Teen Leadership Lab for grades 9-12, Wee-Write for ages 5-8, and Summer Programs) held at library and community center locations, and school partnership programs (Field Trips, In-School Writing Labs, Roadshows, and the Young Authors Book Project) delivered directly in K-12 classrooms. The publishing program produced 1,270 student publications in 2024-25, including professionally designed books, zines, chapbooks, podcasts, and videos. The 826 Digital platform extends reach digitally with 60+ free Common Core-aligned lesson plans shared across the 9-chapter 826 National network.
Revenue is generated through charitable donations from individuals and corporate partners, institutional grants from foundations (Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Leinweber Foundation, Michigan Arts And Culture Council, and others), and merchandise sales through the wholly-owned Robot Supply Co. online storefront (onwardrobots.com). All programs are offered free to students, families, and schools. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by Board President Abby Fanelli, with day-to-day management by Executive Director Megan Shuchman (appointed June 2022). In 2025, 826michigan relocated its operations to Ypsilanti while maintaining service delivery across all three cities.
826michigan firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 826michigan
- Legal name
- 826michigan
- Website
- https://826michigan.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- 826michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 that provides free creative and expository writing programs to K-12 students across Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Ypsilanti through school partnerships, library-based labs, and a volunteer-driven publishing program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
826michigan industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Literacy Education
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reading & Literacy Centers (Phonics, Comprehension, Writing) (EDANAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Reading Comprehension & Close Reading Enrichment (EDAMAJAB), Early Literacy & Phonics Programs (EDAMAJAA), Essay, Research & Academic Writing (Middle/High School) (EDAMAJAL), Literacy & Reading Intervention Technology (EDAJAMAF)
Keywords
Where 826michigan is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ann Arbor
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
826michigan business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual and Corporate Donations: 826michigan relies on charitable donations from individuals and corporate partners to fund free programs. The organization hosts events and accepts one-time and recurring donations.
- Grant Funding: Institutional funding from foundations including Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, Washtenaw County Community & Economic Development, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Leinweber Foundation, Michigan Arts And Culture Council, and others.
- Robot Supply Co. (Merchandise): Online storefront selling student publications, merchandise, and related items. Proceeds support free programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | All programs are completely free for K-12 students |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
826michigan product offering
Product offeringCore offering
826michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free writing and literacy programs for K-12 students in Southeast Michigan. It delivers after-school writing labs, in-school partnerships, summer programs, and a student publishing program through volunteer-supported workshops led by trained teaching artists. The organization is part of the 826 National network and operates a retail storefront (Robot Supply Co.) whose proceeds support its free programs.
Product overview
826michigan is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing free writing and literacy programs for K-12 students in Southeast Michigan (Detroit, Ypsilanti, and Ann Arbor). The organization operates two service delivery models: open-enrollment programs (After-school Writing Lab, Teen Leadership Lab, Wee-Write, Summer Programs, 826 Digital) and school partnership programs (Field Trips, In-School Writing Labs, Young Authors Book Project, Roadshows). The portfolio centers on creative writing education with volunteer support, supplemented by a publishing program that professionally produces student work in books, chapbooks, zines, podcasts, and videos. Revenue generation comes through the Robot Supply Co. online store. All programs are free to students, families, and teachers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Robot Supply Co. Online retail store (onwardrobots.com) selling student publications, merchandise, books, and vinyl records created through student programs. Revenue supports free student programs.
Products and services
- After-school Writing Lab
Quantifiable outcome
- 92% of parents/guardians believe 826michigan programs improved their student's grades
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use 826michigan
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
826michigan technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
826michigan partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Belle Isle ConservancycorePartnership for the Young Authors Book Project 'Give Them Their Flowers' with University Prep Academy. Students visited Belle Isle Conservatory to learn about pollination, and QR codes linking to student stories were displayed at the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory.
- University of Michigan Museum of ArtcoreAnnual field trip program for third graders in Ypsilanti Community Schools, now in its seventh year. Students participate in literary art adventure field trips to the museum.
- Ann Arbor District LibrarycoreHosts After-school Writing Lab and Wee-Write programs at library branches in Ann Arbor, providing space and supporting community literacy initiatives.
- Ypsilanti District LibrarycoreHosts After-school Writing Lab and Wee-Write programs at Michigan Ave. branch, serving Ypsilanti area students.
- Detroit Public LibrarycoreHosts Wee-Write programs and summer workshops at multiple branches including Sherwood Forest. Partners on summer reading programs.
- Brilliant DetroitcorePartnership to host Wee-Write programs at Brightmoor and Chandler Park hubs in Detroit, expanding reach into underserved neighborhoods.
- 826 Nationalcore826michigan is part of the 826 National network, the largest youth writing network in the United States. Shares resources, lesson plans through 826 Digital, and best practices across 9 chapters.
- Third Man RecordsminorPartner in Song Shop songwriting workshop program. Students recorded original songs in professional Detroit recording studio.
- Parkridge Community CenterminorCommunity partner hosting Theater Writers Club and other programs in Ypsilanti, supporting College and Career Readiness initiatives.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
826michigan competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- 826 Boston: 826 Boston is another 826 National chapter providing free writing and tutoring programs to K-12 students. Operates an identical program taxonomy — writing labs, in-school workshops, Young Authors Book Project equivalents.
- 826 Valencia: 826 Valencia is the founding San Francisco chapter of the 826 National network and the original youth writing center. It runs the same After-school Writing Lab, field trip, and student-publication model as 826michigan, making it the closest direct operating peer.
- 826 Chicago: 826 Chicago is a Midwest sibling chapter of the 826 National network running free writing programs and student publications. Geographic and demographic context (urban + suburban) is closer to 826michigan than coastal chapters.
- 826 Los Angeles: 826 LA operates the same youth writing center, in-school, and publishing model in Los Angeles as part of the 826 National network. Comparable free programming for K-12 students and a similar volunteer-driven delivery structure.
- 826 DC: 826 DC is a chapter of the 826 National network serving Washington, D.C. students with the same volunteer-driven, free writing-center model as 826michigan.
- 826 NYC: 826 NYC is a chapter of the 826 National network serving New York City students with free writing and tutoring programs. It runs an analogous small-group writing center, in-school programs, and student publishing pipeline to 826michigan.
- 826 New Orleans: 826 New Orleans is a 826 National chapter operating free K-12 writing programs and student publications. Closely comparable operating model, including small-group tutoring and school partnerships.
- 826 MSP: 826 MSP serves Minneapolis-St. Paul with the same 826 National model of free writing labs, in-school programs, and student publications. Closest peer in terms of Midwestern demographic context.
Broad incumbents
- 826 National: 826 National is the parent network of 826michigan and the largest youth writing network in the United States, spanning nine chapters. It operates 826 Digital and shares curriculum, brand, and fundraising infrastructure directly with 826michigan.
Emerging players
- National Writing Project: The National Writing Project is a national network of teacher-led professional development in writing instruction. It is an adjacent — not direct — peer: both organizations invest in K-12 writing outcomes, but NWP focuses on teacher training rather than direct student programming.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
826michigan social profiles
Digital presence826michigan financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
826michigan leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
826michigan subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
826michigan funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
826michigan 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 826michigan
What does 826michigan do?
826michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free writing and literacy programs for K-12 students in Southeast Michigan. It delivers after-school writing labs, in-school partnerships, summer programs, and a student publishing program through volunteer-supported workshops led by trained teaching artists. The organization is part of the 826 National network and operates a retail storefront (Robot Supply Co.) whose proceeds support its free programs.
Is 826michigan a public or private company?
826michigan is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was 826michigan founded?
826michigan was founded in 2005. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is 826michigan based?
826michigan is headquartered in Ann Arbor, United States, in the North America region.
How does 826michigan make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual and Corporate Donations are the primary driver. The others are grant Funding and robot Supply Co. (Merchandise).
Who are 826michigan's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are 826 Boston, 826 Valencia, 826 Chicago, 826 Los Angeles, 826 DC, 826 NYC, 826 New Orleans and 826 MSP. 826 National is listed as a broad incumbent. National Writing Project is listed as an emerging player.
Does 826michigan have an API?
No public API is recorded for 826michigan.
What industry is 826michigan in?
826michigan's product category is Youth Literacy Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAHAD, Reading & Literacy Centers (Phonics, Comprehension, Writing), with a secondary code of EDAMAJAB, Reading Comprehension & Close Reading Enrichment. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 2731.