826michigan

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.

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

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

• Youth writing programs
• Creative writing education
• Literacy support services
• After-school writing workshops
• Student publishing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Robot Supply Co. (Merchandise): Online storefront selling student publications, merchandise, and related items. Proceeds support free programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Belle Isle ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership 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 ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual 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 LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts After-school Writing Lab and Wee-Write programs at library branches in Ann Arbor, providing space and supporting community literacy initiatives.
• Ypsilanti District LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts After-school Writing Lab and Wee-Write programs at Michigan Ave. branch, serving Ypsilanti area students.
• Detroit Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Wee-Write programs and summer workshops at multiple branches including Sherwood Forest. Partners on summer reading programs.
• Brilliant DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host Wee-Write programs at Brightmoor and Chandler Park hubs in Detroit, expanding reach into underserved neighborhoods.
• 826 NationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner826michigan 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 RecordsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Song Shop songwriting workshop program. Students recorded original songs in professional Detroit recording studio.
• Parkridge Community CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity 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

Direct 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/826michigan
• Instagraminstagram.com/826michigan
• Xx.com/826michigan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/826michigan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about 826michigan