JEDI

What JEDI does

JEDI (formally a 501c3 nonprofit organization) has operated since 1996/1997 from its headquarters in Mount Shasta, California, delivering economic development and business support services across four far-northern California counties (Shasta, Siskiyou, Trinity, and Humboldt). The organization's stated mission is to increase economic well-being in underserved rural communities through business development and local wealth creation, and it serves nascent entrepreneurs, established small business owners, women-owned businesses, low-to-moderate-income individuals, and local farmers and artisans. Over its 25+ year history, JEDI reports having served more than 15,000 people, supported the creation of over 3,594 businesses and jobs, and helped clients obtain more than $10.3 million in financing.

JEDI's product portfolio is organized into four programs that share a single host organization but address distinct customer needs. The Women's Business Center (WBC, established 2014) is the core offering, providing in-depth consulting, training, and resources for entrepreneurs through a staff of program directors and specialist consultants covering marketing, accounting, HR, change management, and digital presence. The VITA program operates as an IRS-designated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site delivering free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The Mount Shasta Farmers' Market is an ag-centric certified market that gives local farmers and artisans a direct sales venue, and the Learning Library adds an online, 24/7 self-serve channel with free and paid courses hosted at wbcjedi.org/store.

The organization is led by founding Executive Director Nancy Swift, supported by a small core team of 1-10 employees supplemented by a roster of WBC consultants, a Technology and Database Manager, and a Market Manager. Revenue is generated almost entirely through government grants, foundation funding, and charitable donations, with services priced on a sliding scale based on client ability to pay and most offerings provided at low or no cost. Distribution is hybrid: in-person consulting at the Mount Shasta and Redding offices, supplemented by the online Learning Library and community channels including an Instagram presence, Constant Contact email newsletters, and partnerships with referrers such as CAMEO, Silver Lining, CDC Small Business Finance, and Tri Counties Bank. JEDI has no disclosed patents, trademarks, certifications, or technology product of its own; it operates as a service-delivery nonprofit rather than a technology or commercial enterprise.

Name

JEDI

Legal name

JEDI

Website

https://jedieconomy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

JEDI is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1997 in Mount Shasta, California that delivers free and low-cost business development, tax preparation, and farmers market programs to entrepreneurs, women-owned businesses, and low-income individuals across four far-northern California counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Help Supply Services (7363), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN), SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI), Digital Labs, Simulations & Virtual Practicals (Non-XR) (EDAFACAF)

Keywords

• Business development services
• Entrepreneurship support programs
• Free tax preparation
• Women's business center
• Community farmers market

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Shasta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding and Donations: JEDI operates as a 501c3 nonprofit organization funded primarily through government grants, foundation funding, and charitable donations. Service costs are based on ability to pay, with most services provided at low or no cost thanks to government and grant funding.
2. Fee-for-Service Programs: Some programs may have sliding scale fees based on client ability to pay. Online courses are available for purchase through their learning center.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

JEDI provides free and low-cost business development services to entrepreneurs and small business owners in far northern California. Its core offerings include the Women's Business Center (WBC), free VITA tax preparation, the Mount Shasta Farmers' Market, and a Learning Library with educational resources for small business operators.

Product overview

JEDI is a nonprofit organization offering a suite of economic development programs for small businesses and entrepreneurs in far northern California. The portfolio consists of four distinct programs: the Women's Business Center (WBC) providing substantive business development services; the Mount Shasta Farmers' Market supporting local agriculture; the VITA free tax preparation program; and a Learning Library offering self-paced educational courses. These programs operate as integrated services within a single nonprofit host organization, collectively serving to increase economic well-being through business development and local wealth creation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women's Business Center at JEDI (WBC): Provides in-depth, substantive, outcome-oriented business services to entrepreneurs.
• VITA at JEDI
• Mount Shasta Farmers' Market

Products and services

• Women's Business Center at JEDI (WBC) An SBA-affiliated program offering business training, mentoring, and resources tailored to women entrepreneurs and women-owned small businesses in far northern California.
• VITA Free Tax Preparation at JEDI Free income-tax preparation service for low-to-moderate income individuals and households, operated under the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
• Mount Shasta Farmers' Market A community farmers market in the Mount Shasta area providing local farmers, food producers, and craft vendors with a direct sales channel to consumers, while also serving as a community gathering point.
• Learning Library at JEDI An online and in-person resource library providing educational content, training materials, and learning resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners served by JEDI.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 15,000 people served
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Silver LiningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver Lining has partnered with the Women's Business Center at JEDI to provide organic growth opportunities for small business owners. Both organizations share a mission to help small business owners become more profitable and sustainable.
• CAMEO (California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAMEO has partnered with the Women's Business Center at JEDI to provide growth opportunities for small business owners. Collaborative effort focused on helping entrepreneurs become more profitable.
• IRS (VITA Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJEDI hosts the IRS-designated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) free tax preparation program, providing free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• DreamSpring: CDFI providing microloans and business support to under-served entrepreneurs, including women-owned businesses. Operates in similar SBA-WBC-adjacent funding ecosystem as JEDI.
• Grameen America: National microfinance nonprofit providing small business loans and support to low-income entrepreneurs. Comparable as a nonprofit economic development organization targeting under-served entrepreneurs.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): SBA-funded network of local centers providing free consulting and training to small businesses — JEDI's WBC operates in the same federal ecosystem (SBA/WBC co-funded) and serves an overlapping entrepreneur client base.
• Women's Business Centers (WBC National Network): SBA-funded network of WBCs across the U.S. providing business training and counseling to women entrepreneurs. JEDI's WBC is one node in this network and is directly comparable in mission, programming, and funding structure.
• SCORE: National nonprofit providing free business mentoring, workshops, and resources to entrepreneurs. Directly comparable as a free, mentor-driven small business advisory organization serving SMBs.
• Opportunity Fund (now Ascend): CDFI providing small business loans to under-served entrepreneurs in California. Operates in overlapping California geography and serves a similar entrepreneur demographic.

Emerging players

• Kiva: Nonprofit crowdfunding platform that channels crowdfunded microloans to small business entrepreneurs. Comparable to JEDI's capital access facilitation model, with a digital-first distribution approach.

Direct peers

• CAMEO (California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity): Statewide network of micro-enterprise development organizations that JEDI is explicitly partnered with. CAMEO affiliates deliver similar small business development, lending access, and training services to entrepreneurs across California.
• Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC): Nonprofit serving rural communities across the western U.S. with economic development, housing, and small business support — directly comparable as a rural-focused economic development nonprofit serving entrepreneurs.
• CDC Small Business Finance: CDFI lender providing small business financing in California, Arizona, and Nevada. JEDI's Treasurer is a Senior Loan Officer there, and the two organizations co-facilitate capital access for the same entrepreneur client base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/jedieconomy.org
• Xx.com/jediecon
• Facebookfacebook.com/JEDIeconomy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jefferson-economic-development-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 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 JEDI