LiFT

What LiFT does

LiFT (Learning Independence For Tomorrow) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 1005 S. Highland Avenue, Clearwater, Florida, founded in January 2013 by Kim Kuruzovich and Keli Mondello. The organization operates a vertically integrated educational continuum for neurodiverse learners across all life stages: LiFT Academy (K-12 private school, $14,500-$17,000 annual tuition), LiFT University Transition Program (ages 18-22, $17,000 plus $400-500 enrollment fee), and LiFT Adult Training Program (ages 23+, $9,000). Three wholly-owned social enterprise microbusinesses — LiFT Your Heart (handmade crafts), LiFT Your Fork (catering), and LiFT U Cleaning Crew (janitorial services) — provide vocational training and employability skills, complemented by a LiFT Alumni Group and a Parents & Teachers Organization.

The underlying technology stack is standard and non-proprietary: FACTS Tuition Management System for online enrollment and tuition billing, Step Up for Students integration for scholarship administration (Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities, FES-EO, FTC, FES, and HOPE), PayPal for donation processing, and a UserWay Web Accessibility Widget for WCAG 2.1 compliance on the WordPress-based website. There are no proprietary AI/ML systems, patents, or technical IP. Service delivery is entirely campus-based and in-person in the Tampa Bay area.

The business model combines tuition revenue with a diversified fundraising apparatus: over 95% of students are on Step Up for Students scholarships, with additional LiFT Board Scholarship funding for financial need. Donations flow through annual events (LiFT Your Spirits Gala, golf tournament generating over $75,000), a tiered monthly giving program (LiFT for Life), a Champions for Change Giving Society, and episodic major gifts (notably a $3 million co-founder gift in 2023). The organization serves approximately 200 students with 11-50 employees, holds 2025 Candid (GuideStar) Platinum transparency and CAC accreditations, and operates with employer-partner pipelines including Tampa Bay Lightning, Jabil, Publix, and Raymond James.

Name

LiFT

Legal name

Learning Independence For Tomorrow Inc.

Website

https://liftfl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LiFT (Learning Independence For Tomorrow) is a Clearwater, Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a K-through-adult educational continuum for neurodiverse students, including LiFT Academy, LiFT University Transition Program, Adult Training Program, and three vocational microbusinesses serving the Tampa Bay area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seminole

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. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments for educational services across LiFT Academy (K-8, 9-12), LiFT University, and Adult Training Program.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Annual events like the LiFT Your Spirits Gala and golf tournament generate significant fundraising revenue.
3. Scholarship Funding: Partnership with Step Up for Students to provide scholarship funding for eligible students, expanding access to educational services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LiFT operates a campus-based educational platform serving neurodiverse students from kindergarten through adulthood. Core offerings include LiFT Academy (K-12 private school with individualized accommodations), LiFT University Transition Program (post-secondary ages 18-22+), and the Adult Training Program (ages 23+). The organization also runs three vocational microbusinesses (LiFT Your Heart, LiFT Your Fork, LiFT U Cleaning Crew) that provide hands-on employment training for neurodiverse students.

Product overview

LiFT (Learning Independence For Tomorrow) is a neurodiverse-focused educational organization operating as a platform of interconnected programs. The core offerings include LiFT Academy (K-12 private school), LiFT University Transition Program (post-secondary ages 18-22+), and LiFT Adult Training Program (ages 23+). Supporting these educational programs are three social enterprise microbusinesses: LiFT Your Heart (handmade crafts), LiFT Your Fork (catering), and LiFT U Cleaning Crew (janitorial services). Additional offerings include an Alumni Group, PTO organization, Board Scholarship program, and monthly donor program (LiFT for Life). The organization serves students with autism, ADHD, learning differences, Down syndrome, and other neurodiversities, providing academics, life skills, career training, and social skills development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Knights CODE: Guiding principles of COMMUNITY, OPPORTUNITY, DIGNITY, and EXCELLENCE that define LiFT Knights behavior and values.

Products and services

• LiFT Academy A K-12 private school serving students of all academic levels, including those with neurodiversity. Offers small classrooms, individualized accommodations, and innovative teaching techniques from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Tuition: $14,500 (K-8) and $17,000 (9-12) annually for the 2026-2027 school year.
• LiFT University Transition Program A post-secondary program for young adults ages 18-22+ with neurodiversity offering a balance of academics, life skills training, career experience, and socialization to empower independence. Tuition: $17,000 annually plus a $400-500 enrollment fee.
• LiFT Adult Training Program A program for adults with neurodiversity ages 23+ to develop employability skills, strengthen social skills, and explore ways to use individual gifts for independence. Tuition: $9,000 annually with $0 enrollment fee.
• LiFT Your Heart A social venture microbusiness providing vocational training through handmade artisan products including bags, candles, soaps, scrubs, tea towels, and ornaments made by adults with neurodiversity.
• LiFT Your Fork A catering and food service microbusiness operated by young adults with neurodiversity, preparing them for employment in the hospitality industry. Offers baked goods, cakes, pies, and event catering services.
• LiFT U Cleaning Crew A janitorial and cleaning services microbusiness providing cleaning services to small businesses throughout the Tampa Bay Area, teaching students janitorial and maintenance skills.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Step Up for StudentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide scholarship organization providing Gardiner Scholarship funding for eligible neurodiverse students. This partnership enables families to access LiFT's educational programs through scholarship resources.
• Tampa Bay LightningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNHL hockey team that recognized LiFT through its Community Hero program, raising awareness and providing community support for the organization's mission.
• JabilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology manufacturing company providing internship opportunities and workplace experience for LiFT students as part of career readiness programming.
• Raymond JamesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial services firm engaged as a community partner supporting LiFT's mission and providing workplace learning opportunities.
• PublixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional grocery chain providing internship and job training opportunities for neurodiverse students.
• YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfter-school care partnership providing extended day services for LiFT students, offering recreational and social activities in partnership with the school.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Melmark: Multi-state nonprofit provider of special education, residential, and adult services for individuals with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Comparable to LiFT's lifespan services model and microbusiness-style vocational programming, though with a residential component LiFT does not offer.
• The Monarch School: Private school in Houston, TX serving students with neurological differences (autism, ADHD, learning differences, dyslexia) through a comprehensive K-12 program with transition support. Highly comparable to LiFT Academy's neurodiverse-specialized mission and individualized accommodation model.
• Melwood: Maryland-based nonprofit providing vocational training, employment placement, and day programs for people with disabilities. Closely comparable to LiFT's Adult Training Program and microbusiness-based vocational training approach.
• The Vanguard School: Private school in Pennsylvania serving students with learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, autism) through individualized instruction and small class sizes. Comparable to LiFT Academy in K-12 private special-education delivery model and accommodation philosophy.
• The Forman School: Private college-prep school in Connecticut serving students with learning differences and ADHD, including a post-graduate transition year. Comparable to LiFT in providing specialized instruction for neurodiverse learners with focus on individualized accommodation and college/career transition.
• The Jericho School: Florida-based (Jacksonville) private school for children with autism and other developmental differences, providing individualized education. Shares both geographic overlap (Florida) and a neurodiverse-focused private school model with LiFT.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including education, vocational training, and adult day programs across many states. Comparable to LiFT's lifespan services spanning education and adult vocational programming, though Easterseals operates at a much broader geographic and programmatic scale.
• The Arc of the United States: National advocacy and service organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing education, employment, and community-living supports. Comparable to LiFT's lifespan neurodiverse services mission at a national scale, though The Arc primarily operates through a federated chapter model rather than direct school delivery.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: Large national nonprofit operating special-education schools, residential programs, and behavioral health services for individuals with autism and emotional/behavioral disorders. Comparable as a broader special-education provider with multiple service lines overlapping LiFT's educational and adult programs, though at substantially larger scale.

Emerging players

• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit providing one-to-one friendships, leadership development, and integrated employment programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable to LiFT's adult social-integration and vocational focus, though with a different program emphasis (mentoring and employment matching rather than direct school instruction).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/liftacademyuniversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifturheart
• Xx.com/LiFTAcademy_
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/learning-independence-for-tomorrow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

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 LiFT