Step Up Savannah
Step Up Savannah is a Georgia-based 501c3 nonprofit that provides free workforce development, financial empowerment, and public benefits navigation to 250–500 low-income residents annually across four coastal Georgia counties, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersSavannah, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Step Up Savannah does
Step Up Savannah, Inc. is a Georgia-incorporated 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2005 and separately incorporated in 2008, headquartered at 428 Bull Street, Suite 208 in Savannah. It serves individuals and families facing economic barriers across Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, and Effingham Counties in coastal Georgia, with a mission to expand economic opportunity, strengthen financial stability, and remove barriers to upward mobility. The organization's core program is the Chatham Apprentice Program (CAP), a free 16-day intensive workforce development training course offering career coaching, stackable credentials (forklift, TWIC, OSHA, welding, CDL, medical billing, ServSafe, RBT), and wraparound support services including transportation, childcare, record expungement, and counseling. Adjacent programs include SNAP Works (employment and training for SNAP recipients), AmeriCorps VISTA (capacity-building placements at 13 partner agencies), the Neighborhood Leadership Academy (12-week leadership development), Public Benefits Assistance, and the Working Families Network, a 70+ organization collaborative.
The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its digital footprint is limited to a WordPress website, a ShinyApps-hosted CODE (Career Opportunity Dashboard for Economic Mobility) data visualization tool, and a Facebook presence. It generates no product or service revenue — all participant services are free — and is funded through a mix of individual donations (Zeffy, Cash App, Kroger Community Rewards), corporate sponsorships (Truist, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Gulfstream, Memorial Health), foundation grants (Charles A. Frueauff Foundation fully funds the Neighborhood Leadership Academy), and AmeriCorps federal pass-through funding. The annual cost to support one CAP participant is approximately $1,800, and the organization serves 250–500 individuals annually. Governance is provided by a 39-member board of directors representing local government, law enforcement, healthcare, banking, and education sectors. The organization operates as a community convener rather than a service vendor, with a community-led, partnership-driven go-to-market model.
Step Up Savannah firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Step Up Savannah
- Legal name
- Step Up Savannah, Inc.
- Website
- https://stepupsavannah.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Step Up Savannah is a Georgia-based 501c3 nonprofit that provides free workforce development, financial empowerment, and public benefits navigation to 250–500 low-income residents annually across four coastal Georgia counties, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Step Up Savannah industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development and Community Social Services
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Support Services (611710), Employment Services (5613)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Job Placement, Matching & Career Navigation Services (EDAAAOAL)
Keywords
Where Step Up Savannah is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Savannah
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Step Up Savannah business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Step Up Savannah accepts cash donations via their website (Zeffy platform), Cash App ($StepUpSavannah), and mail. They also participate in Kroger Community Rewards program.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support workforce development programming, financial literacy workshops, public benefits outreach, career readiness support, community education sessions, participant resources and incentives, job fairs, resource fairs, advocacy events, and workshops.
- Foundation Grants: Step Up Savannah receives grant funding from foundations including The Charles A. Frueauff Foundation (which funds the Neighborhood Leadership Academy at no cost to participants).
- AmeriCorps VISTA Program: Step Up acts as an intermediary for AmeriCorps VISTA, bringing volunteers to impoverished communities. VISTA members serve for one year and receive a living stipend, with funds coming from AmeriCorps national program.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free workforce development programs for eligible participants |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Step Up Savannah product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Step Up Savannah is a 501c3 nonprofit that delivers free workforce development training, financial empowerment programs, public benefits navigation, and community advocacy services to residents of Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, and Effingham Counties in Georgia. Its flagship Chatham Apprentice Program (CAP) is a 16-day intensive training program providing career coaching, stackable credentials (forklift, TWIC, OSHA, welding, CDL, medical billing, ServSafe, RBT), and wraparound support services including transportation, childcare, and incentives. The organization also convenes the Working Families Network of 70+ partner organizations and serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA intermediary.
Product overview
Step Up Savannah offers a portfolio of interconnected workforce development, financial empowerment, and community advocacy programs. The core offerings include the Chatham Apprentice Program (16-day intensive job training), SNAP Works (employment and training for SNAP recipients), AmeriCorps VISTA (capacity building at partner agencies), Neighborhood Leadership Academy (12-week leadership training), Working Families Network (collaborative of 70+ organizations), and Public Benefits Assistance. The CODE Dashboard serves as a supplementary tool for career pathway visualization. These programs work together to address barriers to economic mobility through employment support, financial education, and community advocacy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Chatham Apprentice Program (CAP)
Quantifiable outcome
- 487% increase in public benefits screenings since program inception
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Step Up Savannah
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Step Up Savannah technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Step Up Savannah partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.
- ACE Women's Business CentersecondaryPartnership to launch the GoGAL Microgrant Program supporting women entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses.
- City of SavannahcoreCity of Savannah is a key municipal partner. Mayor Van Johnson serves on the Board of Directors. The organization advocates for municipal policies including affordable housing and participates in city initiatives like Savannah Votes voter registration.
- Chatham CountycoreChatham County is a government partner with Commission Chairman Chester Ellis on the Board. County departments collaborate on workforce development and public benefits programs.
- United Way of the Coastal EmpirecoreKey nonprofit partner with representation on the board. Hosts AmeriCorps VISTA members and collaborates on community initiatives including Working Families Network.
- TruistsecondaryFinancial institution sponsor supporting workforce development and financial literacy programs.
- Wells FargosecondaryCorporate sponsor supporting financial inclusion and wealth building initiatives.
- Bank of AmericasecondaryCorporate sponsor with Vice President Amy Repella on the Board of Directors.
- GulfstreamsecondaryCorporate sponsor supporting workforce development and economic mobility initiatives in the Savannah area.
- Memorial HealthsecondaryHealthcare partner sponsoring community programs and workforce development initiatives.
- Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA)secondaryEconomic development partner with VP of Finance Mark Sprosty on the Board.
- Prosperity NowsecondaryNational nonprofit partner providing resources and best practices for economic mobility programs.
- Chatham Emergency Management AgencysecondaryVISTA host site partner placing AmeriCorps members to support capacity building.
- Consumer Credit Counseling ServicessecondaryVISTA host site partner providing financial counseling and education services.
- Forsyth Farmers' MarketsecondaryVISTA host site partner addressing food access and community health.
- Georgia Legal ServicescoreVISTA host site partner providing legal aid and access to justice services.
- Savannah Technical CollegecoreEducational partner providing credential training opportunities for CAP graduates including forklift certification and other programs.
- Park Place OutreachsecondaryVISTA host site partner serving youth and families.
- Performance InitiativessecondaryVISTA host site partner focused on youth development and leadership.
- The Mediation CentersecondaryVISTA host site partner providing conflict resolution services.
- Wesley Community CentersecondaryVISTA host site partner providing community services and childcare support.
- Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA)coreLead coordinator for VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program providing free tax preparation services for low-income residents.
- Housing Authority of SavannahsecondaryPartner on affordable housing advocacy and policy work, with Director of Development Services Rafaella Nutini on the Board.
- GooglesecondarySponsor through Google Grow initiative supporting workforce development and digital skills.
- RISEsecondaryCommunity partner collaborating to connect residents with life-changing opportunities.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Step Up Savannah competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit providing skills training and corporate internships for young adults from low-income communities. Comparable training-plus-wraparound-services model but operates at national scale with employer-paid talent solutions.
- Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free technology workforce training to adults from low-income communities. Comparable barrier-removal model (free training, wraparound supports, employer placement) but focused specifically on IT/tech careers rather than the broader credentials Step Up Savannah offers.
- JVS (Jewish Vocational Service): National network of workforce development nonprofits providing career training, skills upgrading, and job placement for underserved populations. Comparable barrier-removal model with free or low-cost training plus employer partnerships.
Others
- Prosperity Now: National nonprofit partner of Step Up Savannah focused on economic mobility, financial capability, and asset building for low-income households. Strong overlap in mission and methodology; serves as a national resource provider to Step Up Savannah.
- National Skills Coalition: National policy and advocacy organization advancing skills training and workforce development for lower-skilled workers. Complementary rather than competitive — both Step Up Savannah and NSC pursue policy reforms supporting workforce investment.
Direct peers
- Savannah Technical College: Regional technical college partner that delivers credential training (e.g., forklift certification) to CAP graduates. Comparable workforce credentialing programs serving the same Savannah-area population, but operating as a public post-secondary institution.
- United Way of the Coastal Empire: Local convener and funder partner of Step Up Savannah, serving many of the same low-income populations in the Coastal Empire region through member agencies. Comparable nonprofit model focused on economic mobility, financial stability, and community impact coordination.
- Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire: Direct regional peer operating workforce development, job training, and supportive services for individuals facing barriers to employment in the Savannah region. Both organizations serve overlapping low-income populations with similar career readiness and wraparound service models.
- WorkSource Coastal (Workforce Development Board): Local workforce development board serving the Savannah region with publicly funded employment and training services. Comparable target population and career pathways focus, operating as the publicly funded counterpart to Step Up Savannah's nonprofit model.
Regional players
- Housing Authority of Savannah: Regional public housing authority partnering with Step Up Savannah on affordable housing advocacy. Comparable mission of supporting low-income Savannah residents but focused specifically on affordable housing rather than workforce development.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Step Up Savannah social profiles
Digital presenceStep Up Savannah financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Step Up Savannah leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Step Up Savannah funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Step Up Savannah 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 Step Up Savannah
What does Step Up Savannah do?
Step Up Savannah is a 501c3 nonprofit that delivers free workforce development training, financial empowerment programs, public benefits navigation, and community advocacy services to residents of Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, and Effingham Counties in Georgia. Its flagship Chatham Apprentice Program (CAP) is a 16-day intensive training program providing career coaching, stackable credentials (forklift, TWIC, OSHA, welding, CDL, medical billing, ServSafe, RBT), and wraparound support services including transportation, childcare, and incentives. The organization also convenes the Working Families Network of 70+ partner organizations and serves as an AmeriCorps VISTA intermediary.
Is Step Up Savannah a public or private company?
Step Up Savannah is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Step Up Savannah founded?
Step Up Savannah was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Step Up Savannah based?
Step Up Savannah is headquartered in Savannah, United States, in the North America region.
How does Step Up Savannah make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships, foundation Grants and ameriCorps VISTA Program.
Who are Step Up Savannah's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Year Up, Per Scholas and JVS (Jewish Vocational Service). Others are Prosperity Now and National Skills Coalition. Direct peers are Savannah Technical College, United Way of the Coastal Empire, Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire and WorkSource Coastal (Workforce Development Board). Housing Authority of Savannah is listed as a regional player.
Does Step Up Savannah have an API?
No public API is recorded for Step Up Savannah.
What industry is Step Up Savannah in?
Step Up Savannah's product category is Workforce Development and Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAF, Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAJ, Employment & Job Readiness Support Services. Its NAICS code is 6243 and its SIC code is 8300.