The Graduate Network
The Graduate! Network is a U.S. national nonprofit that supports "Comebackers" — the 45 million U.S. adults with some college credit but no degree — through degree-completion pathways, employer engagement, and aggregated policy research. Since August 2023, TGN has operated under CAEL's national nonprofit infrastructure.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Graduate Network does
The Graduate! Network (TGN) is a U.S. national nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance educational equity for adult learners — specifically the 45 million Americans with some college credit but no degree, branded as "Comebackers." TGN addresses a population that often stopped out due to college mismatch, family/financial pressures, or debt, and that today seeks degree completion pathways leading to improved employment outcomes. The organization operates through a community-based education navigator network and long-term partnerships with workforce development boards, chambers of commerce, university systems, community colleges, and nonprofit coalitions spread across at least 15 states.
TGN's product portfolio is centered on three programmatic pillars: Bridging The Talent Gap, a locally deployed employer survey and engagement strategy that surfaces workforce skill challenges and informs employer/educator/community responses; Data That Move Us, an aggregated longitudinal data platform that captures annual findings from partner feedback to inform best practices and broader education/workforce policy; and the Moved By Degrees podcast and YouTube success-story series, which provide thought leadership and audience development. Supporting channels include a quarterly newsletter, webinars, the CAEL Conference, the Pathways Blog, and earned media placements such as The Evolllution.
TGN operates as a nonprofit without commercial pricing; its business model is a partnership- and membership-driven structure rather than fee-for-service sales. On August 31, 2023, CAEL — a larger national nonprofit focused on adult learner success — announced a strategic partnership to operate TGN's portfolio of products and services, effectively making CAEL the operating parent and giving TGN access to CAEL's membership network, conference, and convening infrastructure. The organization is headquartered under CAEL's operation, with primary contact routed through [email protected].
The Graduate Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Graduate Network
- Website
- https://graduate-network.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Graduate! Network is a U.S. national nonprofit that supports "Comebackers" — the 45 million U.S. adults with some college credit but no degree — through degree-completion pathways, employer engagement, and aggregated policy research. Since August 2023, TGN has operated under CAEL's national nonprofit infrastructure.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Graduate Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Equity / Adult Learner Workforce Development
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL)
Keywords
Where The Graduate Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
The Graduate Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Nonprofit Operations / Partnership Model: As a national nonprofit organization, TGN operates through strategic partnerships and membership-based models. On August 31, 2023, CAEL announced a new strategic partnership to operate TGN's portfolio of products and services, suggesting a partnership-driven revenue structure.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Graduate Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Graduate Network (TGN) is a national nonprofit organization that operates a portfolio of initiatives supporting adult "Comebackers" — the 45 million U.S. adults with some college credit but no degree — in completing degrees and connecting to better employment. TGN's portfolio includes the Bridging The Talent Gap employer-engagement strategy, the Data That Move Us aggregated partner data initiative, and the Moved By Degrees podcast, all delivered through a network of community-based education navigators and long-term partnerships with workforce development boards, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and educational institutions.
Product overview
The Graduate Network (TGN) is a national nonprofit organization operating under CAEL since August 2023. The organization offers a suite of workforce development and educational equity products and services centered on supporting 'Comebackers'—adults with some college credit but no degree. The core offerings include: TGN@CAEL (the unified platform), Bridging The Talent Gap (employer engagement and survey campaigns), and Data That Move Us (aggregated partner data for best practices and policy insights). Additionally, TGN operates the 'Moved By Degrees' podcast to share Comebacker success stories. The portfolio is delivered through partnerships with industry organizations, workforce development boards, economic development organizations, and a network of community-based education navigators across multiple U.S. regions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Bridging The Talent Gap: A nationally proven, local strategy that engages employers in local survey campaigns to help employers, employees, learning providers and other community stakeholders understand and meet the challenges of ensuring a skilled and educated workforce.
- Data That Move Us
Products and services
- TGN@CAEL TGN@CAEL is the operating platform through which The Graduate Network's portfolio of products and services is delivered under CAEL's management. It provides access to TGN's initiatives supporting adult learners ("Comebackers") through CAEL's established infrastructure and membership network.
- Bridging The Talent Gap
Quantifiable outcome
- 45 million potential adult learners targeted in the U.S.
Companies that use The Graduate Network
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Graduate Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
The Graduate Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
40 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- CAELcoreOn August 31, 2023, CAEL announced a new strategic partnership with The Graduate Network to operate TGN's portfolio of products and services. The partnership combines two networks with aligned missions to support adult learners and educational equity.
- Education Forward ArizonacoreLong-term partnership with industry organization supporting adult learner pathways in Arizona.
- ProjectAttaincoreLong-term partnership supporting attainment of educational credentials and career goals for adult learners.
- Colorado Workforce Development CouncilcorePartnership with Colorado's workforce development council to support adult learner success and talent development.
- Talent FoundcoreLong-term partnership focused on finding and developing talent among adult learner populations.
- FutureMakers CoalitioncorePartnership supporting future workforce development and adult learner pathways.
- University System of GeorgiacorePartnership with Georgia's university system to support adult learner degree completion.
- Greater Spokane InccorePartnership supporting workforce development in the Greater Spokane area.
- AARP KentuckycorePartnership with AARP Kentucky supporting adult learners in the state.
- Detroit Drives DegreescorePartnership supporting degree attainment among adult learners in the Detroit area.
- MI ReconnectcorePartnership supporting Michigan adult learners in reconnecting with educational opportunities.
- KC DegreescorePartnership supporting degree attainment in the Kansas City region.
- Greater Omaha Chamber of CommercecorePartnership supporting workforce development and adult education in the Greater Omaha area.
- Mission GraduatecorePartnership supporting graduate education and adult learner success.
- CUNY (City University of New York)corePartnership with CUNY system supporting adult learner degree completion in New York.
- The University of North Carolina SystemcorePartnership with UNC system supporting adult learner pathways in North Carolina.
- Graduate MemphiscorePartnership supporting degree completion among Memphis adult learners.
- Nashville Area Chamber of CommercecorePartnership supporting workforce development and adult education in Nashville.
- Austin ChambercorePartnership supporting workforce development and adult learner success in Austin.
- College Now Greater ClevelandcorePartnership supporting college completion for adult learners in Greater Cleveland.
- Graduate PhiladelphiacorePartnership supporting degree completion among Philadelphia adult learners.
- Cradle to Career CincinnaticorePartnership supporting education-to-career pathways in Cincinnati region.
- Learn to Earn DaytoncorePartnership supporting workforce development and adult education in Dayton.
- Greenville ChambercorePartnership supporting workforce development in the Greenville area.
- Spartanburg Academic MovementcorePartnership supporting academic success and workforce development in Spartanburg.
- Fort Worth ChambercorePartnership supporting workforce development and adult education in Fort Worth.
- Irving Chamber of CommercecorePartnership supporting workforce development in Irving, Texas.
- Longview ChambercorePartnership supporting workforce and economic development in Longview.
- Foundation CommunitiescorePartnership supporting adult learners through community-based educational services.
- UpgradecorePartnership supporting educational pathways for adult learners.
- Workforce SolutionscorePartnership supporting workforce development solutions for adult learners.
- Education MatterscorePartnership focused on educational equity and adult learner success.
- Education to Employment PartnerscorePartnership supporting pathways from education to employment for adult learners.
- Summit Education InitiativecorePartnership supporting educational initiatives and adult learner success.
- OneAcadianacorePartnership supporting workforce development in the Acadiana region of Louisiana.
- Jefferson Community and Technical CollegecorePartnership with Kentucky community college supporting adult learner pathways.
- Kentucky Council on Postsecondary EducationcorePartnership with Kentucky's postsecondary education council supporting adult learner success.
- Madisonville Community CollegecorePartnership supporting adult learner pathways in Madisonville, Kentucky.
- Spalding UniversitycorePartnership supporting adult learners in the Spalding University service area.
- Diploma Equality ProjectcorePartnership focused on diploma equity and supporting adult learners in obtaining credentials.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Graduate Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ProjectAttain!: Named TGN partner — a national nonprofit focused on increasing postsecondary credential attainment for adult learners; directly comparable mission and operational approach.
- Complete College America: Nonprofit focused on increasing college completion, particularly among underrepresented and adult populations, working with states and institutions — closely parallel to TGN's Comebacker focus.
- Jobs for the Future (JFF): National nonprofit driving workforce and postsecondary transformation for adult and low-income learners; overlapping mission around credential attainment and economic mobility.
- Achieving the Dream: National nonprofit working with community colleges to improve student success and completion; directly comparable mission to support adult learner degree attainment at scale.
- CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning): Direct peer and now operating partner — CAEL is a national nonprofit focused on adult learners, workforce development, and prior learning assessment, operating TGN's portfolio since August 2023 and serving the same Comebacker population.
Emerging players
- Excelencia in Education: Nonprofit accelerating Latino student success in higher education through research, policy, and practice; comparable adult-learner equity mission though narrower demographic focus.
- National Skills Coalition: Coalition advocating for skills-training and workforce policy for adult workers; adjacent mission around workforce equity and adult learner pathways.
Broad incumbents
- Lumina Foundation: Major philanthropic foundation funding postsecondary attainment initiatives nationwide, including adult learner programs; operates as a funder/incumbent rather than direct service provider.
- Western Governors University: Large online nonprofit university serving adult learners seeking degree completion — directly serves the same Comebacker demographic via a different delivery model.
Regional players
- National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB): Association of U.S. workforce development boards — many of which are TGN partners; comparable network-based nonprofit model serving workforce ecosystems and adult learners.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
The Graduate Network social profiles
Digital presenceThe Graduate Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Graduate Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Graduate Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Graduate Network 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 The Graduate Network
What does The Graduate Network do?
The Graduate Network (TGN) is a national nonprofit organization that operates a portfolio of initiatives supporting adult "Comebackers" — the 45 million U.S. adults with some college credit but no degree — in completing degrees and connecting to better employment. TGN's portfolio includes the Bridging The Talent Gap employer-engagement strategy, the Data That Move Us aggregated partner data initiative, and the Moved By Degrees podcast, all delivered through a network of community-based education navigators and long-term partnerships with workforce development boards, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and educational institutions.
Is The Graduate Network a public or private company?
The Graduate Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently acquired.
When was The Graduate Network founded?
The Graduate Network was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Graduate Network based?
The Graduate Network is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Graduate Network make money?
One revenue line is on record: nonprofit Operations / Partnership Model.
Who are The Graduate Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ProjectAttain!, Complete College America, Jobs for the Future (JFF), Achieving the Dream and CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning). Emerging players are Excelencia in Education and National Skills Coalition. Broad incumbents are Lumina Foundation and Western Governors University. National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) is listed as a regional player.
Does The Graduate Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Graduate Network.
What industry is The Graduate Network in?
The Graduate Network's product category is Educational Equity / Adult Learner Workforce Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAMAL, Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8600.