Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education

What Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education does

Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education (FAME) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit educational organization founded in 1993 by Ron Gebhardt of Sewickley Academy, modeled on the Fund for Independent Schools of Cincinnati. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, FAME provides need-based scholarships and academic enrichment support to African American students in the Greater Pittsburgh area so they can attend independent partner schools. Its core programs are the Scholar Program (grades 3-12 tuition support at partner schools), FAME Academy (a middle-school preparatory program for grades 6-8 with summer and Saturday seminars), and Teachers' Academy (an 8-week summer training program plus 3-year mentorship for aspiring Black educators). The organization serves approximately 80 active Scholars and reports a 30-year record of 100% college acceptance rates among graduates, with documented cohorts in the 2017-2024 alumni classes.

FAME operates a partnership consortium of seven founding and added independent schools (The Ellis School, Sewickley Academy, St. Edmund's Academy, Winchester Thurston School, Shady Side Academy, The Kiski School, The Neighborhood Academy) plus Western Reserve Academy in Ohio, where partner schools provide educational infrastructure and FAME provides vetted Scholars and need-based financial support. Its technology stack is minimal: RenWeb for student inquiry management and Network for Good for online donations. There are no proprietary AI/ML systems, mobile applications, or platforms; the organization's intellectual capital lies in its 30-year curriculum library, alumni network, and community-trust position in the regional African American community.

The organization's revenue model is multi-stream nonprofit: individual donations with tiers from $75 to $24,000, corporate gifts via Pennsylvania's EITC/OSTC tax credit programs (up to 90% tax credit to participating companies), foundation grants (Richard King Mellon Foundation, Howmet Aerospace Foundation, Arts Equity & Education Foundation), United Way Southwestern PA workplace giving, event sponsorships (FAME Fun 5K Run/Walk, GiveBigPittsburgh, GivingTuesday), and planned/endowment giving. Day-to-day operations run with 1-10 employees, including seven named staff led by CEO Darryl T. Wiley, with governance from a 24-member Board of Trustees that includes seven seats nominated by partner schools.

Name

Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education

Legal name

Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education

Website

https://famefund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FAME is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit founded in 1993 that provides need-based scholarships and enrichment programs to African American students in grades 3-12 at a consortium of partner independent schools in the Greater Pittsburgh area, supplemented by a middle-school preparatory academy and a teacher training program for aspiring Black educators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAE

College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYBPAGADAB

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

Keywords

• Educational nonprofit services
• Need-based scholarships
• College preparatory programs
• Community education outreach
• Teacher pipeline programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: FAME relies on individual donors, alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends of the organization. Donation tiers range from $75 to $24,000, supporting specific programs such as academic enrichment, textbooks, SAT prep, and full scholarships. Annual appeals and end-of-year campaigns drive donations.
2. EITC and OSTC Corporate Tax Credit Programs: FAME is eligible to receive corporate gifts through Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. Participating companies receive up to 90% tax credit on the value of their gift. OSTC funds specifically benefit students from underperforming districts.
3. Foundation Grants: FAME receives grant funding from foundations such as the Richard King Mellon Foundation and Arts, Equity & Education Foundation. The Richard King Mellon Foundation provided a conditional grant in 1994 to fund scholarships.
4. United Way Contributions: FAME receives workplace giving campaign contributions through United Way Southwestern PA, designation code #9809.
5. Events and Sponsorships: FAME hosts events such as the FAME Fun 5K Run/Walk, which provide sponsorship opportunities for community businesses to support scholars.
6. Planned and Endowment Giving: FAME accepts endowment gifts invested for long-term funding and planned gifts through wills and estate plans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FAME educates, empowers, and emboldens African American youth in the Greater Pittsburgh area by providing need-based financial assistance for attendance at partner independent schools, supplemented by academic enrichment, college preparatory programming, and a Black educator training pipeline. Its three interconnected programs — FAME Academy (middle school prep), the Scholar Program (grades 3-12), and Teachers' Academy — deliver scholarships, tutoring, SAT/ACT prep, college essay support, paid internships, leadership development, and teacher recruitment services.

Product overview

FAME (Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education) is an educational nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offerings include FAME Academy (a preparatory middle school program for grades 6-8), the Scholar Program (grades 3-12 providing need-based scholarships and enrichment), and Teachers' Academy (training aspiring Black educators). These programs are supported by enrichment modules including SAT/ACT Prep, College Essay Writing Lab, Writing Lab, NSBE STEM Program, and an Internship Program. The FAME 360 Enrichment Program provides holistic support including advocacy, tutoring, and college tours that connects all programs together.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FAME Academy: A rigorous out-of-school time preparatory program for middle school-aged students (grades 6-8) that serves as the primary path for youth to be considered as candidates for the FAME Scholar high school program.
• FAME Scholars
• Teachers' Academy

Products and services

• FAME Academy A rigorous out-of-school-time preparatory program for middle school students (grades 6-8) that prepares African American students for success in independent private high schools through summer programs, Saturday academic seminars, and weekday tutorials.
• FAME Scholars Program A comprehensive program for African American students (grades 3-12) providing need-based scholarships and 360-degree enrichment support including tutoring, SAT/ACT prep, college tours, internships, and leadership development for attending partner independent schools.
• Teachers' Academy A program recruiting and training aspiring Black educators through a 3-year career mentorship and teaching experience at FAME Academy, designed to address the lack of African American teachers in the Greater Pittsburgh area.
• FAME 360 Enrichment Program A comprehensive enrichment program bundled with the Scholar program offering advocacy, tutoring, academic consultations, paid internships, workshops, community service, leadership development trips, and college tours.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of FAME Scholars accepted to 4-year colleges and universities over 30 years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• University of Pittsburgh NSBE ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023FAME Academy has a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh's National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter. Pitt NSBE conducts Saturday STEM workshops for FAME Academy students, including activities such as constructing 'lungs,' exploring battery functions, and designing bridges.
• Carnegie Mellon University Engineering OutreachminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023CMU Engineering's Outreach program collaborated with FAME Academy for a Saturday of immersive engineering activities including rocket launching, biomedical engineering exploration, and lab tours. CMU staff also participated in FAME's College Essay Writing Lab as guest speakers.
• Falk Laboratory SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Falk Laboratory School at the University of Pittsburgh hosts FAME Academy's 6-week summer program and collaborated with FAME's literacy clinic. The Falk site also hosted the FAME Academy 2024 Summer Academy Family Day celebration.
• Carlow UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Carlow University hosted the FAME Teachers' Academy 2024 Cohort recruitment event and an information session about the program. FAME also celebrated a graduate who completed Duquesne University and is now a Black educator.
• Goldstein Test PrepminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Goldstein Test Prep partners with FAME to offer SAT Prep Courses for FAME Scholars. The course provides a specialized environment for Black students to excel on SAT exams, with sessions running July–August 2023 and extended deadline through August 26th.
• The Neighborhood AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Faith-based, college preparatory independent school that joined the FAME consortium in 2021 with the mission of breaking the cycle of generational poverty. FAME's 9th and 10th Grade Writing Lab was hosted at The Neighborhood Academy.
• Western Reserve AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partner boarding school in Hudson, Ohio, added to the consortium in 2014 due to geographic proximity to Pittsburgh. FAME graduated its first students from WRA in 2019. FAME provides enrolled Scholars with financial assistance while WRA provides educational programming.
• The Kiski SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010First new school added to the partner consortium since FAME's founding in 1993. The Kiski School is an all-boys boarding school approximately one hour from Pittsburgh. FAME provides enrolled Scholars with financial assistance; in 2016 and 2017, FAME Scholars were named Valedictorians at Kiski.
• The Ellis SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Founding partner of the FAME consortium. The Ellis School is an all-girls college preparatory independent school in Pittsburgh. FAME provides enrolled Scholars with need-based financial assistance while Ellis provides educational programming. Seven members of FAME's Board of Trustees are nominated by partner schools.
• Sewickley AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Founding partner and original home of FAME founder Ron Gebhardt, who was Chairman of Sewickley Academy's Board when FAME was conceived in 1993. Sewickley Academy nominated board members and continues as a primary partner school.
• St. Edmund's AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Founding partner of the FAME consortium. St. Edmund's Academy is the entry point for the Scholar pathway (students apply as rising 3rd-5th graders). FAME provides need-based scholarships and enrichment support for enrolled Scholars.
• Winchester Thurston SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Founding partner of the FAME consortium. Winchester Thurston School hosts FAME Academy information sessions at its Davis Center. FAME provides enrolled Scholars with financial assistance while Winchester Thurston provides educational programming.
• Shady Side AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Founding partner of the FAME consortium. Shady Side Academy hosts Teachers' Academy cohort events and FAME Academy visits. FAME provides enrolled Scholars with need-based financial assistance while Shady Side provides educational programming.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/famepgh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fund-for-advancement-of-minorities-through-education-fame-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

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 Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education