Nine Star

What Nine Star does

Nine Star Education & Employment Services is a private Alaska-based nonprofit corporation founded in 1976 that delivers integrated workforce development, adult education, and employment services to Alaskans. The organization operates the Center for Workforce Excellence (CfWE) as its primary service hub, offering five integrated modules: Academic Readiness (GED preparation, English as a Second Language, citizenship test prep), Career Readiness (resume building, coaching, mock interviews, job fairs), Technology & Skills Training (digital literacy and vendor certifications), Placement Testing (ACT WorkKeys, Certiport exams), and Professional Development. Nine Star also runs case management programs for Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) recipients and youth ages 16–24, plus a Senior Community Service Employment Program (MASST) for income-eligible adults aged 55 and over. The technology stack is composed of third-party platforms rather than proprietary systems: Certiport powers technology certifications (Microsoft Office Specialist, Adobe Certified Professional, IC3 Digital Literacy, Autodesk Certified User, QuickBooks Certified User), ACT WorkKeys provides career readiness assessment, and GED Testing Service delivers high school equivalency exams. Nine Star does not appear to build or own core technology; it is a delivery-layer operator that wraps third-party testing, curriculum, and certification infrastructure with in-person instruction, case management, and referral coordination.

The business model is grant-and-donation-dependent rather than commercial. Primary revenue comes from government contracts and grants (Alaska Division of Public Assistance, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, US Department of Labor, AmeriCorps/Corporation for National & Community Service) and from corporate and foundation grants (ConocoPhillips Alaska, Wells Fargo, GCI Gives, Denali Commission, Mat-Su Health Foundation, United Way of Anchorage, United Way of Mat-Su, Providence Alaska, Municipality of Anchorage). A small direct-revenue stream comes from program fees averaging $50 per class session, with low-income adult education and youth services offered at no cost. Donations are accepted via PayPal and mail. The organization operates at least seven physical sites across Anchorage (administrative offices at 730 I Street; CfWE at 125 W 5th Ave; 4th and Barrow; Mountain View; AHFC Lab at 440 E Benson Blvd; Covenant House at 755 A St) and Mat-Su Valley (CfWE at 899 W Commercial Dr, Wasilla), with services also delivered online via Zoom. Annual operating budget is approximately $7 million (USD), grown from $665,000 in 1993.

The target customer base is a mix of low-income and at-risk Alaskans referred primarily through state agencies: ATAP recipients (unemployed or underemployed public-assistance participants with a 60-month lifetime cash assistance cap), youth aged 16–24 (high school dropouts or graduates facing employment barriers), adults pursuing a high school equivalency diploma or English literacy, seniors aged 55+ seeking subsidized employment, returning citizens, and general job seekers and career changers. GTM is community- and referral-led, driven by partnerships with state agencies and community organizations rather than paid acquisition; the organization reaches participants through agency referrals, partner-site co-location, community events, and direct outreach via a website (ninestar.org), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Name

Nine Star

Legal name

Nine Star Education and Employment Services

Website

https://ninestar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Nine Star Education & Employment Services is an Alaska-based nonprofit founded in 1976 that delivers workforce development, adult education, and case management services to low-income and at-risk Alaskans—including ATAP recipients, youth 16–24, and seniors 55+—through 7+ sites in Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley, funded primarily by government grants and corporate donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education and Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Adult Learner Support Services (Advising, Case Management, Wraparound Supports) (EDAAABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Credit Recovery & Alternative Adult High School (EDAAABAC), Special Populations ASE (Reentry/Corrections, Homeless, Refugee/Immigrant, Foster/Justice-Involved) (EDAAABAI), Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

Keywords

• Adult basic education
• Workforce development services
• GED preparation
• Career readiness training
• Youth employment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Anchorage

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: Primary revenue from government grants and contracts including Alaska Division of Public Assistance, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, US Department of Labor, and Corporation for National & Community Service (AmeriCorps). Programs include Work Services Program, Youth Education and Employment Services Program, and Regional Adult Education Program.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Funding from community partners including ConocoPhillips Alaska, Wells Fargo, GCI Gives, Denali Commission, and various Alaska foundations that supply finances for education and employment value-added services.
3. Donations: Individual and organizational donations accepted via PayPal and mail. Tax-deductible donations support vital services to Alaskans in need.
4. Program Fees: Affordable adult skill building classes charged at approximately $50 per class session, including all fees and course materials. Low-income adult education also available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nine Star Education & Employment Services is a private non-profit workforce development organization that delivers integrated education, job-readiness, and case-management services to Alaskans through the Center for Workforce Excellence (CfWE) and complementary programs. Its core offerings combine adult basic education (GED preparation, ESL, citizenship test prep), career readiness (resume coaching, mock interviews, job fairs), technology skills training and certification (Microsoft Office, Adobe, IC3, Autodesk, QuickBooks via Certiport), placement testing (ACT WorkKeys / NCRC), and wrap-around case management for youth ages 16–24 and Alaska Temporary Assistance Program recipients. Services are provided in person at multiple Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley sites and online via Zoom.

Product overview

Nine Star Education & Employment Services is a non-profit organization offering a unified portfolio of education and employment programs primarily delivered through the Center for Workforce Excellence (CfWE). The CfWE integrates five core modules: Academic Readiness (GED/ELL/citizenship), Career Readiness (resume, coaching, job fairs), Technology & Skills Training (digital literacy, certifications), Placement Testing (ACT WorkKeys, Certiport), and Professional Development (workshops). Complementary programs include Youth Services Case Management, Work Services Case Management for ATAP recipients, Youth Employment/Internship placement, corporate partnerships, and a donations program. The organization operates multiple sites in Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley, serving Alaskans from youth (16+) through adults.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Center for Workforce Excellence (CfWE) Integrated education and employment service hub combining Academic Readiness, Career Readiness, Technology & Skills Training, Placement Testing, and Professional Development for adult learners and job seekers at the Anchorage and Mat-Su locations.
• Academic Readiness High school equivalency (GED preparation), English as a Second Language, and citizenship test preparation classes for adult learners.
• Career Readiness Resume building, career navigation, career coaching, mock interviews, in-house job fairs, and workshops on job search strategies, communication, time management, and financial literacy for job seekers and career changers.
• Technology & Skills Training Digital literacy courses and Certiport certification training including Microsoft Office Specialist, Adobe Certified Professional, IC3 Digital Literacy, Autodesk Certified User, and QuickBooks Certified User.
• Placement Testing ACT WorkKeys Curriculum and exams leading to the National Career Readiness Certificate, plus Certiport certification exams for Microsoft Office, Adobe, and other technology programs at AHFC Lab and other locations.
• Professional Development Expert-led workshops and consultations in organizational development, strategic planning, and effective meeting management delivered in person and online via Zoom.
• Youth Services Case Management Case management for youth ages 16–24 including assessment, goal setting, education assistance, job search training, resume writing, mentoring, and internship/job placement.
• Work Services Case Management Intensive case management for Alaska Temporary Assistance Program recipients providing employment skills, self-sufficiency planning, and community resource referrals to help obtain and retain employment and overcome barriers to economic self-sufficiency.
• Youth Employment Services (Internship Placement) Intern placement program connecting trained youth with businesses in Anchorage, Mat-Su, and Homer areas, with potential funding for wages and employment items.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual budget grown from $665,000 (1993) to $7 million
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AmeriCorps (Corporation for National & Community Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNine Star acts as an AmeriCorps intermediary for community resource sharing and holistic wrap-around services to at-risk populations. AmeriCorps Members enrich services offered at Nine Star and partner agencies.
• Alaska Division of Public AssistancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner operating Work Services Program providing case management to public assistance recipients referred by the Division. Also partners on Work Search Program.
• Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner funding Regional Adult Education Program, Youth Education and Employment Services Program, and Senior Community Service Employment Program (MASST).
• Cook Inlet Tribal CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional nonprofit partner in the Regional Adult Education Program serving youth and adults.
• Anchorage Literacy ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit literacy organization partner in the Regional Adult Education Program.
• Covenant House AlaskaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner serving homeless youth, participating in Regional Adult Education Program and providing Youth Services location.
• Alaska Military Youth AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary youth program partner in the Regional Adult Education Program.
• McLaughlin Youth Center High School (ASD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool partner in the Regional Adult Education Program serving youth in the Anchorage School District.
• My House (Mat-Su)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlaska nonprofit partner for Youth Education and Employment Services extension in Mat-Su Valley (Wasilla).
• Partners for ProgressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchorage nonprofit partner in the Partners Reentry Center serving individuals with backgrounds to help program participants get housing.
• Alaska Native Justice CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner in the Partners Reentry Center providing services to individuals with backgrounds.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit operating workforce development, job training, and case management programs similar to Nine Star's ATAP and youth employment services. Comparable model of integrating education, soft-skills training, and placement support, with similar reliance on government and corporate funding.
• AARP Foundation Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP): Administers the same federal Senior Community Service Employment Program (MASST) that Nine Star delivers to income-eligible seniors 55+ in Alaska. Direct peer in subsidized employment and skills training for older workers.
• Anchorage Literacy Project: Alaska adult literacy nonprofit and Nine Star's partner in the Regional Adult Education Program. Directly comparable on adult basic education, GED preparation, and ELL instruction.
• Alaska Literacy Program: Anchorage-based adult literacy and ESL nonprofit providing adult basic education and family literacy. Directly comparable on adult secondary education and ELL instruction in the same Alaska market.

Broad incumbents

• Jobs for the Future (JFF): National nonprofit focused on workforce readiness, economic mobility, and education-to-career pathways. Comparable mission and target populations but operates at a national policy and systems level rather than direct service.
• American Job Center (Alaska network): Federally funded American Job Center network operated by Alaska Department of Labor; Nine Star's state agency partner. Directly comparable core services: career counseling, placement testing, and workforce training referrals.
• United Way of Anchorage: Broader community-services funder and convener in the same Anchorage market and a direct financial partner of Nine Star; comparable in connecting at-risk populations to workforce and education services through member agencies.
• SER Metro-Detroit / National Council of La Raza workforce programs: National network of community-based workforce development nonprofits providing case management, ESL, GED, and job placement similar to Nine Star's ATAP and youth services portfolio.

Regional players

• Cook Inlet Tribal Council: Alaska Native nonprofit providing workforce development, education, and social services in Anchorage; Nine Star's partner in the Regional Adult Education Program. Comparable wraparound employment and education model for similar Alaskan populations.
• Covenant House Alaska: Anchorage nonprofit serving homeless and at-risk youth; Nine Star's partner providing Youth Services at the 755 A Street site. Comparable wraparound services and shared target population (youth 16-24).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFO26R6ycJy7EbTzCg41y1g
• Facebookfacebook.com/NineStarAlaska
• Instagraminstagram.com/ninestaralaska

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nine Star