Bridges Foundation

What Bridges Foundation does

Bridges Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1964 in Jenks, Oklahoma, that provides employment, training, and advocacy services to youth and adults with developmental disabilities or other barriers to work. The organization operates across three core program areas: Training and Education (job-readiness curriculum, school partnerships, and hands-on peer projects), Inclusive Employment Opportunities (job placement, job coaching, and ongoing career support), and Workforce Solutions (contract manufacturing, assembly, and fulfillment services delivered to local businesses through a trained, supervised workforce). Bridges also operates two retail storefronts in Jenks — Bridges Mercantile and Able & Co. — plus an online store, where products such as gourmet popcorn and all-natural dog treats (assembled by program participants) are sold to consumers and through fundraiser bundles sold to schools, clubs, and organizations.

The organization's revenue model is diversified across four streams: earned income from manufacturing and outsourcing contracts with employer partners (including PepsiCo, Hilti, Greenheck, Macy's, NORDAM, and Navistar); retail sales of consumer goods; government workforce development funding; and private donations. Bridges maintains 60+ employer partnerships, with the dedicated Bridges Outsource Workcenter in Tulsa producing 3,000+ Hilti components weekly for nationwide distribution. Its go-to-market is sales-led and mission-driven: direct outreach to local businesses for workforce partnerships, school and family referrals for individual participants, and community events plus retail foot traffic for consumer products. The organization is governed by a board and led by President & CEO Karie M. Jordan, alongside COO Nikki Jolly, CFO Amy Tyson, and Development Director Tera Pogue.

Bridges' geographic footprint is concentrated in the Tulsa metropolitan area and Oklahoma, with four physical locations (HQ in Jenks, the Outsource Workcenter in Tulsa, and the two retail stores in Jenks). The organization is not a technology company; its offerings are services and physical products, with no proprietary software, AI/ML capabilities, or patents disclosed. Long-standing employer relationships, particularly the PepsiCo partnership dating to 2010 and the deeply embedded Hilti components program, are central to operational stability.

Name

Bridges Foundation

Legal name

Bridges Foundation

Website

https://bridgestulsa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bridges Foundation is a 1964-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Jenks, Oklahoma that provides job training, supported employment, and workforce solutions to youth and adults with disabilities, partnering with 60+ employers and operating retail stores in Jenks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Employment Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Disability employment services
• Vocational training programs
• Inclusive employment programs
• Nonprofit workforce solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Jenks

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Manufacturing and Outsourcing Contracts: Earned income from manufacturing contracts with partner companies including Hilti and PepsiCo. Bridges employees produce components (e.g., 3,000+ Hilti components weekly) at the Outsource Workcenter, providing cost-effective workforce solutions to business partners.
2. Retail Sales: Revenue from retail operations including The Bridges Mercantile boutique and Able & Co. men's store, featuring gourmet popcorn ($8.00), dog treats ($8.00), handcrafted goods, specialty foods, and home décor. Products are assembled and packaged by individuals employed through Bridges programs.
3. Government Workforce Initiatives: Funding from government workforce development programs supporting employment services for individuals with disabilities.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Private support through donations supporting job training, skill-building programs, inclusive employment opportunities, and ongoing support for employees with disabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bridges Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 that provides employment services, vocational training, and inclusive employment opportunities for youth and adults with developmental disabilities or other barriers to employment. The organization operates Workforce Solutions partnering with more than 60 companies (including Hilti, PepsiCo, Macy's, and Greenheck) for manufacturing, assembly, and fulfillment services, while also running training programs, career placement services, and retail storefronts (Bridges Mercantile and Able & Co.) selling products made by program participants.

Product overview

Bridges Foundation is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of employment, education, and retail products and services for youth and adults with disabilities or barriers to work. The core offerings include: (1) Workforce Solutions — outsourcing and staffing services connecting business partners with a skilled workforce for manufacturing, assembly and fulfillment; (2) Training and Education — job readiness and career development programs; (3) Inclusive Employment Opportunities — job placement and ongoing career support; (4) Retail Operations — two storefronts (Bridges Mercantile and Able & Co.) plus an online store selling gourmet popcorn and all-natural dog treats made by program participants; and (5) Peer Project Summer Camp — a six-week inclusive day camp for youth ages 10-14. The portfolio is unified by the organization's mission to create meaningful employment experiences while generating earned income through retail and manufacturing contracts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bridges Mercantile: A boutique offering gourmet popcorn, handcrafted goods from local vendors, home décor, seasonal gifts and everyday essentials. Many items are assembled, packaged, or created by individuals employed through Bridges' programs.
• Able & Co.
• Bridges Outsource

Products and services

• Workforce Solutions Partnership services with local businesses providing high-quality manufacturing, assembly and fulfillment services supported by a skilled, reliable workforce. Bridges handles training, human resources, job coaching and workers' compensation. Employment partnerships span more than 60 companies including PepsiCo, Hilti, Macy's, and Greenheck.
• Training and Education
• Inclusive Employment Opportunities
• Bridges Mercantile
• Able & Co.
• Bridges Mercantile Popcorn
• Bridges Dog Treats
• Popcorn and Dog Treats Fundraiser Program
• Peer Project Summer Camp

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 3,000 Hilti components produced weekly, distributed nationwide from California to Florida
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PepsiCocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010PepsiCo's partnership with Bridges began in 2010 with a small contract. Impressed by the team's performance, PepsiCo built a dedicated reclamation center to expand the collaboration. The operation now saves PepsiCo significant costs while creating meaningful jobs for individuals with disabilities.
• HilticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridges employees at the Outsource Workcenter assemble and package components for Hilti, a global construction and engineering company. Each week, Bridges employees produce more than 3,000 various Hilti components distributed nationwide from California to Florida.
• GreenheckcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreenheck partners with Bridges in building stronger communities and brighter futures, empowering youth, fostering career readiness and supporting paths to sustainable success.
• Macy'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Employment Partner providing inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Pathways to PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Pathways to Partnership makes possible the FREE six-week Peer Project summer day camp for children ages 10-14 with and without disabilities, featuring daily field trips and hands-on learning.
• LippertminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Employment Partner providing inclusive employment opportunities.
• NORDAMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Employment Partner providing inclusive employment opportunities.
• Navistar/InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Employment Partner providing inclusive employment opportunities.
• American RecyclersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Employment Partner providing inclusive employment opportunities.
• RL HudsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Employment Partner providing inclusive employment opportunities.
• Premiere PressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Employment Partner providing inclusive employment opportunities.
• TDWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Employment Partner providing inclusive employment opportunities.
• PrescorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Employment Partner providing inclusive employment opportunities.
• Tulsa ParksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Employment Partner providing inclusive employment opportunities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Direct peers

• SourceAmerica: National nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities through AbilityOne and SKILLOK contract packaging/assembly partnerships with federal agencies and Fortune 500 companies. Direct overlap with Bridges Outsource Workcenter in providing contract manufacturing and assembly services to enterprises using a disability workforce.
• Melwood: Mid-Atlantic nonprofit providing workforce development, job coaching, and contract services (packaging, assembly, landscaping, staffing) for people with disabilities. Highly comparable in operating both an inclusive employment platform and contract manufacturing/outsource services for enterprise partners.
• PRIDE Industries: California-based nonprofit that operates as a social enterprise providing manufacturing, packaging, assembly, and staffing services employing people with disabilities. Direct overlap with Bridges' Outsource Workcenter model of contract manufacturing for enterprise partners using an inclusive workforce.
• Hope Services: California-based nonprofit providing training, employment placement, and contract packaging/assembly services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Directly comparable service portfolio to Bridges including community employment, work centers, and supported employment programs.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including employment, training, and inclusive workforce programs across the U.S. Comparable mission focus on developmental disabilities and similar mix of training, employment placement, and community-based services.
• Goodwill Industries International: Largest U.S. workforce development nonprofit operating mission-driven manufacturing, staffing, and retail programs for people with disabilities and barriers to employment. Highly comparable business model to Bridges (training, contract packaging/assembly, retail thrift stores funded by social enterprise), with national scale and a similar funding mix of earned income and donations.
• AbilityOne Program: Federal program creating employment for people with significant disabilities through contracts with federal agencies, managed by SourceAmerica and NIB. Bridges' Outsource Workcenter operates a comparable contract manufacturing model in a private-sector (non-federal) context.
• The Arc: National nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, employment, education, and community programs. Comparable in mission and segment focus; operates a federated structure that Bridges lacks.

Emerging players

• Best Buddies International: Nonprofit focused on creating employment opportunities and leadership programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Overlaps with Bridges' mission in inclusive employment placement but with less emphasis on contract manufacturing/outsource work.
• Kennedy Krieger Institute: Nonprofit organization providing vocational services, training, and employment support for individuals with developmental disabilities. Comparable segment focus with Bridges on training and inclusive employment pathways.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tbfbridgesfound
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheBridgesFoundationTulsa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bridgestulsa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Bridges Foundation