What Phebe Foundation does

The Phe'be Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, that delivers financial literacy education and counseling to underserved households across Cuyahoga County and the Greater Cleveland area. Its portfolio comprises eight core programs (ATM All Things Money, Operation Ownership, Living a Legacy, Boys 2 Men and Money, Frugal Hustle, GEN YZ, and additional named tracks) and four specialty programs (Credit B4 Campus, The Financial Game of LIFE, The Door of No Return Re-entry, and Wired2Work), serving cohorts that span youth ages 8-18, young adults 16-39, older adults 55+, ex-offender re-entry populations, and digital-divide-affected households, with an estimated 70% of clients identifying as African American.

The foundation's underlying technology stack is deliberately lightweight: program delivery combines in-person classes at libraries and community centers with a Banzai-powered online platform offering pre-built financial wellness modules (budget calculator, credit-building, car-buying, home-buying, healthcare payment, credit-card usage) and a self-guided Financial Wellness Assessment. A weekly radio show (All Things Money on 95.9FM WOVU) extends reach through broadcast, and the Wired2Work program layers up to one year of internet access onto financial-literacy training. There is no proprietary technology platform or app; the digital experience is co-branded Banzai content, and a Wix-hosted website serves as the registration and content hub.

The business model is donation-and-grant funded rather than transactional. All programs are provided free of charge to participants, with revenue derived from foundation grants (Cleveland Foundation, Westfield Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, Fifth Third Foundation), corporate sponsorships (Citizens Bank, Verizon), and government partnerships (Cuyahoga County, City of Cleveland, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, State of Ohio Treasurer's Office). Distribution relies on a hybrid community-led and event-driven go-to-market approach, with outreach through schools, hospitals, libraries, community centers, workplaces, radio, and social channels. The organization reports cumulative impact metrics of $3.2 million in debt released and $570 million in mortgage facilitated through financial education and partnerships, alongside 161,000+ Wired2Work connections and 2,657 youth reached through The Financial Game of LIFE.

Name

Phebe Foundation

Legal name

The Phe'be Foundation

Website

https://phebefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Phe'be Foundation is a Cleveland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2002, that delivers free financial literacy education, counseling, and digital-inclusion programs to low-to-moderate-income households across Greater Cleveland, funded by foundation grants and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Financial Literacy Education and Community Empowerment

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial & Consumer Literacy (Banking, Credit, Contracts) (EDAAAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Life-Stage Financial Planning (Marriage, Kids, Caregiving) (EDAAAJAM), Personal Finance & Financial Literacy for Students (EDAMAIAH), Budgeting & Cash-Flow Management (EDAAAJAA), STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

Keywords

• Financial literacy education
• Community financial empowerment
• Nonprofit financial coaching
• Digital divide programs
• Financial wellness workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Phebe Foundation relies on donations and grants from foundations and corporate sponsors to fund operations and programs
2. Foundation and Corporate Sponsorship: Funding from sponsors including Westfield Foundation, Cleveland Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, and others to support financial literacy programming

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Phebe Foundation delivers free financial literacy education and coaching to underserved and BIPOC communities in the Greater Cleveland area. Its offerings include six core programs (ATM All Things Money, Operation Ownership, Living a Legacy, Boys 2 Men and Money, Frugal Hustle, GEN YZ), four specialty programs (Credit B4 Campus, Financial Game of LIFE, Door of No Return Re-entry, Wired2Work), a Banzai-powered digital learning platform, and a weekly radio show, all funded by donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

The Phe'be Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of financial literacy programs and services organized into Core Programs (ATM All Things Money, Operation Ownership, Living a Legacy, Boys 2 Men and Money, Frugal Hustle, GEN YZ), Specialty Programs (Credit B4 Campus, The Financial Game of LIFE, The Door of No Return Re-entry, Wired2Work), and free digital financial tools delivered via a Banzai partnership. The organization also runs a weekly radio show (ATM Radio), book recommendation resource (Phebe Shelf), and awards programs (S.E.E.D. Awards, Compass Award Ceremony). All offerings are centered on empowering communities through financial education to address the lack of financial literacy and the digital divide in Cleveland, Ohio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ATM "All Things Money" A 4-week financial coaching program for households seeking additional training and coaching for asset attainment and wealth building; Phe'be coaches guide participants through available social services, products, programs, and resources.
• Operation Ownership A 4-week program targeting households desiring to become owners of their finances, consisting of classroom training and one-on-one counseling covering budgeting, credit safeguarding, identity theft prevention, banking skills, and homeownership.
• Living a Legacy A workshop providing older adults ages 55 and up with wealth wellness check-ups, scam and fraud prevention tools, and estate planning education to increase financial awareness and protect from predatory lenders.
• Boys 2 Men and Money A peer-to-peer mentoring program teaching budgeting, credit, saving, and investing skills, with classes, podcast, and panel discussions to build network and confidence in financial decision-making.
• Frugal Hustle A 4-week curriculum for students and young adults ages 21-39 addressing personal money management, credit management, and home ownership.
• GEN YZ A 4-week financial literacy program for Generations Y and Z (ages 21-39) covering balancing budgets, taxes, student loans, home ownership, entrepreneurism, wealth building, and credit.
• Credit B4 Campus A 4-to-6-week program targeting young adults ages 16 to 24 to address personal money management, delivered with partners including Cuyahoga County, the City of Cleveland, and Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
• The Financial Game of LIFE Summer day summits and 4-week boot camps providing engaging, interactive financial literacy classes to youth ages 8-18; over 20 sessions conducted reaching 2,657 youth in Greater Cleveland.
• The Door of No Return Re-entry A 6-hour class specifically tailored to meet the financial education needs of juvenile and adult ex-offenders re-entering communities after incarceration.
• Wired2Work A program addressing the digital divide by providing internet access for up to 1 year to low-to-moderate-income households, along with financial literacy training to help participants sustain internet service payments.
• Free Financial Tools (Banzai) Free digital financial literacy tools and courses covering topics including buying a car, starting a new job, losing a job, paying for health care, building credit score, budgeting, using credit cards, and buying a home, delivered through a Banzai partnership.
• Phebe Shelf A curated book recommendation library featuring titles on financial wellness, wealth building, and personal empowerment, including works on millionaire mindset, financial activism, and investment strategies.
• ATM Radio A weekly radio show airing every Thursday from 11am to Noon on 95.9FM WOVU, discussing all things money with a rotating roster of guests and community stakeholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• $3.2 million in total debt released
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Citizens BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of GEN YZ program providing financial literacy to young adults ages 21-39
• BanzaicoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner providing digital financial literacy content and courses including Personal Financial Wellness Assessment, Learning to Budget, and Basic Saving modules
• Cuyahoga CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner collaborating on Credit B4 Campus program for young adults ages 16-24
• City of ClevelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner for community financial literacy initiatives and Credit B4 Campus program
• Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner for youth financial literacy programs and Credit B4 Campus initiative
• Cleveland ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare institution support partner for community wellness initiatives
• University HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare institution support partner for community wellness initiatives
• Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner for workforce development and financial education
• Case Western Reserve UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch university partner for academic collaboration and community outreach
• Federal Reserve BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral bank partner providing financial education resources and expertise
• VerizonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelecommunications partner supporting Wired2Work digital divide initiative
• Cleveland Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic library partner hosting financial literacy classes and programs at branch locations
• State of Ohio Treasurer's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partner recognizing foundation with Compass Award for financial literacy service
• WOVU RadiocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRadio broadcast partner for All Things Money Radio program on 95.9FM

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• InCharge Debt Solutions: Nonprofit provider of credit counseling, debt management, bankruptcy education, and financial wellness programs. Comparable as a nonprofit financial education organization serving similar demographics with similar offerings.
• Operation HOPE: National 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing financial literacy, credit counseling, and homeownership education to underserved communities. Operates as the closest direct peer to Phebe Foundation in mission, target population, and delivery model, though at significantly larger national scale.
• Money Management International (MMI): Nonprofit credit counseling agency providing financial education, housing counseling, and debt management programs to consumers. Comparable in financial education delivery to low-to-moderate income households and similar funder base.
• GreenPath Financial Wellness: Nonprofit credit counseling and financial education organization offering counseling, debt management, and financial wellness programs. Closely comparable to Phebe Foundation in service mix (credit, debt, housing) and nonprofit delivery model.
• National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC): National nonprofit umbrella organization for credit counseling agencies, offering financial education and counseling services. Highly comparable as a free, grant- and donor-supported financial education provider serving low-to-moderate income households.

Regional players

• Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland: Regional chapter of Junior Achievement serving the Greater Cleveland area with youth financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs. Directly comparable as a regional financial-literacy nonprofit in Phebe Foundation's home market, competing for similar school partnerships and sponsors.

Broad incumbents

• Junior Achievement: Large national nonprofit delivering financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship education primarily to K–12 youth. Comparable in youth financial-literacy programming (overlaps with Financial Game of LIFE) but operates at much larger national scale.
• National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE): National nonprofit foundation focused on financial education research, resources, and programming. Comparable as a grantmaking-style organization funding financial literacy initiatives, though operating more upstream than Phebe Foundation's direct-service model.
• Money Smart: FDIC's free financial education curriculum program available through partner organizations including Phebe Foundation (via its Federal Reserve Bank relationship). Comparable as a free financial literacy provider, though distributed through institutional partners rather than a single organization.

Others

• Banzai: EdTech provider of interactive financial literacy courses used by Phebe Foundation through partnership. Adjacent rather than competitive — it is the technology supplier enabling Phebe Foundation's digital delivery, but also licenses its curriculum directly to other institutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/phebefoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-phe-be-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/thephebefoundation
• Xx.com/phebefoundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Phebe Foundation