Communities in Schools Wake County

What Communities in Schools Wake County does

Communities in Schools Wake County (CIS Wake) is an independent, Raleigh-based nonprofit founded in 1990 that provides case management, tutoring, mentoring, and basic-needs support to at-risk K-12 students and their families in Wake County, North Carolina. The organization operates through three core program pillars: In Schools (embedded Success Coaches working caseloads of 50-100 students inside Wake County Public School System middle schools), In Communities (year-round Learning Centers co-located within six Raleigh Housing Authority public housing communities), and In Life (CIS Wake Pathways connecting education to career development and economic mobility at high schools including Millbrook Magnet and Enloe Magnet). Supporting programs include C.H.A.M.P.S. (extended learning funded by ELISS), SMART Academy (STEM and career preparation), Youth Mental Health First Aid training, F.A.C.E.S. preschool/after-school at Heritage Park, and Alumni In Motion.

Underlying technology is minimal: CIS Wake uses standard case management and data tracking systems to monitor attendance, behavior, and course grades rather than a proprietary platform, with service delivery occurring through physical presence in schools and community centers. The business model is donation- and grant-driven philanthropy: individual and corporate donations, government and foundation grants (including ELISS for CHAMPS), and event-based fundraising through annual events like C.L.A.S.S. and prior partnerships such as the SAS Institute Championships and Band Together concerts. All services are provided free of charge to students and families, and the organization is independently governed by a Board of Directors under CIS National Charter Status (earned January 1998 after meeting all 61 quality standards), with no parent company.

Name

Communities in Schools Wake County

Legal name

Communities In Schools of Wake County

Website

https://ciswake.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Communities in Schools Wake County is an independent Raleigh-based nonprofit, founded in 1990, that embeds Success Coaches in Wake County middle schools and operates Learning Centers in Raleigh public housing communities to provide free case management, tutoring, and mentoring to at-risk students and families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Support Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

College Readiness & Admissions Prep Centers (Small-Group Workshops) (EDANAHAI), College Readiness & Disability Services Transition Support (EDAKANAB)

Keywords

• Student support services
• Youth mentoring programs
• After-school learning centers
• Case management education
• At-risk student services

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: CIS Wake relies on donations from individuals and corporations to fund programs. The organization conducts annual campaigns and hosts events like C.L.A.S.S. to raise funds. Donations are solicited through the website and at community events.
2. Government and Foundation Grants: As a nonprofit serving at-risk youth, CIS Wake receives grant funding from government sources and private foundations. Partnerships with organizations like ELISS (Extended Learning and Integrated Student Supports) provide funding for specific programs like CHAMPS.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Annual events such as C.L.A.S.S. (Celebration event) serve as fundraising vehicles. Ticket sales and sponsorships generate revenue while raising community awareness.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CIS Wake surrounds at-risk students with a community of support by embedding Success Coaches in Wake County Public Schools to deliver daily case management (attendance, behavior, course grades), operating year-round Learning Centers in Raleigh Housing Authority public housing communities for tutorial and enrichment programs, and running an In Life Pathways program connecting students to education, career development, and economic mobility. All services are provided at no cost to students and families, funded through donations, grants, and event-based fundraising.

Product overview

Communities In Schools of Wake County operates a multi-program service model with three core pillars: In Schools (embedded Success Coaches providing case management), In Communities (Learning Centers in public housing), and In Life (Pathways connecting education to career development). The organization supplements these with C.H.A.M.P.S. volunteer engagement, Youth Mental Health First Aid training, SMART Academy enrichment, and Alumni In Motion support. Programs are delivered through partnerships with Wake County Public Schools and Raleigh Housing Authority.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• C.H.A.M.P.S. Communities Helping Academically Motivate and Prepare Students - an extended learning program funded by ELISS to promote academic engagement and enrichment for middle school students.
• SMART Academy
• Success Coach Program
• Alumni In Motion
• In Life
• In Schools
• In Communities

Products and services

• In Schools (Success Coach Program) Embedded school-based program in which Success Coaches are placed inside Wake County Public Schools to build one-on-one trusted relationships with students, deliver daily case management, address unmet basic needs, and improve attendance, behavior, and course grades (ABCs) for 50-100 students per site.
• In Communities (Learning Centers) Year-round Learning Centers operating inside Raleigh Housing Authority public housing communities (Capitol Park, Chavis Heights, Heritage Park, Kentwood, Mayview, Terrace Park), providing high-quality tutorial and enrichment programs to resident students and families.
• In Life (CIS Wake Pathways) Pathways program that empowers students and adults by directly connecting education, career development, and economic mobility; currently operating at Millbrook Magnet High School and Enloe Magnet High School.
• C.H.A.M.P.S. (Communities Helping Academically Motivate and Prepare Students) Extended learning program funded by ELISS that promotes academic engagement and enrichment for middle school students, engaging volunteer tutors, mentors, I.M.A.G.E.S. career speakers, and event volunteers.
• SMART Academy (Students Maximizing Access to Resources through Technology) Specialized academic support and enrichment program preparing students for 21st-century careers, including STEM-focused summer camps and test preparation.
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training Free training program that certifies adults to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and substance use in youth ages 12-17, respond during mental health crises, and connect individuals to professional resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduce absenteeism, resolve behavior issues, and improve grade outcomes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Band Together / CIS DurhammajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014CIS Wake partnered with CIS Durham in pursuit of a $1M fundraising goal as featured Band Together beneficiaries. Hall & Oates were the concert headliner and proceeds supported expansion of the Graduation Coach program.
• StaplesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2009CIS Wake launched a major school supplies drive in partnership with Staples office supply stores across Wake County. This partnership provided critical resources for students beyond CIS Wake's program walls.
• WalmartminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2009Walmart partnered with CIS Wake for school supplies drives to continue providing critical resources for students across Wake County.
• Governor's Office / State Employees Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2009Partnership with State Employees Credit Union branches and the Governor's Office continued the school supplies drive tradition started with Staples.
• SAS InstitutemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2003CIS Wake was selected as a community agency beneficiary of SAS Institute's Championships professional golf tournament in 2003. This annual designation lasted for nearly a decade and reflected SAS's deep investment into the Kentwood public housing community.
• Wake County Public School SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIS Wake is a strategic partner with the Wake County Public School System to reach at-risk students in their schools. Success Coaches are embedded within middle schools to provide advocacy, intervention, and academic support.
• Raleigh Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIS Wake is a strategic partner with the Raleigh Housing Authority to operate Learning Centers within public housing communities. These centers provide year-round tutorial and enrichment programs to resident students and families.
• Communities In Schools NationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIS Wake is part of a national network of local CIS affiliates operating across 27 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, serving nearly 2 million students and families. The national organization provides quality standards, support, and brand recognition.
• CIS NationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe national CIS office provides chartering, quality standards, and comprehensive strategic planning support. CIS Wake earned National CIS Charter Status in January 1998, meeting all 61 quality standards.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• United Way of the Greater Triangle: A regional funder and convener that supports education and youth development nonprofits in the Triangle area. Competes with CIS Wake for corporate donations, workplace giving campaigns, and foundation grants targeting at-risk youth.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County: Provides after-school and youth development programming to at-risk youth in Wake County, competing for the same donor dollars, volunteer pool, and beneficiary families as CIS Wake's Learning Centers and In Communities programs.
• Communities In Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg: Another CIS affiliate serving a major North Carolina metro. Operates the same Success Coach model within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, providing a useful comparator for scale and program design.
• Communities In Schools of North Carolina: The state-level CIS affiliate that provides chartering, quality standards, and strategic support to CIS Wake. Operates the same case-management and dropout prevention model across North Carolina, making it the closest organizational peer.
• Communities In Schools of Durham: A sibling CIS affiliate serving at-risk students in Durham, NC, with which CIS Wake has previously partnered on a Band Together $1M fundraising initiative. Operates the same Success Coach model in a nearby North Carolina market.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle: Provides one-on-one mentoring to at-risk youth in the Triangle region, closely paralleling CIS Wake's mentoring component and competing for the same volunteer mentors and donor base.

Broad incumbents

• Communities In Schools (National): The national umbrella organization for all CIS affiliates, including CIS Wake. Operates the broader network across 27 states serving nearly 2 million students and provides the brand, standards, and network infrastructure under which CIS Wake operates.
• YMCA of the Triangle: A larger, established youth-serving organization providing after-school programs, enrichment, and family services across Wake County. Operates a broader portfolio of programs that overlaps with CIS Wake's Learning Centers and academic support offerings.

Others

• Public School Forum of North Carolina: A statewide education policy and advocacy nonprofit that overlaps thematically with CIS Wake's mission but operates in policy/advocacy rather than direct service delivery. Comparable as an ecosystem participant influencing K-12 outcomes in NC.

Emerging players

• Dare2Care Educational Consulting: An emerging education nonprofit focused on college access and student success support, addressing similar at-risk student populations but with less geographic reach than CIS Wake's Wake County footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/cis_wake

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Communities in Schools Wake County