Tolson Center for Community Excellence

What Tolson Center for Community Excellence does

Tolson Center for Community Excellence is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit community center operating a 30,000 sq ft indoor facility and a $16 million outdoor campus at 1320 Benham Avenue in Elkhart, Indiana. The organization is rooted in a community institution tracing to the 1921 Colored Community Center and named for Herbert and Ruth Tolson, and it became a self-governing independent nonprofit in 2020 after previously being operated by the City of Elkhart. It serves the Benham West Neighborhood and broader South Central Elkhart community with a bilingual (English/Spanish) interface and free membership.

The center delivers a structured portfolio of programs across six categories — Academics, Health & Wellness, Performing Arts, Recreation, Social Services, and Visual Arts — including an After School Program with snack and dinner service, K–2 Bright Minds tutoring, the DREAM Academy (grades 3–6) run with C.A.R.E University, the Girls Empowerment Network, Leaders of Tomorrow, Senior Food Program with REAL Services, Financial Empowerment with INOVA Credit Union, Chronic Disease Self Management with the Minority Health Coalition, weight room access, open gym, dance, pickleball, and a new outdoor soccer field. Membership is free for all ages, programs are predominantly free at the point of use, and facility rentals (gymnasiums at $110/hr, dance and conference rooms at $70/hr, multipurpose room at $80/hr, outdoor soccer field at $150/hr) are bookable online through Daxko operations software.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack rather than a transactional one: individual donations and fundraising, a tiered corporate sponsorship program anchored by Winnebago Industries (2025 presenting sponsor) and KeyBank (program sponsor), municipal and grant funding (historical base from the City of Elkhart, lost in 2018), and facility rental income. Go-to-market is community-led via the bilingual website, organic social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn), an email newsletter, a public program calendar, and community events such as ribbon-cuttings and wellness days. Member segments span children (K–6), middle and high school youth, adults (18+), and seniors (60+), with attendance expected at 300–500 visits per day when the facility is fully programmed.

Name

Tolson Center for Community Excellence

Legal name

Tolson Center for Community Excellence

Website

https://tolson.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tolson Center for Community Excellence is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit community center in Elkhart, Indiana operating a 30,000 sq ft facility plus outdoor campus that delivers free bilingual (English/Spanish) academic, wellness, recreation, and social-service programs to children, youth, adults, and seniors in the Benham West Neighborhood.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Center Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB), After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs) (EDAJALAM), Student Clubs & Organizations (General Interest, Cultural, Service) (EDAJAJAG)

Keywords

• Community center programs
• Nonprofit youth services
• Facility rentals
• Social services
• Recreation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Elkhart

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations from community members supporting the center's mission to provide safe spaces, inclusive programs, and mentorship. The center runs capital campaigns and fundraising initiatives for facility improvements and programs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide financial support at various levels including Presenting Sponsor (Winnebago Industries), Program Sponsor (KeyBank), and general sponsors. Sponsors receive recognition and association with the center's community programs.
3. Facility Rentals: Revenue generated from renting various spaces including gyms ($110/hr), dance room ($70/hr), art room ($70/hr), multipurpose room ($80/hr), conference rooms ($70/hr), outdoor courts ($110/hr), and soccer field ($150/hr). Set-up, tear-down, and clean-up are renter responsibilities.
4. Municipal and Grant Funding: Historical funding from City of Elkhart. After losing city funding in 2018, the community stepped up to revitalize the space as an independent nonprofit. Ongoing grant applications and municipal partnerships support operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Tolson Center for Community Excellence operates as a free-access community center providing inclusive learning, recreation, and cultural exchange programs for children, youth, adults, and seniors in South Central Elkhart, Indiana. Core offerings include after-school programming, academic tutoring, youth leadership development, senior services (food program, fitness, walking), health and wellness classes, dance and music instruction, open gym, pickleball, and financial empowerment counseling. The center also generates revenue through hourly rental of its gymnasiums, meeting rooms, dance room, art room, and outdoor sports facilities.

Product overview

Tolson Center for Community Excellence is a community center offering a diverse portfolio of programs and facility rentals. The organization operates as a unified platform providing six program categories: Academics (After School Program, Bright Minds Academic Support, DREAM Academy, Financial Empowerment), Health & Wellness (Tolson Weight Room, L.I.F.T, Senior Walking, Chronic Disease Self Management), Performing Arts (Tolson Dance Club, Music Together In-School), Recreation (Open Gym programs, Pickleball, Game Time, Outdoor Soccer Field), Social Services (Partner & Volunteer Training, Senior Food Program), and Visual Arts. The center also operates facility rentals including two gymnasiums, art room, dance room, cafeteria, and various meeting rooms. Most programs are free for members, with facility rentals available at hourly rates. Membership is free and open to all community members ages 6-60+.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• After School Program A safe, supportive, and engaging environment for students K-6th grade after school hours offering academic support, enrichment activities, recreation, and character-building opportunities, with snacks and dinner provided.
• Girls Empowerment Network A mentorship and empowerment program for young women ages 12-18, providing resources and a supportive community.
• Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) A leadership development program for youth ages 12-18 helping young boys build leadership skills and grow personally.
• Senior Food Program A partnership with REAL Services providing nutritious meals for seniors ages 60+ with no income requirements.
• Financial Empowerment One-on-one financial counseling sessions with Samuel Kamwenji from INOVA Credit Union, providing support to discuss and develop plans for financial goals.
• Bright Minds Academic Support A free tutoring program focused on reading literacy for Elkhart students grades Kindergarten through Second Grade (K-2).
• DREAM Academy: Powered by C.A.R.E University A free academic tutoring program focused on reading and math for Elkhart students grades 3rd-6th grade.
• Tolson Weight Room A fitness facility with free weights, benches, treadmill, elliptical, and bike, available free to members.
• Chronic Disease and Self Management A program facilitated by Minority Health Coalition Elkhart County for individuals with chronic health conditions, focusing on disease management skills including decision making, problem solving, and action plans.
• Tolson Dance Club Dance instruction teaching basics of dance and dance terminology with hip-hop routines from Instructor September LeSure.
• L.I.F.T A health and fitness program dedicated to seniors that includes drumming, weightlifting, and various forms of cardio.
• Senior Walking A walking program providing a safe environment for seniors to stay active and healthy.
• Music Together In-School Music education program for preschools, pre-kindergarten programs, Head Start, and childcare centers using developmentally appropriate music activities to enhance early learning.
• Pickleball Diverse Capital Sports Pickleball program for all ages with guided instruction available on Mondays at 10am and 5-7pm, and free open play on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10am.
• Open Gym: Adult Open gym access for adults 18+ every Tuesday and Thursday 5pm-8pm in the East or West Gym.
• Open Gym: Middle School & High School Open gym access for middle school and high school youth every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:00pm-7:45pm.
• Game Time Family-friendly recreation featuring board games, card games, and game room access from 2pm-6pm.
• Gymnasiums (East & West) Two gymnasiums with 450 capacity each, available for rent at $110/hr with 2-hour minimum.
• Art Room Fully equipped art room featuring a stained glass window, available for rent at $40/hr with 1-hour minimum and 20 capacity.
• Cafeteria Large gathering space equipped with presentation technology, 130 capacity, used for senior meals and events.
• Dance Room Dance studio with large mirrors, 25 capacity, available for rent at $70/hr.
• Outdoor Soccer Field Full-length outdoor soccer field open for community use, part of the $16 million outdoor campus expansion.
• Space Rentals (Various Rooms) Flexible rental spaces including Presentation Room ($70/hr, 32 capacity), Conference Room ($70/hr, 10 capacity), Multipurpose Room ($80/hr, 130 capacity), Program Room ($70/hr, 20 capacity), and Exercise Room (5 capacity).

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 300-500 community members daily when fully programmed

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ivy Tech Community College South Bend-ElkhartcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Educational partner supporting workforce development and educational programming at the center.
• Elkhart County Convention & Visitors BureauminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Tourism and visitor bureau partnering to promote community events and programs.
• Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical SeminaryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Educational/seminary partner supporting community programs and initiatives.
• Elkhart Area Career CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20252025 Special Acknowledgement. Career and technical education partner supporting workforce development.
• REAL ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide nutritious meals for seniors ages 60+ through the Senior Food Program. No income requirements. Meals served Monday-Friday 10am-1:30pm.
• INOVA Credit UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Financial Empowerment program with one-on-one support from Samuel Kamwenji to help community members develop plans for financial goals. Free weekly sessions on Wednesdays.
• Minority Health Coalition Elkhart CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates Chronic Disease Self Management (CDSM) program helping individuals manage chronic health conditions through decision making, problem solving, and action planning.
• C.A.R.E UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPowers DREAM Academy tutoring program focused on reading and math for students grades 3rd-6th. Free academic support program.
• Meticulous Design + ArchitecturecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign firm partnered with Tolson to design the new 30,000 sq ft facility. Global firm focused locally on meaningful, impactful community design work.
• The Greater Elkhart Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber President and CEO Levon Johnson spoke at outdoor campus ribbon cutting, supporting the center's role in neighborhood regeneration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Club of Elkhart County: Local affiliate of Boys & Girls Clubs of America serving Elkhart youth with after-school programming, mentorship, and recreation. Directly comparable for the youth/teen segment of Tolson's offering.
• YMCA of Greater Elkhart County: Operates community centers in the Elkhart area offering youth programs, fitness facilities, swimming, and group activities on a membership basis. Most directly comparable peer given overlapping geographic market and similar mix of youth/senior/family programming.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army Elkhart: National faith-based nonprofit operating community and social service programs including youth services, recreation, and emergency assistance. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the community services space, with overlapping programs (youth, family support, recreation).
• YMCA of the USA: National federation of community recreation and wellness centers. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose membership model, multi-generational programming, and facility rental approach closely mirror Tolson's operating model.
• Boys & Girls Club of America (National): National federation of youth community centers offering after-school, leadership, and recreation programming. Comparable as a broad incumbent operating in the same youth development space Tolson serves locally.

Regional players

• United Way of Elkhart County: Regional nonprofit funder and convener supporting health, education, and financial stability programs in Elkhart County. Comparable as a regional community-support organization in the same service geography, though focused on grantmaking rather than direct service.
• Minority Health Coalition of Elkhart County: Local coalition addressing health disparities through chronic disease programming. Comparable as a regional peer addressing community health needs in Elkhart County, with overlap via Tolson's Chronic Disease Self-Management program.

Others

• REAL Services: Northern Indiana nonprofit providing senior nutrition, in-home services, and aging support. Comparable as a programmatic partner (Tolson partners with REAL Services for the Senior Food Program) and as a community-support peer in the same service geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TolsonCentro
• Facebookfacebook.com/TolsonCentro
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tolsoncentro
• Instagraminstagram.com/tolsoncentro

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Tolson Center for Community Excellence