What Operation Breakthrough does

Operation Breakthrough, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1971 by Sister Corita Bussanmas and Sister Berta Sailer in Kansas City, Missouri. It provides cradle-to-career services for children and families experiencing poverty, serving more than 750 children daily and 782 enrolled students in 2026, ages 6 weeks through 18 years. The organization operates four physical campus locations along the Troost corridor: Berta's Place (early childhood education and wraparound services), Corita's Place (school-age enrichment for grades K-8), DeLaSalle Education Center (early childhood satellite prioritizing teen parents), and the Ignition Lab (workforce development for ages 14-18). Programming includes accredited early childhood education following Head Start standards, the MakerCity STEM learning space, Ignition Lab workforce tracks in mechatronics, green tech, fabrication, automotive engineering, culinary arts, cybersecurity, and esports, plus on-site health and dental clinics operated through partnerships with Children's Mercy and Swope Health, a food pantry, clothing closet, mental health services via the 2Gen Thrive program, and holiday/emergency assistance programs.

The organization's revenue model is hybrid, with approximately 45% of funding from government sources (federal Head Start grant via Mid-America Regional Council, Missouri state contracts, Kansas City municipal support) and 55% from private sources (foundation grants, corporate donations, individual giving, and fundraising events). The annual Big Dreams, Bright Futures event raised over $1.1 million in 2026. Services are provided at no cost to qualifying families, with eligibility tied to federal poverty guidelines; more than 87% of enrolled families live below the poverty line, 70% earn under $12,000 annually, and roughly 20% of children are homeless or near-homeless. Go-to-market is community-led through direct enrollment, MARC-coordinated Head Start eligibility determination, partner agency referrals, and word-of-mouth, with high-visibility support from NFL player Travis Kelce and his Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation amplifying donor acquisition.

Operation Breakthrough employs 230 staff and is governed by a board chaired by Richard Winston (EVP and General Counsel at Fike Corporation), with representation from Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell, Evergy, Garmin, and Children's Mercy Hospital. The organization holds Missouri state accreditation, Charity Navigator's 4-star rating, Candid's Platinum transparency seal, and a 2026 United Way Impact 100 partnership designation. Outcome metrics include 90%+ kindergarten readiness for its 5-year-olds versus fewer than 50% for children in poverty nationally.

Name

Operation Breakthrough

Legal name

Operation Breakthrough, Inc.

Website

https://operationbreakthrough.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education and Family Social Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611), Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Head Start & Public Pre-K Programs (EDACABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Academic/School-Readiness Preschools (EDACABAB)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Youth workforce development
• Family social services
• School age enrichment
• STEM education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 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 Funding: Approximately 45% of funding comes from government sources - city, state and federal. Includes Head Start grant, State of Missouri funding, and city of Kansas City support.
2. Private Donations and Grants: Grants from foundations and corporate and individual donations make up approximately 55% of funding. Without private support, Operation Breakthrough would be unable to offer its many social service programs.
3. Annual Fundraising Events: Annual Big Dreams, Bright Futures fundraiser raised over $1.1 million in 2026 for enrolled students.
4. Partnership Support: Various corporate and foundation partnerships provide ongoing support including mentorship programs, donations, and in-kind services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Operation Breakthrough is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating free, accredited early childhood education, school-age enrichment, and teen workforce development programs for over 750 children daily ages 6 weeks to 18 years in Kansas City. Core services include early childhood classrooms, MakerCity STEM labs, the Ignition Lab workforce program, on-site pediatric and dental clinics, food and clothing support, and family advocacy services.

Product overview

Operation Breakthrough is a nonprofit childcare and educational organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs for children ages 6 weeks to 18 years. The core offerings include Early Childhood Education (accredited program for ages 6 weeks to 5 years), School-Age Enrichment (before/after school K-8), and the Ignition Lab workforce development program for teens ages 14-18. Supporting services include health clinics, food pantry, clothing closet, birthday closet, Christmas program, and Project Housewarming. STEM education is delivered through MakerCity and MakerSpace programs. The Ignition Lab partners with MINDDRIVE for automotive and technical training, and includes specialized labs in graphic design, mechatronics, green tech, fabrication, product design, culinary arts, digital media, esports, construction, and cybersecurity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ignition Lab: A workforce development program for high school students ages 14-18 providing real-world experience in fields including graphic design, mechatronics, green tech, computer technology, fabrication, product design, automotive engineering, culinary arts, digital media, podcasting, esports, construction, cybersecurity, and MINDDRIVE (welding, Electrathon cars, vintage car EV conversions, drone technology).
• MakerCity
• Berta's Place
• Corita's Place
• 2Gen Thrive
• Project Housewarming
• Breakthrough Academy

Products and services

• Early Childhood Education Accredited early childhood program providing hands-on learning experiences for 432 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years across 31 classrooms and MakerSpace, guided by Head Start standards. Free for income-qualifying families in Kansas City.
• School-Age Enrichment Before/after school enrichment programming for 300 children grades K-8, including summer enrichment with reading, writing, science, STEM, art, music, and PE.
• MakerCity STEM Program STEM learning space for children kindergarten through 8th grade featuring zones in textiles, construction/toy hacking, studio arts, chef's corner, green screen, and code world/robotics.
• Ignition Lab Workforce Development Workforce development program for 400 students ages 14-18 providing real-world experience in graphic design, mechatronics, green tech, computer technology, fabrication, product design, automotive engineering, culinary arts, digital media, entrepreneurship, esports, construction, welding, and cybersecurity.
• Health Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 90%+ of 5-year-olds test school-ready each year vs. fewer than 50% nationally for children in poverty
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship, core and minor.

• MINDDRIVEmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024MINDDRIVE provides hands-on learning experiences at the Ignition Lab including welding, Electrathon cars, vintage car electric conversions, drone technology, and esports. Students collaborate on projects like converting a 1969 Chevelle SS to electric.
• Black & VeatchmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024BV:OB mentorship program providing one-on-one mentoring for Ignition Lab students. Mentors from diverse professional backgrounds support students' personal and professional development. Second year of program with doubled participation.
• Travis Kelce's Eighty-Seven & Running FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Foundation purchased the old muffler shop building for the Ignition Lab. Travis Kelce has supported OB for six seasons, providing mentorship, visits, and fundraising. The Ignition Lab is 'powered by Eighty-Seven and Running.'
• Early Head Start/Head StartcoreOthersOperation Breakthrough is an Early Head Start/Head Start Agency (Birth through 5) supported by Grant Number 7CH012381 under Mid America Regional Council from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs an Impact 100 partner, United Way provides flexible funding that helps meet urgent needs—allowing Operation Breakthrough to meet children and families where they are, with care, education, and support.
• Children's Mercy HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's Mercy provides on-site pediatric care including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, and mental health professionals. Also co-developed 2Gen Thrive program to prevent toxic stress among children.
• Mid-America Regional Council (MARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates Head Start enrollment eligibility determination for Operation Breakthrough families.
• Happy BottomsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides diapers to low-income families through donations, working with partners to distribute both financial and in-kind support.
• Blessings AboundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerResale stores that split proceeds among multiple area charities including Operation Breakthrough. Monthly donation provides major support for education for children 0 to 18.
• Pete's GardenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollects food from caterers, restaurants, and food service operations. Packages and donates take-home family dinners for Operation Breakthrough families.
• Swope Health Kid's CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides on-site dental clinic services at Operation Breakthrough with cleanings and preventative care through Swope KidsCare partnership.
• Missouri 21st Century Community Learning CenterscoreOthersSupports MakerCity afterschool program for students in grades K-8, providing academic support in reading and math, hands-on STEM experiences, career exploration, social-emotional learning, mentorship, and family engagement.
• Giving the BasicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides monthly human dignity/hygiene products including toilet paper, feminine supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste - items not purchasable with SNAP/food stamp benefits.
• Kansas City ChiefsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFL team associated with Travis Kelce. Team sponsors events and provides visibility/support for Operation Breakthrough programs.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Head Start Association: National membership organization for Head Start grantees; OB operates as an Early Head Start/Head Start Agency under the same federal framework and shares program standards for birth-through-5 early childhood education.
• Children's Defense Fund: National child advocacy organization focused on anti-poverty programs for children; comparable in advocating for Head Start/childcare funding retention and serving low-income children through cradle-to-career frameworks.
• Save the Children (US):

Direct peers

• Operation Food Search: St. Louis-based nonprofit providing food security and nutrition education to children and families in poverty; directly comparable mission (feeding hungry families) and similar Head Start/community partnerships model, though focused on food rather than full-service child care.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City: Direct peer in Kansas City providing after-school enrichment, STEM programming, and teen workforce readiness for low-income youth; overlaps with OB's MakerCity and Ignition Lab offerings for school-age children.

Others

• United Way of Greater Kansas City: Regional United Way affiliate and OB's Impact 100 partner; comparable as a Kansas City-area intermediary funder that aggregates donor capital and directs it to community programs serving children and families in poverty.

Regional players

• KC Scholars: Kansas City-based college access and workforce preparation nonprofit; comparable to OB's Ignition Lab in providing post-secondary pathway support to low-income youth in the same metro.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OB_Inc_KC
• Facebookfacebook.com/OperationBreakthrough
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/operation-breakthrough

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Operation Breakthrough