Think Big for Kids

What Think Big for Kids does

Think Big for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 in Tampa Bay, Florida, by tech executive and entrepreneur Tony DiBenedetto to address the lack of career awareness and preparation among middle and high school students from underserved communities. The organization operates a unified "Three Pillars Program" combining Career Exploration (career showcases, skill-building workshops, field trips, summer programs), Mentorship (structured one-on-one matching with professional mentors), and Job Readiness & Placement (internships, job shadowing, apprenticeships, and scholarships). Programs are delivered through a channel-partner model primarily via Boys & Girls Clubs affiliates, plus direct partnerships with school districts including Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, and Fairfax County Public Schools (where Think Big serves as an Ignite Partner). Since 2016, the organization has served more than 10,000 students and operates five active regions: Tampa Bay (founding), Atlanta (2021), New Jersey (2022), Dallas (2023), and Greater Washington (2023).

The organization's products and services include the Three Pillars Program and its modules, a scholarship program offering named scholarships (Think Big Expect More, True North Society Passion Scholarship up to $5,000, SME Technical Trades Scholarship, JDP Electric Apprenticeship with a $47,000–$50,000 starting wage), the True North Society young-professionals group (annual Chips for Charity fundraiser), and the Think Bigger Voices podcast. No proprietary technology platform is used; service delivery is human-mediated through 500+ volunteers and partner-hosted experiences.

Think Big's revenue model is a donation-based nonprofit model. It accepts individual donations (one-time, monthly, annual), corporate sponsorships structured in four tiers (Believer $2,500, Ambassador $5,000, Champion $10,000, Strategic Partner $25,000+), event-based fundraising (Chips for Charity), and corporate-designated named scholarships. The organization is supported by 150+ corporate and affiliate partners including Appspace, A-Lign, Grow Financial, ReliaQuest, Roger West, NextPath Career Partners, Fairfax County EDA, Accenture, AWS, EY, Microsoft, Oracle, Deloitte, and Bank of America. Headcount is 9 full-time staff; revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Think Big for Kids

Legal name

Think Big for Kids

Website

https://thinkbigforkids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Youth workforce development
• Career exploration programs
• Mentorship services
• Job readiness training
• Education nonprofits

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships & Strategic Partnerships: Companies sponsor Think Big at various levels (Strategic Partner $25,000+, Champion $10,000, Ambassador $5,000, Believer $2,500) in exchange for involvement in career showcases, workshops, field trips, mentorship programs, and access to potential future workforce.
2. Individual Donations: One-time, monthly, or annual donations from individuals supporting the mission to break the cycle of poverty through youth workforce development programs.
3. Event Fundraising: True North Society young professional group organizes events like Chips for Charity casino night fundraiser, with proceeds funding Passion Scholarships up to $5,000 each.
4. Corporate-Designated Scholarships: Companies partner with Think Big to create named scholarships (e.g., SME Technical Trades Scholarship, JDP Electric Apprenticeship, Law Enforcement Scholarship) that align with their industry and values, supporting students pursuing specific career paths.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Think Big for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers career exploration, mentorship, and job readiness and placement programming to middle and high school students from underserved communities. The organization partners with corporate volunteers, Boys & Girls Clubs, and school districts to provide workshops, field trips, internships, scholarships, and one-on-one mentorship through its Three Pillars Program.

Product overview

Think Big for Kids is a non-profit organization operating a unified Three Pillars Program that combines Career Exploration, Mentorship, and Job Readiness & Placement to break the cycle of poverty for middle and high school students. The organization's core program modules work together to guide students from career awareness through educational completion and job placement. Supporting programs include the Think Bigger Voices podcast, the True North Society young professionals group, a Volunteer Program, and a Scholarship Program offering multiple scholarship products including the Think Big Expect More Scholarship, True North Society Passion Scholarship, SME Technical Trades Scholarship, and JDP Electric Apprenticeship & Job Opportunity. Regional operations span Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Dallas, New Jersey, and Greater Washington.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Think Bigger Voices: The organization's podcast featuring conversations about breaking the cycle of poverty, mentorship, and career development.

Products and services

• Three Pillars Program Core programmatic roadmap combining career exploration, mentorship, and job readiness and placement to support students from middle school through young adulthood.
• Career Exploration Introduces middle school students to potential career paths through career showcases, skill-building workshops, field trips, and summer programs delivered by partner companies.
• Mentorship Program Pairs students with dedicated mentors to help develop personalized career plans and provides ongoing support and guidance throughout high school and beyond.
• Job Readiness & Placement Helps students pursue their chosen career paths through internships, job shadowing, apprenticeships, skills development, workshops, scholarships, and job placement assistance.
• Think Big Scholarship Program Provides scholarships for trade school, community college, or university pursuing certifications, associate degrees, or bachelor's degrees, with various scholarship categories including business, law, entrepreneurship, law enforcement, and technical trades.
• True North Society A group of young professionals supporting Think Big's mission through career showcase hosting, mentorship, and workshop leadership, with an annual Chips for Charity fundraiser.
• Volunteer Program Multiple volunteering opportunities including leading skills workshops, hosting career showcases, supporting monthly programs, and joining committees such as Donor Relations, Marketing, and Volunteer Recruitment.
• Think Bigger Voices Podcast A podcast series dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by inspiring education, advocacy, and action, featuring interviews with experts and stories of impact.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ students served since 2016
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• A-LignstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerA-Lign is a strategic partner providing cybersecurity and compliance solutions. CEO Mike Herdegen serves as Systems and Technology Lead on Think Big's board.
• AppspacestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppspace is a workplace experience platform. CEO Tony DiBenedetto is Chairman and CEO of Appspace. Vice Chair Holly Grogan is President of Appspace. Director of Talent Acquisition Mandi Crume works at Appspace.
• Grow FinancialstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrow Financial is a credit union partner. Thomas Feint from Grow Financial discussed financial traps on the Think Bigger Voices podcast.
• ReliaQuestcoreTechnology or IntegrationReliaQuest is a cybersecurity technology company listed as a strategic partner.
• Roger West Creative & CodecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer President Jennie Treby led marketing communications before joining Think Big as CMO. Jennie Treby previously President 2020-2024.
• Fairfax County Economic Development AuthoritystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerIgnite Partner of Fairfax County Public Schools. VP Mike Batt serves on Think Big's board. Co-sponsors Beyond the Tassel scholarship event with Educate Fairfax.
• NextPath Career PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVP Rosa Manges involved with Think Big Dallas launch. Women & minority owned recruitment firm supporting workforce connections.
• Johnson & JohnsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare company where Adam Taliaferro shared career insights with Think Big students.
• Hillsborough Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Tampa Bay scholarship selection process - reviewed applications with 60 volunteers for Hillsborough County schools.
• Pinellas Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Tampa Bay scholarship selection process for Pinellas County schools.
• Educate FairfaxstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnly charitable foundation dedicated to Fairfax County Public Schools. Co-hosts Beyond the Tassel scholarship event. Dr. Lynette Henry serves as Executive Director.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa BaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary affiliate partner in Tampa Bay region providing Think Big programs to students.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro AtlantacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosting career showcases, workshops, field trips, and summer programs for Atlanta students.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater DallascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelivering monthly interactive career awareness sessions for Dallas students.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Paterson and PassaiccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew Jersey regional partner with Youth of the Year scholarship recipient Jessica Navarro.
• TrofeocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrofeo Solutions established the Trofeo Ambition Scholarship for students studying business or law at colleges/universities, up to $5,000.
• College HUNKS Hauling Junk & MovingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished the Think Big Building Tomorrow's Leaders Scholarship with financial support and mentorship for education at community college, trade school, or university.
• JDP ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJDP Electric Apprenticeship & Job Opportunity provides pathway to become licensed Journeyman electrician with full-time job, wage during trade school, and $47,000-$50,000 starting salary.
• SME FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Think Big SME Technical Trades Scholarship for students pursuing technical trades such as carpentry, masonry, welding, electrical work.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Aspire Public Schools: National charter management organization focused on college and career readiness for low-income students; broader education provider but mission-aligned in delivering career exposure and post-secondary preparation to underserved youth.

Direct peers

• Junior Achievement USA: National youth workforce readiness nonprofit delivering career exploration, financial literacy, and work-readiness programs to K-12 students through corporate volunteers and school partnerships — the closest direct analog to Think Big's Three Pillars approach.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Primary distribution partner of Think Big for Kids across multiple regions; larger incumbent delivering youth development programming including career exploration and mentorship to underserved youth through a national affiliate network.
• NPower: Nonprofit delivering tech workforce training and career placement to young adults from underserved communities, with corporate sponsorship and mentor-driven model similar to Think Big's Three Pillars.
• Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing tuition-free tech training and career advancement to adults from underserved communities, with employer partnerships and apprenticeship-style job placement similar to Think Big's JDP Electric pathway.
• iCouldBe: Virtual youth mentoring nonprofit pairing underserved middle and high school students with adult mentors for career exploration and post-secondary planning — directly comparable to Think Big's mentorship pillar.
• Genesys Works: Nonprofit providing career pathways, mentoring, and internship placements to high school students from underserved communities — closely comparable target population and corporate-hosted internship model.
• Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit providing career training, mentorship, and job placement for young adults from underserved communities; comparable mission and corporate-partner model, though focused on older youth (18-24).
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit pairing adult volunteers with youth from underserved communities — directly comparable to Think Big's mentorship pillar and similar volunteer-recruitment model.
• College Possible: Nonprofit coaching low-income students to and through college, with corporate sponsorship and AmeriCorps-supported near-peer coaching model serving a comparable student demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSU_3e8c4yHjYFj_ZUpm3AA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ThinkBigForKids
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/think-big-for-kids
• Instagraminstagram.com/Thinkbigforkids_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Think Big for Kids