Detroit College Access Network

What Detroit College Access Network does

Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 that operates as the citywide backbone organization coordinating college access and postsecondary attainment efforts in Detroit, Michigan. Its mission is to make a postsecondary degree or credential attainable for every Detroit student, aligned with a public goal of 60% postsecondary attainment by 2030 shared with the State of Michigan, MCAN, and Detroit Drives Degrees. The organization convenes a cross-sector network of K-12 schools, higher education institutions, philanthropy, nonprofits, business, government, and community organizations around a shared college-going agenda, with documented reach across 32+ Detroit high schools and annual participation of over 1,000 seniors in flagship events such as Michigan College Month and Detroit Decision Day.

DCAN's service stack spans student-facing programs (an Emergency Fast Fund providing up to $500 per student, the Detroit College Match Tool, SAT Prep, the Capital One FAFSA Cafe, Trade School Information, the Detroit Asset Map, scholarship lists, and webinars), professional development for college access practitioners (DCAN University certification, Lunch & Learn sessions, Initiative Support Requests, and Champions Rosters), and community-based persistence infrastructure (Graduate 313 Community Hubs and the Detroit College Ambassador peer network). Technology is sourced entirely from third-party SaaS providers — Wix for the public website, Beam for Fast Fund application processing, Constant Contact for newsletters, and Zoom for virtual programming — with no proprietary platform or in-house engineering capability. Notably, DCAN increased Detroit's FAFSA completion rate from 54% at founding to 73% as of the most recent reporting, a measurable outcome it cites as evidence of network impact.

DCAN is funded primarily through philanthropic foundation grants (Kresge Foundation, Lumina Foundation, Michigan College Access Network, Skillman Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and the Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Foundation) and accepts individual and corporate donations, including the Capital One partnership. All programs and services are provided free of charge to students, families, and professionals; there is no earned-revenue model. The organization is led by Executive Director Cyekeia Lee following the October 2024 departure of Deputy Director Dr. Ashley Terry, and operates with a staff of approximately 1-10 employees supported by a cross-sector Board of Directors.

Name

Detroit College Access Network

Legal name

Detroit College Access Network

Website

https://detroitcan.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) is a Detroit-based nonprofit coordinating K-12 schools, higher education institutions, philanthropy, and community organizations to expand postsecondary access, enrollment, and attainment for Detroit students across high school, adult learner, and current college segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

College Access and Postsecondary Success Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Education Authorities & Municipal Education Offices (EDADABAD)

Keywords

• College access programs
• Postsecondary enrollment support
• College advising services
• FAFSA completion assistance
• Scholarship coordination services

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Foundation Grants: DCAN operates as a nonprofit organization funded primarily through grants from foundations. Seed funding was received from Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), Council of Michigan Foundations, and Lumina Foundation. Ongoing funding comes from partners including The Kresge Foundation, The Skillman Foundation, and other regional foundations. All programs and services are provided free of charge to students and professionals.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: DCAN accepts donations from individuals and corporations to support programming. The website features a donate button and lists specific impact areas including supporting counselors, SAT prep, college exposure, skilled trade opportunities, free workshops, and student services including coworking space and mental health services.
3. Emergency Grant Program (Fast Fund): The DCAN Emergency Grant Fast Fund provides up to $500 grants to eligible Detroit residents facing unexpected financial barriers to education. The maximum award per applicant per grant cycle is $500. Funding is limited and awarded on a rolling basis. This is a disbursement program funded through partnerships rather than a revenue-generating activity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) is the citywide coordinating body for college access and enrollment strategies in Detroit. It delivers free programs including SAT prep, FAFSA completion workshops, college match tools, emergency grants, professional development for counselors, and community campaigns that connect Detroit residents with postsecondary opportunities. DCAN operates as a collaborative backbone organization that unites K-12 schools, higher education institutions, community organizations, and funders to increase postsecondary attainment.

Product overview

Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) is a nonprofit collaborative network that serves as the citywide coordinating body for college access and enrollment strategies in Detroit. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs and services rather than a unified software product. Core programs include the Emergency Fast Fund (grants up to $500 for unexpected expenses), Detroit College Match Tool (college selection platform), Detroit College Ambassador Program (youth leadership), Graduate 313 (community hub model), Michigan College Month and Detroit Decision Day (campaigns/events), DCAN University and Lunch & Learn (professional development for counselors), SAT Prep Program, and Capital One FAFSA Cafe. Supporting resources include the Detroit Asset Map, Trade School & Certification Information, webinar recordings, and scholarship lists. These programs work together to increase postsecondary readiness, enrollment, and attainment with a goal of 60% of Detroit residents achieving postsecondary education by 2030.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Graduate 313: Community Hub model programming supporting college and career access and success, working in partnership with the Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Foundation and Strategic Community Partners.
• Emergency Fast Fund
• Detroit College Ambassadors (DCA)
• DCAN University
• Lunch & Learn

Products and services

• Emergency Fast Fund Rapid emergency financial assistance for Detroit students enrolled in college who face unexpected costs that threaten their ability to remain enrolled. The fund is provided at no cost to recipients.
• Detroit College Match Tool Online tool that helps Detroit students match to colleges and programs that fit their needs, originally developed by Michigan Future, Inc. and supported by the Kresge Foundation.
• Detroit College Ambassador Program Program in which Detroit high school students serve as college access ambassadors, helping fellow students navigate the path to postsecondary education.
• Graduate 313 Program that supports currently enrolled Detroit college students to persist and complete their postsecondary credentials.
• Michigan College Month Annual campaign that promotes college applications and FAFSA completion across Michigan, with Detroit-specific events and activities.
• Detroit Decision Day Annual citywide event that celebrates graduating high school students who have committed to a postsecondary pathway.
• DCAN University Professional development program providing trainings and resources for college access professionals working in Detroit schools and community organizations.
• DCAN Lunch & Learn Informal professional learning sessions offered to college access professionals in the Detroit network.
• SAT Prep Program Free SAT preparation programming that supports Detroit high school students in building college admission test readiness.
• Capital One FAFSA Cafe FAFSA completion support event, sponsored by Capital One, that walks students and families through the financial aid application process.
• Not Your Typical College Fair College fair event designed to serve Detroit students in a more engaging format than traditional fairs, connecting them with college and postsecondary representatives.
• Trade School & Certification Information Information and programming that helps Detroit students and adult learners explore trade schools, certification programs, and skilled trades pathways.
• Detroit Asset Map Resource mapping tool that inventories college access and success supports available across the city of Detroit.

Quantifiable outcome

• Increased FAFSA completion from 54% to 73% citywide
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

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

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Capital OnecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborating with DCAN on the Capital One FAFSA Cafe series of events providing FAFSA completion assistance. Provides $25 gift card incentives for first 50 families at each workshop. Featured sponsor of the initiative.
• Excellent Schools Detroit (ESD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013ESD anchored the original 2013 'College Ready' team that partnered to increase FAFSA completion rates. ESD's leadership was instrumental in founding DCAN as the formal collaborative structure for college enrollment, persistence, and graduation rates among Detroit students.
• Detroit Regional ChambercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Part of the original 2013 College Ready team. Continues as a partner on Summer STEP program and other collaborative initiatives. Represents business community commitment to Detroit's college-going culture.
• United Way for Southeastern MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Part of original 2013 College Ready team. Continues as a sponsor of College Match Tool and supporter of DCAN programming. Major community services organization.
• Accounting Aid SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Part of original 2013 College Ready team. Organization providing tax and financial assistance.
• Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor K-12 partner with logo displayed prominently. DPSCD is the largest school district in Detroit. Multiple DPSCD schools participate in DCAN programming including Michigan College Month and Decision Day.
• Wayne State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard representation from Wayne State University (Ericka Matthews-Jackson). Host institution for TRIO Upward Bound program participating in Michigan College Month. Major Detroit higher education partner.
• Michigan State University (MSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard representation from MSU (John Ambrose). Major higher education partner and pipeline institution for Detroit students.
• University of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo displayed among key partners. Major higher education institution and pipeline for Detroit students.
• Oakland UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo displayed among key partners. Board member (Dr. Tiffany Williams) previously held positions at Oakland University. Major higher education partner.
• Grand Valley State University (GVSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo displayed among key partners. Major Michigan higher education institution serving as pathway for Detroit students.
• City of Detroit Mayor's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo displayed among key partners. Government partner providing public support and alignment with citywide education initiatives.
• Wayne RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo displayed among key partners. Regional educational service agency supporting school improvement and student achievement in Wayne County.
• Detroit Drives DegreescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey initiative aligned with DCAN's goals. Joint goal of 60% postsecondary attainment by 2030. Partner on Summer STEP program and other collaborative initiatives.
• Detroit PromisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Detroit Decision Day and Summer STEP/NET programs. Free-tuition scholarship program for Detroit students usable at participating skilled trade schools and colleges.
• National College Attainment Network (NCAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with DCAN on Capital One FAFSA Cafe. National organization focused on college access and success. Provides policy expertise (Magnus Noble as NCAN Midwest Policy Fellow authored Workforce Pell blog post).
• Strategic Community PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating partner in Graduate 313 Community Hub model. Contributes to community-led, equity-focused hub locations across Detroit's four quarters.
• Graduate 313coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for DCAN Emergency Grant Fast Fund program. Graduate 313 focuses on supporting Detroit college students' persistence and completion. Fast Fund removes financial barriers so learners can stay enrolled.
• Michigan FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped the Detroit College Match Tool used by DCAN. Research indicates many low-income students 'undermatch' - this tool helps students identify reach, match, and safety schools with high graduation rates and low net prices based on their credentials.
• MACAC (Michigan Association of College Admission Counselors)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo displayed among key partners. Professional association supporting college admission professionals.
• Michigan Future IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo displayed among key partners. Organization focused on Michigan's economic future through education policy.
• MEEF (Michigan Education Excellence Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogo displayed among key partners. Education-focused foundation in Michigan.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• Bottom Line: Nonprofit delivering near-peer college access and persistence advising to low-income and first-generation students in multiple U.S. cities; comparable mission, target population, and outcomes-tracking discipline to DCAN.
• College Forward: Texas-based nonprofit providing college access coaching, FAFSA support, and persistence services to low-income and first-generation students — comparable free, cohort-based, near-peer support model.
• The Kalamazoo Promise: Michigan-based promise scholarship and college access organization where DCAN's Executive Director Cyekeia Lee previously served as Director of Community Collaboration; comparable mission of tying local K-12 to postsecondary outcomes.
• Chicago College Access Network (ChicagoCAN): Chicago's local college access network serving Chicago Public Schools students with FAFSA, college application, and persistence support — directly comparable citywide coordinating model to DCAN.
• Philadelphia College Access Network (PhillyGoes2College): Philadelphia's local college access network providing FAFSA completion, college matching, and persistence support to Philadelphia public and charter school students — analogous DCAN-equivalent in another major postindustrial city.
• Detroit Promise: Detroit last-dollar scholarship program usable at participating colleges and trade schools; directly partners with DCAN on Decision Day and Summer STEP/NET, making it both peer and downstream pipeline.
• Detroit Drives Degrees: Detroit cross-sector coalition with shared 60%-by-2030 postsecondary attainment goal; co-implements Summer STEP programming with DCAN and shares many of the same institutional partners.

Broad incumbents

• National College Attainment Network (NCAN): National umbrella organization for LCANs, of which DCAN is a member; NCAN sets national policy, runs the National College Access Network, and partners directly with DCAN on the Capital One FAFSA Cafe.
• Michigan College Access Network (MCAN): Michigan's statewide college access organization that provided DCAN's seed funding and continues as core funder; operates the Michigan College Month campaign that DCAN runs locally in Detroit.

Emerging players

• iMentor: National nonprofit pairing low-income students with mentors for college access and persistence; operates complementary model (mentoring rather than hub/network-based) to DCAN's free cohort programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/detroitcollegeaccessnetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/detroitcan
• Instagraminstagram.com/detroit.can
• Xx.com/Detroit_CAN

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Detroit College Access Network