FOCUS on Communities United for Success

What FOCUS on Communities United for Success does

FOCUS on Communities United for Success is a Baltimore-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 by Eric A. Brockman that delivers tuition-free IT and cybersecurity workforce training to underserved young adults aged 18-45 in Baltimore City. Its core curriculum is built around CompTIA certifications (A+, Network+, Security+) and Amazon AWS Cloud Computing, delivered through the Tech IQ program using a proprietary Community Cooperative Capitalism peer-learning model in cohorts of five, supplemented by hands-on lab environments (hardware assembly simulations, network configuration labs, virtual troubleshooting environments, and sandbox labs). Graduates receive a $1,000 Launch Stipend and job placement support, with documented outcomes including entry-level salaries of $40,000-$52,000 and specialty cloud roles reaching $85,000.

The organization is funded through a concentration of foundation grants (Abell Foundation, Weinberg Foundation) and corporate philanthropy (Google), event-driven revenue from an annual Graduation Gala (sponsorship tiers from $5,000 to $50,000, tickets at $125-$150), and individual donations. Operations are run by a small team of 1-10 employees and a volunteer board, with strategic positioning anchored in the 2025 Light of Baltimore Incubator at Baker Donelson and the 2025 Social Impact Award from Baltimore Smart Business Dealmakers. Distribution is community-led, leveraging radio, earned media, and grassroots outreach into underserved Baltimore neighborhoods. The organization recently postponed its 2026 Graduation Gala citing funding cuts, indicating material financial stress and concentration risk in its donor base.

Name

FOCUS on Communities United for Success

Legal name

Focus On Communities United For Success Inc

Website

https://focusorg.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FOCUS on Communities United for Success is a Baltimore-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides tuition-free IT and cybersecurity certification training (CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, AWS) to underserved young adults aged 18-45 in Baltimore City, supported by foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and a $1,000 Launch Stipend for graduates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Computer Training (611420), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity Certifications (EDAAANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Information Technology & Cybersecurity Certification Prep (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, ISC2/ISACA) (EDANAIAF), Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

Keywords

• IT workforce training
• Cybersecurity certification
• CompTIA certification prep
• Workforce development services
• Nonprofit training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: FOCUS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations and foundation grants to fund its free workforce training programs. Major funders include the Abell Foundation, Weinberg Foundation, and Google.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: The organization generates revenue through corporate sponsorships for the annual Graduation Gala. Sponsorship tiers range from $5,000 (Bronze) to $50,000 (Presenting Partner), with proceeds supporting workforce development initiatives.
3. Gala Events: Annual graduation gala events generate revenue through ticket sales ($125 early bird, $150 general admission) and fundraising activities during the celebration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FOCUS on Communities United for Success is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that provides tuition-free IT and cybersecurity certification training to underserved young adults aged 18-45 in Baltimore through its Tech IQ workforce development program. The organization delivers CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ certification preparation combining experienced instructors with hands-on lab environments (hardware assembly simulations, network configuration labs, virtual troubleshooting environments, and sandbox labs), and supports graduates with career counseling, resume assistance, interview preparation, job placement support, and a $1,000 Launch Stipend.

Product overview

FOCUS offers a portfolio of IT workforce certification training programs centered on CompTIA certifications (A+, Security+, Network+) alongside Amazon AWS Cloud Computing training, delivered through its Tech IQ workforce development program for adults aged 18-45. Programs combine experienced instructors with hands-on training including hardware assembly simulations, network configuration labs, virtual troubleshooting environments, and sandbox labs. The organization operates as a tuition-free nonprofit, providing additional support including career coaching, resume writing assistance, interview preparation, and a $1,000 Launch Stipend to certified graduates transitioning into IT careers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tech IQ Program Comprehensive workforce development training program for individuals aged 18-45 providing IT certification preparation in CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and Amazon AWS Cloud Computing. Features a peer-to-peer facilitation learning model with cohorts of five students mentoring each other, combined with career coaching, resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement support. All training is provided at no cost to students.
• CompTIA A+ Certification Training Industry-standard entry-level IT certification training that validates ability to install, configure, and troubleshoot computer hardware, networks, mobile devices, and operating systems. Students prepare for Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) exams covering hardware, networking, virtualization, cloud concepts, OS installation, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.
• CompTIA Security+ Certification Training IT security certification training covering threat identification, security technologies and tools (firewalls, IDS/IPS, endpoint security), secure network architectures, identity and access management, cryptography concepts, risk assessment, and incident response. Exam SY0-701 launched November 2023.
• CompTIA Network+ Certification Training Network administration certification training preparing students for exam N10-009, covering networking concepts (OSI model, protocols, IPv4/IPv6 addressing), network implementation, operations, security, and troubleshooting methodologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students see raises of $10,000 to $15,000 shortly after certification
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Light of Baltimore Incubator at Baker Donelson (powered by Innovation Works)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025FOCUS was selected as a participant in the 2025 Light of Baltimore Incubator Cohort. The incubator is housed on Baker Donelson's 23rd floor at 100 Light Street in downtown Baltimore. It provides free collaborative office space, mentorship, and access to professional services to social entrepreneurs. The program supports organizational infrastructure, sustainability, and growth strategy development.
• CompTIAcoreTechnology or IntegrationFOCUS aligns with CompTIA, the global leader in IT certifications trusted by employers worldwide. Training follows CompTIA's industry-recognized standards ensuring students gain job-ready skills. CompTIA continuously evolves curriculum to reflect real-world industry needs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Year Up: Year Up is a nonprofit workforce-development program that combines professional training, stipends and employer placement for young adults, including technology pathways. It shares FOCUS's target demographic and economic-mobility mission, while covering a broader set of occupations.
• LaunchCode: LaunchCode provides free technology education, apprenticeships and pathways into software and IT careers, particularly for candidates without traditional credentials. It overlaps with FOCUS's tuition-free training and placement support, although it is more concentrated in software development.
• Per Scholas: Per Scholas is a nonprofit that provides tuition-free technology training and career services to people facing barriers to employment. Its IT training and job-placement model closely matches FOCUS's workforce-to-employment approach, although Per Scholas operates across a broader set of U.S. markets.
• Generation: Generation is a global nonprofit that provides free, job-driven training and employment pathways across technology and other occupations. Its employer-linked, outcome-oriented model is comparable to FOCUS's certification and job-placement mission, but it serves a broader range of sectors.
• Workforce Opportunity Services: Workforce Opportunity Services provides technology and business-skills training, career development and employment support to veterans, military families and other diverse talent. Its training-to-employment model is comparable to FOCUS's underserved young-adult focus, though its target population is more specialized.
• AWS re/Start: AWS re/Start is a cloud-skills training and employment-readiness program for unemployed or underrepresented individuals, often delivered at no cost through community organizations. It is directly comparable to FOCUS's cloud instruction and pathway into entry-level technology work, although it is a corporate program rather than a nonprofit.
• NPower: NPower is a nonprofit that offers free technology and cybersecurity training, career development and job placement for veterans, military families and other underrepresented talent. Its mission and training-to-employment model are highly comparable to FOCUS's underserved-community focus.

Others

• IBM SkillsBuild: IBM SkillsBuild provides free digital learning, credentials and career resources for students, job seekers and organizations, with pathways into technology roles. It is adjacent to FOCUS's certification and job-readiness offering, but generally lacks FOCUS's localized cohort and placement model.

Broad incumbents

• Cisco Networking Academy: Cisco Networking Academy offers IT, networking and cybersecurity curriculum with practical learning and career-skills components through schools, nonprofits and community partners. It overlaps with FOCUS's training and employer-readiness mission, but it is a broad technology-education ecosystem rather than a local nonprofit.
• STRIVE: STRIVE is a nonprofit workforce-development organization that trains and places people facing barriers to employment, including in technology-related fields. Its mission and job-placement orientation are comparable to FOCUS, though its program mix is broader and less IT-specific.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/focusorgtech
• Facebookfacebook.com/focusITworkforcetraining
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/focustechorg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 FOCUS on Communities United for Success