Give Merit

Name

Give Merit

Legal name

Give Merit, Inc.

Website

https://givemerit.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Nonprofit Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAMAKAD

Portfolio, Capstone & Project-Based Program Support

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/College & Career Enrichment (Mentorship, Internships, Portfolio)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• College scholarship services
• Educational mentorship programs
• Nonprofit community services
• Student career readiness

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization raises money through individual donations, corporate donations, and fundraising campaigns. The 2023 End of Year Campaign targeted $100,000 for college scholarships. In 2019, FATE In Our Stars raised over $26,000. In 2020, the virtual version raised over $50,000 for scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Give Merit operates the FATE (Future Achievers Through Education) Program, a four-year, cohort-based youth development initiative for Detroit high school students from Jalen Rose Leadership Academy. The program blends project-based learning, character development, career exposure, and mentorship through weekly workshops and summer internships, with students producing marketing campaigns and product collections as capstone projects. Students who complete all four years, maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, graduate high school, and are accepted to college receive a $5,000 scholarship.

Product overview

Give Merit operates primarily as a nonprofit educational organization rather than a software product company. Its core offering is the FATE (Future Achievers Through Education) Program, a four-year cohort-based youth development program for Detroit high school students. The program provides project-based learning, career exposure, mentorship, and character development through workshops, with students creating marketing campaigns and product collections as capstone projects. Students who complete the program and meet academic/conduct standards receive a $5,000 college scholarship. Supporting offerings include the FATE Professional Academy for professional development, the Summer Internship Program for college students, an Alumni Program for post-graduation support, and the FATE Box for virtual workshop materials. Annual Student Showcase events allow students to present their capstone projects. The organization partners with Merit Goodness' fashion brand which donates 20% of profits to fund scholarships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FATE Program A four-year, cohort-based program for Detroit high school students from Jalen Rose Leadership Academy providing project-based learning, character development, career exposure, and mentorship. Students who complete all four years and meet program standards graduate high school and are accepted to college receive a $5,000 scholarship.
• $5,000 College Scholarship College scholarship awarded to FATE students who complete all four years of programming, maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, exhibit strong moral conduct and service, rarely miss school, and are accepted into a college or university.
• FATE Professional Academy Professional development program for 11th graders covering interviewing, relationship building, and etiquette, culminating in a grand networking event pairing students with professionals from corporate partners.
• Summer Internship Program (SIP) Program offering college students opportunities to work with Give Merit on mentor recruitment, curriculum development, and Detroit exposure activities.
• Alumni Program Post-high school support program for FATE graduates including success coaching, career preparedness, networking experiences, and ongoing connection with the FATE community.
• Student Showcase Events

Quantifiable outcome

• GPA +.34 higher than non-FATE peers
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle has partnered with Give Merit for multiple years, hosting FATE students at Google Ann Arbor for workshops on presenting with confidence, career development, and professional networking. Students participate in innovation pitch competitions with Googlers serving as judges and mentors. In 2018, a student winner received a full immersion day at Google.
• Detroit PistonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDetroit Pistons serve as a major partner providing internship opportunities, hosting events at their practice facility, and supporting through board member Tyrel Kirkham (VP Brand & Marketing Strategy). Students completed a 5-week internship developing fan appreciation campaigns for the We Hustle Different campaign.
• Zingerman'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZingerman's in Ann Arbor has provided internship opportunities for 12th graders, hosting students in departments including Zing Community, Mail Order, and Maker Works. Students work on social media and marketing projects for the company.
• Detroit LionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDetroit Lions provided internship experience for 12th graders in Community Relations, Marketing, and Ticket Sales departments. Students developed recommendations for Foundation branding, TikTok account launch strategy, and ticket payment plan options.
• CarharttcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarhartt has partnered with FATE for design workshops and student mentorship. Students visited the Carhartt design center in Detroit to learn about consumer design and collection development for their capstone projects.
• ShinolacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShinola partnered with FATE for product design workshops where students worked with Shinola graphic designers to develop collection themes. Shinola also produced custom backpacks for each student team based on their collection themes.
• Midwest Graphics & AwardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMidwest Graphics provided screen printing workshops teaching students the production process, including emulsion coating, image exposure, and printing techniques. Students created their own screen-printed t-shirts.
• Creative Solutions GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative Solutions Group (CSG) has partnered with FATE for multiple years to create trade show booth displays for Student Showcases. Students visit CSG to design large graphics for their product collection booths.
• Patrick Thompson DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatrick Thompson Design led visual design workshops for students, teaching design processes, aesthetics, and functionality. Students designed dorm rooms for University of Michigan 2020 launch.
• LSA (University of Michigan)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at University of Michigan has provided summer interns to support Give Merit's programming and develop college success resources.
• Jam HandyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJam Handy has served as venue for annual Student Showcase events, hosting 200+ attendees for student presentations and product displays.
• The Crysler ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Crysler Club participated in Alumni Summit 2022 networking events, providing career and employment opportunities for FATE alumni.
• MeijerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeijer has participated in Alumni Summits and student showcases, providing internship and employment pathway opportunities for FATE alumni.
• TargetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTarget led interview etiquette workshops at Alumni Summit 2023, preparing alumni for professional opportunities and career advancement.
• Level One BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLevel One Bank participated in Alumni Summit 2022 networking events, connecting with FATE alumni for career and financial services opportunities.
• Chase BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChase Bank participated in Alumni Summit events, providing networking opportunities for FATE alumni seeking financial industry careers.
• Rocket CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRocket Companies participated in Alumni Summit 2023, connecting with FATE alumni for potential employment and career pathway opportunities.
• Wayne State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWayne State University participated in Alumni Summit 2023 networking events, supporting college-to-career transitions for FATE alumni.
• The Henry Ford MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Henry Ford Museum participated in Alumni Summit events, offering career exploration and employment opportunities for FATE alumni.
• L.E.A.D. FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerL.E.A.D. Foundation collaborated with Give Merit for Field Day 2018 event, supporting youth leadership development activities.
• Adventure Leadership ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdventure Leadership Program in Ann Arbor provided team-building workshops for incoming 9th grade cohorts, helping establish group dynamics and leadership skills.
• Doner AdvertisingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoner Advertising provided creative concepting workshops for Grade 9 capstone projects, supporting student development of marketing campaigns for Merit brand.
• Creative CirclecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative Circle provided the creative team for Student Showcases including videographers, graphic designers, producers, copywriters, and photographers to bring student visions to life.
• Woodward OriginalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWoodward Original led creative concepting workshops for Grade 9 capstone projects, helping students develop marketing campaign themes and brainstorming sessions.
• Tait Design Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTait Design Co. partnered with FATE for product design workshops, teaching students about design processes and production. Students designed and made yo-yos as part of the experience.
• Détroit Is The New BlackcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDétroit Is The New Black collaborated with FATE on a special 2020 product collection, with founder Roslyn Karamoko providing brand mentorship and hosting students for retail space tours.
• Narrow Way CafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNarrow Way Cafe participated in Alumni Summits and provided exposure opportunities for summer interns, supporting Detroit community business engagement.
• Degree ForwardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDegree Forward participated in Alumni Summits, providing career pathway support and employment opportunities for FATE alumni.
• Fox 2 NewsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFox 2 News partnered with FATE for Professional Academy workshops covering interviewing, relationship building, and etiquette skills for 11th grade students.
• Plante MoranminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlante Moran professionals led personal finance workshops for FATE students as part of the programming curriculum.
• LambertminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLambert served as 2022 Student Showcase sponsor and provided judges for the competition, including Partner Bill Nowling and Director Dexter Sullivan.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Year Up: Workforce-development nonprofit serving young adults from underserved communities with training, internships, and corporate partnerships — analogous to Give Merit on the career-exposure and corporate-internship dimension.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth-development organization providing out-of-school programming, mentorship, and college/career readiness — overlapping Give Merit's youth-development and career-exposure functions at much larger scale.
• KIPP Foundation: National charter-school network serving predominantly low-income students with a college-preparation focus; comparable in serving underserved K-12 populations with a college-going mission.
• Junior Achievement USA: Delivers career-readiness, financial-literacy, and entrepreneurship education to K-12 students through corporate-partner-led programs; comparable on the career-exposure and corporate-partnership dimensions.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth-mentorship organization pairing adults with young people; comparable as a sustained-mentorship model for youth development, though not college-access-specific.
• National Urban League: Civil-rights and urban-advocacy organization with youth-education and workforce-development programming; relevant as a broader incumbent serving similar underserved urban youth populations.

Direct peers

• iMentor: Pairs underserved high school students with adult mentors for college readiness; shares Give Merit's mentorship-driven, multi-year cohort approach to college access.
• Bottom Line: Nonprofit delivering one-on-one college access and success coaching to first-generation students from under-resourced communities — closely aligned with Give Merit's mentorship-and-college-pipeline model.
• College Possible: National nonprofit that provides college access coaching and support to high school students from low-income communities, mirroring Give Merit's college-preparation mission and underserved-student focus.

Regional players

• Detroit College Access Network (DCAN): Detroit-focused coalition coordinating college-access programs across the city; comparable as a regional college-access intermediary operating in Give Merit's same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/meritgoodness
• Facebookfacebook.com/meritgoodness
• Instagraminstagram.com/meritgoodness

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Give Merit