Centro Hispano de East Tennessee

What Centro Hispano de East Tennessee does

Centro Hispano de East Tennessee is a 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 2004 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, operating as the leading Latino-serving organization in East Tennessee with approximately 36 employees and a heavy reliance on volunteers. Its functional mission is to connect, celebrate, and elevate the Latino community through education, workforce development, youth and family engagement, and community-strengthening initiatives. The organization delivers a portfolio of social service programs organized into five main lines: Workforce Development (five-level ESL classes, Spanish-language HiSET/GED preparation, Medical Interpreter Training, financial education, and digital literacy via the eKnox program), Youth and Family Engagement (afterschool programs at five partner elementary schools, summer camp, mentoring, tutoring), Postsecondary Access (L.E.A.D. leadership program, Escalera, Latino College & Resource Fair, Golden Eagle Scholarship), Community Resources (information and referral, health fairs, vaccination outreach, mobility mentoring), and Grandes Sueños en Pequeñas Empresas (financial education, business planning, and one-on-one consulting for Latino entrepreneurs). Civic engagement resources include Vaccinate, Vote, and Know Your Rights initiatives.

The organization operates with no proprietary technology systems; service delivery is community-led, conducted in person at its main office inside Central United Methodist Church, at five partner elementary schools (Lonsdale, Belle Morris, Norwood, Westview, Pellissippi Division Street), and at quarterly community health fairs. Its business model is a non-commercial donations-and-grants model: revenue is sourced from individual donations (including a monthly giving circle) and foundation grants from entities such as Direct Relief, East Tennessee Foundation, Trinity Health Foundation, Truist Foundation, and Bank of America. Most services are provided free of charge; the HiSET program charges a nominal $40 donation for tuition and books plus official exam fees of $10.75 (computer) or $15 (paper) per subtest. Marketing and beneficiary outreach rely on organic social media (Facebook, Instagram, X), email newsletters via Levitate, community events, earned regional media, and word-of-mouth referrals through volunteer and donor networks. Leadership is led by President & CEO Cristina Cáceres, with a management team including VP of Programs Megan Barolet-Fogarty, VP of Operations Maria Matney, Director of Workforce Development & Program Evaluation Brandon Ledford, and Director of Development Paola Medina Rioja.

Name

Centro Hispano de East Tennessee

Legal name

Centro Hispano de East Tennessee

Website

https://centrohispanotn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centro Hispano de East Tennessee is a Knoxville-based nonprofit founded in 2004 that serves the Latino community of East Tennessee through workforce development, youth and family engagement, postsecondary access, small business support, and community resource programs funded by donations and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Language Schools (611630), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated) (EDAMAFAK), English for Citizenship, Civics & Integration (EDAAACAG), English for Citizenship (ESL/Civics Integrated) (EDAAADAC), Immigration, Citizenship & Integration Language Exam Prep (EDANACAG), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB), Family & School System Navigation (Parent Engagement, Youth Services) (EDAAADAH)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Adult education programs
• Workforce development services
• Youth enrichment programs
• Hispanic community services

Headquarters

HQ city

Knoxville

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Monthly giving circle and one-time donations from individual supporters
2. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations including East Tennessee Foundation, Trinity Health Foundation, Truist Foundation, and Direct Relief

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Centro Hispano de East Tennessee is a nonprofit community organization that provides culturally and linguistically tailored social services to the Hispanic community in East Tennessee. Its core offerings include adult English-language and citizenship education, workforce development and job-readiness training, youth enrichment and college-preparation programs, and health-access support — delivered primarily through a community-center model in Knoxville, TN.

Product overview

Centro Hispano de East Tennessee is a nonprofit Latino-serving community organization offering a portfolio of social service programs. Rather than a unified software product, the organization provides distinct service programs including: Workforce Development (ESL classes, HiSET/GED prep, Medical Interpreter Training, digital literacy), Youth and Family Engagement (afterschool programs, summer camp, tutoring, mentoring), Postsecondary Access (college prep, L.E.A.D. program, Escalera, Latino College & Resource Fair), Community Resources (information/referral, health fairs, vaccination outreach), Grandes Sueños en Pequeñas Empresas (small business support), Consulting, and civic engagement programs (Vote, Know Your Rights). These programs are designed to empower and serve the Latino community in East Tennessee through education, workforce development, youth engagement, health access, and civic participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Grandes Sueños en Pequeñas Empresas (GSPE): Small business development program offering financial education, business modeling and planning, social media marketing optimization, strategic leadership, and one-on-one consulting for aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Centro Youth L.E.A.D.
• Golden Eagle Scholarship
• Latino College & Resource Fair (LCRF)

Products and services

• Adult Education / English-Language and Citizenship Classes Instructional programs for Hispanic/Latino adults covering English-language acquisition and preparation for U.S. citizenship. Designed for adult learners in East Tennessee who need language and civic integration support.
• Workforce Development and Job-Readiness Training Job-readiness and workforce development programming aimed at helping Hispanic/Latino adults in East Tennessee prepare for and obtain employment.
• Youth Enrichment and College-Preparation Programs Youth services focused on enrichment and college preparation for Hispanic/Latino students in East Tennessee, supporting academic readiness and leadership development.
• Health Access Programming Programming that helps Hispanic/Latino community members in East Tennessee access healthcare services and navigate the health system.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150 ESL students taught annually through volunteer network
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Central United Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentro operates from space in Knoxville's historic Central United Methodist Church. Partnership announced October 2024 as Centro teams up with the church for expanded programming.
• Pellissippi State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentro has class space at Pellissippi State's Division Street Campus, enabling collaboration on educational programming and expanded access to higher education for Latino students.
• Unidos UScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner providing curriculum and program framework for the Escalera postsecondary access program. Centro is one of 65+ organizations nationwide selected for FAFSA support funding from U.S. Department of Education.
• Knox County Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for health fair collaborations and COVID-19 vaccination outreach. Centro works with health department to provide healthcare access to the Latino community.
• Knoxville Urban LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for economic opportunity initiatives. Centro honored as Minority Business of the Year by Knoxville Urban League in 2024.
• University of Tennessee KnoxvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through UTK on Latino College & Resource Fair and book launch project 'Nuestras Voces' to tell immigrant stories. UTK news coverage highlights Centro's role as connector for youth.
• Cherokee Health SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for healthcare referrals and medical interpreter training program. Centro connects clients to Cherokee Health Systems for primary care needs.
• MUSE KnoxvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to improve mental health in the community. Joint initiative includes a playgroup to help lay foundations for good mental health in young children.
• Knoxville ChambercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through eKnox Community Digital Literacy Program. Centro participates in Chamber initiatives and events including Hispanic Heritage Month programming and Latino Awards.
• Department of Human ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentro's Mobility Mentor works with Department of Human Services, Knoxville Urban League, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, and YWCA to help low-income families grow beyond vulnerabilities.
• Visit KnoxvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide basic Spanish classes for the community, promoting cultural exchange and tourism engagement.
• Homesource East TennesseeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for financial education series helping clients understand the home buying process. Quarterly four-session series on financial vision, budgeting, and sustainable homeownership.
• NALCABminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated with NALCAB (National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders) network for economic development resources and best practices.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Conexión Américas: Nashville-based Latino-serving nonprofit offering ESL, workforce development, small business support, and community integration programs across Tennessee. Most directly comparable peer to Centro Hispano given shared Tennessee footprint, similar immigrant-integration mission, and overlapping program portfolio (ESL, financial education, youth services).
• Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition: Statewide Tennessee-based immigrant rights and integration coalition, with active presence in Knoxville. Directly comparable to Centro Hispano's Know Your Rights, Vote, and community resources programming, though focused more heavily on advocacy and legal support rather than direct education delivery.
• El Centro de la Raza: Seattle-based Latino community center providing education (ESL, GED/HiSET), youth programs, community resources, and civil rights advocacy. Directly comparable in organizational model (community hub, multi-program nonprofit, immigrant integration focus) and service mix to Centro Hispano.
• Hispanic Center of Western Michigan: Grand Rapids-based Latino-serving nonprofit offering ESL, citizenship preparation, youth programming, interpretation/translation services, and community referrals. Comparable to Centro Hispano in mid-sized regional Latino-serving model with a similar service portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Hispanic Federation: National Latino community services and advocacy nonprofit headquartered in New York that operates across the Eastern U.S. Comparable as a broader incumbent delivering similar immigrant-integration services (education, workforce, health equity, civic engagement) at greater scale and across more states than Centro Hispano.

Others

• NALCAB (National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders): National network supporting Latino-focused economic development and asset-building nonprofits. Centro Hispano is an affiliated member; NALCAB provides economic development resources and best practices to Centro's Grandes Sueños en Pequeñas Empresas small business program.
• UnidosUS: National Latino civil rights and advocacy organization (formerly National Council of La Raza) that Centro Hispano is explicitly affiliated with and that supplies Centro's Escalera postsecondary curriculum. Not a direct competitor; functions as an ecosystem network/resource provider for affiliates like Centro Hispano.

Regional players

• Centro Legal de la Raza: Oakland, California-based Latino legal aid and community services nonprofit providing immigration legal services, community education, and youth programs. Regionally distinct (California vs. Tennessee) but comparable to Centro Hispano in mission (Latino community empowerment), scale, and 'Centro' brand identity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/centrohispanotn
• Facebookfacebook.com/centrohispanotn
• Instagraminstagram.com/centrohispanotn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centro-hispano-de-east-tn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Centro Hispano de East Tennessee