Idaho Business for Education

What Idaho Business for Education does

Idaho Business for Education (IBE) is a 501c3 nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of nearly 250 Idaho business leaders headquartered in Boise, Idaho. The organization is purpose-built to transform the state's education system through a "Two-House Strategy" that combines Statehouse policy advocacy with Schoolhouse direct programming. Core programs include the Youth Apprenticeship Program (connecting 16-24 year-olds to registered apprenticeships, with over 500 placed and 100+ employer sponsors), the Principal Partnership Program (pairing business leaders with school principals), the Within Reach initiative (in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco), Idaho Launch (tuition grants covering up to 80% of costs for in-demand careers), Closing the Divide (laptops and internet for students in need), the Ambassador Network (legislative advocacy), and the Idaho STEM Ecosystem (a statewide STEM pipeline network IBE has hosted since June 2023).

Revenue is generated through three principal streams: recurring membership dues from business leaders and corporate members, federal and state grant funding (most notably a four-year, $2.49 million U.S. Department of Labor grant awarded in 2020), and partnership-hosted program funding tied to entities such as the Idaho STEM Ecosystem. IBE employs approximately 8-10 staff at its Boise headquarters plus four regional Business Development and Program Managers covering North Idaho, Southwest Idaho, South Central Idaho, and Eastern Idaho, giving it statewide operational reach. The customer base spans business leader members, Idaho employers sponsoring apprenticeships, youth aged 16-24, school districts, and policymakers; employer participation is diversified across healthcare (St. Luke's, Gritman Medical), aerospace (Daher), semiconductors (Micron), forestry/manufacturing (Idaho Forest Group), construction, and automotive.

There is no proprietary technology stack disclosed — IBE is a services-and-advocacy organization, not a technology company. Its go-to-market is community-led: member referrals, direct CEO outreach, regional employer engagement, and policy advocacy through the Ambassador Network. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors composed of business leaders and was led for over 11 years by Rod Gramer until August 2024, when Dr. Paula Kellerer (former Nampa School District superintendent) became President and CEO.

Name

Idaho Business for Education

Legal name

Idaho Business for Education

Website

https://idahobe.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Idaho Business for Education is a Boise-based 501c3 nonprofit coalition of nearly 250 business leaders that advocates for education policy and operates programs including youth apprenticeships, principal partnerships, tuition grants, and the Idaho STEM Ecosystem across Idaho.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Advocacy and Workforce Development

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Apprenticeship Training (611513), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Tuition Assistance & Voucher/ESA Program Administration (EDADAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Project-Based/Inquiry-Based Learning (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAN), Scholarships, Grants & Education Benefits Administration (Financing-adjacent) (FSAKAEAM)

Keywords

• Education policy advocacy
• Youth apprenticeship programs
• Workforce development services
• Education-business coalition
• Nonprofit education advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: IBE is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Membership dues from business leaders and corporations across Idaho form a portion of revenue. Dues are described as tax-deductible per IRS regulations.
2. Federal Grant Funding: IBE received a $2.49 million four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to fund the Youth Apprenticeship Program in partnership with the Idaho Workforce Development Council.
3. Partnership-hosted Programs: IBE serves as the host organization for the Idaho STEM Ecosystem, a statewide network previously hosted by Idaho STEM Action Center. This includes programs like IDX and Chief Science Officers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Idaho Business for Education (IBE) is a 501c3 nonprofit coalition of nearly 250 Idaho business leaders that advocates for education policy reform and operates workforce development programs. Its core offerings include the Youth Apprenticeship Program connecting 16-24 year olds to registered apprenticeships across Idaho, the Principal Partnership Program pairing school principals with business leaders, the Within Reach initiative with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and the Idaho Launch grant program. The organization also hosts the Idaho STEM Ecosystem and drives legislative advocacy through its Ambassador Network.

Product overview

Idaho Business for Education (IBE) is a nonprofit coalition of nearly 250 business leaders across Idaho focused on transforming the state's education system. IBE operates its 'Two-House Strategy' combining Statehouse advocacy (policy work, Ambassador Network) with Schoolhouse programs (direct student engagement). The core programs include: Youth Apprenticeship Program connecting 16-24 year olds to registered apprenticeships; Principal Partnership Program pairing business leaders with school principals; Within Reach Partnership working with the Federal Reserve on postsecondary go-on rates; Idaho Launch providing grants for in-demand career credentials; Idaho STEM Ecosystem building the science/technology/engineering/math pipeline; Closing the Divide providing devices and internet to underserved students; and the Ambassador Network for legislative advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP): Program connecting 16-24 year olds to training and careers in Idaho, providing education, work experience, and access to postsecondary education, training, and certifications.
• Principal Partnership Program
• Within Reach

Products and services

• Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP) Connects people aged 16-24 to training and careers in Idaho through registered apprenticeships, providing education, work experience, and access to postsecondary education, training, and certifications.
• Principal Partnership Program Brings principals and business leaders together in peer group forums for mutual learning and support, modeled after the YPO (Young Presidents' Organization), with participants meeting monthly to discuss leadership challenges.
• Within Reach Partnership A pilot project partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to encourage employers to engage employees as full partners in their children's postsecondary education decisions through lunch-and-learn messaging sessions, with an expected minimum five-year duration.
• Idaho Launch Provides one-time grants covering up to 80% of tuition and fees for in-demand careers, supporting students and adults in pursuing credentials aligned with workforce needs. Program has generated 22.4% estimated wage gains for participants.
• Idaho STEM Ecosystem A statewide network of engaged individuals and organizations invested in strengthening the science, technology, engineering, and math pipeline from cradle through career, with founding members including Idaho STEM Action Center, Micron Foundation, Idaho National Laboratory, University of Idaho, Idaho Workforce Development Council, and Idaho Out-of-School Network.
• Closing the Divide Provides laptops and internet service for students in need to ensure digital access for academic success. Supported by a $40,000 donation from Delta Dental of Idaho in January 2021.
• Ambassador Network Comprises IBE members who volunteer to get informed on policy priorities and meet with local lawmakers to advocate for education strengthening policies across Idaho's legislative districts.
• IBE Membership Membership-based coalition of nearly 250 Idaho business leaders providing access to exclusive forums, policy discussions, networking with political and education leaders, and ability to influence education policy. Dues are tax-deductible per IRS regulations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 apprentices placed through Youth Apprenticeship Program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Idaho STEM EcosystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2023IBE became the new host for the Idaho STEM Ecosystem, a statewide network of organizations invested in strengthening STEM education from cradle through career. Founding members include Idaho STEM Action Center, Micron Foundation, Idaho National Laboratory, University of Idaho, Idaho Workforce Development Council, Idaho Out-of-School Network.
• Federal Reserve Bank of San FranciscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBE partners with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco to launch the 'Within Reach' pilot project focused on encouraging employers to engage employees (parents, grandparents, guardians) in their children's education. The project includes lunch-and-learn messaging sessions and is expected to run for a minimum of five years.
• Idaho Workforce Development CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBE partners with the Idaho Workforce Development Council on the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Together they received a $2.49 million four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to place at least 400 youth in registered apprenticeships across Idaho.
• Idaho Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint effort with Idaho Department of Labor, Idaho Career and Technical Education, and IBE to scale Idaho's Youth Apprenticeship program targeting placement of 400 apprentices by 2024.
• Idaho Career and Technical EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint effort with Idaho Career and Technical Education as part of the Youth Apprenticeship Program to connect classrooms to careers through registered apprenticeships.
• WWAMI (University of Washington School of Medicine)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of IBE Health Care Summit examining healthcare worker shortages. WWAMI is Idaho's medical school in partnership with the University of Washington School of Medicine.
• Project EchosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of IBE Health Care Summit. Project Echo empowers healthcare professionals to treat complex diseases with specialist-level expertise regardless of location.
• School Districts Across IdahocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBE works closely with local school leaders and trustees to implement programs like the Principal Partnership Program and Within Reach. Districts participate in the Ambassador Network and various workforce development initiatives.
• Idaho School Districts (Within Reach)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBE, the Federal Reserve, and participating school districts work jointly on lunch-and-learn messaging sessions as part of the Within Reach project to improve postsecondary go-on rates.
• Idaho National Laboratory (INL)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerINL is a founding member of the Idaho STEM Ecosystem hosted at IBE. INL recognizes the critical work of building a strong network of partners to provide equitable access to STEM learning opportunities in every Idaho community.
• Micron FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicron Foundation is a founding member of the Idaho STEM Ecosystem, contributing to STEM education initiatives across Idaho.
• University of IdahosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Idaho is a founding member of the Idaho STEM Ecosystem hosted at IBE.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• America's Edge: National nonprofit that mobilizes business and military leaders to support early childhood education investments. Shares IBE's model of convening business leaders to advocate for education funding and policy.
• National Center for College and Career Transitions (NC3T): Nonprofit that helps communities design career pathways systems connecting K-12 education to postsecondary credentials and careers. Comparable to IBE's college and career pathway work, including Principal Partnership Program.

Direct peers

• Boston Private Industry Council: Nonprofit that connects Boston employers with youth through apprenticeships and workforce programs. Comparable to IBE in its youth apprenticeship model and employer-school partnership approach, though at city rather than state level.
• ReadyNation: National business leader coalition focused on workforce and education outcomes. Direct peer to IBE as a business-led advocacy organization that convenes executives to advance education-to-workforce policy, sharing a similar membership-based coalition model.
• Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit providing training and apprenticeships for young adults ages 18-24. Comparable to IBE's Youth Apprenticeship Program in target demographic and employer-engagement model.
• Maryland Business Roundtable for Education: Statewide business coalition working to improve Maryland's education and workforce pipeline. Direct peer to IBE in structure, mission, and state-level business-led education advocacy.
• Iowa Business Council: State-level business coalition representing Iowa CEOs and business leaders on policy issues, including workforce and education. Direct peer to IBE as a state business-coalition model with similar advocacy and convening function.

Broad incumbents

• Jobs for the Future (JFF): National nonprofit driving transformation in workforce and education systems. Shares IBE's focus on credentials, apprenticeships, and connecting education to economic opportunity, though operating at much larger scale.
• National Skills Coalition: National advocacy organization working on workforce development and education policy. Comparable to IBE's advocacy work on skills and apprenticeship policy, with broader scope across all 50 states.

Regional players

• Skills for Chicagoland's Future: Workforce intermediary connecting Chicago employers with motivated job seekers. Mirrors IBE's role as a regional intermediary between employers and youth apprentices, though focused on a single metro area.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/idahobusinessforeducation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Idaho Business for Education