LA's Promise

What LA's Promise does

LA Promise Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education management organization headquartered in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2006. The organization operates Westbrook Academy, a public charter school serving students in grades 6-12 in South and Southeast Los Angeles (with a new campus opened in South Gate in 2024), alongside a portfolio of enrichment and college/career readiness programs delivered across 80+ Los Angeles County schools in partnership with LAUSD and other districts.

The portfolio includes The Intern Project (TIP), a paid summer internship program that placed 130+ high school students with employer partners in 2026; Career Pathway Connections, which implements the LAUSD Work Readiness Program (1,150+ students served in 2024-2025, with 719 earning the Work Readiness Certificate and 376 earning the Work Ready Badge); StudentsBuild and GirlsBuild LA summits drawing thousands of students; ArtsMatter; Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE-LA); Hello Future (STEM engagement launched 2019); Black College Success; Promise Parent; Student Transportation Services; and the Southeast LA Urban Farm & Food System project. Key strategic partners include the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation, LAUSD, the LA Rams, Disney Studios, SpaceX, United Talent Agency, Microsoft, Amgen, National Geographic Society, the City of Los Angeles, and a broad base of major foundations (Broad, Ballmer, Getty, Hewlett, Parsons, Keck, California Endowment).

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: individual and corporate donations; foundation and corporate grants from organizations such as the Eli & Edythe Broad Foundation, Amgen Foundation, Ballmer Group, Getty Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, and Ralph M. Parsons Foundation; and per-pupil public funding for Westbrook Academy's charter school operations. Programs are free to students. As of 2026, the organization celebrated its 20th anniversary, reporting 1 million lives impacted, and the Westbrook Academy Class of 2026 achieved a 100% graduation rate.

Name

LA's Promise

Legal name

LA Promise Fund

Website

https://laspromise.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LA Promise Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education organization in Los Angeles that operates Westbrook Academy charter school (grades 6-12) and delivers college, career, and leadership programs, including paid internships and summits, to underserved students across Los Angeles County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Education and Youth Development Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

NGO/Nonprofit Education Programs & Service Delivery (EDADALAC), After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)

Keywords

• K-12 education programs
• Charter school operations
• College career readiness
• Youth internship programs
• Community education nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles, CA

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and raises funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and major gifts from foundations and companies. The website features a donate button and the organization celebrates 20 years of operations with 1 million lives impacted.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: LA Promise Fund receives support from major foundations including Eli & Edythe Broad Foundation, Amgen Foundation, Ballmer Group, Getty Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, and others. These grants fund specific programs and school operations.
3. Charter School Operations: The organization operates Westbrook Academy as a public charter school serving students in grades 6-12 in South and Southeast Los Angeles, with operations funded through LAUSD charter school per-pupil funding.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LA Promise Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education management organization that operates Westbrook Academy, a public charter school serving grades 6-12 in South and Southeast Los Angeles, and runs a portfolio of college readiness, career pathway, internship, arts, STEM, and family support programs delivered to K-12 students across Los Angeles County. Programs include The Intern Project (paid summer internships), Career Pathway Connections, StudentsBuild, GirlsBuild LA, ArtsMatter, Amgen Biotech Experience, Hello Future, and Black College Success. All programs are free to students, funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants.

Product overview

LA Promise Fund is a nonprofit education management organization operating as a portfolio of programs serving students across Los Angeles County. The core offering includes Westbrook Academy, a public charter school serving grades 6-12 in South/Southeast LA, alongside multiple enrichment programs. Key programs include The Intern Project (TIP) for career internships, Career Pathway Connections for workforce readiness, StudentsBuild and GirlsBuild LA for youth leadership summits, ArtsMatter for arts education, Amgen Biotech Experience for STEM, Hello Future for tech engagement, Black College Success for college access, Promise Parent for family support, and Student Transportation Services. The portfolio is designed to prepare students for success in college, career, and life through academic and enrichment opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Westbrook Academy: Public charter school operated by LA Promise Fund serving students in grades 6-12, focused on developing artists, athletes, and academic achievers in South and Southeast Los Angeles
• The Intern Project (TIP)
• GirlsBuild LA
• StudentsBuild
• Career Pathway Connections
• Black College Success
• ArtsMatter
• Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE-LA)
• Promise Parent
• Hello Future
• Young Professionals Council (YPC)

Products and services

• Westbrook Academy Public charter school operated by LA Promise Fund serving students in grades 6-12 in South and Southeast Los Angeles, dedicated to developing artists, athletes, and academic achievers. Features college preparation, career pathways, and operates from a new campus in South Gate. Free to enrolled students.
• The Intern Project (TIP)
• Career Pathway Connections
• StudentsBuild
• GirlsBuild LA
• ArtsMatter
• Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE-LA)
• Promise Parent
• Hello Future STEM-focused event that engages young people from middle school and up with disruptive entrepreneurs, tech innovators, and brands. Free to participants.
• Black College Success
• Student Transportation Services
• South LA Network for School Improvement (NSI)

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% graduation rate at Westbrook Academy Class of 2026
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 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 flagship, core and major.

• Russell Westbrook / Why Not? FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBA superstar Russell Westbrook and his wife Nina, along with business partner Donnell Beverly, partnered with LA Promise Fund in 2021 to launch Westbrook Academy (Russell Westbrook Why Not? Middle and High Schools). Westbrook serves on the board and is actively involved in school events, celebrations, and philanthropy. The partnership includes significant financial support and celebrity endorsement.
• National Geographic SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Geographic Society co-presented the GirlsBuild Virtual Summit with LA Promise Fund, providing content, speakers, and resources for the environmental challenge focus area. The partnership brings geographic and environmental expertise to STEM programming.
• Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAUSD is a primary partner for LA Promise Fund programs including Career Pathway Connections, The Intern Project, and LAUSD Work Readiness Program. The partnership enables delivery of programs across 80+ schools in Los Angeles County.
• Los Angeles RamscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LA Rams have partnered with The Intern Project for 6 consecutive years, hosting student interns annually. The partnership provides career exposure, stadium tours, and mentorship. Over 40 local students (70% first-generation college students) have participated.
• Amgen FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmgen Foundation sponsors the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE-LA) program and was presenting sponsor for Hello Future STEM event. Provides biotech educational content and resources for students.
• The Walt Disney CompanymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDisney supports LA Promise Fund as a donor and has facilitated field trips to Disney Studios for TIP interns. The partnership provides entertainment industry exposure and career exploration opportunities.
• City of Los AngelescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Los Angeles is a donor and partner, with Mayor Karen Bass participating in GirlsBuild Summit and city support for programs.
• United Talent AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTA hosts TIP interns and provides career exploration field trips, exposing students to entertainment industry career pathways.
• SpaceXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpaceX has hosted TIP interns, providing STEM career exposure in aerospace and technology fields.
• MicrosoftmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMicrosoft supports through donations and professional involvement - professionals participate in TIP Career Conversations and Microsoft Services Business Applications Women's Community is led by a LA Promise Fund board member.
• BoeingmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate donor and supporter of LA Promise Fund programs.
• IntuitcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIntuit partners on financial literacy workshops for LAUSD Work Readiness Program and is a donor to the organization.
• ParamountmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment industry donor and supporter of LA Promise Fund programs.
• NickelodeonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment industry donor supporting LA Promise Fund educational initiatives.
• Sony PicturesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment industry donor supporting LA Promise Fund programs.
• NetflixmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment streaming company donor supporting LA Promise Fund.
• Youth Mobile Festival (YoMo) Los AngelescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoMo LA partnered with LA Promise Fund for Hello Future event, bringing together young people with entrepreneurs and tech innovators.
• CHIRLAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is a partner for SELA Urban Farm & Food System project, providing immigration services and support.
• NEW Economics for WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for SELA Urban Farm & Food System project, contributing to economic mobility programs.
• Seeds of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for SELA Urban Farm & Food System project focused on food security.
• Just Keep Livin FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation donor and supporter of LA Promise Fund, founded by actress and producer.
• The Academy GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTIP partner enabling student placements in internships throughout Southeast Los Angeles, Baldwin Hills, and Inglewood.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF): Los Angeles-based nonprofit operating multiple charter schools in South LA serving low-income communities. Directly comparable as a charter school operator and K-12 education nonprofit targeting similar underserved LA neighborhoods.
• Partnership for Los Angeles Schools: Nonprofit managing 20 LAUSD schools in Boyle Heights, South LA, and Watts serving 14,000+ students. Comparable as a school-improvement nonprofit working inside LAUSD to serve similar South/Southeast LA student populations.
• College Track: Oakland-based nonprofit operating college access and success programs in California including Los Angeles. Comparable focus on college readiness for first-generation and underrepresented students, with overlap on the Black College Success and Career Pathway Connections programs.
• KIPP LA Schools: LA-based affiliate of the KIPP national charter network operating public charter schools in South and East Los Angeles serving grades K-12. Comparable as a charter school operator targeting underserved LA communities with college-prep focus.
• Green Dot Public Schools: One of the largest charter management organizations in Los Angeles, operating public charter schools serving predominantly low-income students of color. Comparable as a multi-school charter operator in LA County with similar college/career readiness focus.
• Alliance College-Ready Public Schools: Los Angeles charter school network operating 25+ schools serving 13,000+ students in LA County. Directly comparable as a multi-school charter operator in LA focused on college readiness for underserved populations.
• UNITE LA: Los Angeles-based nonprofit focused on educational equity, college access, and youth development across LA County. Comparable as an LA-based education nonprofit running school-improvement and youth leadership programs targeting similar demographics.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit with multiple LA-area clubs offering after-school programs, academic enrichment, and career exploration for K-12 students. Comparable as a large-scale youth education/development nonprofit, though operating a broader geographic network rather than school-specific programs.
• Communities In Schools: National nonprofit embedding school-based coordinators inside K-12 schools to deliver dropout prevention, academic support, and career readiness services. Comparable focus on school-based student support and college/career access for underserved students, though operating nationally rather than LA-specific.

Emerging players

• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit providing young adults with career training, internships, and corporate placements. Comparable focus on workforce readiness and employer partnerships (similar to The Intern Project), though serves a slightly older (18-24) population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/lapromisefund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la's-promise

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 LA's Promise