Partners in Education
Partners in Education is a Santa Barbara County 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers volunteer coordination, paid internships, and computer distribution to TK-12 students, high school youth, and underserved families through school and employer partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersSanta Barbara, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Partners in Education does
Partners in Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1977 (originally as the Industry Education Council) and administered by the Santa Barbara County Education Office, headquartered in Santa Barbara, California. It serves TK-12 students, high school youth, underserved families, and local employers across Santa Barbara County through a portfolio of community-coordinated programs: a volunteer and guest speaker platform for schools (Speaker Collection), an 8-week paid job readiness training program followed by 80-hour paid internships for high school juniors and seniors, a Computers for Families program distributing free refurbished computers and tech support, and the Readers Are Leaders literacy initiative at five Santa Barbara Unified campuses. The organization also runs the President's Council, a tiered corporate sponsorship program (Bronze $3,500 to Platinum $15,000) that links businesses to volunteer and internship opportunities.
The business model is donation- and sponsorship-driven, with revenue from individual contributions, corporate sponsorships, and employer internship fees of approximately $930 per intern to cover wages and workers' compensation. Underlying technology is minimal: a Salesforce-based online portal (partnersineducation.my.site.com) handles volunteer profiles, teacher requests, and student applications, alongside a standard WordPress website. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, relying on school district partnerships, employer outreach, and word-of-mouth referrals. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors composed of senior executives from Cottage Health, Santa Barbara City College, American Riviera Bank, Cox Communications, D.D. Ford Construction, and the County Superintendent of Schools, with cumulative impact metrics of 9,000 computers distributed, 200,000 hours of service delivered, 300,000 volunteer hours (~$9M in volunteer value), and 10,000+ volunteers engaged across 100+ school and nonprofit partners.
Partners in Education firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Partners in Education
- Legal name
- Santa Barbara Partners in Education
- Website
- https://partners.sbceo.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Partners in Education is a Santa Barbara County 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers volunteer coordination, paid internships, and computer distribution to TK-12 students, high school youth, and underserved families through school and employer partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Partners in Education industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Workforce Development Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (6117), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Literacy Intervention & Dyslexia Support Programs (Gen Ed) (EDAJAGAF), K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)
Keywords
Where Partners in Education is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Barbara
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Partners in Education business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Charitable donations from individuals supporting youth education and workforce development programs. Tax-deductible contributions under 501(c)3 status.
- Corporate Sponsorships (President's Council): Annual contributions from business partners at tiered levels: Platinum ($15,000+), Gold ($10,000), Silver ($5,000), Bronze ($3,500). Sponsors receive recognition on website and annual impact reports.
- Employer Internship Contributions: Employers contribute approximately $930 per intern to cover wages and workers compensation. Internship cost is structured to be below minimum wage equivalent for 80 hours of work.
- Internship Sponsorships: Individuals and organizations can sponsor an internship to cover wages for students when employers cannot directly host. Contributions help students pursue career dreams.
- Computer Donations (In-Kind): Receives donated computers and devices from individuals and businesses, refurbishes them, and distributes to families. Devices accepted include laptops, desktops, Chromebooks, iPads, and accessories.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Platinum Sponsorship - $15,000 annual contribution |
| Other | Annual | Gold Sponsorship - $10,000 annual contribution |
| Other | Annual | Silver Sponsorship - $5,000 annual contribution |
| Other | Annual | Bronze Sponsorship - $3,500 annual contribution |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Employer Internship Contribution - approximately $930 per intern |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Partners in Education product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Partners in Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects TK-12 schools, students, families, and local employers in Santa Barbara County through four core program areas: (1) Volunteer & Career Readiness Programming for Schools, a volunteer and speaker coordination service; (2) Job Readiness Training & Internships, providing 8-week paid job readiness training followed by paid 80-hour internships for high school juniors and seniors; (3) Computers for Families, distributing free refurbished computers with bilingual tech support; and (4) Readers Are Leaders, a literacy tutoring initiative for TK-3rd grade students. The organization is administered by the Santa Barbara County Education Office and funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and employer internship contributions.
Product overview
Partners in Education is a nonprofit organization (501(c)3) administered by the Santa Barbara County Education Office, offering a portfolio of educational support programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include: Volunteer & Career Readiness Programming through the Speaker Collection portal for TK-12 schools; Job Readiness Training & Internships providing 8-week training plus paid 80-hour internships for high school students; Computers for Families distributing free refurbished computers with bilingual tech support; Readers Are Leaders literacy tutoring for TK-3rd graders; and a Business & Community Engagement/Partner's Council program facilitating corporate partnerships. The organization serves Santa Barbara County and was formed in 1977, achieving nonprofit status in 2000.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 9,000 computers distributed to families in need
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Partners in Education
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Partners in Education technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Partners in Education partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Santa Barbara Education FoundationcoreSBEF is a co-funder and partner in the Readers are Leaders literacy initiative. Partners in Education and SBEF jointly support TK-3rd grade reading programs at five Santa Barbara Unified school campuses.
- Santa Barbara Unified School DistrictcorePartner school district for Readers are Leaders program at Adams Elementary, Cleveland Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Monroe Elementary, and Santa Barbara Community Academy.
- Santa Barbara County Education OfficecoreSanta Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) administers Partners in Education as a 501(c)3 organization. SBCEO provides institutional infrastructure, office space, and administrative support. The County Superintendent of Schools serves on the Board of Directors.
- Cox CommunicationssupportingCox Connect2Compete provides low-cost internet to qualified households. Cox Communications Digital Academy offers computer literacy tips, educational videos, and tutorials for families and students.
- Xfinity/ComcastsupportingInternet Essentials program brings affordable internet to qualified households. Partners in Education helps families navigate the application process.
- Affordable Connectivity Program (FCC)supportingFederal program providing eligible households with discounts on broadband service and connected devices. Organization assists families with application process.
- Pacific Western BanksupportingInternship host site where students assist accounting team. Frequently cited as an example employer partnership.
- Cottage HealthsupportingHealthcare system serves as internship host site and President's Council Platinum Sponsor. V.P. & Chief Human Resources Officer serves as Board President.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Partners in Education competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Reading Partners: Nonprofit providing one-on-one literacy tutoring to elementary students reading below grade level. Closely mirrors Partners in Education's Readers Are Leaders program in mission, delivery model, and target population.
- Genesys Works: Nonprofit providing high school students with technical skills training and paid corporate internships. Closely parallels Partners in Education's 8-week Job Readiness Training plus 80-hour paid internship program.
- AARP Foundation Experience Corps: National literacy-tutoring program deploying older volunteers in K-3 classrooms. Comparable to Readers Are Leaders in both curriculum focus and volunteer-driven delivery model.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth-mentoring nonprofit connecting students with adult role models for educational and career outcomes. Overlaps with Partners in Education's volunteer speaker/intern matching model for K-12 populations.
- Santa Barbara Education Foundation: Local education-support nonprofit and active co-funder of Partners in Education's Readers Are Leaders initiative. Operates the same SB County TK-12 philanthropic channel and competes for the same donor and corporate dollars.
- Junior Achievement: National nonprofit delivering K-12 work readiness, career exploration, and financial literacy programs in schools. Directly comparable to Partners in Education's volunteer speaker portal, career days, and job readiness curriculum.
- INROADS: Nonprofit creating career pathways for underrepresented high school and college students via corporate internship placement. Comparable in mission to Partners in Education's internship placement and career coaching work.
Broad incumbents
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development organization with extensive after-school programming and career exploration curricula. Operates a much broader portfolio but covers the same K-12 audience and workforce readiness territory.
Regional players
- United Way of Santa Barbara County: Local umbrella nonprofit funding and coordinating education, health, and financial stability programs. Overlaps with Partners in Education's community-school-business collaboration model and donor base.
- Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara: Local youth development nonprofit serving Santa Barbara County with after-school and teen workforce programs. Competes for the same donor base, volunteer pool, and employer internship host relationships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Partners in Education social profiles
Digital presencePartners in Education financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Partners in Education leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Partners in Education funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Partners in Education M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Partners in Education
What does Partners in Education do?
Partners in Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects TK-12 schools, students, families, and local employers in Santa Barbara County through four core program areas: (1) Volunteer & Career Readiness Programming for Schools, a volunteer and speaker coordination service; (2) Job Readiness Training & Internships, providing 8-week paid job readiness training followed by paid 80-hour internships for high school juniors and seniors; (3) Computers for Families, distributing free refurbished computers with bilingual tech support; and (4) Readers Are Leaders, a literacy tutoring initiative for TK-3rd grade students. The organization is administered by the Santa Barbara County Education Office and funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and employer internship contributions.
Is Partners in Education a public or private company?
Partners in Education is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Partners in Education founded?
Partners in Education was founded in 1977. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Partners in Education based?
Partners in Education is headquartered in Santa Barbara, United States, in the North America region.
How does Partners in Education make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships (President's Council), employer Internship Contributions, internship Sponsorships and computer Donations (In-Kind).
Who are Partners in Education's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Reading Partners, Genesys Works, AARP Foundation Experience Corps, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Santa Barbara Education Foundation, Junior Achievement and INROADS. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are United Way of Santa Barbara County and Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara.
Does Partners in Education have an API?
No public API is recorded for Partners in Education.
What industry is Partners in Education in?
Partners in Education's product category is Youth Workforce Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAC, After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDAJAGAF, Literacy Intervention & Dyslexia Support Programs (Gen Ed). Its NAICS code is 6117 and its SIC code is 8300.