Preston Taylor Ministries

What Preston Taylor Ministries does

Preston Taylor Ministries (PTM) is a non-denominational faith-based 501c3 nonprofit headquartered at the Hal and Martha Wilson Center, 4014 Indiana Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee. Incorporated in 1998 on the foundation of tutor Perry McGowan's 1985 work in the Preston Taylor Housing Development, PTM operates four after-school sites (Wilson Center, St. Luke's Community House, McGruder Family Resource Center, Immanuel Church) plus a middle school in-school program, all concentrated in Nashville's 37208 and 37209 zip codes. The organization ended the 2024-25 program year with 159 enrolled students against an approximate capacity of 190 K-8 children and youth.

The core product portfolio is an integrated stack of free programs: daily after-school programming (literacy intervention of 80-100 minutes per week with trained reading specialists, homework help, enrichment, and Fun Friday activities); multi-format mentorship (Lunch Buddies, R.I.S.E., Breakfast & Bible Study, Dinner & Devotion, and a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee partnership); year-round enrichment (arts, sports, field trips) supported by 35+ community partnerships; a seven-week summer program spanning five camps including overnight partnerships with Barefoot Republic and Camp Wonderfully Made; and the LEAP gap-year program for recent graduates. A self-owned fleet of 10 buses and vans handles student transportation.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations, grants, and fundraising: individuals (40%), grants and corporate giving (33%), fundraising events including the annual Lemon(aid) Stand (11%), in-kind gifts (8%), church partnerships (7%), and other (1%). The organization is run by a management team led by Executive Director Dwight Johnson and Executive Program Director Lisa Lentz, with a board chaired by John Bearden, and uses standard nonprofit SaaS (Neon One for web/CRM, Microsoft Power Apps for enrollment, Sign-Up Genius for volunteer scheduling) rather than proprietary technology platforms.

Name

Preston Taylor Ministries

Legal name

Preston Taylor Ministries

Website

https://prestontaylorministries.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Preston Taylor Ministries is a faith-based 501c3 nonprofit in Nashville, TN that provides free after-school, literacy, mentorship, enrichment, and summer programs to roughly 190 low-income K-8 youth across four sites in the 37208 and 37209 zip codes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs) (EDAJALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Literacy & Numeracy Intervention (Reading/Math Support) (EDAJALAD), Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies) (EDAMALAB)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• After-school programs
• Literacy intervention services
• Mentorship programs
• Nonprofit youth services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The largest revenue source at 40%, individual donors provide ongoing financial support to PTM's programs and operations.
2. Grants & Corporate Giving: The second largest revenue source at 33%, includes foundation grants and corporate philanthropic contributions.
3. Church Partnerships: Church partnerships contribute 7% of revenue, providing both financial and volunteer support.
4. Fundraising Events: Events like Lemonade Stand and special events contribute 11% of revenue.
5. In-Kind Gifts: In-kind donations including program supplies, food, and other goods contribute 8% of revenue.
6. Other Revenue: Merchandise, interest, and other miscellaneous sources contribute 1% of revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Preston Taylor Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit providing free after-school programs, literacy intervention, mentorship, enrichment, and summer camps to approximately 190 low-income K-8 youth across four Nashville program sites. Programming includes daily small-group reading instruction (80-100 minutes/week with specialists), homework help, mentoring relationships, transportation via a 10-vehicle fleet, and college/career preparation. All services are delivered at no cost to families and funded entirely through donations, grants, and fundraising.

Product overview

Preston Taylor Ministries (PTM) is a non-denominational faith-based nonprofit offering a portfolio of youth empowerment programs in Nashville, TN. The core offering is a four-site after-school program (Wilson Center, McGruder Center, Community House, Immanuel Church) serving K-6th graders, delivering daily literacy intervention, homework help, enrichment activities, and transportation via a 10-vehicle fleet. PTM's program portfolio is structured as a unified set of integrated offerings: after-school sites are supported by dedicated mentorship programs (Lunch Buddies, R.I.S.E., Breakfast & Bible Study, Dinner & Devotion) through an in-house program and a Big Brothers Big Sisters partnership; a literacy program provides systematic small-group reading instruction with proven outcomes (73% of participants reaching grade-level benchmarks); summer programs (Enrichment Camp, Sports Camp, Morning Camp, and camp partnerships) extend programming year-round; and enrichment activities (Fun Fridays, field trips) round out the student experience. Supplementary offerings include the Lemon(aid) Stand entrepreneurship fundraiser, Lunch & Learn community events, and a LEAP gap-year program for young adults. All programming is supported by volunteer management via Sign-Up Genius, enrollment via Microsoft Power Apps Portal, and donor/volunteer CRM via Neon One.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• After-School Programs After-school programs delivered at four Nashville sites (Wilson Center, St. Luke's Community House, McGruder Family Resource Center, Immanuel Church) serving K-6th grade students. Programming includes daily literacy intervention (80-100 minutes/week with reading specialists), homework assistance, enrichment activities Monday-Thursday, and Fun Fridays with special activities and field trips. Transportation is provided via PTM's 10-vehicle fleet between schools, sites, and homes.
• Literacy Program Evidence-based small-group reading instruction delivered by trained reading specialists for 80-100 minutes per week. Beginning readers work on phonemic awareness and decoding; advanced readers focus on fluency and comprehension. In 2024-2025, 73% of students who participated 80% of the time reached grade-level reading benchmarks.
• Mentorship Programs Multiple in-house mentorship offerings including Lunch Buddies (weekly K-6th grade meetings in school cafeterias), R.I.S.E. (after-school mentoring at PTM sites), Breakfast & Bible Study, and Dinner & Devotion. PTM also partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee to provide additional mentor matching.
• Summer Programs A seven-week summer program with five unique camps: Enrichment Camp (rising 1st-5th, Tuesday-Friday 2:30-4:45 pm exploring creativity), Crossover Sports Camp at The Roger's Center Gym (athletic techniques and life skills), Morning Camp at Family Resource Centers (9:00 am-2:30 pm), and Camp Partnerships with Barefoot Republic and Camp Wonderfully Made for overnight and day camp experiences.
• Enrichment Programs Volunteer-led enrichment activities including dance, sports, art, music, gardening, and cooking, delivered through Fun Fridays (3:30-5:30 pm) and field trips to the Adventure Science Center, museums, sporting events, pumpkin patches, and reading camps. Supported by 35+ strategic partnerships with local schools, churches, and nonprofits.
• Lemon(aid) Stand Fundraiser Annual summer entrepreneurship program where Enrichment Camp students learn business fundamentals by preparing marketing materials and selling lemonade. Funds raised support an end-of-summer celebration. Community members can also host their own Lemon(aid) Stands with PTM-provided recipe guides, marketing materials, and branded souvenir cups.
• Donations & Planned Giving 501c3 tax-deductible giving program accepting monetary donations, in-kind gifts, stock donations, and planned giving. Supporters can give via the online Neon CRM donation portal, shop the Amazon Wish List for needed supplies, or sponsor meals for programming nights.
• LEAP Gap Year Program Gap year program for college graduates to learn about all aspects of running a Christ-centered nonprofit while living in Nashville. LEAP provides housing, host families, and support, attracting young individuals who contribute programming ideas and energy to PTM's youth offerings.
• Parent Portal & Enrollment Online enrollment portal and parent resource hub providing families with enrollment information, the 2026-2027 program calendar, parent FAQs, and access to a Neon CRM login for account management.
• Servant and Leadership Training (SaLT) High School Program High school program providing tutoring, life skills training, career exploration, service learning, job training, and college exploration for older PTM students transitioning out of K-8 programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73% of students who participated in reading groups 80% of the time reached grade-level reading benchmarks
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Parks ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Church plant in the Nations neighborhood where PTM staff and families serve and where a PTM site was opened to help with the expanding waitlist on the west side.
• McGruder Family Resource CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership with United Way providing K-8 programming on the north end of Nashville, expanding PTM's multi-grade site offerings.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016United Way partnered with PTM to operate Family Resource Centers, supporting collaborative partnerships with organizations like St. Luke's Community House and McGruder Center.
• Faith United Missionary Baptist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Second afterschool site established in North Nashville in partnership with Faith United Missionary Baptist Church.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPTM partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee to provide mentorship opportunities for students, connecting them with encouraging adult mentors through various programs.
• St. Luke's Community HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily Resource Center partnership providing K-12 programming with seamless continuum of care across grades. PTM operates a site at St. Luke's Community House serving students from the Nations neighborhood.
• Barefoot RepublicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOvernight and day camp partnership providing additional summer enrichment opportunities for PTM students.
• Camp Wonderfully MademinorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer camp partnership offering overnight and day camp experiences for PTM students across all grade levels.
• Immanuel ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent pick-up site partnership serving students from Encompass Community School.
• Over 35 Local Schools, Churches, and NonprofitscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPTM maintains over 35 strategic partnerships providing essential volunteers, enrichment opportunities, and critical support that strengthen every aspect of programming.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee: Operates after-school and youth development programming for low-income K-12 youth across Middle Tennessee, including Nashville sites. Directly comparable in target population (underserved Nashville youth), after-school delivery model, and reliance on philanthropy and partnerships.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee: Active PTM partner providing mentorship to PTM students; runs one-on-one mentoring programs for at-risk Nashville youth. Directly comparable in mentorship-driven youth development mission and Nashville service area.
• Reading Partners: National nonprofit providing evidence-based literacy tutoring to struggling elementary readers in low-income schools. Directly comparable on the literacy intervention pillar that is central to PTM's outcomes story (73% reaching grade-level reading).
• St. Luke's Community House: PTM site host in the Nations neighborhood delivering K-12 programming. Directly comparable multi-grade youth services, family resource center model, and United Way-affiliated Nashville footprint.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of Greater Nashville: Major PTM partner that co-operates Family Resource Center sites with PTM. Comparable as a Nashville-based nonprofit ecosystem convener funding and housing youth/family service partners across the same zip codes.
• Salvation Army Nashville (Red Shield Youth Club): Faith-affiliated (non-denominational Christian) after-school and youth programs serving low-income Nashville children. Closest faith-based comparable to PTM with broader social service scope.
• YMCA of Middle Tennessee: Large, established after-school, summer camp, and youth enrichment provider in Nashville. Overlaps with PTM on after-school, summer camp, and youth development services, but operates across the full YMCA portfolio (fitness, family programs) and is not specifically focused on faith-based K-8 academic intervention.

Emerging players

• City Year Nashville: AmeriCorps-based youth service program placing near-peer mentors in high-need Nashville schools. Comparable in adult-mentor-driven academic support model and K-12 underserved student focus.
• Nashville Public Library Foundation (AfterZone / Limitless Libraries): Supports Nashville Public Library's after-school and tutoring programs in MNPS neighborhoods. Comparable as an enrichment/tutoring provider to K-8 students in PTM's same zip codes, with neighborhood-based delivery.

Others

• Hands On Nashville: Nashville volunteer-matching and civic engagement infrastructure. Comparable as an enabling ecosystem participant that funnels volunteers to PTM-style programs and operates the volunteer pipeline on which PTM relies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/prestontaylorministries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/preston-taylor-ministries

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

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 Preston Taylor Ministries