Reach Higher Montana

What Reach Higher Montana does

Reach Higher Montana is a Montana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2019 that helps high school students plan for life after graduation through college, career, and workforce pathways. The organization is the primary statewide college and career access resource in Montana, operating a field-based delivery model through five Certified Career Service Provider (CCSP) regional advisors covering Western, Southwest, North Central, Central, and Eastern Montana. Core programmatic offerings include an annual multi-scholarship application program (It's Scholarship Time), dual enrollment coordination with the Montana University System (1-2-FREE program covering up to six free credits at Montana public colleges for high schoolers), the Youth Apprenticeship Program for ages 16-24 (combining paid work-based learning with classroom instruction), and the Education Training Voucher (ETV) program providing up to $5,000 per year for foster care youth. Specialized resources support homeless/unaccompanied youth, educators, and employers, with flagship events including the Summit for Youth in Foster Care and Teacher Externships through the Work-based Learning Collaborative sub-brand (wblmt.org).

The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its digital infrastructure consists of a website (built on Workmosis CMS), a scholarship portal (Grant Interface), and partnerships with Level All (career exploration), Montana Career Information System, and Montana Digital Academy. Reach Higher Montana operates as a community-led go-to-market organization combining direct in-school presentations, self-service online resources, and a multi-channel social/email marketing presence. The business model is non-commercial: core services are free to students, with revenue derived from state government contracts (notably the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for ETV and Montana Department of Labor and Industry for registered apprenticeship sponsorship), grant funding (e.g., Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship / New America), individual donations, and partner-funded scholarships. The organization is governed as an independent nonprofit with no parent, subsidiaries, or disclosed equity funding, employing approximately 13 staff based at its Helena, Montana headquarters.

The customer base spans Montana high school students (primary), foster care and homeless youth (specialized services), educators, employers (for apprenticeship coordination), and college students (scholarship access). Reach Higher Montana's strategic position is built on its statewide physical reach into remote Montana communities, its designated roles in state-administered programs, and a layered partner ecosystem that creates structural switching costs for alternative providers.

Name

Reach Higher Montana

Legal name

Reach Higher Montana

Website

https://reachhighermontana.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Reach Higher Montana is a Montana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2019, that delivers free statewide college, career, and workforce planning services to high school students through five regional advisors. It administers scholarships, dual enrollment (1-2-FREE), youth apprenticeships, and foster-care ETV funding in partnership with Montana state agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

Keywords

• College readiness services
• Scholarship administration
• Youth apprenticeship programs
• Dual enrollment support
• Career counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Helena

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. Grant Funding: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Reach Higher Montana operates primarily through grant funding. The organization receives support from government agencies including the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for the Education Training Voucher (ETV) program.
2. Donations: The organization accepts individual donations, with some scholarships receiving additional income through individual donations that can fluctuate award amounts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Reach Higher Montana is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps Montana high school students plan for life after graduation by providing free access to scholarship applications, dual enrollment programs, youth apprenticeships, and career exploration resources. The organization administers multi-scholarship application programs (It's Scholarship Time), coordinates the Youth Apprenticeship program as a registered apprenticeship sponsor, and facilitates the Education Training Voucher (ETV) program for foster care youth. Services are delivered statewide through five CCSP-certified regional advisors and supported by an online portal integrated with partner platforms like Level All and the Montana Career Information System.

Product overview

Reach Higher Montana is a Montana-based educational guidance organization offering a unified service portfolio to help students plan for life after high school. The core offerings include: the primary website platform serving as the central hub for resources; the annual 'It's Scholarship Time' multi-scholarship application program; the Youth Apprenticeship Program combining paid work experience with education; Dual Enrollment services enabling early college credit; and specialized support programs for foster care youth and homeless youth. The organization partners with Level All and the Montana Career Information System for career exploration, and connects students to Montana Digital Academy for online coursework. Additional programs include the Dual Enrollment Educator Scholarship, Teacher Externships, and the Design A Sticker Win A Scholarship contest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Work-based Learning Collaborative (WBL Collaborative): A collaborative initiative focused on work-based learning programs, with its own website at wblmt.org and dedicated staff including Gabrielle Eklund Rowley as WBL Collaborative Director and Ian Beagles as WBL Collaborative Data Analyst.
• Level All

Products and services

• It's Scholarship Time Annual scholarship application program offering one application for multiple scholarships, including the Reach Higher Montana Scholarship ($2,000 for 50 recipients), Carl Valvoda Scholarship, Bridging the Gap Scholarship, Montana FFA Foundation Scholarships, and more. Designed for Montana high school students seeking financial support for post-secondary education.
• Youth Apprenticeship Program Paid work-based learning program for Montana youth ages 16-24, combining paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction through employer partnerships and post-secondary institutions. Reach Higher Montana serves as registered apprenticeship sponsor for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
• Dual Enrollment Program (1-2-FREE) Early college credit program allowing Montana high school students to take college courses, with the 1-2-FREE program providing up to six free credits at Montana public universities and colleges. More than 70 Montana high schools offer on-site college-level dual enrollment courses through partnerships with the Montana University System.
• Foster Care Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program Program providing eligible Montana foster care youth with up to $5,000 per year to pay for educational expenses, including college support services. Funded through a contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
• Summit for Youth in Foster Care Annual on-campus experience helping youth in foster care learn about education and career resources, connect with peers, and prepare for life after high school. Designed for Montana youth currently in or aged out of the foster care system.
• Dual Enrollment Educator Scholarship $2,500 scholarship for Montana educators to expand dual enrollment offerings, particularly in small communities, supporting Master's degree completion and credentialing. Designed for Montana school counselors, teachers, and administrators.
• Teacher Externships Work-based learning program where teachers join businesses for three days in summer to learn how their teaching applies to industry, then bring knowledge back to students. Operated through the Work-based Learning Collaborative at wblmt.org.
• Design A Sticker, Win A Scholarship Annual contest where Montana high school students design stickers for the organization; top designs win scholarship prizes totaling thousands of dollars. Designed for Montana high school students.
• Stick with Scholarships National Scholarship Month initiative where Montana high school students can win $500 scholarships by uploading pictures of RHM stickers. Designed for Montana high school students.
• Regional Advisor Direct Support Services Five CCSP-certified regional advisors provide direct in-person support to schools and students across Montana regions, covering Western Montana, Southwest Montana, North Central Montana, Central Montana, and Eastern Montana. Advisors conduct classroom presentations, after-school sessions, and individual student consultations on college and career planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to $5,000 per year in Education Training Vouchers for eligible foster youth
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Level AllcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReach Higher Montana has partnered with Level All to provide Montana students with free access to a comprehensive career and college exploration platform. Level All offers tools including College and Scholarship Finders, personalized Journeys, and content to guide students through career decision-making.
• Work-based Learning Collaborative (WBLMT.org)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWBLMT.org is a collaborative initiative supporting work-based learning across Montana. Reach Higher Montana works closely with WBLMT.org to provide resources for employers, educators, and students related to youth apprenticeship and CTE programs.
• Montana Department of Public Health and Human ServicescoreOthersThe ETV (Education Training Voucher) program is funded through a contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, providing up to $5,000 per year for eligible foster youth education expenses.
• Montana University SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Montana University System enables the 1-2-FREE dual enrollment program, allowing Montana high school students to take up to 6 credits from Montana public universities and colleges for free. The MUS also implements common course numbering for credit transfer.
• Montana Digital AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontana Digital Academy provides online course offerings including Advanced Placement and dual enrollment opportunities available to all Montana students and schools year-round.
• Montana Chafee Foster Care ProgramcoreOthersChafee providers across Montana connect eligible foster youth with Reach Higher Montana programs including the Summit for Youth in Foster Care and ETV application support.
• Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWith support from the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (a New America initiative), Reach Higher Montana launched the Youth Apprenticeship program in 2019 to expand work-based learning opportunities for Montana youth.
• Montana Department of Labor and IndustrycoreOthersReach Higher Montana serves as apprenticeship sponsor for the Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program, completing registered apprenticeship paperwork and maintaining required records as the primary contact with the Department.
• GEAR UP MontanaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally-funded program serving Montana 7th-12th grade students. Montana homeless liaisons can verify eligibility for homeless youth services.
• Montana Office of Public InstructionminorOthersMontana Office of Public Instruction oversees homeless education programs and school district homeless liaisons who verify student eligibility for homeless services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bottom Line: Nonprofit serving first-generation-to-college students from low-income communities with intensive one-on-one college access and persistence advising through high school and college. Highly comparable mission and student cohort to Reach Higher Montana.
• iMentor: Nonprofit that pairs low-income high school students with college-educated mentors and supports them through college match, enrollment, and persistence. Comparable to Reach Higher Montana's one-on-one college planning support but uses volunteer mentors rather than paid regional advisors.
• uAspire: Nonprofit focused on helping students navigate financial aid and college affordability, particularly low-income and first-generation students, through advising and policy advocacy. Closely aligned with Reach Higher Montana's pay-for-school and FAFSA navigation services.
• OneGoal: Nonprofit that partners with high schools to support low-income students through college preparation and persistence via in-school program directors and a structured curriculum. Directly comparable to Reach Higher Montana's high-school-embedded, advisor-delivered model.
• College Advising Corps: Places recent college graduates as full-time college advisers in underserved high schools to increase college access and affordability outcomes. Directly comparable to Reach Higher Montana's regional CCSP advisor model embedded in schools.
• College Possible: National nonprofit that coaches low-income high school students through college admission, financial aid, and persistence using near-peer AmeriCorps coaches deployed across multiple states. Highly comparable to Reach Higher Montana's regional-advisor-driven college and career access model.
• ScholarMatch: Nonprofit that pairs low-income students with college access advising and scholarships, with an emphasis on one-on-one mentor-driven support. Directly comparable to Reach Higher Montana's individualized advisor and scholarship offerings.
• INvestEd: Indiana-based nonprofit that helps students plan, prepare, and pay for postsecondary education through statewide outreach, FAFSA completion support, and scholarship navigation. Closely mirrors Reach Higher Montana's state-level college access and scholarship focus.
• Apprenti Insights: Workforce development nonprofit (formerly uAspire-affiliated) operating registered apprenticeship programs in tech and trades, including youth apprenticeship pathways. Comparable to Reach Higher Montana's Youth Apprenticeship Program and registered sponsorship role with Montana DLI.

Broad incumbents

• American Student Assistance: Established national nonprofit providing a broader portfolio of student services including college and career planning, financial education, and student loan counseling. Overlaps with Reach Higher Montana's college and career exploration remit but operates at greater scale and breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/reachhigherMT
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCI9ghG0k3M93Tt1OQIJnJqw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ReachHigherMontana
• Instagraminstagram.com/reachhighermontana
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reach-higher-montana

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Reach Higher Montana