The Learning Source
The Learning Source is a Colorado nonprofit founded in 1964 providing adult ESL education across 30+ locations, serving immigrants from 50+ countries through free community classes and paid professional programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersDenver, CO, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Learning Source does
The Learning Source is a Colorado-based nonprofit adult education agency founded in 1964, operating as the oldest and largest organization of its kind in the state. It serves adult learners — primarily immigrants and refugees originating from 50+ countries — with 83%+ of its students living below the federal poverty line. The organization runs 30+ delivery locations across Colorado, supported by approximately 45 staff and 200 volunteers.
Its core product is English-language instruction, delivered through two parallel tracks: free community ESL classes and paid professional ESL programs. The product surface has been extended to include Spanish Conversation Circles, paid ESL Online and Saturday Intensive courses, and an AmeriCorps Digital Navigation service line. Technology infrastructure is deliberately lightweight — online delivery runs on Zoom — with no proprietary platforms, custom models, or notable technical components evident in the input.
The business model is a hybrid nonprofit structure. Revenue is assembled from foundation grants (Colorado Trust, Impact100 Metro Denver), AmeriCorps federal partnership funding, institutional contracts with libraries, school districts, and correctional facilities, and tuition from the paid professional ESL offerings. The organization does not publicly disclose revenue figures, and its end customers are individual adult learners rather than enterprise accounts.
The Learning Source firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Learning Source
- Legal name
- The Learning Source
- Website
- https://thelearningsource.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Learning Source is a Colorado nonprofit founded in 1964 providing adult ESL education across 30+ locations, serving immigrants from 50+ countries through free community classes and paid professional programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Learning Source industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adult Education Services
- NAICS
- Language Schools (611630), Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General ESL Programs (Multi-level Adult ESL) (EDAAACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Online/Hybrid Adult ESL & Language Learning Platforms (EDAAACAK), Online/Hybrid ASE Programs & Virtual Classrooms (EDAAABAG), Language & Communication Continuing Education (EDAAAEAF)
Keywords
Where The Learning Source is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver, CO
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
The Learning Source business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: The organization generates revenue through individual donations, monthly donor programs, King Soopers Community Rewards, planned giving, estate planning, and IRA donations.
- Government and Foundation Grants: Revenue comes from grants awarded by organizations such as Impact100 Metro Denver, and funding partners including Colorado Trust, The Phyllis M. Coors Foundation, and others.
- Paid ESL Classes: The organization offers paid English as a Second Language Online and Saturday Intensive classes for adults seeking faster-paced learning for career advancement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | FREE Community ESL Classes |
| Subscription | Others | Paid ESL Online & Saturday Intensive Classes |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Learning Source product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Learning Source is a Colorado nonprofit that provides free community and paid adult education classes, including English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction at multiple levels, GED preparation, family literacy programs, and digital literacy/navigation services. Programs are delivered through library partnerships, school district collaborations, correctional facilities, and online channels across 30+ Colorado locations.
Product overview
The Learning Source is a Colorado nonprofit adult education organization offering a portfolio of educational programs. The core offerings include FREE and paid English as a Second Language (ESL) community classes at multiple levels, online and Saturday Intensive ESL courses, GED preparation and corrections programs, family literacy, digital literacy/navigation services, and Spanish conversation circles. Programs are delivered through library partnerships (Arapahoe County), school district collaborations (Cherry Creek), correctional facilities, and online. The organization serves adults seeking to improve literacy, gain employment, or integrate into their communities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Free ESL Community Classes Free English as a Second Language community classes focusing on skills needed for living and working in an English-speaking society, including reading, speaking, listening, and writing. Available to adults 17.5 years and older at 30+ Colorado locations.
- Paid ESL Online & Saturday Intensive Classes Paid online and Saturday Intensive ESL classes that teach learners at a faster pace than free community ESL classes, tailored to help learners reach career and postsecondary goals. Available globally online.
- Cherry Creek High Schools ESL Program ESL classes available for parents and family of students attending high school in the Cherry Creek school district, supporting family literacy.
- Library ESL Program (Arapahoe County Library District) ESL classes available at partner Arapahoe County library locations (Eloise May Library, Smoky Hill Library, and Sheridan Library), with six levels of classes focusing on reading, speaking, listening and writing skills.
- English Conversation Program for practicing English and learning more about American culture through conversation-based learning.
- Family Literacy Program Program helping parents become more actively involved in their children's education, improve their English skills, access community resources, and integrate into their communities.
- Digital Literacy / Digital Navigation Digital navigation and literacy services providing free help with basic computer, phone, internet, and email skills, available in English and Spanish through AmeriCorps Digital Navigators.
- GED Corrections Program GED classes provided in Denver City and County Corrections Centers to help students build knowledge, reading, and math skills to pass the GED test and earn a high school equivalency credential.
- GED Program Program helping adults earn their high school equivalency credential through GED preparation classes.
- Spanish Conversation Circles Spanish language practice sessions for busy adults to practice Spanish skills and learn about other cultures through conversation with other learners.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 83% of students self-report as living below poverty level
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Learning Source
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Learning Source technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Learning Source partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- AmeriCorpscorePartnership to offer free digital navigation and literacy services with trained digital navigators at 30+ sites. AmeriCorps Digital Navigators help community members with basic computer, phone, internet and email skills in English and Spanish.
- Arapahoe Library DistrictcoreProgram partner providing ESL class locations at Eloise May Library, Smoky Hill Library, and Sheridan Library. Jointly offering six levels of ESL classes with focus on reading, speaking, listening and writing skills.
- Aurora Public School DistrictcoreProgram partner for adult education services
- Cherry Creek School DistrictcoreProgram partner offering ESL classes for parents and family of students attending high school in the Cherry Creek school district
- Denver County JailcoreProgram partner for GED Corrections Program providing educational services to inmates
- Downtown Detention CentercoreProgram partner for corrections education program
- Red Rocks Community CollegecoreProgram partner for adult education and GED preparation
- Center for Work Education and EmploymentcoreProgram partner supporting adult education and employment goals
- Front Range Community CollegecoreCommunity partner for adult education and literacy programs
- Jefferson County Public LibrarycoreCommunity partner providing locations and resources for adult education
- Adams County Workforce and Business CentercoreCommunity partner supporting workforce development and adult education
- Arapahoe Douglas WorkscoreCommunity partner for workforce services and employment support
- Denver Workforce PartnerscoreCommunity partner for workforce development initiatives
- Developmental PathwayscoreCommunity partner for adult services and education
- Continuum of ColoradocoreCommunity partner supporting adults and families
- Pueblo Community CollegesupportingCommunity partner in Pueblo area; video collaboration for 2023 Pueblo Parade of Lights coverage
- Heart of the Rockies Chamber of CommercesupportingWelcomed The Learning Source to membership with ribbon-cutting ceremony in Chaffee County area
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Learning Source competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ProLiteracy: National nonprofit focused on adult literacy and ESL education, with a network of affiliate programs across the U.S. Highly comparable mission, target population, and volunteer-supported delivery model.
- Literacy Source: Seattle-based nonprofit providing free ESL, adult basic education, and digital literacy to immigrants and low-income adults. Mirrors The Learning Source's program mix of free community ESL plus GED and digital literacy.
Regional players
- Front Range Community College Adult Education: Colorado community college offering free adult education including ESL and GED preparation. Direct partnership overlap and competitive overlap with The Learning Source's core program areas.
- Catholic Charities of Denver: Denver-area nonprofit offering ESL, refugee resettlement, and adult education services. Competes for similar immigrant and low-income adult learners in Colorado.
- YMCA of Metropolitan Denver: Denver-area nonprofit offering ESL and adult education programming at community sites. Comparable community-site delivery model and adult learner population in Colorado.
- Centro Cultural Mexicano: Colorado-based nonprofit providing Spanish language and cultural education along with ESL and adult literacy services. Comparable adult language and literacy programming in the same state.
- Goodwill of Colorado: Colorado Goodwill affiliate offering workforce training, ESL, and adult education to low-income populations. Comparable mission around adult literacy and employment pathways.
- Asian Pacific Development Center: Colorado-based nonprofit serving refugee and immigrant communities with ESL and family literacy services. Comparable adult ESL delivery and same target population in Colorado.
- Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning: Denver-based nonprofit providing language and intercultural training, including ESL and workforce education for immigrants. Directly comparable Colorado footprint and immigrant-focused adult education mission.
- Emily Griffith Technical College: Colorado adult education provider offering GED, ESL, and career-technical training. Overlaps with The Learning Source's GED and adult education programs in the same geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Learning Source social profiles
Digital presenceThe Learning Source financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Learning Source leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
The Learning Source funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Learning Source 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 The Learning Source
What does The Learning Source do?
The Learning Source is a Colorado nonprofit that provides free community and paid adult education classes, including English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction at multiple levels, GED preparation, family literacy programs, and digital literacy/navigation services. Programs are delivered through library partnerships, school district collaborations, correctional facilities, and online channels across 30+ Colorado locations.
Is The Learning Source a public or private company?
The Learning Source is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Learning Source founded?
The Learning Source was founded in 1964. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Learning Source based?
The Learning Source is headquartered in Denver, CO, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Learning Source make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are government and Foundation Grants and paid ESL Classes.
Who are The Learning Source's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ProLiteracy and Literacy Source. Regional players are Front Range Community College Adult Education, Catholic Charities of Denver, YMCA of Metropolitan Denver, Centro Cultural Mexicano, Goodwill of Colorado, Asian Pacific Development Center, Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning and Emily Griffith Technical College.
Does The Learning Source have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Learning Source.
What industry is The Learning Source in?
The Learning Source's product category is Adult Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAACAA, General ESL Programs (Multi-level Adult ESL), with a secondary code of EDAAACAK, Online/Hybrid Adult ESL & Language Learning Platforms. Its NAICS code is 611630 and its SIC code is 8200.