Gary Alumni Pathway to Students
GAPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 that delivers coordinated K-12 mentoring, college preparation, career exposure, and trades-pathway programming to students across Gary, Indiana, as the primary partner of the Gary Community School Corporation and a network of 220+ alumni and community partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersGary, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Gary Alumni Pathway to Students does
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students (GAPS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 in Gary, Indiana, by Carlton L. Guthrie (deceased), a Harvard-educated manufacturing executive and Gary native. GAPS operates a coordinated K-12 student support ecosystem that delivers mentorship, career exposure, academic support, college preparation, financial aid navigation (FAFSA), trades and CTE pathway support, entrepreneurship mentorship, and military career guidance. Programs are organized by grade band (elementary K-5, middle 6-8, high school 9-10, high school 11-12) and include named offerings such as JA Metaversity (with Junior Achievement USA), the Entrepreneurs Club (with Iron Workz), Cybersecurity Club, Girls On The Run, Level Up Tutoring, Agilities & ScholarTrack, Shine Youth Cafe, Media Mastermind Club, AI & STEM Discovery Day (with Purdue Northwest), Career Day, Trades Fair Day (with Center of Workforce Innovations), the Ambassador Program, FAFSA Nights, Infinite Scholars College Fair, HBCU Tours, and the Alumni Pinning Ceremony. GAPS also operates a print-on-demand merchandise store.
GAPS holds the position of primary partner to the Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC), the sole public school district in Gary, and coordinates a network of 220+ alumni and community partners. GTM is community-led: the organization relies on school partnerships, alumni engagement, and community partnerships rather than direct sales. The organization is funded through individual donations (including a $200 "Champion Change" tier), corporate sponsorships, planned/legacy giving, merchandise sales via Printful, and workplace giving through Benevity. Programs are free to students. Reported impact includes FAFSA completion rising from 10% to 42% with GAPS support, 3,000+ students receiving direct career exposure, 24,000+ students reached through digital and in-person initiatives, 150+ career days and workshops delivered annually, and 97% of students reporting increased confidence about their future.
The team comprises seven staff (HR Coordinator, Communications Coordinator, Program Lead, Accountant, Program Coordinator, Development Coordinator, plus Chair & Acting Executive Director Lisa Bennett) supported by a board including Barry Rogers (Finance Chair), Reginald Colby (Treasurer), and other community leaders. GAPS operates from a mailing address in Merrillville, IN (c/o Infinite Accounting & Taxes LLC) while delivering programs across Gary and Northwest Indiana. Technology infrastructure consists of off-the-shelf SaaS tools (Band, JotForm, Printful, Benevity) rather than proprietary platforms; no AI/ML capabilities, patents, or proprietary models are present.
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gary Alumni Pathway to Students
- Legal name
- Gary Alumni Pathway to Students
- Website
- https://gapsgary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- GAPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 that delivers coordinated K-12 mentoring, college preparation, career exposure, and trades-pathway programming to students across Gary, Indiana, as the primary partner of the Gary Community School Corporation and a network of 220+ alumni and community partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Education Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs) (EDAJALAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB), K–12 Core Curriculum Small-Group Tutoring Centers (Math/ELA/Science/Social Studies) (EDANAHAA)
Keywords
Where Gary Alumni Pathway to Students is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gary
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals supporting student success in Gary. Options include one-time gifts, monthly sustaining support, and the 'Champion Change' $200 giving tier.
- Sponsorships: Corporate and community sponsorships supporting specific programs, events, and student experiences. Includes pathway sponsorships and experience sponsorships for career days, college tours, and mentorship programs.
- Planned Giving: Estate giving and legacy donations from individuals including GAPS in their planned giving.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel and accessories through the GAPS online store.
- Workplace Giving: Corporate workplace giving programs including Benevity workplace giving platform integration.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Unisex Hoodie |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Distressed Dad Hat |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Unisex Long Sleeve Tee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | GAPS mug |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | GAPS Men's t-shirt |
| Other | Monthly | Part-Time Program Support Clerk |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Champion Change Donation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GAPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers coordinated K-12 student support in Gary, Indiana, through recurring youth programs (mentorship clubs, tutoring, social-emotional learning), career exposure events, college preparation workshops, and community-based youth development. Services are provided free of charge to students and are delivered in partnership with the Gary Community School Corporation, local employers, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations.
Product overview
GAPS (Gary Alumni Pathway to Students) is a K-12 educational support ecosystem providing coordinated programs across elementary, middle, and high school levels. The organization operates as a multi-product platform with distinct offerings including career exploration programs (JA Metaversity, Career Day, Trades Fair Day), enrichment clubs (Entrepreneurs Club, Cybersecurity Club, Media Mastermind Club), academic support (Level Up Tutoring, ScholarTrack), social-emotional development (Girls On The Run, Shine Youth Cafe), student leadership (Ambassador Program), college preparation (FAFSA Nights, Chicago Black College Expo, HBCU Tours), and alumni engagement (Alumni Pinning Ceremony). The organization also maintains a merchandise store for fundraising purposes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- JA Metaversity Recurring Junior Achievement-style financial literacy and career readiness program delivered to GAPS student participants.
- Entrepreneurs Club Recurring club program that introduces GAPS student participants to entrepreneurship concepts and business skills.
- Cybersecurity Club Recurring club program that introduces GAPS student participants to cybersecurity concepts and STEM skills.
- Girls On The Run Recurring program that supports GAPS female student participants through physical activity and social-emotional learning.
- Level Up Tutoring Recurring academic tutoring service provided to GAPS student participants to strengthen subject-matter competencies.
- Agilities & ScholarTrack Recurring college-readiness program that helps GAPS student participants track academic milestones and prepare for post-secondary pathways.
- Shine Youth Cafe Recurring youth development program that creates a supportive community space for GAPS student participants.
- Media Mastermind Club Recurring club program that introduces GAPS student participants to media, communications, and content-creation skills.
- Freshman & Sophomore Support Group Recurring support program for GAPS high-school freshman and sophomore participants focused on academic and social transition.
- GAPS Ambassador Program Recurring student leadership and representation program in which GAPS student participants serve as ambassadors for the organization and its mission.
- GAPS Store Online merchandise store selling GAPS-branded apparel and accessories, operated as a fundraising channel for the organization.
Quantifiable outcome
- FAFSA completion increased from 10% to 42% with GAPS support
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Gary Alumni Pathway to Students
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC)coreGAPS became the district's primary partner in helping meet the academic, career, and post-secondary needs of students through a strategic partnership with GCSC. GAPS sits down annually with school leaders including the Chief Academic Officer, principals, teachers, and staff to identify specific needs and design or source programming accordingly.
- Junior Achievement USAcorePartnership to deliver JA Metaversity - a game-based career exploration experience designed for students from kindergarten through sixth grade using immersive gaming technology.
- Iron WorkzcoreFacilitates the Entrepreneurs Club program introducing students to creative thinking and basic business concepts through product creation, simple planning, and mini marketplaces.
- Purdue Northwest (PNW)majorUniversity partner providing faculty and industry professionals for AI & STEM Discovery Day events, exposing students to real-world applications of AI, robotics, coding, and engineering.
- Ivy TechmajorCommunity college partner providing career pathway information, campus visits, and postsecondary options for students.
- Girls on the RunsupportingNational program with local chapter delivering social-emotional and physical skill development through trained volunteer coaches for elementary students.
- Center of Workforce InnovationscoreWorkforce development partner co-hosting Construction & Skilled Trades Day during National Apprenticeship Week, exposing youth to building trades opportunities.
- College and Career Readiness (CCR) School Community AlliancecoreAlliance bringing together schools, community organizations, and workforce partners around shared commitment to college and career readiness. Guided by an Executive Committee providing leadership and strategic direction.
- The CARE UniversitysupportingPartner in college access and student support programming.
- Coates Inc.supportingCommunity partner supporting GAPS initiatives.
- Indiana AfterschoolsupportingStatewide afterschool network partner supporting expanded learning opportunities.
- Indiana Gear UpsupportingFederal TRIO program partner supporting college access and readiness.
- Northwest Indiana IUsupportingRegional educational services provider supporting GAPS programs.
- Shine RecoverysupportingPartner providing mental health awareness and social-emotional learning through Shine Youth Cafe program.
- Greatness of GarysupportingCommunity initiative recognizing and promoting Gary's achievements and community builders.
- Construction Advancement FoundationsupportingPartner for Trades Fair Day and Construction & Skilled Trades Day during National Apprenticeship Week.
- NextGensupportingPartner for Construction & Skilled Trades Day exposing youth to career opportunities in building trades.
- Chicago State UniversitysupportingUniversity partner for onsite visits bringing college representatives directly to Gary high schools.
- ISP (Infinite Scholars Program)supportingHosts scholarship fairs across various cities offering high school students chance to meet colleges and universities granting admissions and scholarships on the spot.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bottom Line: Nonprofit providing one-on-one college access and persistence advising to low-income and first-generation students, with measurable FAFSA and enrollment outcomes — comparable college-readiness nonprofit model.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National afterschool youth development organization offering enrichment clubs, tutoring, college/career prep, and social-emotional programming inside partner schools and community hubs — directly comparable K-12 nonprofit delivery model.
- iMentor: Nonprofit pairing college-educated mentors with high school students for college access and persistence, including FAFSA and college-application support — directly comparable 1:1 mentoring + college-readiness model.
- College Advising Corps: Nonprofit deploying recent college graduates as near-peer college advisors in underserved high schools, focused on FAFSA completion and postsecondary enrollment — closely comparable college-access delivery model.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit pairing adult volunteers with K-12 students for sustained one-to-one relationships and college/career support. Directly comparable nonprofit mentoring-and-pathway model serving similar age cohorts.
- Junior Achievement USA: National K-12 college-and-career readiness nonprofit providing entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work-readiness curricula. GAPS already partners with JA for JA Metaversity and shares the same student career-exposure mission.
Broad incumbents
- Year Up: Larger national workforce-development nonprofit offering career pathways and job-training for young adults, including tech and trades tracks — broader scope than GAPS but overlapping career-readiness mission.
- United Way: Large national nonprofit that funds and convenes K-12 college/career readiness programs (including alumni- and community-based models) — broader funder/convener role with overlapping ecosystem mission.
Emerging players
- College Spring: Nonprofit providing SAT prep, college advising, and FAFSA support to high school students from low-income communities — narrower focus on college access than GAPS but overlapping student population.
- ScholarMatch: Nonprofit supporting low-income students through college advising, scholarships, and donor matching — overlapping first-generation college-access mission with a narrower, more scholarship-led model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students social profiles
Digital presenceGary Alumni Pathway to Students financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students 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 Gary Alumni Pathway to Students
What does Gary Alumni Pathway to Students do?
GAPS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers coordinated K-12 student support in Gary, Indiana, through recurring youth programs (mentorship clubs, tutoring, social-emotional learning), career exposure events, college preparation workshops, and community-based youth development. Services are provided free of charge to students and are delivered in partnership with the Gary Community School Corporation, local employers, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations.
Is Gary Alumni Pathway to Students a public or private company?
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Gary Alumni Pathway to Students founded?
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Gary Alumni Pathway to Students based?
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students is headquartered in Gary, United States, in the North America region.
How does Gary Alumni Pathway to Students make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are sponsorships, planned Giving, merchandise Sales and workplace Giving.
Who are Gary Alumni Pathway to Students's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bottom Line, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, iMentor, College Advising Corps, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Junior Achievement USA. Broad incumbents are Year Up and United Way. Emerging players are College Spring and ScholarMatch.
Does Gary Alumni Pathway to Students have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gary Alumni Pathway to Students.
What industry is Gary Alumni Pathway to Students in?
Gary Alumni Pathway to Students's product category is Youth Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJALAM, After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs), with a secondary code of BPAGADAB, K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 6117 and its SIC code is 8200.