Birmingham Corps

What Birmingham Corps does

Birmingham Corps is a nonprofit workforce development organization founded in June 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. It serves underemployed but career-ready residents — individuals who hold degrees, certifications, or marketable skills but face barriers to quality employment — through a three-phase Connect, Develop, Retain model. Services are provided free of charge to participants and funded through donations from corporate and philanthropic sources. The organization works with 50+ employer and community partners to deliver career navigation workshops, work-based training, recruiting support, and an alumni network called The Corps Collective. A Career Portal is in development.

Its core program offerings are: (1) the Career Navigator Workshop Series, a structured curriculum covering job search strategy, resume development, interview preparation, and professional skills; (2) Work-Based Training Partnership, which embeds participants with employer partners for hands-on experience; (3) Recruiting Support, providing employers access to pre-screened candidates; (4) The Corps Collective, an alumni network for ongoing engagement; and (5) Career Portal, a forthcoming digital platform. Birmingham Corps does not operate a proprietary technology stack beyond the planned portal; the organization is fundamentally service-based, with outcome tracking extending from 90 days to 2 years post-placement.

Revenue mechanics are donation-driven: participants pay nothing, while corporate sponsors, philanthropic donors, and likely foundation grants fund operations. Board representation includes senior executives from EBSCO, Alabama Power, and Regions Bank, providing institutional alignment with major Birmingham employers. Since founding, Birmingham Corps has connected 850+ residents with employment opportunities and has stated a $29M projected economic impact target by 2028. The organization operates with approximately 5 staff and a 12-person board.

Name

Birmingham Corps

Legal name

Birmingham Corps

Website

https://birminghamcorps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Birmingham Corps is a Birmingham, Alabama nonprofit founded in 2022 that connects underemployed but career-ready residents with employment opportunities through workshops, work-based training, and a network of 50+ employer and community partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning (EDAAAOAC)

Keywords

• Workforce development
• Career coaching
• Talent development
• Community partnerships
• Nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and organizational donations that fund coaching, development, and employer connections for program participants. Donations are tax-deductible. The organization states for every $1 invested, the Greater Birmingham region sees an estimated $4 return through higher wages, increased tax revenue, and reduced reliance on public assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Birmingham Corps is a nonprofit workforce development organization that connects motivated Birmingham, Alabama residents to career pathways through a three-phase model — Connect, Develop, and Retain. It delivers career coaching, work-based training, employer matching, and a sustained alumni network (The Corps Collective) to move participants into lasting employment, while also providing recruiting support and candidate access to local employer partners.

Product overview

Birmingham Corps is a workforce development nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of career development and placement services rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include the Career Navigator Workshop Series (cohort-based career preparation), Work-Based Training Partnership (employer-led training with wraparound support), and Recruiting Support services. Participant-facing products include The Corps Collective alumni network and the upcoming Career Portal. All services are focused on connecting motivated Birmingham residents to career pathways in high-demand sectors through coaching, professional development, and employer connections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Career Navigator Workshop Series A series of workshops for program participants covering job-readiness skills such as resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, interview preparation, and professional development. Designed for motivated Birmingham residents seeking to build the practical skills needed for career advancement.
• The Corps Collective An alumni network for Birmingham Corps program graduates that provides ongoing community, professional support, and connection to continued career resources. Designed to sustain employment outcomes and engagement beyond the initial placement phase.
• Work-Based Training Partnership A partnership model in which Birmingham-area employers host Birmingham Corps participants in work-based training experiences, providing real-world exposure and a pathway into employment. Designed for Birmingham-area employers seeking to build a local talent pipeline.
• Recruiting Support and Candidate Access A recruiting support service through which Birmingham-area employers gain access to motivated, pre-screened Birmingham Corps candidates for entry-level to mid-skill positions. Designed for local employers seeking qualified talent and a sustained local workforce pipeline.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40%+ higher job retention rate at 12 months compared to comparable placement programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alabama Association of NonprofitscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Partnered through the Alabama Association of Nonprofits Micro-Film Grant Initiative to create a film about Birmingham Corps' mission and impact. Featured in the first-ever Alabama Nonprofit Micro-Film Festival alongside nine other local organizations. The partnership helps Birmingham Corps share its story and community impact.
• AmeriCorps AlabamacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmeriCorps partnership enabling Birmingham Corps to host AmeriCorps members and provide service opportunities while developing career pathways. Community organizations can become AmeriCorps host sites to expand capacity and mentor future nonprofit leaders.
• TechCXOminorOthersBrantley Fry, Chair of Birmingham Corps Board of Directors, is from TechCXO.
• Burr & FormanminorOthersDenzel Okinedo, Vice-Chair of Birmingham Corps Board of Directors, is from Burr & Forman.
• Vance Alternative Dispute Resolution, PCminorOthersAl Vance, Treasurer of Birmingham Corps Board of Directors, is from Vance Alternative Dispute Resolution, PC.
• EBSCO IndustriesminorOthersKarla Wiles, Secretary of Birmingham Corps Board of Directors, is from EBSCO Industries.
• Baltimore CorpsminorOthersMonique Boyd, Board Member of Birmingham Corps, is from Baltimore Corps.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of AlabamaminorOthersSheila Herringdon, Board Member of Birmingham Corps, is from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.
• Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITEDminorOthersGianetta Jones, Board Member of Birmingham Corps, is from Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED.
• LRYminorOthersRashada LeRoy, Board Member of Birmingham Corps, is from LRY.
• Alabama PowerminorOthersJonathan Porter, Board Member of Birmingham Corps, is from Alabama Power.
• Jefferson State Community CollegeminorOthersGuin Robinson, Board Member of Birmingham Corps, is from Jefferson State Community College.
• Regions BankminorOthersBrett Shaffer, Board Member of Birmingham Corps, is from Regions Bank.
• Education and Technical InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with education and technical institutions to connect completers and graduates to career pathways. Birmingham Corps wraps technical training with soft skills coaching, professional development, and employer connections. Provides up to 6 hours of free one-on-one career coaching for graduates year-round.
• Civic and Nonprofit OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with community organizations who serve as trusted entry points for residents ready to advance. Co-hosting Career Navigator Workshop Series and providing AmeriCorps host site opportunities for expanded capacity.
• 50+ Employer PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer partnerships across high-growth sectors providing work-based training, recruiting support, candidate access, and mentoring opportunities. Partners benefit from motivated, career-ready talent and 40%+ higher retention rates.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free IT and tech skills training and career placement support for underemployed adults. Closest functional peer in workforce development and employer-driven training partnerships.
• Genesys Works: Nonprofit providing career pathway programming, corporate internships, and coaching for youth from under-resourced communities. Comparable model of employer-anchored training and ongoing alumni support.
• Baltimore Corps: Baltimore-based workforce and civic talent intermediary using a near-identical Connect/Develop/Retain model with employer partnerships and alumni network. Explicitly comparable - a Birmingham Corps board member is from this organization.
• NPower: Nonprofit that delivers tech workforce training, career coaching, and employer matching for underemployed adults and military veterans. Mirrors Birmingham Corps' cohort-based coaching + employer placement model in a tech-vertical specialization.

Broad incumbents

• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit providing career training, employer partnerships, and alumni support for young adults across multiple U.S. cities. Operates the same core model at substantially larger scale.
• CareerSource Alabama / Alabama Workforce Network: State-administered American Job Center network providing publicly funded job placement, training referrals, and employer matching across Alabama. Direct overlap on placement services for the same Birmingham employer base.

Regional players

• Innovate Birmingham: Birmingham-based workforce and talent development initiative focused on tech-sector talent pipeline. Competes for the same Birmingham employer relationships and talent pool.
• REV Birmingham: Birmingham economic and community development nonprofit focused on placemaking and small business. Operates in the same Birmingham civic ecosystem and pursues overlapping funding sources.
• Create Birmingham: Birmingham-based creative-sector talent development organization and existing Birmingham Corps partner/host site for AmeriCorps members. Shares target talent pool and Birmingham-specific employer network.
• United Way of Central Alabama: Regional funder and convener of health and human services in Central Alabama. Comparable funding model (donor-dependent nonprofit serving the same geography) and competing/collaborating on workforce grants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/birminghamcorps

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Birmingham Corps