DREAM Alive
DREAM Alive Inc. is an Indianapolis 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering a seven-year school-embedded mentorship and career development program for underserved youth in grades 6-12 across eight Indianapolis Public Schools, funded by individual donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and signature fundraising events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersIndianapolis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What DREAM Alive does
DREAM Alive Inc. is an Indianapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by former Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Tarik Glenn and his wife Maya. The organization delivers a seven-year intentional mentorship and career development continuum for underserved youth in grades 6 through 12, with full-time staff embedded daily at eight partner Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) including Arlington, Longfellow, Howe, Northwest, Paramount, Harshman Magnet, Arsenal Tech, Shortridge, and Purdue Polytechnic. Programming operates before, during, and after school and serves scholars facing concentrated poverty, violence exposure, and limited career opportunity in center-township Indianapolis; in the 2024-2025 academic year the organization reported serving 1,246 scholars and delivering 32,291 program hours.
The program's core architecture combines the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets character framework with a school-embedded delivery model. Staff and a network of 100+ volunteer mentors run lunch mentoring (high school), after-school mentoring (middle school), weekly career exposure trips to local employers including American Structurepoint, Elements Financial, Regions Bank, Bottleworks Hotel, and Thompson Thrift, college visits, scholarship support, and signature annual events (DREAM Christmas, DREAM Awards, DREAM Makers Luncheon). The proprietary seven-year continuum is positioned as unique within the Indianapolis youth-services landscape and is supported by documented outcomes including a 99% high school graduation rate, 3.27 average GPA versus 2.99 for non-participants, 96% fewer suspensions and expulsions, and 100% post-graduate placement into college, military, or career since 2005.
DREAM Alive's revenue model is donation-driven and diversified across four streams: tiered individual giving ($50-$1,000 plus a $50/month DREAM Builder recurring program), corporate sponsorships (Regions Bank 15+ years, Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers each 25+ years, Progressive Insurance, TCC, and others), foundation grants (Valinhos Foundation multi-year ~$100K, Ascendium Education Group $100K Good Neighbor Grant, Glick Philanthropies $50K, Christian Theological Seminary Faith & Action $20K), and signature fundraising events. The 2025 inaugural DREAM Makers Luncheon raised $203,578, and in late 2025 the organization closed approximately $270,000 in new foundation grants to expand programming into 2026. Operations are led by President & CEO Eric Müller, who joined as Program Director in 2010, and a 13+ person full-time staff complemented by Site Directors, several of whom are DREAM Alive alumni themselves.
DREAM Alive firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DREAM Alive
- Legal name
- DREAM Alive Inc.
- Website
- https://dreamaliveinc.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DREAM Alive Inc. is an Indianapolis 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering a seven-year school-embedded mentorship and career development program for underserved youth in grades 6-12 across eight Indianapolis Public Schools, funded by individual donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and signature fundraising events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DREAM Alive industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Mentorship Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Services (61)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Transition Programs (Reentry, Workforce Readiness & Life Skills for At-Risk Youth) (EDAJAEAF)
Keywords
Where DREAM Alive is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Indianapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DREAM Alive business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: DREAM Alive receives donations from individuals at various giving levels ($50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000) and through monthly DREAM Builder recurring donations at $50/month.
- Foundation Grants: Significant grant funding from philanthropic foundations including Glick Philanthropies ($50,000), Ascendium Education Group ($100,000), Valinhos Foundation (multi-year grant), and Faith & Action Project ($20,000).
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners provide financial sponsorships, in-kind donations, volunteer opportunities, career trip hosting, and event sponsorship. Partners include Regions Bank, Progressive Insurance, TCC, and others.
- Event Fundraising: Signature fundraising events including the DREAM Makers Luncheon (vision fundraiser raising $203,578 in 2025), DREAM Awards, and DREAM Christmas.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Donation/ grant-funded | One-time | $50 donation - funds a college or career exploration field trip |
| Donation/ grant-funded | One-time | $100 donation - covers mentorship and leadership training for one student for a month |
| Donation/ grant-funded | One-time | $250 donation - sponsors one student's participation in a semester of DREAM Alive programs |
| Donation/ grant-funded | One-time | $500 donation - provides technology and resources for student academic success |
| Donation/ grant-funded | One-time | $1,000 donation - supports year-round mentoring, leadership development, and career experiences for one student |
| Subscription | Monthly | DREAM Builder Monthly - $50/month recurring donation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
DREAM Alive product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DREAM Alive delivers a 7-year intentional mentorship continuum to Indianapolis Public Schools students in grades 6-12, with staff and volunteer mentors embedded on-site at partner schools daily throughout the school year. The program combines individual mentoring, weekly career exposure (career trips, college visits, internships), and a character-development curriculum built on the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets framework, with the goal of breaking cycles of poverty and violence by helping youth develop career paths.
Product overview
DREAM Alive is a non-profit (501c3) mentorship organization that operates as a single, unified program rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The organization offers a comprehensive 7-year mentorship continuum consisting of Middle School and High School programs, supplemented by structured mentoring modalities (Lunch Mentoring and After School Mentoring), annual events (DREAM Christmas, DREAM Awards, DREAM Makers Luncheon), and volunteer support resources. All programs share a common framework focused on mentoring, career development, and character building based on the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DREAM Christmas: Annual holiday event where DREAM Alive scholars sponsor and serve families facing hardship in Indianapolis
- DREAM Awards
- DREAM Makers Luncheon
Products and services
- Middle School Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% high school graduation rate among DA scholars
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use DREAM Alive
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
DREAM Alive technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
DREAM Alive partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Indiana PacersflagshipProfessional basketball team that hosted DREAM Alive scholars at Pacers Mentoring Night presented by CareSource. The event featured a pre-game mentoring panel and post-game meet-and-greet with player Kam Jones. Pacers Sports & Entertainment received the Legends Award at the 2026 DREAM Awards for 25 years of partnership.
- CareSourcecoreHealthcare provider that presented Pacers Mentoring Night, providing tickets and support for DREAM Alive scholars to attend the Pacers game and participate in mentoring activities.
- American StructurepointcoreEngineering firm that hosted career trips and provided internship opportunities for DREAM Alive scholars. One alumnus, DJ Bunton, secured an internship with American Structurepoint during a career site visit and later became a civil engineer.
- Elevate IndianapoliscoreDeepened partnership with Elevate Indianapolis in 2023 to better serve IPS youth in grades 6-12. Both organizations have longstanding commitment to youth in center township Indianapolis. The collaboration is funded through Lilly Endowment's 'Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana' initiative. Together they aim to serve 200+ youths and expand into new IPS schools with joint programming including before-school, during-school, and after-school opportunities.
- New Shoe DaycoreCommunity partner focused on ending shoe insecurity in Indiana. Provided 171 pairs of Nike lifestyle shoes to DREAM Alive 8th graders and 102 pairs to children at Theodore Potter Elementary School and Brightlane Learning during DREAM Christmas. Partnered for summer camp sneaker customization experience.
- Elements FinancialcoreHosted career trips and served as venue partner for the DREAM Makers Luncheon at Elements Financial Club at Victory Field. Corporate partner providing career exposure and event support.
- Regions BankflagshipMarket Public Relations Specialist Kim Borges serves on the DREAM Alive Board of Directors. Regions Bank has partnered with DA for 15+ years receiving Hall of Fame recognition. Hosted budgeting workshops for DREAM Christmas and provides various volunteer and financial support.
- TCC (The Collegiate Challenge)coreCorporate Champion of the Year award recipient in 2026. Active corporate partner providing career exposure and volunteer opportunities for DREAM Alive scholars.
- Bottleworks HotelcoreDowntown Indianapolis hotel that hosted career field trips exposing scholars to the hospitality industry including marketing, food and beverage, culinary arts, housekeeping, and maintenance careers. Received Best Career Exposure Trip award in 2026.
- Progressive InsurancecoreMost Engaged Corporate Partner award recipient. Hosted career trips and provides ongoing volunteer and financial support to DREAM Alive programs.
- Federal Home Loan Bank of IndianapoliscoreHosted career trip teaching scholars how banks operate, including observing a live billion-dollar trade. Made $2,000 donation to support DREAM Alive scholars alongside North Salem Bank.
- North Salem State BankcoreBoard member Jeff Joyce serves as CFO. Company received Inspired Company of the Year award. Partnered with Federal Home Loan Bank on career trip and donation to DA.
- Connor PrairieminorInteractive history museum that hosted career trips for DREAM Alive scholars as part of career exploration programming.
- Schmidt AssociatesminorArchitecture/engineering firm that hosted career trips for DREAM Alive scholars as part of career exploration programming.
- Heartland FilmminorFilm organization that hosted career trips for DREAM Alive scholars as part of career exploration programming.
- Donovan CPAscoreInspired Company of the Year award recipient in 2026, recognized for exceptional corporate partnership with DREAM Alive.
- CamptowncoreCommunity Partner of the Year award recipient in 2026. Partnered with DA for field trips and summer programming.
- Indianapolis ColtsflagshipFounded by former Colts player Tarik Glenn and his wife Maya. The organization has partnered with the Colts for 25 years receiving the Legendary Partner award. Colts Complex hosts DREAM Awards and other events. Co-founder Tarik Glenn works for University of California Berkeley.
- Prime SmilecoreAll-Decade award recipient recognizing 10 years of partnership with DREAM Alive. Hosted DREAM Christmas wrapping party at their East location.
- Arthur Dean Family FoundationcoreAll-Star award recipient recognizing 5 years of partnership with DREAM Alive.
- Roche DiagnosticscoreAll-Star award recipient recognizing 5 years of partnership with DREAM Alive.
- Ryan FireprotectioncoreAll-Star award recipient recognizing 5 years of partnership with DREAM Alive.
- ElatecoreTriple Play award recipient recognizing 3 years of partnership with DREAM Alive.
- Thompson ThriftcoreBest New Career Trip award recipient, recognized for hosting first career trip for DREAM Alive scholars.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DREAM Alive competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Elevate Indianapolis: Indianapolis-based youth mentoring and development non-profit that serves IPS students in grades 6–12. DREAM Alive's actual deeper-partner collaborator, jointly serving youth through shared schools with funding from Lilly Endowment.
- Year Up: Workforce development non-profit focused on career pathways for young adults, including corporate internships and job placement. Comparable in integrating career exposure, mentorship, and employer partnerships, but serves an older (18–24) population.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana: Long-standing 1:1 youth mentoring non-profit serving Indianapolis youth. Directly comparable mentoring model, though typically episodic rather than a 7-year continuum, and operates in the same funding pool.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis: Youth development non-profit serving Central Indiana youth with after-school programming, career exploration, and mentorship. Comparable target population (underserved Indianapolis youth) and parallel mix of corporate partners and grants.
- iMentor: National non-profit pairing underserved students with college and career mentors from grades 9–12. Comparable in pairing long-term mentoring with post-secondary outcomes, though at significantly larger national scale.
- Junior Achievement of Central Indiana: Regional JA affiliate delivering career-readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship programming to K–12 students. Comparable in school-embedded career exposure model and corporate volunteer integration.
- 100 Black Men of Indianapolis: Indianapolis chapter of a national mentoring organization focused on mentoring, education, and economic empowerment for African American youth. Operates in the same Indianapolis funding and partnership ecosystem with a mentoring-led model.
- Minds Matter: Multi-year college and career mentoring program for underserved high school students. Comparable multi-year mentoring continuum positioning low-income youth toward college and career outcomes.
Regional players
- Shepherd Community Center: Indianapolis non-profit serving at-risk youth and families on the near eastside with wraparound education, mentoring, and career programs. Comparable in serving underserved Indianapolis youth with wraparound services, though anchored in a different neighborhood.
Broad incumbents
- KIPP Indy Public Schools: Charter school network serving Indianapolis students from underserved communities. Overlaps in target population and mission of college/career access, but competes for the same IPS-area students and operates schools rather than embedded programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DREAM Alive social profiles
Digital presenceDREAM Alive financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DREAM Alive leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
DREAM Alive funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DREAM Alive 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 DREAM Alive
What does DREAM Alive do?
DREAM Alive delivers a 7-year intentional mentorship continuum to Indianapolis Public Schools students in grades 6-12, with staff and volunteer mentors embedded on-site at partner schools daily throughout the school year. The program combines individual mentoring, weekly career exposure (career trips, college visits, internships), and a character-development curriculum built on the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets framework, with the goal of breaking cycles of poverty and violence by helping youth develop career paths.
Is DREAM Alive a public or private company?
DREAM Alive is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was DREAM Alive founded?
DREAM Alive was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DREAM Alive based?
DREAM Alive is headquartered in Indianapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does DREAM Alive make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants, corporate Partnerships and event Fundraising.
Who are DREAM Alive's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Elevate Indianapolis, Year Up, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, iMentor, Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, 100 Black Men of Indianapolis and Minds Matter. Shepherd Community Center is listed as a regional player. KIPP Indy Public Schools is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does DREAM Alive have an API?
No public API is recorded for DREAM Alive.
What industry is DREAM Alive in?
DREAM Alive's product category is Youth Mentorship Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAD, Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDAAAFAN, Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills). Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.