Wilson Education Partnership

What Wilson Education Partnership does

Wilson Education Partnership (WEP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 and headquartered in Wilson, North Carolina, that operates as a community intermediary between Wilson County Schools and local employers. Its core function is to channel corporate donations and fundraising proceeds into career-readiness programming for students and competitive mini-grants for teachers, effectively substituting for what would otherwise be supplementary public-education funding. The organization was formed through the 1993 merger of the Wilson County Education Foundation (founded 1989) and the Business and Education Partnership (created 1991 by the Wilson Chamber of Commerce).

WEP's portfolio of eight core programs includes Career Connections, Career Health Connections (a nine-week rotation program for high school juniors and seniors at Wilson Medical Center and Carolina Family Health Centers), Communicating with Confidence, Girls in Manufacturing (with Bridgestone), the Merck Wilson Pharma Exploration Program (PEP), Student Scholarships, Teacher Mini-Grants, and the Jim and Carolyn Hunt Friend of Education Award (its highest honor, established 2014). Programs are delivered physically at school campuses, partner employer sites (Merck, Bridgestone, Wilson Medical Center, Collins Aerospace, Smithfield Foods, Watson Electrical), and Barton College / Wilson Community College facilities, with no underlying technology platform beyond standard nonprofit tooling such as Constant Contact newsletters and social media channels.

The business model is donation-based: tax-deductible gifts to the Annual General Fund, corporate sponsorships, and fundraiser entry fees (notably the annual Spelling Bee and Trivia Night, which raised a record $32,435 in its 30th year). The organization employs 3 people — Executive Director Robin P. Williams (since 2017), Program Coordinator Sherri Jernigan, and Program Assistant Intern Rachel Koschatzky — and is governed by a board of business, education, and community leaders. WEP has 400+ community partners, 23 board members, and serves a single county with no geographic expansion signals.

Name

Wilson Education Partnership

Legal name

Wilson Education Partnership

Website

https://wilsonedpartnership.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wilson Education Partnership is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 in Wilson, North Carolina, that connects Wilson County Schools with local businesses through career-readiness programs for students and competitive mini-grants for teachers, funded by donations and an annual spelling-bee fundraiser.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Support Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Career Exploration & Job Shadowing Programs (EDAMAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA), Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ), Leadership, Service Learning & Volunteer-to-Career Pathways (EDAMAKAJ)

Keywords

• Career exploration programs
• Teacher mini-grants
• Education partnership nonprofit
• Student scholarships
• Business-education partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible gifts to the Annual General Fund allow WEP to direct resources where they are needed most, ensuring flexibility and long-term sustainability. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with Tax ID 58-1762623.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Wilson Education Partnership delivers career exploration, professional development, and teacher support programs that connect Wilson County Schools students and educators with local employers. The organization coordinates job shadowing rotations, healthcare career experiences, manufacturing career exposure for female students, pharmaceutical industry immersion at Merck, soft-skills training, scholarships, competitive classroom grants, and an annual community recognition award. Programs are delivered directly at school campuses and partner business sites in Wilson County, NC, at no cost to participants.

Product overview

Wilson Education Partnership is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of educational programs focused on college and career readiness and teacher support. Core programs include Career Connections (career exploration through business partnerships), Career Health Connections (healthcare career rotations), Communicating with Confidence (interview and professional skills), Girls in Manufacturing (manufacturing careers for female students), Merck Wilson Pharma Exploration Program (pharmaceutical industry exposure), Student Scholarships (multiple scholarship opportunities), Teacher Mini-Grants (classroom project funding), and The Hunt Award (annual recognition of education supporters).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jim and Carolyn Hunt Friend of Education Award: Annual award established in 2014 to recognize significant contributions to public education in Wilson County.
• Career Health Connections
• Communicating with Confidence
• Girls in Manufacturing
• Merck Wilson Pharma Exploration Program (PEP)

Products and services

• Career Connections Program Connects Wilson County Schools students and teachers with local businesses to explore career pathways, including job shadowing, facility tours, and mentorship opportunities. The program partners with employers to provide hands-on exposure across multiple industries.
• Career Health Connections Nine-week rotation program for high school juniors and seniors providing hands-on healthcare experiences in Radiology, Lab, Pharmacy, Dental, and Nursing at Wilson Medical Center and Carolina Family Health Centers. Nine students are selected per semester.
• Communicating with Confidence Student program providing face-to-face interview practice, resume building, self-assurance development, and connections with area business leaders to build confidence and career skills for high school students.
• Girls in Manufacturing Partnership program between Bridgestone, WEP, and Wilson County Schools exposing female students to manufacturing careers through mentorship from female industry leaders and hands-on learning experiences.
• Merck Wilson Pharma Exploration Program (PEP) Immersive STEM program introducing high school and early college students to pharmaceutical industry careers through facility tours, lab demonstrations, and mentorship at Merck's Wilson facility. Ten students are selected per semester.
• Student Scholarships Multiple scholarship programs including WEP Community Leadership Scholarship, Jimmy Tillman Memorial Athletic Scholarship, Susan Powers Excellence in Choral Music Scholarship, and Junior Women's Club of Wilson Scholarship supporting Wilson County Schools students.
• Teacher Mini-Grants Competitive grants supporting Wilson County Schools educators with innovative classroom projects, hands-on activities, and creative approaches that enrich educational experiences. $20,000 was awarded in 2026.
• The Hunt Award The Jim and Carolyn Hunt Friend of Education Award, WEP's highest honor, presented annually to recognize exceptional commitment to public education in Wilson County. First awarded in 2014 to Governor and Mrs. James B. Hunt, Jr.
• Learning From The Locals Career connections program partnering with Wilson County Schools to provide students direct exposure to local businesses and career pathways through engagement with community members.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 400 community partners engaged with Wilson County Schools annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Merck (MSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerck operates a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Wilson and has been a leading partner since 1983. They sponsor the Wilson Pharma Exploration Program (PEP), provide grants for career connections, fund STEM mini-grants, and serve on the WEP Board of Directors. Merck has contributed over $225,000 to WEP and received the Hunt Award in 2016-2017.
• Fike High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost site for the Merck Wilson Pharma Exploration Program (PEP); transportation provided from Fike parking lot for student participants
• BridgestonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Girls in Manufacturing program; received Hunt Award in 2023-2024; has adopted schools and provided volunteer support for decades
• Wilson County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary education partner for all WEP programs; includes three traditional high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools; WEP board member Dr. Daniel Barnes serves as representative
• Barton CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal four-year college; President-Elect Amanda Metts serves on WEP board; students from WEP programs tour nursing and health science areas
• Wilson Community CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community college partner; Secretary Trish Holsten serves on WEP board; nursing students use college facilities for health career programs
• Wilson Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare partner for Career Health Connections program; hosts students for hands-on experiences in radiology, lab, pharmacy, dental, and nursing departments; COO Preston Callison serves on WEP board
• Carolina Family Health CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally qualified health center partner in Career Health Connections program; CEO Laura Owens collaborates on program delivery; Cari Green serves on WEP board
• Area L AHECmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArea Health Education Center providing Service Learning Certificate training for Career Health Connections participants; President Debby Futrell supports workforce development initiatives
• Wilson County Substance Prevention CoalitionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Narcan training and substance abuse education as part of Career Health Connections program
• 3C Store FixturesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing company partner; received Hunt Award in 2025-2026; provides job shadowing, internships, and career exploration opportunities; President Michael Jones serves on WEP board; manufactured recognition signs for WEP
• S.T. Wooten Corp.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company partner; received Hunt Award in 2022-2023; provides job shadowing, internships, and career exploration opportunities; Vice President Hank Butts engaged with WEP programs
• Chick-fil-A of WilsonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant operator Christy Proctor received Hunt Award in 2015-2016; hosts Spirit Nights to help schools raise funds; develops Leader Academy program for high school students; serves on WEP board
• Collins AerospacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace manufacturing partner; Taj Martin serves on WEP board representing the company; participates in career exploration and job shadowing programs
• Smithfield FoodsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor employer operating largest bacon production facility in the nation with 600+ employees; participates in job fairs and career exploration; offers tuition reimbursement programs
• Watson ElectricalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectrical contractor and lead donor; offers apprenticeship programs; participates in career connections and teacher tours
• FirstBanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal bank; Heather Mercer serves on WEP board
• Wilson Chamber of CommercemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRyan Simons serves on WEP board representing the Chamber; created Business and Education Partnership in 1991 which merged with WEP in 1993
• Truist (formerly BB&T)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived Hunt Award in 2014-2015; has been a long-standing community partner
• Linamar Forgings Carolina Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing company; received Hunt Award in 2020-2021 for decades-long support of public education
• Purdue PharmamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived Hunt Award in 2018-2019; has been a leading partner since 1999 with contributions exceeding $225,000; won multiple spelling bee championships; President Jim Sullivan served as WEP President
• Hubert Vester Auto GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuto dealership; received Hunt Award in 2024-2025
• Healthcare Foundation of WilsonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead donor and community health foundation; supports health-related programs and initiatives
• Junior Women's Club of WilsonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization; co-sponsors $1,000 scholarship for young women leaders; active in community service
• Wilson Police DepartmentsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Chelsea Sanders serves on WEP board; partner in school safety initiatives
• Camber FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation donor supporting WEP programs
• Wilson Academy of Applied TechnologymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly college high school focused on manufacturing maintenance technician training; WEP supports externship experiences for teachers and career programs for students

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• WakeEd Partnership: A nonprofit education-business intermediary serving Wake County, NC public schools through career-readiness, teacher support, and corporate-partner programming — a near-identical operating model to WEP but at much larger scale in the Raleigh metro.
• Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG): A national dropout-prevention and career-readiness program for at-risk high school students that delivers structured career exploration and work-based learning — directly comparable to WEP's Career Connections and Merck PEP programs in target population and content.
• Piedmont Education Foundation: A regional education fund in the Triad region of NC that pools business and community support for public schools through grants and career programs — same intermediary model as WEP in a different NC geography.
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Education Foundation: A regional education fund that connects Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools with local businesses and donors through classroom grants, scholarships, and career programs — directly comparable to WEP in mission, structure, and revenue model.

Regional players

• Public School Forum of North Carolina: A statewide education policy and advocacy organization in NC that convenes business, education, and policy leaders — adjacent to WEP's mission of business-education partnership, with more emphasis on policy than direct program delivery.

Others

• Discovery Education: A national provider of digital K-12 curriculum and career-readiness content including virtual job shadowing — thematically adjacent to WEP's career-exposure mission but delivering through a digital platform rather than in-person employer partnerships.
• NCWorks Career Centers: The state's publicly-funded workforce development system offering career exploration, job shadowing, and training services to students and adults — a complementary ecosystem participant to WEP rather than a direct competitor, serving a similar career-exposure function for NC youth.

Broad incumbents

• Communities In Schools of North Carolina: A statewide affiliate of the national dropout-prevention network that places coordinators inside public schools to deliver student support services — comparable to WEP as a school-embedded nonprofit but with a broader wraparound-services mandate.
• NAF (National Academy Foundation): A national nonprofit that establishes career academies in high schools across healthcare, finance, and other industries — closely comparable to WEP's Career Health Connections and Pharma Exploration programs but operating a national network of academies.
• Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina: A larger, established nonprofit providing K-12 career exploration, financial literacy, and work-readiness programs across eastern NC — overlaps with WEP's Career Connections and Communicating with Confidence programs but operates at regional scale under a national JA brand.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wilsonedpartnership
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wilson-education-partnership-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/wilsoneducationpartnership

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles32 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 Wilson Education Partnership