A Plus Schools Pittsburghs Community Alliance For Public Education

What A Plus Schools Pittsburghs Community Alliance For Public Education does

A+ Schools is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)-style nonprofit community alliance founded in 2004 that mobilizes local resources to reduce chronic absenteeism and improve educational outcomes across Pittsburgh Public Schools. The organization focuses on five priority neighborhoods (Hill District, Hilltop, Northside, Homewood, and West Pittsburgh) where chronic absenteeism is most concentrated, and reports reaching nearly 6,000 chronically absent students in the 2023-24 school year.

The organization delivers three interconnected programs. The A to Z Fund provides direct financial supports for basic needs, enrichment, and emergency student needs through tiered sponsorships ranging from $1 individual donations to $40,000 "Community Champion" corporate gifts. The Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative (PLC) acts as a regional hub coordinating 130+ partner organizations across education, healthcare, government, philanthropy, and workforce development to deliver coordinated family supports. The Report to the Community publishes an annual objective analysis of student achievement, growth, school climate, and teaching quality across Pittsburgh's public schools. A+ Schools does not offer a technology product; its platform is the coalition itself, operated by approximately 10 staff members plus three consultant partners, with a 12-member Board of Directors providing cross-sector governance.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable donations and sponsorships. The funding base spans at least eight named regional foundations (Heinz Endowments, Grable Foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Buhl Foundation, Jewish Healthcare Foundation, United Way of Southwestern PA, McAuley Ministries, Birmingham Foundation, RK Mellon) supplemented by corporate Community Champions and individual donors. The organization holds a GuideStar/Candid Transparency Seal, is headquartered at Spaces Bakery Square in Pittsburgh, and is led by Executive Director James Fogarty.

Name

A Plus Schools Pittsburghs Community Alliance For Public Education

Legal name

A+ Schools

Website

https://aplusschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

A+ Schools is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit, founded in 2004, that mobilizes community resources and coordinates 130+ partner organizations to reduce chronic absenteeism and support students across five priority neighborhoods of Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Advocacy and Community Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

Keywords

• Community education support
• Chronic absenteeism reduction
• School community partnerships
• Student attendance advocacy
• Education nonprofit coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

East Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: The organization generates revenue through charitable donations and sponsorships at various levels including Community Champions ($25,000-$40,000), School Sponsors ($5,000-$20,000), Student Sponsors ($1,000-$4,000), and Good Neighbor donors ($1-$999).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

A+ Schools is a nonprofit community alliance that mobilizes resources to reduce chronic absenteeism in Pittsburgh Public Schools. It operates the A to Z Fund (direct financial supports for basic needs, enrichment, and emergency student needs), the Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative (a regional hub coordinating 130+ partner organizations across childcare, healthcare, housing, and tutoring), and the annual Report to the Community (data on student achievement, school climate, and teaching quality).

Product overview

A+ Schools operates as a community-focused education nonprofit offering three interconnected programs: the A to Z Fund (providing direct financial supports for basic needs, enrichment, and resource coordination in high-absence schools), the Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative (a regional hub coordinating 130+ partner organizations to support students and families), and the annual Report to the Community (publishing research and data on public school performance). The organization does not offer a technology product but rather coordinates community resources, advocacy, and research to improve student attendance and educational outcomes in Pittsburgh.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative (PLC): A regional hub for providing students and families with support to succeed, focused on ending chronic absenteeism through collaboration across an ecosystem of 130+ partner organizations including after school programs, childcare, healthcare, housing, and more.

Products and services

• A to Z Fund Direct financial and resource supports for students and schools in Pittsburgh's five highest chronic-absenteeism communities (Hill District, Hilltop, Northside, Homewood, and West Pittsburgh), covering basic needs, enrichment opportunities, and emergency student needs through sponsorship-funded grants.
• Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative (PLC) Regional backbone hub that coordinates 130+ partner organizations across after-school programs, childcare, employment, tutoring, family engagement, summer programs, housing, healthcare, transportation, safe streets, literacy, and policy to provide coordinated supports that reduce chronic absenteeism in Pittsburgh Public Schools.
• Report to the Community Annual publication providing thorough and objective data and analysis about Pittsburgh's public schools, including student achievement, growth, school climate, and teaching quality, with custom presentations available on request for particular schools, grade configurations, or communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students living in poverty are 4 times more likely to be chronically absent
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ACH Clear PathwayscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative ecosystem providing after-school and in-school programs for students and families.
• AchievacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative supporting individuals with disabilities and families.
• Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey government partner providing human services including child welfare, behavioral health, and developmental services.
• Allegheny County Library AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing literacy and educational resources through libraries across Allegheny County.
• Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on expanding quality out-of-school time opportunities for youth in Pittsburgh.
• Allies for ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChild advocacy organization working to improve conditions for children in the Pittsburgh region.
• Amachi PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing mentoring support for children with incarcerated parents.
• The Andy Warhol MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner providing arts education and enrichment programs for youth.
• Boys & Girls Club of Western PennsylvaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOut-of-school time programs providing activities, mentoring, and enrichment for youth.
• Carnegie Library of PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibrary partner providing literacy support, educational resources, and community programming.
• Carnegie Mellon University - The Simon InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership focused on improving learning and educational outcomes through evidence-based practices.
• City of Pittsburgh - CitiparkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner providing recreation facilities and programs for youth and families.
• The Consortium for Public EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation consortium working to strengthen public education in the Pittsburgh region.
• The Education PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing educational resources and supplies to schools serving high-need communities.
• Fund My FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram helping students save for higher education through savings incentives.
• Girls, Inc. of Greater PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing programs promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for girls.
• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner addressing food insecurity for families with children in schools.
• Holy Family InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial services organization providing counseling, education, and family support programs.
• KidsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative focused on making Pittsburgh a great place to raise a child.
• Literacy PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdult literacy organization providing reading and language instruction to families.
• The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern PAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization connecting mentors with young people for career and personal development.
• Partner4WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner connecting families to employment and career opportunities.
• PEAL CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing information and training for parents of children with disabilities.
• Pittsburgh CarescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization connecting people to service opportunities in schools and communities.
• Pittsburgh Cultural TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts organization providing cultural enrichment programs for youth and families.
• Pittsburgh Parks ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing outdoor education and environmental programming through parks.
• The Pittsburgh ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development organization providing after-school and summer programs.
• The Pittsburgh PromisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram providing college scholarships for Pittsburgh Public Schools graduates.
• Pittsburgh Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe primary school district served by A+ Schools, with focus on reducing chronic absenteeism.
• Remake LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork supporting innovative learning experiences for youth across the region.
• Sarah Heinz HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development organization providing programs for character building and enrichment.
• Trying TogethercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting early childhood education and family support programs.
• University of Pittsburgh Community Engagement CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing community engagement programs in the Hill District.
• UPMC Children's Hospital of PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing community health programs for children and families.
• Urban Redevelopment Authority of PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner addressing housing and community development in Pittsburgh.
• Wesley Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing services for children, adults, and families including behavioral health.
• Women for a Healthy EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization addressing environmental health issues affecting children and families.
• Year UpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development program providing skills training and opportunities for young adults.
• YWCA Greater PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing services for women, children, and families including anti-racism programming.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Communities In Schools: National K-12 student support organization coordinating school-based resources to address barriers to attendance and graduation — directly comparable in mission and operating model to A+ Schools' PLC.
• Remake Learning: Pittsburgh-region network supporting innovative learning experiences for youth — a direct peer within A+ Schools' own PLC ecosystem and a comparable cross-sector convening model.
• StriveTogether: National network of cradle-to-career community partnerships using a backbone coalition model very similar to A+ Schools' Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative to drive systemic education outcomes.
• Big Thought: Dallas-based nonprofit that mobilizes community partnerships to deliver out-of-school learning experiences for youth — a comparable coalition-driven approach to addressing K-12 enrichment and attendance gaps.
• Attendance Works: National nonprofit exclusively focused on reducing chronic absenteeism — the exact same mission as A+ Schools — through research, policy advocacy, and partner engagement with schools and districts.
• The Commit Partnership: Dallas-based cradle-to-career community partnership that uses data-driven collaboration to improve educational outcomes — structurally analogous to A+ Schools' PLC + Report to the Community combination.
• Campaign for Grade-Level Reading: National coalition of funders and community partners working to improve early literacy through cross-sector collaboration — a structurally analogous community coalition model addressing K-12 educational outcomes.

Others

• Pittsburgh Public Schools: The primary district served by A+ Schools and its closest institutional partner — included as the principal 'customer' and ecosystem anchor rather than a competitive peer.

Broad incumbents

• The Pittsburgh Foundation: Community foundation providing philanthropic support across the region and an A+ Schools financial partner — broader in scope but related in mission and convening role.
• United Way of Southwestern PA: Major regional philanthropic backbone organization and A+ Schools financial partner — operates at broader social services scale but shares the convening and community coordination model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 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 A Plus Schools Pittsburghs Community Alliance For Public Education