A Step Ahead Foundation Tri-Cities

What A Step Ahead Foundation Tri-Cities does

A Step Ahead Foundation Tri-Cities is a 501(c)-style nonprofit affiliate of the A Step Ahead Foundation network headquartered in Johnson City, Tennessee. Founded as an affiliate in 2011 (parent foundation originated in Memphis the same year under Claudia Haltom), it operates one of six statewide affiliates providing free reproductive healthcare access to individuals in the Appalachian Highlands — specifically Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The organization does not deliver clinical care itself; instead, it coordinates and fully funds services through a regional network of partner clinics and, since 2022, a telehealth partnership with Twentyeight Health for birth control pill prescriptions.

The core service portfolio centers on free Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC): hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, Skyla), the copper IUD (Paragard), the Nexplanon hormonal implant, and the Depo-Provera shot, plus birth control pills via telehealth. Wraparound services include free transportation (Lyft, Uber, or gas card reimbursement), wellness testing (STI and pregnancy testing), one-on-one counseling, appointment reminders, and evidence-based reproductive health education — collectively designed to eliminate financial, logistical, and informational barriers to contraceptive access.

The business model is grant- and donation-funded rather than revenue-generating: all services are provided at zero cost to clients, with funding sourced from private foundations (ETF/Episcopal Health Foundation, BWF/Blandin White Foundation), healthcare system partners (Ballad Health), United Way of East Tennessee, individual donors, and community fundraising events. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on grassroots awareness, social media (Instagram, Facebook), educational content marketing, and outreach at community events such as TriPride. The organization operates with a 1–10 person team out of 128 E Market Street, Johnson City, TN, and uses a Squarespace-hosted website as its primary digital presence.

Name

A Step Ahead Foundation Tri-Cities

Legal name

A Step Ahead Foundation Tri-Cities

Website

https://astepaheadtricities.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

A Step Ahead Foundation Tri-Cities is a Johnson City, Tennessee-based nonprofit affiliate providing free birth control (LARC methods and pills), free transportation, and reproductive health education to individuals across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, funded by foundations, grants, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Services

NAICS

Family Planning Centers (621410), Family Planning Centers (62141)

akta.pro primary industry

Contraception & Family Planning Telehealth (birth control, counseling, follow-up) (HLALAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Women’s Health & Contraception Prescribing + Pharmacy Delivery Platforms (HLALAIAI)

Keywords

• Reproductive health services
• Free birth control
• Contraception access
• Nonprofit health education
• Community health nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Johnson City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundations and Grants: Primary funding from private foundations and grant programs supporting reproductive health access
2. Individual Donations: Funding from individual donors supporting the nonprofit mission through one-time or recurring contributions
3. Fundraising Events: Revenue generated from events such as Mahjong for a Mission and High End Resale Event

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

A Step Ahead Foundation Tri-Cities provides free Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) and other birth control methods—including hormonal and copper IUDs, hormonal implants, Depo-Provera shots, and birth control pills via telehealth—along with free transportation to clinics and comprehensive reproductive health education to individuals in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

Product overview

A Step Ahead Foundation Tri-Cities offers a coordinated suite of reproductive health services focused on providing free Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) and other birth control methods. The core portfolio includes four main contraceptive products: Hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, Skyla), Copper IUD (Paragard), Hormonal Implant (Nexplanon), and Depo Provera Shot—all provided at no cost. Through a partnership with Twentyeight Health, the organization also offers the birth control pill via telehealth. These products are supported by wraparound services including free transportation (via Lyft or gas cards), wellness testing (STI/pregnancy tests, counseling), and comprehensive reproductive health education. The organization connects clients with partnering clinics, arranges transportation, and provides appointment reminders to remove barriers to access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hormonal IUD (Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, Skyla) Soft, flexible T-shaped intrauterine device that releases small amounts of progestin hormone into the uterus. Over 99% effective and works for 3-5 years depending on brand. Provided free to clients.
• Copper IUD (Paragard) Hormone-free T-shaped device placed in the uterus wrapped in copper, which is toxic to sperm. Works up to 10 years and maintains normal menstrual cycle. Provided free to clients.
• Hormonal Implant (Nexplanon) Small, flexible bioplastic implant (size of a matchstick) inserted under the skin of the upper arm. Releases progestin hormone and works up to 3 years. Provided free to clients.
• Depo Provera Shot Progestin birth control shot administered every three months (90 days) in the arm or buttocks. Over 99% effective when received on time. Provided free to clients.
• Birth Control Pill (via Twentyeight Health) Daily oral contraceptive medication provided through telehealth partnership with Twentyeight Health. Suppresses ovulation and thickens cervical mucus. 99% effective with perfect use. Provided free to clients.
• Free Transportation Services Free transportation to and from partnering clinic providers through Lyft, rideshare apps, or gas card reimbursement. Removes transportation barriers to accessing birth control services.
• Wellness Services Includes STI testing, pregnancy testing, one-on-one counseling, device insertion, and follow-up visits covered at no cost to clients.
• Reproductive Health Education Free comprehensive reproductive health education provided using evidence-based curricula to increase knowledge and prevent unintended pregnancy.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Twentyeight HealthcoreTechnology or IntegrationTelehealth partnership providing free birth control pills to clients. Clients complete a disclosure form and receive information to schedule a free telehealth appointment with Twentyeight Health for birth control pill prescriptions.
• Local Clinic PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of local healthcare providers across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia offering in-person birth control services including IUD insertion, hormonal implant placement, and Depo-Provera injections. The organization connects clients with nearby clinics and arranges transportation.
• TriPrideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLGBTQIA+ Pride organization in Bristol, TN. A Step Ahead Tri-Cities maintains an informational booth at TriPride events (August 27th).
• Pride Community Center of Johnson CityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal LGBTQIA+ community organization recommended for donations and support

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• A Step Ahead Foundation: Parent organization founded in Memphis in 2011 by Claudia Haltom; operates the same free-LARC, transportation, and reproductive health education model that the Tri-Cities affiliate was created to replicate. Most directly comparable nonprofit peer because of shared mission, brand, and service model.
• SisterReach: Tennessee-based reproductive justice nonprofit providing advocacy, education, and direct services focused on women, girls, and people of color. Geographic and mission alignment, though with a stronger advocacy/justice orientation than A Step Ahead Tri-Cities' service-delivery focus.
• Power to Decide: National nonprofit focused on preventing unintended pregnancy through education and access programs, including Bedsider (birth control support network). Comparable mission and target population, though operates at national rather than regional scale.
• Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Texas: Provides contraception counseling, LARC provision, STI testing, and reproductive health education across Tennessee and North Texas. Direct service peer operating in the broader Tennessee footprint, often serving a similar population with overlapping contraceptive services.

Others

• National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA): National membership association supporting the family planning delivery system, including Title X-funded providers. Comparable mission and constituency though not a direct service provider; functions as an ecosystem enabler for organizations like A Step Ahead Tri-Cities.
• Ballad Health: Regional health system serving Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia and a named financial partner of A Step Ahead Tri-Cities. Ecosystem enabler: provides funding and is a potential clinic-partner channel for in-person contraceptive services in the same geography.
• Twentyeight Health: Direct telehealth partner that provides free birth control pill prescriptions and consultations to A Step Ahead Tri-Cities clients. Adjacent/comparable in target population and service type but operates as a private telehealth platform rather than a nonprofit coordinator.
• United Way of East Tennessee Highlands: Regional United Way affiliate and named financial partner supporting community health programs in the Tri-Cities service area. Comparable community-coordination orientation and shared funder ecosystem; enables downstream referrals and co-funding opportunities.

Emerging players

• The Pill Club: Online birth control prescription and delivery service operating in multiple U.S. states. Comparable end-user outcome (free or low-cost contraception access) via a different (telemedicine) channel; serves as a potential alternative referral pathway for clients.
• Hey Jane: Telehealth platform for sexual and reproductive health, offering contraception, emergency contraception, STI testing, and abortion care. Comparable target population and telehealth-first delivery model, though broader service scope and different regulatory positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/astepaheadtricities
• Instagraminstagram.co/astepaheadtricities
• Xx.com/astepaheadtric1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/a-step-ahead-tri-cities

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about A Step Ahead Foundation Tri-Cities