Project Discovery Of Virginia, Inc.

What Project Discovery Of Virginia, Inc. does

Project Discovery Of Virginia, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Statewide Community Action Agency headquartered at 108 North Jefferson Street, Suite 306, Roanoke, Virginia. The organization delivers college access and preparation programs to first-generation college students and students from low-income households across Virginia, primarily through middle school and high school workshops, counseling, college application support, fee waiver assistance, and campus tours. Programs are delivered free of charge to students through a network of 22 partner agencies operating in 19 locations and providing services in 145 schools.

The organization is led by Executive Director Lashanda Ellington and Compliance and Development Director Angela Williams, with a Board of Directors representing the public, private, and low-income sectors. Its service portfolio includes goal-oriented workshops on study skills, time management, and financial planning; ACT/SAT and college application fee waivers; life planning and career path guidance; one-on-one counseling for students and parents; college campus tours; and a College Success Program providing scholarships and post-enrollment support. The underlying delivery model is human-intensive community-based service rather than technology-based.

Project Discovery operates on a donations and charitable contributions revenue model, with funding sourced from individuals, corporations, and foundations. No fees are charged to student participants. The organization reports cumulative outcomes of 4,346 students served, 1,152 high school graduates since 2021, 844 students (73% of graduates) pursuing higher education, and 523 first-generation college attendees. It holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and is independently operated with no parent company or subsidiaries.

Name

Project Discovery Of Virginia, Inc.

Legal name

Project Discovery Inc.

Website

https://projectdiscovery.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Project Discovery is a Virginia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free college access programs to first-generation and low-income middle and high school students through 22 partner agencies and 145 schools statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

College Access Education Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

College & Program Discovery, Matching & Fit Tools (EDAFAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Alternative Education & Dropout Prevention / Re-Engagement Programs (EDANAJAF)

Keywords

• College access programs
• College preparation workshops
• Financial aid assistance
• First-generation college support
• Youth education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Roanoke

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Project Discovery operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations. The organization accepts charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support student programs, scholarships, and operational costs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Project Discovery delivers free school-based college access programs combining goal-oriented workshops, fee waiver assistance, college application and financial aid support, life planning, campus tours, one-on-one counseling, academic support, and social activities for middle and high school students, with the College Success Program extending support to students already in college. Programs are delivered through two main tracks—College Access Groups for middle school students and College/Career Option Groups for high school students—via a network of 22 partner agencies operating in 145 schools across Virginia.

Product overview

Project Discovery is a single, unified nonprofit college access program—not a platform with modular products. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of educational support services centered on helping first-generation college students achieve higher education. The core offerings include goal-oriented workshops, fee waiver assistance, college application support, life planning, campus tours, counseling, academic support, and activities/trips. These services are delivered through two main program tracks: College Access Groups for middle school students and College/Career Option Groups for high school students. The College Success Program extends support to students already in college through scholarships and ongoing assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Goal-oriented Workshops Workshops focused on building character, positive mindset, self-esteem, and leadership skills, along with essential life skills development, delivered to middle and high school students.
• Fee Waivers Program
• College Application Support
• Life Planning Services
• College Campus Tours
• Counseling Services
• Academic Support
• Activities and Trips
• Project Discovery College Access Groups (Middle School)
• Project Discovery College/Career Option Groups (High School)
• College Success Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,346 total students served
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AHC - Affordable Homes & CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery programs in the community, serving students through the college access initiative.
• CAPUP - Capital Area Partnership Uplifting PeoplecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency with locations in Richmond/Chesterfield, Buckingham/Farmville, and Goochland/Powhatan providing Project Discovery services.
• COA - City of Alexandria, VirginiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Alexandria partnership providing Project Discovery programs in the Alexandria area schools.
• CVCA - Clinch Valley Community ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery programs in the Clinch Valley region.
• ESCC - Eastern Shore Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college partnership providing Project Discovery/Project Horizons programs on the Eastern Shore.
• HRCAP - Hampton Roads Community Action ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery programs in the Hampton Roads region.
• MACAA - Monticello Area Community Action AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery programs in the Monticello area.
• People Inc. of VAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide partner agency providing Project Discovery programs in Virginia communities.
• Pittsylvania County Community ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery programs in Pittsylvania County.
• Skyline CAP Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery programs in the Skyline region.
• STEP, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery youth services programs.
• STOP Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery programs.
• Total Action for ProgresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery youth education programs.
• TIA - The Improvement AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery programs.
• THRIVE VirginiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery programs in Virginia.
• Wesley Housing CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery services through housing community programs.
• William James City County Community Action AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency providing Project Discovery programs in the Williamsburg/James City County area.
• Buzz4goodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPodcast partnership for sharing information about college access nonprofits and Project Discovery programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• iMentor: College-success nonprofit pairing low-income high school students with college-educated mentors. Comparable in pairing students 1:1 with mentors and pairing that with classroom-based college access curriculum.
• Bottom Line: National nonprofit that partners with first-generation college students from low-income communities to get into college and graduate. Closely comparable to Project Discovery's mission of supporting first-generation students through college access and persistence.
• College Possible: Operates near-peer college access and success coaching programs for low-income and first-generation high school students. Directly comparable model combining curriculum, coaching, and college application support.
• College Advising Corps (CollegeForward / NCAC): Places recent college graduates as advisers in underserved high schools to support college access. Comparable school-based, advisor-driven delivery model serving first-generation students.
• College Track: College access and success nonprofit serving first-generation students from low-income communities through a long-term cohort model. Comparable in serving the same dual-eligible population and providing multi-year support.
• Braven: Nonprofit focused on college and career access and success for first-generation and low-income students. Closely comparable mission and cohort-based program design.

Broad incumbents

• National College Attainment Network (NCAN): National membership and advocacy organization supporting college access programs across the country. Comparable in the broader college access space but operates as an umbrella/incumbent rather than a direct service provider.
• GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs): Federally funded college-readiness program for low-income students, often delivered through schools and partners. Comparable target population and school-based delivery model, with significantly larger scale and federal backing.

Emerging players

• Matriculate: Virtual college access mentoring program pairing low-income high school students with college mentors. Comparable focus on first-generation applicants but uses a tech-enabled mentoring model rather than in-person workshops.

Regional players

• Virginia College Advising Corps (VCAC): Regional near-peer college advising program operating across Virginia high schools. Comparable mission and Virginia geography, though delivered via paid recent-grad advisers rather than a partner-agency model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-discovery-of-virginia

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Project Discovery Of Virginia, Inc.