The Felege Hiywot Center

What The Felege Hiywot Center does

The Felege Hiywot Center (FHC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 by Aster Bekele in Indianapolis, Indiana, serving youth and families primarily in the Martindale-Brightwood and Near Northeast neighborhoods. It operates urban agriculture infrastructure — raised-bed gardens, a USDA NRCS-funded high tunnel greenhouse, hydroponics, a chicken coop, and the youth-built Unity Park — as the operational substrate for free youth development, environmental stewardship, and STEAM education programs including the Youth Farm Initiative, 4-H Tech Wizards Club, Summer Camp, and the Rise Initiative career-pathway program grounded in proprietary frameworks such as the RISE Growth Mindset model and the Real Talk methodology. Reach has scaled from roughly 112 youth toward 300+ annually under the Rise Initiative.

The business model is entirely philanthropic: programs are delivered free of charge to participants, and revenue is composed of restricted and unrestricted grants plus individual donations. The single most significant financial event is a $2 million Lilly Endowment Enhancing Opportunity grant covering 2021–2026, supplemented by a $54,000 Lilly Youth Program Resilience Fund grant (2020) and a diversified base of corporate and family-foundation support (CICF, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, JPMorgan Chase, Kroger, Hoover Family Foundation). Delivery relies on a small staff of approximately eight and a dense network of university, civic, and corporate partners including Purdue, IUPUI, Ball State, and Martin universities, Growing Places Indy, the Marion County Public Health Department, and the Urban League of Greater Indianapolis.

Name

The Felege Hiywot Center

Legal name

Felege Hiywot Center

Website

https://fhcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Felege Hiywot Center is an Indianapolis-based nonprofit founded in 2003 that delivers free urban farming, STEAM education, and youth development programs to K-12 youth in underserved neighborhoods, funded by grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Non-profit Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Urban farming education
• STEAM youth education
• Community gardening services
• Nonprofit youth employment

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary revenue source from foundations and government grants including Lilly Endowment ($2 million Enhancing Opportunity grant covering 2021-2026, $54,000 Youth Program Resilience Fund), IAAQLI Health & Wellness Grant, NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program for high tunnel construction.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Ongoing support from PNC Bank, Eli Lilly, Major Tool & Machine, Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL), and other corporate partners who provide both financial support and volunteer hours.
3. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals via website, annual Garden Party fundraiser event, and year-end giving campaigns. The center accepts donations through AmazonSmile and newsletter-based appeals.
4. Program Donations: Accepts one-time and recurring monthly donations through NeonCRM platform with options to cover transaction fees, dedicate donations in honor/memory of someone, and receive acknowledgments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Felege Hiywot Center is a nonprofit youth development organization that delivers free urban farming, STEAM education, and youth leadership programs to Indianapolis youth. Its core offerings pair hands-on work at an urban farm (raised beds, high tunnel, hydroponics, orchard) with structured programs such as the Youth Farm Initiative, Rise Initiative career-pathway program, 4-H Tech Wizards Club, and 7-week Summer Camp, serving over 300 youth annually.

Product overview

The Felege Hiywot Center is a nonprofit youth development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on urban farming, STEAM education, and youth empowerment. The core offering is the Youth Farm Initiative—a youth-led urban farming program that serves as the foundation for experiential learning. This connects to the Rise Initiative, which provides long-term career pathway development from middle school through college and careers. Supporting programs include the 4-H Tech Wizards Club for STEM education, a 7-week Summer Camp, Medical Nutrition Program, and various youth development programs (Future Innovators, Elevation, Quality of Life Plan). The organization also employs the RISE Growth Mindset Framework and Real Talk discussion tool as methodological approaches to youth development. The Urban League program extends the farm-based model into food justice and agri-tech training. Together, these programs form a comprehensive youth employment and education ecosystem that uses farming and environmental preservation as vehicles for teaching real-world life and business principles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Farm Initiative A youth-led urban farming program where high school students learn real-world life and business principles through cultivating crops, developing life skills, and serving the community.
• Rise Initiative An initiative that elevates youth preparation for and access to high-skill professions through team-based advancement from middle school through college and into careers.
• 4-H Tech Wizards Club A free technology and science program open to students in 3rd through 8th grade focusing on video production, junk drawer robotics, and STEM activities.
• Summer Camp A 7-week summer program for Indianapolis youth featuring experiments, community action lessons, and integrated science, technology, engineering, and math activities.
• Future Innovators A program designed to engage youth in innovation and forward-thinking educational experiences.
• Young Revolution Podcast A podcast platform for youth to share their voices and stories with the community.
• Medical Nutrition Program A youth medical nutrition education program teaching the therapeutic effects of nutrition and healthy eating to prevent future diseases and health complications.
• Field Trip Experience An Indianapolis summer camp experience featuring hands-on science experiments, community action lessons, and integrated STEM activities.
• Elevation Program A youth development program focused on personal growth and achievement.
• Quality of Life Plan A program helping youth develop plans for improving their personal and community quality of life.
• Urban League Program A food justice initiative addressing systemic barriers in the food system through job training, entrepreneurial education in small-scale agriculture, urban farming, and agri-tech.
• GA2G Immigrant Community Program A program helping youth understand cultural differences, encouraging pride in their histories and heritage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 youth per year will be engaged through Rise Initiative when fully scaled
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Purdue UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for youth science education, college preparation tours, and ongoing agronomic research. Students visit Purdue campuses, work with Agriculture Science Education and Communication Department, Botany department, and Purdue Extension. Collaboration on summer program curriculum and Purple Plow agricultural problem-solving competitions.
• IUPUI Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIUPUI CEES interns teach hands-on lessons about insects, geology, cycles in nature, and environmental science during summer programs and field trips. Dr. Pamela Martin and staff have been rated top by campers for engaging activities. Interns create lesson plans and lead workshops for youth.
• Eli Lilly & CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding partner providing volunteer scientists who taught planting basics. Ongoing through Lilly Global Day of Service where employees volunteer. Arts and Culture grant collaboration. Career exploration and mentorship through Rise Initiative with Eli Lilly scientists and professionals.
• CortevacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer exploration partner in Rise Initiative providing exposure to agricultural technology careers. Partnership for Purple Plow program with Farm Bureau.
• Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in Unity Park development through IPL's Project GreenSpace program. Youth leaders studied placemaking and interviewed residents to design public gathering space. Ongoing collaboration on neighborhood beautification projects including Naomi Davis's capstone project.
• Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject GreenSpace program partner transforming vacant lots into greenspaces. Helped fund Unity Park development as part of KIB collaboration. Community service and volunteer initiatives.
• Major Tool & MachinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term corporate partner providing engineering volunteers, greenhouse construction, tent setup after windstorm, bed frame construction, water tank installations, and mentorship. Board member Chris Rothenberger led greenhouse construction. Company consistently models perseverance and teamwork for youth.
• Marion County Public Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Urban League food justice initiative providing nutrition education and culturally relevant cooking demonstrations led by African-American registered dietitian. Also involved in Health & Nutrition program with vegetable fried rice cooking skills.
• Growing Places IndycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Urban League initiative focused on food justice. Operating mobile markets, farmers markets, and CSA boxes to expand retail access to fresh produce and triple SNAP dollar impact in target neighborhoods.
• Martin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPostsecondary education partner in Rise Initiative providing college access pathways for youth participants.
• Ball State UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPostsecondary education partner in Rise Initiative providing additional college pathway options.
• Edna Martin Christian CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneration Gardens partnership creating 19 raised beds plus wheelchair accessible bed at Mono 16 Community Garden. Co-hosted Juneteenth celebration with theme 'Rooted in Peace, Growing in Power.' Partnership with 4-H Club programming.
• Financial CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer exploration and financial literacy partner in Rise Initiative helping youth learn personal finance management.
• Fishers AgriParksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural career exploration partner providing youth exposure to farming operations and career pathways in agriculture.
• Indiana Farm BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeekly programming partner providing lessons on dairy and cattle. Involved in parliamentary procedure lessons and Purple Plow agricultural competitions.
• Paramount Schools of ExcellencesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in data mapping, impact evaluation, and grant management. Beekeeper from Paramount helped capture swarming bees.
• Indiana Writers CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeekly creative writing partner providing prompts on beauty, self-reflection, identity, and community connection during summer programs.
• Think Ahead StudiossupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVideo production partner for creating content highlighting FHC's arts and culture programs, including documentary about film camps and music mentoring.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical advice on farming practices, cover crops, and yearly soil tests. Provided funding through Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for high tunnel construction. Worked with district conservationist Jerod Chew on urban soil health.
• Marion County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerKevin Allison from the district provides educational presentations on organic matter in soil and soil testing for carbon and nitrogen levels.
• Indy Hunger Network (Cooking Matters)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for cooking instruction helping students learn healthy cooking skills for nutritious meal preparation.
• Indy ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarm to Fork initiative partner. FHC provides fresh produce for inclusion in Indy Parks meals served to youth, reaching hundreds of thousands of meals annually. Cherry tomatoes from hydroponics included in Garfield Park summer day camp meals.
• Chef for Hire, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarm to Fork initiative partner receiving FHC produce for distribution to summer feeding program serving sites around Indianapolis.
• Indiana University Food Systems Science ProgramsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact evaluation and data mapping partner for Rise Initiative, tracking outcomes and program effectiveness.
• AfterschoolHQsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant management and data tracking partner for Rise Initiative programs.
• Indianapolis Art CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaturday art programming focused on Ethiopian heritage expression through art, taught by traveling artists. Free program for youth ages 4 and up.
• Harrison Center for the ArtssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost for storytelling and drawing sessions, neighborhood visioning workshops for Black teenagers, and creative programming that builds RISE Growth Mindset.
• The Food ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFHC youth leaders attended Food Project's winter institute in Boston for additional training and networking.
• Seed Savers ExchangesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall seed grant enabling experimentation with heirloom varieties including Red Russian Kale and Rat-tailed Radishes.
• Community Health NetworksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer youth program funder and community health partner.
• Gleaners Food BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity food distribution partner; FHC students participate in distributing food boxes to families.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Big Green: National nonprofit building learning gardens in schools to connect young people with real food, with strong STEAM + agriculture curriculum similar to FHC's inquiry-based science curriculum applied to farming. Operates at greater geographic scale than FHC.
• Green City Force: NYC nonprofit running a youth corps program that trains young adults in urban agriculture, clean energy, and green careers — directly comparable to FHC's Rise Initiative model of combining agriculture exposure with career pathway development for youth from low-income neighborhoods.
• The Food Project: Boston-based nonprofit that uses urban farming to engage youth in sustainable agriculture and food justice, with a youth employment and leadership model nearly identical to FHC's Youth Farm Initiative. FHC youth leaders have even attended Food Project's winter institute for training.
• Teens for Food Justice: NYC-based youth development nonprofit operating hydroponic farms in Title I schools to address food insecurity, with a strong STEM and career pathway component — directly comparable to FHC's hydroponics system and STEAM agriculture focus.
• Growing Gardens: Portland, OR nonprofit operating youth intern programs on urban farms that combine sustainable agriculture, food justice, and leadership development — comparable in scope and methodology to FHC's Youth Farm Initiative and Summer Camp programs.
• City Blossoms: DC-based nonprofit that partners with youth to grow healthy food in community gardens, with STEAM-focused programming and an emphasis on intergenerational community engagement that mirrors FHC's Unity Park and Real Talk methodology.

Regional players

• Keep Indianapolis Beautiful: Indianapolis-based nonprofit focused on neighborhood beautification and greening, including the IPL Project GreenSpace partnership that funded Unity Park. Operates in the same city and youth/community programming space but with a different core mission.

Broad incumbents

• Groundwork USA: National network of urban environmental nonprofits running youth programs in urban agriculture and environmental restoration. A broader incumbent that has pursued similar urban-farming + youth development programming at scale across multiple U.S. cities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/fhcgarden
• Facebookfacebook.com/fhcindy
• Instagraminstagram.com/fhcgarden
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-felege-hiywot-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 The Felege Hiywot Center