The Learning Web
The Learning Web is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Tompkins County, NY that delivers youth outreach, housing, life skills, career exploration, and parenting programs for residents ages 11-24, serving over 600 participants annually through grant-funded direct services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersIthaca, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Learning Web does
The Learning Web is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1972 and headquartered at 320 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca, NY, that delivers a continuum of community-based youth development services to Tompkins County residents ages 11-24. The organization began as an applied research project involving Cornell University faculty and staff and has operated continuously for over 50 years, evolving into a multi-program direct-service agency. Each year it serves more than 600 youth, including approximately 200 who are homeless, helping them transition from adolescence to adulthood through case management, supported housing, life skills training, apprenticeships, career exploration, and parenting support. Programs are organized as a developmental continuum, from gateway youth development (Youth Exploration Program, Volunteer Community Service Program) through prevention (Life Skills Prevention, Supporting Strong Families) to intensive intervention (Youth Outreach, Housing Scholarship Program, and 16 units of Permanent Supported Housing launched in 2022 via the federal Youth Homeless Demonstration Project).
The Learning Web's revenue model is grant- and donation-funded: approximately 90% of operating support derives from federal, state, and local government sources (HUD, NYS Office of Children and Family Services, NYS Bureau of Housing Services, Tompkins County Youth Services, Tompkins County DSS, Joint Youth Commission) and the remaining ~10% comes from United Way of Tompkins County, private foundations, fundraising events, and individual contributions. No fees are charged to youth participants. Service delivery is conducted directly by agency staff and volunteer mentors at the Ithaca office, a drop-in center, partner business worksites for apprenticeships and tours, and residential housing units. The organization maintains no proprietary technology platform, AI/ML capabilities, or commercial product; its infrastructure consists of a Firespring-hosted website, email, and Facebook/Instagram accounts used primarily for community engagement and referral generation.
The agency's competitive position rests on long-tenured contractual relationships with government funders, a 50-year operating history, and dense partnerships across the Tompkins County ecosystem — including Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Advocacy Center, Cayuga Health, and a network of local businesses hosting apprenticeships. It is documented as one of the first programs in the nation to combine apprenticeships with mentoring (1972) and one of the first youth development agencies to operate a for-profit youth entrepreneurship program (the Ben & Jerry's 'Youth Scoops' partnershop, 1985-2000). Leadership is provided by Executive Director Olan Mack, Director of Operations Michelle Nolan, and Director of Youth Outreach Anthony Paolangeli, under a Board of Directors chaired by President Jon Hilton.
The Learning Web firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Learning Web
- Legal name
- The Learning Web
- Website
- https://learning-web.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Learning Web is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Tompkins County, NY that delivers youth outreach, housing, life skills, career exploration, and parenting programs for residents ages 11-24, serving over 600 participants annually through grant-funded direct services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Learning Web industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Services / Nonprofit Youth Development
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)
Keywords
Where The Learning Web is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ithaca
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Learning Web business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Approximately 90% of agency funding comes from federal, state, and local government sources including Tompkins County Youth Services, NYS Office of Children and Family Services, NYS Bureau of Housing Services, and the Joint Youth Commission.
- Private Contributions: Remaining 10% comes from United Way of Tompkins County, private foundations, fundraising events, and individual contributions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Learning Web product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Learning Web is a nonprofit youth development organization providing case management, supported and transitional housing, career exploration tours, apprenticeships with adult mentors, life skills training, parenting support, and a drop-in center to youth ages 11-24 in Tompkins County, NY. Services are free to youth participants and delivered as a developmental continuum from gateway outreach through prevention and intervention to support successful transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Product overview
The Learning Web is a nonprofit youth development organization offering a portfolio of programs and services to help Tompkins County youth successfully transition from adolescence to adulthood. The core offerings include the Youth Outreach Program (intensive case management and housing for homeless youth ages 16-24), Life Skills Prevention (semi-intensive case management for youth ages 14-24 facing barriers), Youth Exploration Program (career exploration and apprenticeships for ages 11-20), Supporting Strong Families (services for young parents ages 16-26), the Housing Scholarship Program (transitional housing with rent support), and the Volunteer Community Service Program (community service for students). These programs are designed as a developmental continuum, with Youth Outreach addressing the most intensive needs (homelessness), Life Skills serving youth in stable housing but facing challenges, and YEP providing gateway youth development experiences. The organization helps over 600 youth annually, including 200 who are homeless.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Youth Outreach Program (YO) Intensive case management services including supported housing for homeless and transient young people ages 16-24. Services include help finding apartments, job assistance, education support, independent living skills development, and a drop-in center with computer lab, showers, laundry facilities, and the Good Threads clothing closet.
- Life Skills Prevention Semi-intensive case management for young adults ages 14-24 living with a parent or guardian who face barriers around addiction, education, employment, social or emotional issues, financial instability, pregnancy, or parenting. Services include independent living skills, employment support, education assistance, and parenting support.
- Youth Exploration Program (YEP) Career exploration including job shadowing, workplace tours, and apprenticeships for youth ages 11-20 living with a parent or guardian. Offers exploration tours to sample different interests and apprenticeships for in-depth experience with supportive adult mentors. Serves over 350 youth annually.
- Supporting Strong Families (SSF) Collaboration with the Advocacy Center and Cornell Cooperative Extension to support young parents ages 16-26 in gaining skills to keep themselves and children safe from abuse and violence while making gains in housing, education, employment, and financial stability.
- Housing Scholarship Program Transitional housing program paying security deposit, monthly rent and utilities for 12 months, plus basic furniture and supplies. Residents must be in education/vocational program full-time or employed at least 30 hours per week, with weekly case management meetings.
- Volunteer Community Service Program (VCSP) Summer community service program for middle and high school students ages 11-18 in Tompkins County. Youth volunteer at local organizations and non-profits, earning certificates and volunteer hours applicable toward graduation community service credits.
- Apprenticeships Job training and experience programs where youth work at a business with an adult mentor who teaches skills. Apprenticeships last 2 months to 2+ years, typically 2-8 hours per week. Available through Youth Exploration Program and Youth Outreach. The Learning Web funds and insures apprenticeships placed with volunteer mentor businesses throughout Tompkins County.
- Permanent Supported Housing (YHDP) 16 units of permanent supported housing for homeless youth established in 2022 through the Youth Homeless Demonstration Project (YHDP), providing housing, intensive case management, mental health counseling, and transportation assistance.
Quantifiable outcome
- 600+ youth helped annually to transition to adulthood
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Learning Web
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Learning Web technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Learning Web partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ben & Jerry'scoreFirst Ben & Jerry's ice cream 'partnershop' was established in Ithaca in 1985, undertaken by The Learning Web. Known as 'Youth Scoops', it was one of the first youth development agencies in the nation to launch a for-profit youth entrepreneurship program. Operated for 15 years offering urban and rural youth skill-building and empowering employment experience.
- Cornell UniversitycoreAlthough no longer part of the university, The Learning Web maintains strong programmatic and research ties to Cornell. The organization began as an applied research project involving Cornell University faculty and staff in 1972.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE)coreCollaboration between The Learning Web and CCE to provide playgroup initiatives specifically designed for young parents, offering supportive space where young parents can engage with children while gaining parenting skills and building peer connections.
- The Advocacy CentercoreCollaboration between The Learning Web, the Advocacy Center, and Tompkins County Department of Social Services to support young parents age 16-26 in gaining skills to keep themselves and children safe from abuse and violence.
- Cayuga HealthminorCollaboration with Cayuga Health to provide radiology technician tours for youth interested in specialized medical fields.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Learning Web competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: BGCA operates community-based youth centers offering afterschool programming, career exploration, and life skills. The Learning Web's drop-in center, life skills, and career exploration offerings overlap with BGCA's portfolio, though BGCA operates at much greater scale.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: BBBS is the largest youth mentoring nonprofit in the U.S., operating one-to-one mentoring programs nationwide. The Learning Web's apprenticeship-plus-mentor model and 50+ year history share a comparable mentoring-first approach to youth development.
- Year Up: Year Up is a national workforce development nonprofit providing young adults with skills training, internships, and career support. While larger and tech-focused, it shares The Learning Web's mission of bridging disadvantaged youth to economic opportunity through employer partnerships.
Direct peers
- PENCIL: PENCIL is a NYC-based nonprofit connecting students with business mentors through workplace visits and long-term mentorships. It mirrors The Learning Web's apprenticeship-with-mentor model and focus on bridging youth to career exposure, with similar reliance on volunteer business partnerships.
- Covenant House: Covenant House is a national nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and supportive services to homeless and trafficked youth. Its residential and case-management model closely parallels The Learning Web's Youth Outreach Program and Permanent Supported Housing initiatives.
- YouthBuild USA: YouthBuild operates programs worldwide providing education, job training, and leadership development to opportunity youth. Its apprenticeship-style career pathways for disconnected young adults align with The Learning Web's Youth Exploration Program approach.
- Larkin Street Youth Services: Larkin Street serves homeless and at-risk youth in San Francisco with housing, education, and employment programs. Its continuum-of-care model and housing scholarship approach directly mirror The Learning Web's integrated services for transition-aged youth.
- iMentor: iMentor pairs low-income high school students with college-educated mentors for multi-year relationships. Like The Learning Web, it leverages volunteer professionals to expand youth access to opportunity and career exploration through sustained mentoring relationships.
- Spark: Spark places middle school students in long-term apprenticeships with working professionals. Its workplace-based apprenticeship model — pairing students with mentors for hands-on career exposure — directly parallels The Learning Web's apprenticeship and youth exploration approach.
- National Youth Advocate Program: NYAP is a national nonprofit providing community-based services including foster care, residential, and at-risk youth programs. Its case-management and supportive housing offerings overlap closely with The Learning Web's Youth Outreach and Life Skills programs.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Learning Web social profiles
Digital presenceThe Learning Web financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Learning Web leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
The Learning Web funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Learning Web M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Learning Web
What does The Learning Web do?
The Learning Web is a nonprofit youth development organization providing case management, supported and transitional housing, career exploration tours, apprenticeships with adult mentors, life skills training, parenting support, and a drop-in center to youth ages 11-24 in Tompkins County, NY. Services are free to youth participants and delivered as a developmental continuum from gateway outreach through prevention and intervention to support successful transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Is The Learning Web a public or private company?
The Learning Web is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Learning Web founded?
The Learning Web was founded in 1972. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Learning Web based?
The Learning Web is headquartered in Ithaca, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Learning Web make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are private Contributions.
Who are The Learning Web's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Year Up. Direct peers are PENCIL, Covenant House, YouthBuild USA, Larkin Street Youth Services, iMentor, Spark and National Youth Advocate Program.
Does The Learning Web have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Learning Web.
What industry is The Learning Web in?
The Learning Web's product category is Youth Services / Nonprofit Youth Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAFAN, Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.