What The EPIC Foundation (Experienced Professionals Impacting Communities) does

The EPIC Foundation (Experienced Professionals Impacting Communities) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 15757 Pines Blvd, Suite 185, Pembroke Pines, Florida, that delivers scholarships, academic mentoring, and career pathway support to underserved students in South Florida's Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Founded by AJ Donaldson in 2014, the foundation operates an integrated program suite that includes one-on-one mentorship, college and trade/vocational scholarship funding, academic tutoring with SAT/ACT preparation, a STEM E-Mentoring program launched with Truist Foundation support in 2021, and community supply drives. The organization has served 2,300+ students cumulatively and disbursed over $500,000 in scholarships and programming as of 2025, with reported outcomes of a 97% high school graduation rate among participants and 79% sustained mentorship engagement post-graduation.

The foundation monetizes exclusively through donations and grants rather than paid services. Revenue streams include tax-deductible individual donations (one-time and recurring monthly tiers from $10 to $1,500), foundation grants (notably a $25,000 Truist Foundation grant), and corporate sponsorships (Bryan Law, United Mentors, JAM Contractors, draftPros, Exclusively Real Estate, Whadif). Distribution occurs through direct website donations via a PCI-DSS compliant NTC ePay portal, student application Google Forms, and community partner referrals. Annual fundraising events, including the EPIC Jazz Night Gala (previously held at Resorts World Bimini in the Bahamas) and the Golf Classic co-hosted with draftPros, serve as primary revenue and awareness drivers. The technology stack is lightweight: a Wix-based website with blog content, social media presence on Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn, and an AI-powered conversational virtual assistant named ALIA reachable by phone for automated inquiry handling. Operational technology is otherwise standard nonprofit infrastructure with no proprietary platform.

Name

The EPIC Foundation (Experienced Professionals Impacting Communities)

Legal name

The EPIC Foundation

Website

https://epicsouthflorida.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The EPIC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that provides scholarships, one-on-one academic mentoring, and career pathway support to underserved students in South Florida's Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, funded entirely through donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Support Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Educational support services
• Student mentorship programs
• Scholarship funding nonprofit
• Youth academic mentoring
• Career pathway programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Pembroke Pines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible contributions from community members supporting educational programs for underserved students. Donations accepted as one-time or recurring monthly gifts.
2. Foundation Grants: Received $25,000 grant from Truist Foundation to expand STEM Programs to high school students aspiring to work within STEM fields.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors including Bryan Law, United Mentors, JAM Contractors, and others provide financial support and in-kind services in exchange for association with the foundation's mission.
4. Scholarship Program Funding: Funds directed toward financial aid for college, universities, trade and vocational schools, tutoring, emergency funds, and other educational expenses for students in need.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The EPIC Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization that delivers free academic mentoring, scholarships, and career pathway support to underserved students in South Florida (Miami-Dade and Broward Counties). Its core services pair underserved students with volunteer mentors for academic tutoring, SAT/ACT prep, social-emotional development, and post-secondary planning, while awarding financial aid for college, trade/vocational schools, and tutoring. The foundation is funded by individual donors, corporate sponsors, and grants (notably a $25,000 Truist Foundation grant for STEM programs).

Product overview

The EPIC Foundation operates as a nonprofit educational organization offering a suite of integrated programs centered on mentorship, scholarships, and academic support for underserved students in South Florida. Its core portfolio consists of a Mentorship Program providing one-on-one academic mentoring, career pathway guidance, and social-emotional development; a Scholarship Program offering financial aid for college, trade schools, and tutoring; and a STEM E-Mentoring Program delivering supplemental STEM education through virtual channels. Additional offerings include academic tutoring, SAT/ACT preparation, annual gala events, and community supply drives. These programs work in concert to support students from low-to-moderate income backgrounds through the full educational journey from high school to career. The organization also deploys an AI-powered virtual assistant named ALIA for automated supporter engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mentorship Program One-on-one mentorship connecting underserved students with dedicated volunteer mentors for academic guidance, career pathway support, social-emotional development, and goal setting, with mentor-student bonds that extend beyond graduation.
• Scholarship Program Financial support for underserved students covering college and university tuition, trade and vocational school expenses, tutoring, emergency funds, and other educational costs. Funds come from individual donors, corporate partners, and grants.
• Academic Tutoring and SAT/ACT Preparation Free academic support across all subjects including mathematics, science, and other core courses, including tutoring and SAT/ACT preparation assistance for underserved students.
• Career Pathways Program Program supporting graduates and near-graduates through college transitions and career exposure, including STEM fields, trade, and vocational opportunities, exposing students to career options beyond traditional four-year degrees.
• STEM E-Mentoring Program Supplemental STEM education program delivering academic mentors who help students navigate virtual learning, school curriculum, and career planning in STEM fields.
• Backpack and School Supply Drive Community outreach program providing students with backpacks, supplies, and books, partnering with local organizations and sponsors to support underserved students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,300+ students served
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• draftProscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Host of 3rd Annual Golf Classic event in partnership with EPIC. Provides career opportunities for students without a degree as a major corporate sponsor.
• Equiturn Business SolutionsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Co-host of 3rd Annual Golf Classic event with draftPros. Created EPIC's website platform.
• United Data TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnered with EPIC during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide laptop computers to students who lacked technology access for online learning. Together, both organizations provided technology to hundreds of students during school closures.
• Bryan LawminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor featured on EPIC's Strategic Alliances page. Bryan Law is a law firm that has partnered with EPIC to support students through the foundation's ecosystem of services.
• United MentorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated organization founded by AJ Donaldson in 2012 that provides scalable mentorship ecosystem blending academic support, career readiness, and life coaching. United Mentors and EPIC share leadership and mission alignment for mentorship services.
• Way Finder Educational Consulting, LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational consulting firm led by Dr. Tania Abouzeide that partners with EPIC to provide expertise on scholarships and career pathways. Dr. Abouzeide contributed advice on scholarship hunts for EPIC blog.
• JAM ContractorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor of EPIC Foundation's annual gala events and programs. Featured as corporate sponsor on events page.
• ScoreMax TutoringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTutoring company included in EPIC's ecosystem of partners providing academic support services to students.
• Unblinded MasteryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational service provider featured in EPIC's strategic alliance network for student support services.
• University of Miami School of Education and Human DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided official recommendation for EPIC Foundation. Dr. Laura Kohn-Wood, Professor and Dean, actively supports EPIC's mission and students.
• Florida Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided official recommendation for EPIC Foundation as a recognized educational support organization.
• Exclusively Real EstateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor of EPIC Foundation events and programs.
• WhadifminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor of EPIC Foundation events and programs.
• Robert Morgan InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical certification school mentioned as a pathway provider offering direct paths towards careers in hospitality, healthcare, culinary, cosmetology, automotive, and manufacturing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• iMentor: National nonprofit pairing low-income high school students with volunteer mentors for college success. Directly comparable to EPIC's one-on-one mentorship model, volunteer-driven delivery, and emphasis on post-secondary continuation metrics.
• Bottom Line: Nonprofit providing one-on-one college access and success advising to low-income and first-generation students. Directly comparable to EPIC's high-touch mentoring model and outcomes measured by college graduation and persistence.
• College Possible: National nonprofit providing near-peer coaching and support to help low-income students get to and through college. Closely aligned with EPIC's mentorship-driven, outcomes-focused model for college access and persistence, with comparable program structure.

Broad incumbents

• QuestBridge: National nonprofit connecting high-achieving low-income students with top colleges via full scholarships and mentoring. Directly comparable to EPIC's college access and student success focus, with a more selective and national program.
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: National scholarship provider for high-achieving low-income students with wraparound support services. Comparable in offering scholarships plus academic mentoring and career guidance, but at much larger scholarship size and with rigorous selection criteria.
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF): National scholarship and college-access nonprofit serving underrepresented students. Directly comparable to EPIC's scholarship-plus-mentorship model but operating at vastly greater scale, with a broader geographic footprint and institutional funder base.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development organization providing academic support, career exploration, and mentoring to underserved youth. Comparable to EPIC in serving low-income students through academic mentoring and career pathway exposure, with broader programming scope.
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Largest Latino-focused scholarship and education support nonprofit in the U.S. Comparable mission of providing scholarships, mentorship, and career pathways to underserved students, with broader geographic and demographic reach than EPIC's South Florida focus.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit pairing volunteer mentors with youth from underserved communities. Comparable to EPIC's volunteer-driven mentorship model and post-graduation mentoring retention focus, at vastly greater national scale.

Regional players

• United Way of Broward County: Regional nonprofit umbrella operating in EPIC's core service area of Broward County, funding education, financial stability, and health programs for underserved residents. Comparable as a South Florida funder/partner in the same geographic community but focused on broader community needs beyond education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/epicsfl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-epic-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/epicsouthflorida

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 EPIC Foundation (Experienced Professionals Impacting Communities)