[Diversify Architecture]
Diversify Architecture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded 2020 in Raleigh, NC, that develops educational programs supporting BIPOC students pursuing architecture careers through after-school clubs, portfolio mentorship, design camp scholarships, and licensure-track financial aid.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersRaleigh, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What [Diversify Architecture] does
Diversify Architecture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. It develops educational programs that support BIPOC students pursuing architecture careers and licensure. The organization addresses three explicit barriers in the architectural training pipeline: awareness of the profession, admittance into university programs, and followthrough to licensure. Its programs operate as an integrated pipeline rather than standalone services: DA clubs deliver after-school architecture curriculum at middle and high schools (25-30 meetings per academic year, prioritized to schools with 70% or 50% BIPOC student populations); DA development connects high school students with college students, architects, and educators for portfolio and college essay preparation; DA camps partners with organizations such as Chicago Mobile Makers, NOMA Project Pipeline, Hip Hop Architecture Camp, WATER BLOCK Kids, and BOSS to provide design camp scholarships; and DA scholarships provides tuition assistance and paid summer internship placements at architecture firms. A supplementary Racial Equity Education Fund (REEF) provides DEI training for volunteers.
The organization is funded through recurring monthly donations from individuals ('diversifiers' at $25/month+) and corporate sponsors ($150-$750/month tiers) that map directly to programmatic outputs (e.g., $150/month funds approximately 2 teacher trainings or 3 camp scholarships). Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Leadership is concentrated around founder and Executive Director Jake Heffington (also principal at his own studio, ...and other works, and a Professor of Practice at NC State), Associate Director Jasmyn Byrd, and a board that includes Andre Johnson (Board President), Zakiya Wiggins (NCNOMA President), Nick Neptune, and architecture firm principals such as Erin Sterling Lewis (founder of Open Studio and co-owner of in situ studio; 2018 AIA Young Architects Award recipient, 2020 AIA Fellow). The team is reported at 1-10 employees. Geographic operations span North Carolina with reach into the broader Southeast region; an upcoming 'find a mentor' digital feature was announced for fall 2024.
[Diversify Architecture] firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- [Diversify Architecture]
- Legal name
- Diversify Architecture
- Website
- https://diversifyarchitecture.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Diversify Architecture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded 2020 in Raleigh, NC, that develops educational programs supporting BIPOC students pursuing architecture careers through after-school clubs, portfolio mentorship, design camp scholarships, and licensure-track financial aid.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
[Diversify Architecture] industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architecture Education Nonprofit Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Portfolio, Capstone & Project-Based Program Support (EDAMAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- College & Career Exploration Camps (Pre-College Samplers, Pathways) (EDAMALAN), Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior) (EDAHAJAB)
Keywords
Where [Diversify Architecture] is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Raleigh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
[Diversify Architecture] business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Monthly Sponsorships: Diversify Architecture relies on recurring monthly donations from individuals (diversifiers at $25/month+) and organizations (sponsors at $150/month+) to sustain programming operations. These contributions fund teacher trainings, student scholarships, mentor onboarding, and college application fee support.
- One-time Donations: One-time gifts allow donors to contribute to general operations or earmark funds for the Racial Equity Education Fund (REEF), which provides DEI training for volunteers working with BIPOC future architects.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors at $150-750/month levels receive recognition on the sponsors page and marketing opportunities. Sponsorships fund specific programmatic outputs including club teacher trainings, camp scholarships, mentor onboardings, and college application fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Club Tier Sponsor: $150/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Camp Tier Sponsor: $250/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Dev Tier Sponsor: $500/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Scholar Tier Sponsor: $750/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Diversifier: $25/month+ |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
[Diversify Architecture] product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Diversify Architecture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates four interconnected programs supporting BIPOC students pursuing architecture careers: DA clubs (after-school clubs at middle and high schools with a proprietary 25-30 meeting curriculum), DA development (portfolio and college application mentorship), DA camps (design camp partnerships with scholarships), and DA scholarships (financial assistance and paid summer internship placements at architecture firms).
Product overview
Diversify Architecture operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on increasing BIPOC representation in architecture through four interconnected programs: [DA] clubs (after-school programs at middle/high schools), [DA] development (portfolio and college prep for high school students), [DA] camps (design camp partnerships with scholarships), and [DA] scholarships (financial aid and internship placements). The organization also sustains operations through monthly giving programs (Diversifiers) and corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DA clubs: After-school clubs at middle and high school levels introducing students to architecture and design careers.
- DA development
- DA camps
- DA scholarships
- Racial Equity Education Fund (REEF)
Products and services
- DA clubs After-school clubs hosted by teachers at middle and high schools (prioritizing campuses with 70% or 50% BIPOC student populations), introducing students to architecture and design through a structured 25-30 meeting curriculum covering discussions, activities, projects, and field trips.
- DA development Mentorship program that connects BIPOC high school students with architects, professors, and current university students to create and refine design portfolios and college application essays for architecture programs.
- DA camps Partnership program connecting BIPOC students to design camps (Chicago Mobile Makers, NOMA Project Pipeline, Hip Hop Architecture Camp, WATER BLOCK Kids, Building Opportunities for Student Success) that provide scholarships, curricular consultation, and design exposure.
- DA scholarships Financial assistance program offering scholarships for design camps and university tuition, combined with paid summer internship placements at partner architecture firms for BIPOC students pursuing architecture degrees.
Quantifiable outcome
- Only 2.4% of licensed architects are African American, 3.4% are Latinx, 1.0% are Native American, and 85.8% are White (per AIA/NCARB studies)
Companies that use [Diversify Architecture]
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
[Diversify Architecture] technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
[Diversify Architecture] partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Chicago Mobile MakerscoreDesign camp organization providing learning environments for students. DA connects students to this camp and provides exposure in school systems, student scholarships, and curricular consultation.
- NOMA Project PipelinecoreNational Organization of Minority Architects program providing design camp opportunities. DA supports student access through scholarships and school system outreach.
- Hip Hop Architecture CampcoreCreative design camp combining hip hop culture with architecture education. DA provides exposure, scholarships, and partnership support.
- WATER BLOCK KidscoreDesign camp organization partnered with DA to provide architecture and design learning opportunities for students.
- Building Opportunities for Student Success (BOSS)coreDesign camp program connected through DA to provide student access to architecture education and portfolio building opportunities.
- JacobsWyper ArchitectsminorArchitecture firm where Zakiya Wiggins serves as Project Architect.
- LS3PminorArchitecture firm where Megan Bowles serves as Operations and Finance Manager in the Raleigh office.
- NCNOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects - North Carolina Chapter)coreZakiya Wiggins serves as President of NCNOMA. Board member alignment strengthens the diversity in architecture mission.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
[Diversify Architecture] competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
[Diversify Architecture] social profiles
Digital presence[Diversify Architecture] financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
[Diversify Architecture] leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
[Diversify Architecture] funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
[Diversify Architecture] 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 [Diversify Architecture]
What does [Diversify Architecture] do?
Diversify Architecture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates four interconnected programs supporting BIPOC students pursuing architecture careers: DA clubs (after-school clubs at middle and high schools with a proprietary 25-30 meeting curriculum), DA development (portfolio and college application mentorship), DA camps (design camp partnerships with scholarships), and DA scholarships (financial assistance and paid summer internship placements at architecture firms).
Is [Diversify Architecture] a public or private company?
[Diversify Architecture] is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was [Diversify Architecture] founded?
[Diversify Architecture] was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is [Diversify Architecture] based?
[Diversify Architecture] is headquartered in Raleigh, United States, in the North America region.
How does [Diversify Architecture] make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Monthly Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are one-time Donations and corporate Sponsorships.
Does [Diversify Architecture] have an API?
No public API is recorded for [Diversify Architecture].
What industry is [Diversify Architecture] in?
[Diversify Architecture]'s product category is Architecture Education Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAKAD, Portfolio, Capstone & Project-Based Program Support, with a secondary code of EDAMALAN, College & Career Exploration Camps (Pre-College Samplers, Pathways).