Franklinton Rising

What Franklinton Rising does

Franklinton Rising is a Columbus, Ohio-based non-profit founded in 2015 that combines a paid construction trades pre-apprenticeship program for young adults ages 17-24 with the development of energy-efficient affordable housing in inner-city neighborhoods. The organization's dual-impact model uses actual housing construction projects as the training environment: apprentices gain hands-on experience across multiple trades (framing, drywall, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, flooring, cabinetry) while producing duplex units and restored residences that are rented at $300-$500/month below market rates to single mothers and families earning 40%-80% of County median income. The 9-week classroom curriculum is certified by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and apprentices earn OSHA 10 and NCCER Core certifications that count toward state-registered apprenticeships. In 2025, the organization worked with 35 apprentices, graduated five into full-time construction employment, received state pre-apprenticeship certification, expanded from its original Franklinton footprint into the South of Main (Near East Side) neighborhood, and began construction on four new duplexes (8 units). The organization forecasts more than 45 apprentices in training during 2026.

The business model is grant- and donation-funded rather than revenue-generating in the commercial sense. Primary funding sources include grants from foundations (Harry C. Moores Foundation, Columbus Realtors Foundation), government support (Ohio Department of Development, City of Columbus), banking partners (Huntington), in-kind donations of materials and tools (Ohio Power Tool, Lennox), and individual donations processed through Donorbox. Recurring rental income from below-market housing units provides modest operational support. Employer partners — including IBEW 683, George Igel Company, Mr. Rooter, KEP, Elevate Concrete Systems, and others — serve as job-placement channels rather than paying customers. Recruitment relies on direct outreach through local high schools (Franklinton High School, Franklinton Prep, West High School, Central High School), faith-community networks, and word-of-mouth referrals. Core staff is small (1-10 employees) with the bulk of program delivery handled by a lean leadership team including President Adrian Frederick, VP of Operations Ben Trost, Neighborhood Directors Reno Johnson and Patrick Johnson, and a small set of Site Supervisors and Directors.

Name

Franklinton Rising

Legal name

Franklinton Rising

Website

https://franklintonrising.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Franklinton Rising is a Columbus, Ohio non-profit (founded 2015) that runs a state-certified paid construction trades pre-apprenticeship program for young adults ages 17-24 while building energy-efficient affordable housing in inner-city neighborhoods, serving apprentices, single mothers, and families earning 40%-80% of county median income.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development and Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Transition Programs (Reentry, Workforce Readiness & Life Skills for At-Risk Youth) (EDAJAEAF), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

Keywords

• Workforce development training
• Construction apprenticeship program
• Affordable housing development
• Pre-apprenticeship certification
• Youth mentorship services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hilliard

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Donations: Primary funding source from grants and monetary donations. Apprentice payroll alone exceeded $150,000 for 2025. Supports program operations, apprentice wages, and affordable housing construction.
2. In-Kind Donations: Building materials, tools, and professional expertise donated by partners and supporters, reducing operational costs for training and construction activities.
3. Affordable Housing Rental Income: Rental income from affordable housing units built for single mothers and others at below-market rates ($300 to $500 per month below market). Units target those earning 40%-80% of County median income.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Franklinton Rising is a non-profit organization that runs a State of Ohio-certified pre-apprenticeship construction training program for young adults ages 17-24 in Columbus, Ohio, providing paid on-the-job training across multiple building trades along with OSHA 10 and NCCER Core certifications. The program is paired with a design/build affordable housing initiative where apprentices construct energy-efficient duplex homes (with solar panels and high insulation) that are then rented at below-market rates to low-income families, complemented by faith-based character development, mentorship, and life-skills support services.

Product overview

Franklinton Rising is a non-profit organization (not a technology company) offering a suite of interconnected workforce development and community programs. The core offerings include a State of Ohio-certified Pre-Apprenticeship Program, Workforce Development training, Design/Build Affordable Housing construction, and Character & Life Development services. The Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides paid construction training with OSHA 10 and NCCER Core certifications, while the housing program builds energy-efficient duplexes. The organization serves young adults ages 17-24 in Columbus, Ohio, combining construction skills training with mentorship and affordable housing development to break cycles of poverty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pre-Apprenticeship Program A State of Ohio-certified pre-apprenticeship program for young adults ages 17-24 navigating economic hardship. Provides paid on-the-job training in construction trades, classroom instruction (construction safety, OSHA 10, construction math, blueprint reading, workplace communication, financial literacy, employability skills), and job placement support with Central Ohio construction employers.
• Workforce Development Comprehensive workforce development program that recruits, mentors, trains, and supports young adults in gaining skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to pursue meaningful careers in the building trades throughout Central Ohio.
• Design/Build Affordable Housing Building program that rebuilds boarded-up vacant houses and constructs ground-up new duplexes as affordable housing. Buildings feature high insulation levels, solar panels, and handicap accessibility, with units rented at below-market rates to single mothers and households earning 40%-80% of County median income.
• Character & Life Development Values-based character development program investing in each apprentice's character, confidence, and sense of purpose through biblically-grounded values of integrity, dignity, and perseverance. Includes mentorship, life skills coaching, and support services such as driver's training and housing assistance.
• Mentorship Program One-on-one mentorship program where mentors build relationships with apprentices, providing guidance on practical life skills, budgeting, financial planning, and career development through bi-weekly Lunch and Learn sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 apprentice graduations in December 2025 with full-time employment placements
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• EquitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational full-service commercial real estate platform offering development, brokerage, construction, property management, and asset management services. Founder Steve Wathen also founded Franklinton Rising and serves as board chairman.
• City of ColumbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner supporting urban development and community programs in Columbus, Ohio.
• Youth for ChristcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based youth organization. Franklinton Rising team members have prior experience volunteering with Youth for Christ, providing mentorship expertise.
• Builders ExchangemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade organization supporting the building industry in Central Ohio, connecting contractors and suppliers.
• Ohio Power ToolmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned tool distributor. Donated electrician's tool pouches and tools for apprentices. Board member Suzanne Amstutz previously ran the company.
• George Igel CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company that has hired Franklinton Rising apprentices including Emmanuel after program completion.
• BIA (Home Builders Association)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade association for home builders providing industry connections and support.
• LennoxmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHVAC equipment manufacturer providing products for affordable housing construction.
• ASPYRmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development organization supporting skilled trades training programs.
• IBEW 683coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 683. Hired multiple Franklinton Rising apprentices including Ivan and Max for union electrician careers.
• Mid-City ElectricmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectrical contractor providing industry expertise and potential employment for apprentices.
• G MechanicalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMechanical contractor supporting training and providing potential employment pathways.
• KokosingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company providing industry support and potential employment connections.
• 58 PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting community development initiatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Job Corps: Federal workforce training program for low-income youth ages 16–24 offering construction trades training among many other career paths. Comparable target population and pre-apprenticeship-to-employment mission, but operates at massive scale and across all trades.

Direct peers

• Helmets to Hardhats: National nonprofit placing military veterans into registered construction apprenticeships. Directly comparable as a pre-apprenticeship-to-construction-career pipeline serving a disadvantaged population with the same trade-trades outcome.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Global nonprofit building affordable housing with volunteer labor and structured homeownership pathways. Comparable in the construction-of-affordable-housing dimension and in mobilizing community labor for skills development, though operating at vastly larger scale.
• YouthBuild USA: National nonprofit that trains opportunity youth ages 16–24 in construction trades while building affordable housing. Closest direct peer to Franklinton Rising's integrated training-plus-housing model for at-risk young adults.
• Building Pathways (Boston): Boston-based pre-apprenticeship program preparing low-income residents for union construction careers. Directly comparable multi-trade pre-apprenticeship model with union apprenticeship placement outcomes.

Regional players

• Milwaukee Toolbox (圭 Milwaukee Community Youth Construction Program): Workforce development nonprofit using construction trades training to create career pathways for underserved young adults in Milwaukee. Same training-plus-construction dual-impact model, focused on a different metro.

Emerging players

• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free tech training and career support to adults from underserved communities. Comparable mission and population (economic hardship, workforce placement), but focused on IT rather than construction trades.
• ConstructReach: National nonprofit connecting underrepresented populations to construction industry careers through pre-apprenticeship and workforce programming. Comparable focus on diversifying the construction trades talent pipeline.
• NPower: National nonprofit delivering tech workforce development and job placement for veterans and young adults from underserved communities. Similar pre-apprenticeship-to-career model and wraparound support services structure.

Others

• IBEW Local Union Apprenticeship Programs: IBEW-affiliated registered apprenticeship programs are direct placement destinations for Franklinton Rising graduates (e.g., IBEW 683). Not a competitor but a key downstream partner and structural component of the value chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAvRCfUcdqddEkmdoH2Vx4g
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/franklinton-rising
• Instagraminstagram.com/franklintonrising

Compliance3 records

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 Franklinton Rising