Improve Your Tomorrow

What Improve Your Tomorrow does

Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT), legally Improve Your Tomorrow, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity founded in 2013 by Michael Lynch and Mike Casper and headquartered in Sacramento, California. The organization operates a 12-year College Academy model serving young men of color (YMOC) from grades 6 through college graduation and career entry, with a focus on students at risk of falling through educational cracks, particularly those with GPAs below 2.0, chronic absenteeism, or disengagement. Core programming includes College Academy (grades 6-12), College Completion (persistence support through college graduation), and Mentor Fellowship (near-peer mentorship), supported by specialized initiatives such as the C.A.R.E. Path healthcare career pipeline with Sutter Health, the Jr. Mentors leadership program, and a Public Policy Internship Program. A College Success Center is also under development at IYT's Sacramento headquarters.

IYT operates through school-based partnerships, embedding program managers and mentors directly in 80 school sites across 8 regions (Bay Area, Central Valley, Sacramento, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, Wisconsin). The go-to-market motion is community-led: the organization recruits students via school administrators, teachers, and counselors, and expands through district discovery meetings, MOU signing, and a multi-month implementation process. The organization reports strong outcomes including a 99% high school graduation rate (100% since 2023), 86% of graduates pursuing college or career pathways, 20% national reduction in chronic absenteeism, and a $37 economic return per dollar invested. It is funded through a mix of contributions and grants, program service revenue from school districts, and individual/corporate donations, with FY24-25 audited revenue of $18.7M and 448 W2 employees. IYT is not a technology company; its proposition is built on human mentorship intensity, multi-year relationships, and an institutional ecosystem across districts and partners.

Name

Improve Your Tomorrow

Legal name

Improve Your Tomorrow, Inc.

Website

https://improveyourtomorrow.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a 12-year College Academy model providing mentorship, college access, and career pipeline programming to young men of color in grades 6 through college graduation across 80 school sites in 8 US regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mentorship and College Access Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Leadership, Service Learning & Volunteer-to-Career Pathways (EDAMAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK), Community College / Training Provider Workforce Pathways Programs (EDAAAOAO)

Keywords

• Youth mentorship programs
• College access services
• School-based intervention
• Nonprofit education support
• Community youth development

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Contributions and Grants: The largest revenue stream, comprising contributions and grants which grew 62% year-over-year to $10.2M, driven by deepening public sector partnerships and expanded philanthropic support.
2. Program Service Revenue: Fees from school site partnerships, growing 12% to $4.8 million. This represents revenue from educational institutions for providing mentorship and college access programming.
3. Donations: Individual and corporate donations supporting the nonprofit mission.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IYT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers school-based mentorship, college access, and career preparation services to young men of color from middle school through college graduation and career entry. Its three core programs are the College Academy (12-year support from grades 6-12), College Completion, and Mentor Fellowship, complemented by the C.A.R.E. Path healthcare career pipeline with Sutter Health, the Jr. Mentors leadership initiative, and a Public Policy Internship Program. Programming is provided free to students across 80 school sites in 8 U.S. regions, funded by grants, contributions, and program service fees paid by school district partners.

Product overview

Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) is a nonprofit organization offering a multi-tiered service portfolio focused on increasing the number of young men of color who attend and graduate from college. The organization's core programs include: College Academy (a 12-year program spanning grades 6-12), College Completion (support through college graduation), and Mentor Fellowship (near-peer mentorship). These are complemented by specialized initiatives including the C.A.R.E. Path healthcare career pathway partnership with Sutter Health, Continue to Dream Academy, IYT College (IYT CC), a College Success Center under development, a Jr. Mentors Program for youth leadership development, and a Public Policy Internship Program. The organization operates across multiple regions including California (Bay Area, Central Valley, Sacramento), Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, and Wisconsin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• College Academy A 12-year program serving students from grades 6 through 12, providing mentorship, academic support, leadership development, and college access programming to young men of color inside partner middle and high schools.
• College Completion Support services for IYT members who have entered college, helping them persist and graduate from higher education institutions, delivered through the Continue to Dream Academy and IYT College (IYT CC) sub-initiatives.
• Mentor Fellowship A mentorship program that connects young men with near-peer mentors who provide guidance, support, and encouragement throughout their academic journey, including career preparation.
• C.A.R.E. Path (Career Access, Readiness, and Exposure Pathway) A partnership program with Sutter Health creating a multi-year healthcare career pipeline for young men of color, serving IYT scholars from sixth grade through college with career exposure, readiness training, and professional connections in the healthcare industry.
• Jr. Mentors Program A youth leadership initiative in which younger IYT members take on mentoring roles, leading community service projects and school engagement activities to develop leadership skills while giving back to their communities.
• Public Policy Internship Program An internship initiative providing IYT members with experience in public policy and government, exposing them to civic engagement and policy-making processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% high school graduation rate achieved since 2015; 100% since 2023
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Sutter HealthflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026Landmark C.A.R.E. Path (Career Access, Readiness, and Exposure) partnership creating a multi-year healthcare career pipeline for young men of color from sixth grade through college. Includes the College Success Center development, health kit distributions, career panels, and hands-on workshops. Represents one of the most significant investments in healthcare career exposure for YMOC in Sacramento and Central Valley.
• Saint Mary's College of CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Guaranteed Admissions Partnership providing clear and achievable pathways for IYT brothers to pursue higher education. Students receive preferential admissions consideration through this collaboration.
• Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCartyminorOthersCity of Sacramento leadership supporting IYT's College Success Center development and C.A.R.E. Path partnership launch. Attended partnership announcement event.
• San Francisco 49ers / Armstead Academic ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead for Stay Hungry Career Camp providing career exposure trips. IYT Bay Area members visited Shoe Palace headquarters with Armstead for behind-the-scenes business operations look and career coaching sessions.
• Minnesota State University, MankatocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege tour partner hosting over 30 IYT Minnesota Brothers for hands-on experience with robotics, 3D printing, aviation simulators, and engineering labs. Welcome from Provost and student panel sharing real college experiences.
• Stanford UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIYT Central Valley brothers attended Stanford basketball games and received courtside seats, providing exposure to elite higher education environment and building college aspirations.
• University of Minnesota DuluthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampus tour partner hosting brothers from Park Center High School, North View Middle School, and Brooklyn Middle STEAM School. Interactions with faculty, multicultural center students, and Director of Office of Diversity & Inclusion.
• Madison Area Technical College (MATC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIYT Wisconsin's first college tour partner hosting 45 students from three high schools. Immersive experience introducing students to college environments, career pathways, and mentorship opportunities.
• Governor Tony Evers (Wisconsin)coreOthersWisconsin Governor visited IYT Wisconsin at Verona Area High School for meaningful conversation about leadership, personal growth, and future aspirations. Demonstrates high-level political support for IYT's mission.
• African American Health NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for health education and empowerment in Dane County. Representatives periodically visit IYT brothers to speak on statistics about drug and alcohol prevention. Committed to monetary support as donors.
• African American Opioid CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working to prevent drug harm and improve well-being. Partners with IYT Wisconsin to educate brothers on harm drugs can inflict on individuals and families.
• American Players Theatre (APT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional repertory theater company providing free entry and transportation to plays relevant to stories of People of Color. Enrichment activity exposing brothers to arts and history through classical theater.
• San Joaquin A+coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing two-day career workshop exploring Lodi wine industry careers. Brothers from Cesar Chavez, Stagg, and Franklin high schools participated in grape picking, bottling, tractor driving, and event pitch competition.
• UC DaviscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChange Agent Sponsor at Sneaker Ball 2025. Partner through BEAM (BioEconomy, Agriculture, & Manufacturing) for green careers college tours.
• North Hennepin Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for IYT Minnesota Brotherhood Summit. Provides campus facilities for largest gathering of IYT Minnesota brothers.
• Jackson State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst college tour destination for IYT Mississippi brothers from Reimagine Prep. Historic HBCU providing exposure to college life, academic buildings, campus services, and Tiger Bucks.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• TRIO / GEAR UP: GEAR UP is a federally funded college-readiness initiative serving low-income middle and high schoolers. It operates in the same domain (school-based college access support) as IYT but at much broader national scale and as a public program rather than a single nonprofit.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Boys & Girls Clubs offers after-school youth development and college/career programming nationwide, serving comparable youth demographics and overlapping with IYT in mentorship and college-access goals but at far greater breadth.
• KIPP Foundation: KIPP operates a national network of public charter schools serving predominantly students of color with a college-prep focus — adjacent to IYT's mission, operating at much larger scale through schools rather than direct service.

Direct peers

• Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO): SEO provides educational access, career, and mentorship programming for underserved youth, comparable in target population and in its career-pathway and higher-education focus to IYT.
• Braven: Braven runs a post-secondary completion and career-readiness program for first-generation and students of color; the focus on college-to-career transitions matches IYT's College Completion and C.A.R.E. Path offerings.
• 100 Black Men of America: 100 Black Men of America is a volunteer mentorship organization focused on African American youth education and leadership, highly comparable to IYT's demographic focus and leadership/college-access mission.
• College Track: College Track operates a multi-year college access, persistence, and completion program for underserved students — a model very similar to IYT's 12-year College Academy and College Completion offerings, serving comparable grade 6-through-college demographics.
• iMentor: iMentor pairs high school students with college-educated mentors to drive college graduation, mirroring IYT's near-peer mentorship approach and long-horizon relationship-based model.
• College Advising Corps: College Advising Corps places recent college graduates as full-time advisers in underserved high schools — a delivery model closely paralleling IYT's school-embedded mentor and program manager deployment.
• Bottom Line: Bottom Line provides college access and success advising for first-generation and low-income students, directly comparable to IYT's mentorship-and-advising school-based model and college persistence support programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ImproveYourTmrw
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEXAMPLE
• Facebookfacebook.com/improveyourtomorrow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/improve-your-tomorrow
• Instagraminstagram.com/improveyourtomorrow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Improve Your Tomorrow