Minds Matter Boston

What Minds Matter Boston does

Minds Matter Boston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2003 and incorporated in Massachusetts, that runs a 7-year college preparation and mentorship program for high school students from low-income families in the Greater Boston area. Qualifying students (free/reduced lunch eligible, 3.0+ GPA, entering sophomore year) receive weekly test prep and writing instruction, two dedicated volunteer mentors, individualized college advising, paid tuition and board for summer programs at leading universities (Tufts, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Stanford), and four additional years of college support including career coaching, paid internships, resume review, and job search assistance. Programming is delivered through approximately 25 Saturday sessions per year held at MIT and Boston University campuses, with the organization sustained by a volunteer force of 185+ mentors and a small paid staff led by Executive Director Gregory Chery.

The organization operates an entirely human-delivered service model with no proprietary technology products — weekly sessions, mentoring, and advising are conducted in person by trained volunteers and partner instructors. Reported outcomes are consistent: 100% of graduates have gained admission to four-year colleges, 97% of alumni remain enrolled in or have graduated from college, more than half of recent seniors attend Top 50 schools, and 98% of demonstrated financial need is met (averaging $44,000 in first-year aid per senior in 2017).

Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropy and is diversified across individual donations (the 2025 Year-End Appeal reached a $200,000 goal), tiered corporate sponsorships (Valedictorian $25,000 down to Honors tier), foundation grants (Wellington Management Foundation delivered the largest gift in organizational history in 2020; Patriots Foundation granted $75,000 in 2019 and $50,000 in 2025), annual events (Spring Soirée, Boston Marathon Charity Team, Ride + Raise), and cause-marketing partnerships (Winston Flowers, Bliss Spa). All program services are provided at no cost to students. The customer base is decentralized (88 students served in 2017, the largest class in history), while institutional funding is concentrated among a handful of major foundation and corporate partners.

Name

Minds Matter Boston

Legal name

Minds Matter Boston, Inc.

Website

https://mindsmatterboston.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Minds Matter Boston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 that provides a 7-year college preparation and mentorship program to low-income high-achieving high school students in Greater Boston, achieving a 100% four-year college admission rate among its graduates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Education and College Access Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Academic Skills Bootcamps (Study Skills/Executive Function/Organization) (EDANAJAI)

Keywords

• College preparation program
• Youth mentorship services
• Nonprofit education services
• College access program
• Student mentoring program

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

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. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to the organization through direct giving, year-end appeals, and crowdfunding campaigns. The 2025 Year-End Appeal successfully reached a $200,000 goal, with over $50,000 raised directly through volunteer efforts.
2. Corporate & Foundation Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide financial support at various tiers (Valedictorian $25,000, Summa Cum Laude $15,000, Cum Laude $10,000, Dean's List $5,000, High Honors, Honors). Major foundation grants include Wellington Management Foundation (largest gift in MMB history), Patriots Foundation ($75,000 Social Justice Grant, $50,000 Community Captains award), and Cummings Foundation grants.
3. Event Fundraising: Annual events including the Spring Soirée (raised over $165,000 in 2017, over $110,000 in 2016), Boston Marathon charity team runners, Ride + Raise fundraiser, and holiday fundraising drives generate significant revenue.
4. Third-Party Cause Marketing: Partnerships with businesses like Winston Flowers (Charity in Bloom - 20% of November purchases donated), Bliss Spa Boston (15% of February spa services), and others generate donations through cause marketing programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Minds Matter Boston provides a free 7-year college preparation and mentorship program for low-income high school students in Greater Boston. The program pairs each student with two dedicated volunteer mentors, delivers weekly test prep and writing instruction, places students in paid summer programs at leading universities (e.g., Tufts, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Stanford), provides individualized college advising and laptops/stipends, and extends support through 4 years of college with career coaching, paid internships, resume review, and job search assistance. The program is delivered through approximately 25 Saturday sessions per year at MIT and Boston University campuses.

Product overview

Minds Matter Boston is a non-profit educational organization offering a unified 7-year mentorship and college preparation program. The core offering consists of the High School Program (sophomore through senior year) providing test prep, writing instruction, volunteer mentors, summer programs, and college advising, and the College Program (four years of college) providing career support, paid internships, and job search assistance. The organization recently launched its College & Career Success program (2026) as an expansion to support students through college into meaningful careers. Additional program components include a Writing and Critical Thinking Course, the NBCU Media Fellows Program, and a partnership with Tufts University for summer programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High School Program A 3-year college preparation program for low-income high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Greater Boston. Provides weekly test prep, writing instruction, weekly 2-hour mentorship from two dedicated volunteer mentors, paid tuition and board for college summer programs at leading universities, individualized college advising, access to college and financial aid experts, and laptops or stipends upon graduation. Delivered through approximately 25 Saturday sessions per year at MIT and Boston University campuses.
• College Program Four-year individualized support program for Minds Matter Boston alumni during college. Provides career exposure opportunities, career coaching, mentorship, paid internships, resume review, interview preparation, financial resources, and job search support to help students graduate and transition into meaningful careers.
• College & Career Success Program An expanded program initiative supporting students through college and into meaningful careers that lead to lifelong economic mobility, building on MMB's existing college persistence support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% college admission rate for graduates
• +4 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

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Artists for HumanityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Artists for Humanity serves as the venue host for the 2026 Spring Soirée event at their location (100 W 2nd St, Boston, MA 02127).
• Tufts UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2023Partnership provides EVERY MMB sophomore with a two-week summer program. Students take Tufts college classes, live in Tufts dorms, eat in Tufts dining halls, and participate in enrichment activities. This exclusive opportunity helps students build community and feel supported while trying out college life.
• NBCUniversal (NBCU Boston)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2020Partnership for the NBCU Media Fellows Program - a 3-4 day fellowship where 21-24 select MMB mentees work at NBCU's studio in Needham, MA. Students tackle real case studies (e.g., marketing strategies for NBCU's business) and present to NBCU executives. The partnership expanded to annual programming with career exposure opportunities.
• Winston FlowersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity in Bloom partnership where 20% of November seasonal bouquet purchases are donated to Minds Matter Boston. Partnership has run for multiple years (2016, 2017, 2018).
• Mass Mentoring PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for mentoring events including #MentoringNight at Fenway Park, ticket distribution for museum visits, and mentor training workshops.
• Boston Celtics Shamrock FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation donates tickets to Minds Matter (10 pairs for Celtics games), includes MMB in 50/50 raffle charity selections, and supports awareness building through team community programs.
• Bliss Spa BostonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpa for a Cause partnership where 15% of February spa service purchases (Monday-Friday) are donated to Minds Matter Boston.
• MIT (Program Venue)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT serves as the primary Saturday session venue for Minds Matter Boston, hosting sophomore and junior classes at their campus for the main program sessions.
• Boston University (Program Venue)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoston University serves as an alternative Saturday session venue for Minds Matter Boston programming.
• Noonan ScholarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner provides expertise on the college admissions and financial aid process for MMB senior orientation and programming.
• BlackRockminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of BlackRock Career Exploration Night event for MMB students to learn about career opportunities.
• The Handle Bar FenwayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for the annual Ride + Raise fundraiser cycling event. Raised over $1,200 in 2016 and over $1,000 in 2017.
• BolocominorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided catering for MMB senior orientation picnic events.
• OTTO PizzaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided catering for MMB junior and sophomore orientation events.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bottom Line: Boston-based college access nonprofit providing one-on-one advising to low-income students from high school through college completion. Directly competes for the same Boston-area student population, mentor pool, and foundation funding.
• QuestBridge: National nonprofit connecting high-achieving low-income students to top colleges via the QuestBridge Match and scholarships. Comparable student profile (high-achieving, low-income) and Top 50 college placement outcomes.
• Posse Foundation: College access and leadership development nonprofit that identifies diverse cohorts of high-achieving students and places them in top colleges with peer support. Similar mission around college access for underrepresented students.
• Prep for Prep: NYC-based nonprofit identifying high-achieving students of color and preparing them for placement at independent schools and leading colleges. Comparable elite-college placement outcomes and high-achieving, low-income student profile.
• OneGoal: College persistence nonprofit supporting low-income students through high school and the first year of college. Comparable persistence-focused outcomes and similar target student demographic.
• College Possible: National nonprofit deploying coaches to guide low-income students through college preparation and persistence. Operates a similar near-peer coaching model with strong outcomes reporting comparable to MMB's 100% admission claim.
• iMentor: National mentoring nonprofit pairing low-income high school students with adult mentors for college access and success. Closest comparable on the one-on-one mentoring model and structured 25+ Saturday session programming.
• uAspire: Boston-based nonprofit focused on financial aid advising and college affordability for low-income students. Directly competes for Boston-area students and foundation funding with adjacent financial aid expertise.
• Minds Matter (National): National parent organization of Minds Matter Boston with chapters in multiple cities delivering the same model of mentor-driven college preparation for low-income high school students. Closest direct comparable given shared program model, mentor infrastructure, and student outcomes focus.

Regional players

• KIPP Massachusetts: Regional charter school network serving Boston-area students from underserved backgrounds with a college-prep mission. Comparable on college outcomes focus and serving the same Greater Boston low-income student population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/mindsmatterbos
• Facebookfacebook.com/mindsmatterbos
• Instagraminstagram.com/mindsmatterboston

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Minds Matter Boston