Great Mn Schools

What Great Mn Schools does

Great MN Schools is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 and headquartered in Minneapolis that works to ensure every child in Minneapolis attends an excellent and equitable K-12 school. The organization operates three interconnected program areas: school improvement support delivered to a portfolio of charter and partner schools, family-facing resources and advocacy, and community coalition-building. It serves four primary stakeholder segments—portfolio schools receiving multi-year funding and customized improvement plans, partner schools receiving targeted supports, community organizations distributing family-facing materials, and Minneapolis families seeking school selection and grade-level information. Leadership is headed by CEO Jen Stern, supported by a VP of Schools, VP of Community Engagement, and a Board of Directors chaired by Stan Alleyne.

Name

Great Mn Schools

Legal name

Great MN Schools

Website

https://greatmnschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Great MN Schools is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports K-12 schools through the Good to Great three-year improvement program, operates the Minneapolis School Finder, and convenes the 90+ organization Minnesota Literacy Coalition to advance education equity.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Education Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs) (EDAJALAM), School Climate, Culture & Belonging Initiatives (DEI-Aligned) (EDAKAMAM), Specialized Programs & Classrooms (Autism, Emotional/Behavioral, Intellectual/Developmental, Multi-Disability) (EDAJAKAH)

Keywords

• K-12 school improvement
• Education nonprofit services
• School choice resources
• Family engagement programs
• Education equity support

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Great MN Schools is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations to fund their school improvement work. The organization explicitly solicits donations on their website.
2. Foundation Grants: The organization receives grant funding to support school improvement initiatives, literacy programs, and community partnership work. Mentioned managing a $4.5M budget in job posting.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Great MN Schools is a 501(c)(3) education nonprofit that partners with schools, families, and community organizations to improve K-12 education quality in Minneapolis. Its core offerings include multi-year school improvement programs (Good to Great, Leadership Accelerator), free family-facing tools (Minneapolis School Finder and multilingual MN Standards Family Guides), and community-driven coalitions such as the Minnesota Literacy Coalition and Get On Board leadership program.

Product overview

Great MN Schools operates as a 501(c)(3) education nonprofit that provides a portfolio of interconnected programs and tools rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the Minneapolis School Finder (a school directory and rating tool for families), MN Standards Family Guides (grade-level expectation resources), and school improvement programs (Good to Great and Leadership Accelerator) that provide strategic support to schools. The organization also runs the Minnesota Literacy Coalition, family advocacy services, leadership development programs like Get On Board, and the Emergency Student Connectivity Fund for technology access. These offerings work together to increase the number of quality schools in Minneapolis, support families in navigating the K-12 system, and advance education equity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Minneapolis School Finder: A comprehensive guide and directory for Minneapolis families to find their best-fit school, used annually by over 13,000 families.
• MN Standards Family Guides
• Get On Board
• Changemakers Twin Cities

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of portfolio schools outperform similar options in Minneapolis
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Bellwether Education PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBellwether provides school quality reviews and technical assistance to help school leaders create effective improvement plans. They co-authored case studies with GMS on Global Academy and Prodeo Academy demonstrating improved school operations and student achievement.
• ANet (Achievement Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANet strengthens school-wide practice and culture of using learning standards, achievement data, and analysis of student work to get breakthrough results for students. Provides interim assessments, data reports, tools, instructional resources, and learning walks.
• Relay Graduate School of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelay hosts an intensive year-long leadership program for current principals and principal supervisors focused on data-driven instruction and best practices for effective classroom observation and feedback. 26 school leaders participated in Relay programs.
• TNTPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTNTP brings research, policy, and consulting together to reimagine public education. They co-host Climate and Culture Cohorts and provide Instructional Culture Insight Surveys to support school improvement.
• TranscendsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit that supports school communities to create and spread extraordinary learning environments.
• Panorama EducationsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationPanorama develops research-backed survey instruments grounded in evidence-based practices with student-centered data science to help educators move from insights to action.
• CharterSourcesecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCharterSource provides integrated, customized support for school effectiveness including continuous learning tools, implementation support, and systems to improve school governance. Also provides Board Bank training for charter school board members.
• EdFuelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdFuel provides 15 hours of customized, one-on-one coaching to strengthen leadership and management skills. Together with GMS they created the Talent Playbook and host a Talent Cohort for school leaders.
• BloomwellsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBloomwell supports student recruitment in competitive environments with integrated strategy engaging current families, activating community partners, and targeting prospective families.
• Learning HeroescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearning Heroes supports school principals and district administrators in leading family engagement strategies that directly impact student learning. GMS partners with them to provide free parent-teacher planning tools and a nine-month family engagement leadership institute.
• Groves Learning OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroves delivers on-site literacy coaching to schools through an evidence-based approach helping both emerging and struggling readers become successful readers.
• EdAlliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdAllies advances policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools, and foster inclusive conversation about education. One key issue area is ensuring teacher licensure pathways support diversifying the teacher workforce.
• TNTP Teach MinnesotasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTNTP Teach Minnesota is an alternative route to certification - a cohort of talented professionals changing the game for students through a proven national Teaching Fellows model.
• BARR CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBARR Center works with schools to strengthen teaching built on strong relationships between students, teachers, and teams, helping staff better understand and build on student strengths.
• Miss Kendra ProgramssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiss Kendra Programs moves schools beyond trauma-informed into real action through a preventative framework based on brief, frequent connection with all students and early intervention.
• Leader In MesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeader In Me is an evidence-based, social emotional learning process that empowers students with leadership and life skills developed in partnership with educators.
• Minnesota Literacy CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGMS co-chairs the Minnesota Literacy Coalition with Minneapolis Public Schools and National Parents Union MN. The coalition connects 80+ organizations working toward improved equity and excellence in literacy outcomes through Supporting Strong Instruction, Expanding Access & Support, and Changing the System action teams.
• Ayada LeadscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAyada Leads equips New Americans, particularly African Diaspora Women, to excel in leadership positions. They partner with GMS to help families navigate the education system.
• Centro Tyrone GuzmancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1974, Centro Tyrone Guzman is the oldest and largest Minneapolis-based multi-service Latine organization, serving around 5,000 individuals annually. They use an Intergenerational Learning Community model to provide education and family engagement.
• Northside Achievement ZonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAZ exists to permanently close the achievement gap and end generational poverty in North Minneapolis. They partner with organizations to walk alongside low-income families as they put children on a path to college.
• Pillsbury United CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeginning in 1879, Pillsbury United Communities co-creates enduring change toward a just society. They connect more than 55,000 individuals and families each year with programs and services.
• Urban VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban Ventures provides cradle-to-career support for youth in a 25-block core area of South Minneapolis, with the goal that all children complete post-secondary programs and become community leaders.
• Way to GrowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor over 30 years, Way to Grow has addressed early childhood education gaps in Minneapolis, supporting families with children from birth to age 8. They work with more than 2,400 individuals in both North and South Minneapolis.
• Phyllis Wheatley Community CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in North Minneapolis, Phyllis Wheatley Community Center works with low-income residents using an asset-based, culturally specific approach. Focus areas include early childhood education, youth development, and adult empowerment.
• Little Earth Residents AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1973, Little Earth was the first urban housing complex with Native preference, serving as a national model. They provide entrepreneurship training, education services, and cultural programming for the American Indian community.
• MN Zej ZogsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMN Zej Zog empowers the Hmong community by nurturing Hmong language, healing through arts and wellness, and becoming more powerful through education across generations.
• Lead the WaysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for PreK-12 students across the US, empowering students with transportable skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science.
• Advancing Equity CoalitionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerA multiracial, multicultural movement of families, students, teachers, and community members working together to dismantle systemic racism at MPS through education equity advocacy.
• Educators for ExcellencesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeacher-led organization ensuring teachers have a leading voice in policies that impact their students and profession.
• Education EvolvingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvances equitable student-centered learning by supporting teachers designing and leading schools, and advocating for policy that catalyzes community-led innovation.
• Good TroublesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by young people who've experienced poverty and the justice system, Good Trouble is an intergenerational movement providing underserved Twin Cities youth with motivational learning pathways through storytelling, solutions, and leadership development.
• Minnesota Association of Charter School AuthorizerssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMACSA works to increase quality of charter school authorizing through practices and policies ensuring equitable and responsive educational programming.
• Voices for Racial JusticesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMovement organization committed to building power through collective cultural and healing strategies for racial justice across Minnesota using organizing, leadership training, community policy, and research.
• Your Vote Our FuturesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks through education and advocacy to increase active participation in government and understanding of policies affecting the community.
• Get on Board ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration of GMS, Northside Achievement Zone, Voices for Racial Justice, and Ayada Leads providing an intensive leadership development program for individuals considering running for school board.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EdFuel: Nonprofit providing leadership coaching and talent strategy support to education organizations. Comparable as a GMS partner co-creating the Talent Playbook and Talent Cohort.
• Transcend: National nonprofit supporting school communities to design and spread innovative learning environments. Comparable as a secondary GMS partner focused on next-generation school models.
• TNTP (The New Teacher Project): National education nonprofit focused on teacher training, instructional culture, and school improvement. Directly comparable as a GMS partner hosting Climate and Culture Cohorts and Insight Surveys.
• EdAllies: Minnesota-based nonprofit advocating for policies that remove barriers for underserved students and diversify the teacher workforce. Comparable as a Twin Cities education advocacy peer and GMS policy partner.
• Bellwether Education Partners: National nonprofit that provides strategy consulting, research, and policy analysis for K-12 education. Directly comparable as a GMS strategic partner co-authoring school quality reviews and improvement plans.
• Relay Graduate School of Education: Graduate school and professional development provider for school leaders and teachers. Directly comparable as a GMS partner hosting year-long leadership programs for principals.
• Achievement Network (ANet): Nonprofit that provides formative assessments, data reports, and instructional support to schools. Directly comparable as a GMS partner delivering assessment-driven school improvement work.
• Charter School Growth Fund: Nonprofit that identifies, supports, and grows high-quality charter school networks. Directly comparable as a K-12 portfolio-style school improvement funder where CEO Jen Stern previously served as VP.

Emerging players

• Panorama Education: Education data and survey platform helping schools collect social-emotional and stakeholder feedback. Comparable as a GMS integration partner providing survey instruments and student-centered data analytics.

Regional players

• Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ): Minneapolis-based nonprofit working to close the achievement gap through cradle-to-college family support. Comparable as a Minneapolis peer in the family-focused education equity space and a GMS community partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Great-Minnesota-Schools-1891919474354406
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/great-mn-schools
• Instagraminstagram.com/greatmnschools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Great Mn Schools