communities in schools of los angeles
Communities In Schools of Los Angeles is a nonprofit affiliate of the national Communities In Schools network that places site coordinators in LAUSD schools to deliver integrated student support, dropout prevention, and college and career readiness services to underserved K-12 students across five Los Angeles communities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What communities in schools of los angeles does
Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and a regional affiliate of the national Communities In Schools network. The organization places trained site coordinators inside Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools to deliver integrated student support services, with primary focus on dropout prevention, chronic absenteeism reduction, and college and career readiness. CISLA operates across five Los Angeles communities — South LA, Pico Union/Westlake, Boyle Heights, West LA, and Watts — serving 13-15 schools and approximately 11,653 students in school year 2022-23. The organization reports graduation rates of 99%+ for five consecutive years, reaching 100% in school year 2023-24, which functions as a key outcome metric used for fundraising and grant capture.
The organization's product is a human-delivered, evidence-based intervention model rather than a software platform. Site coordinators identify at-risk students, coordinate wraparound services, and connect students with mental health resources, academic support, and basic-needs assistance. There is no disclosed proprietary technology architecture, data platform, or AI component; service delivery is people-intensive and relationship-driven. Programs include the Girls Empowerment Program (launched with Ulta Beauty in March 2024), a Black Excellence Career Series, and the "Being Present Matters" awareness campaign. The organization also participates in coalition advocacy, notably co-leading the Digital Equity LA effort that resulted in Los Angeles becoming the first U.S. city to formally end digital discrimination.
CISLA's revenue model is structured around charitable donations, foundation and corporate grants, special-event fundraising, and public funding. A material 2024 event was the $8.5 million LA REPAIR participatory budgeting award received in December 2024. The organization maintains 11-50 employees and is led by Executive Director Elmer Roldan with Board Chair Mark Slavkin; Nicholas Wu serves as Chief Program Director and Stephanie Hernandez as External Affairs Director. Strategic planning is being conducted with Education First under a three-year engagement, suggesting formalization of growth and capability development. Customer concentration is structurally high because LAUSD is the single institutional channel, but the funder base is being actively diversified across public, corporate, and foundation sources.
communities in schools of los angeles firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- communities in schools of los angeles
- Legal name
- Communities In Schools of Los Angeles
- Website
- https://cislosangeles.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Communities In Schools of Los Angeles is a nonprofit affiliate of the national Communities In Schools network that places site coordinators in LAUSD schools to deliver integrated student support, dropout prevention, and college and career readiness services to underserved K-12 students across five Los Angeles communities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
communities in schools of los angeles industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Student Support Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- School Climate, Culture & Belonging Initiatives (DEI-Aligned) (EDAKAMAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Family-School Collaboration & Inclusion Planning Support (EDAKABAK)
Keywords
Where communities in schools of los angeles is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
communities in schools of los angeles business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: CISLA receives contributions from individual donors who support the organization's mission to surround students with community support.
- Corporate and Foundation Grants: The organization receives funding from corporate partners, foundations, and government grants including the LA REPAIR grant.
- Fundraising Events: The Achieve In Life Gala and other events raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to further CISLA's mission.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
communities in schools of los angeles product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA) is a nonprofit organization that places site coordinators inside Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools to identify at-risk student needs, create tailored support plans, and connect students and their families with community resources. Its core offerings center on integrated student support, community partnerships that mobilize volunteers and resources (tutoring, clothing closets, medical care), and college and career readiness guidance, delivered free of charge to students.
Product overview
Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA) is a nonprofit organization that operates as an affiliate of the national Communities In Schools network, providing integrated student support services rather than a traditional technology product. The organization offers a unified service model centered on dropout prevention through three core programs: Integrated Student Support (site coordinators working directly in schools), Community Partnerships (connecting families with resources), and College and Career Readiness. Additional programs include the Being Present Matters campaign addressing chronic absenteeism, the Girls Empowerment Program in partnership with Ulta Beauty, Digital Equity advocacy initiatives, and volunteer engagement programs including corporate mentorship, career panels, and financial literacy workshops. CISLA also hosts annual events including the Illuminate graduation celebration and the Achieve In Life Gala. The organization does not offer a software product with APIs, integrations, or AI capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Integrated Student Support Program
- Community Partnerships Service
- College and Career Readiness Program
- Girls Empowerment Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 99%+ graduation rate for 5 consecutive years
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use communities in schools of los angeles
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
communities in schools of los angeles technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
communities in schools of los angeles partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, strategic, flagship and minor.
- LA Civil Rights (LA City)majorLA Civil Rights Department collaborated with CISLA on the Belmont High School open house event. CISLA was awarded the LA REPAIR grant, a $8.5 million participatory budget program administered by LA Civil Rights.
- Ulta Beauty Charitable FoundationmajorLaunched the Girls Empowerment Program at Hamilton High School focusing on mental health and self-confidence for young girls. Mentors from Ulta Beauty provided one-on-one mentorship, career panels, and retail store field trips.
- Digital Equity LA (DELA) CoalitionmajorCISLA partnered in the DELA coalition led by California Community Foundation and GPSN to advocate for ending digital discrimination in Los Angeles. The coalition successfully influenced LA City Council to unanimously approve a motion making LA the first city in the nation to end digital discrimination.
- Communities In Schools National (CIS)coreCISLA is an affiliate of Communities In Schools, the largest dropout prevention nonprofit in the United States. As part of this network of 150+ programs, CISLA leverages the national evidence-based model for integrated student support.
- LAUSDcoreCISLA works directly with LAUSD schools including John Liechty Middle School and Belmont High School. The organization has strong collaborative relationships with school administrators and district leadership.
- LA City Councilmember Eunisses HernandezmajorLA City Councilmember participated in CISLA's Belmont High School open house event celebrating organizational impact.
- California Community FoundationmajorLed the Digital Equity LA (DELA) coalition and produced the 'Slower and More Expensive' report revealing internet pricing disparities between wealthy and working-class neighborhoods.
- Education FirststrategicCISLA partnered with Education First to build a three-year strategic plan to deepen impact on students and families throughout Los Angeles communities.
- Creative Artists Agency (CAA)flagshipSponsor of the Achieve In Life Gala, CISLA's marquee fundraising event.
- U.S. BankflagshipSponsor of the Achieve In Life Gala.
- Greenberg GluskerflagshipSponsor of the Achieve In Life Gala.
- WMEflagshipSponsor of the Achieve In Life Gala.
- Broad FoundationflagshipSponsor of the Illuminate event celebrating high school seniors.
- SEIU-Local 99flagshipSponsor of the Illuminate event celebrating high school seniors.
- USC Credit UnionminorHosted CISLA's Principals' Convening bringing together 15 principals and CISLA staff.
- GPSNmajorCo-led the Digital Equity LA coalition with California Community Foundation to advocate for digital equity in Los Angeles.
- LA City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-DawsonmajorIntroduced the landmark motion that made Los Angeles the first city in the nation to end digital discrimination, passed unanimously on January 24.
- Activist and Rapper WattsstixminorParticipated in the Black Excellence Career Series at Santee Education Complex, introducing students to diverse career paths.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
communities in schools of los angeles competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Communities In Schools (National): National parent organization of CISLA's network of 150+ affiliate programs, operating the same site-coordinator-based integrated student support model. Direct peer in mission, model, and customer base (K-12 students at risk of dropping out).
- LA's Best (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow): LAUSD-affiliated after-school program serving elementary students with academic support, enrichment, and safe environments. Comparable as a school-embedded nonprofit serving Title I LAUSD students with integrated support.
- After-School All-Stars Los Angeles: Provides after-school and summer programming inside LAUSD schools, focusing on academic support, health/nutrition, and college/career readiness. Comparable target population and school-based delivery model.
- Para Los Niños: LA-based nonprofit providing integrated education, housing, and family support services for children and families in Skid Row and surrounding communities. Comparable as a multi-service nonprofit serving LA's most vulnerable youth with wraparound support.
- LA Promise Fund: LA-based education nonprofit supporting charter and district schools with college prep, mentoring, and wraparound student services. Comparable mission, geography, and reliance on school-site programming and donor/corporate funding.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles: Delivers one-on-one youth mentoring and school-based mentoring programs in LAUSD and across LA County. Directly comparable to CISLA in using sustained adult-student relationships to drive academic and life outcomes for at-risk youth.
- College Track: College readiness and completion nonprofit serving first-generation students from underserved communities, with deep presence in LA. Comparable in targeting college/career readiness for students facing systemic barriers.
Broad incumbents
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America (LA region): National youth development organization with multiple LA-area clubs offering after-school programming, mentoring, and college/career prep. Comparable mission but broader portfolio and facility-based rather than embedded-in-schools delivery.
- United Way of Greater Los Angeles: Large LA funder and convener investing in education equity, housing, and economic mobility across LA County. Comparable as a community-support nonprofit with grant-making and direct-service overlap with CISLA's mission.
Regional players
- InnerCity Struggle: LA-based youth organizing nonprofit focused on educational justice, immigrant rights, and equity in Boyle Heights and East LA — geographies overlapping CISLA's Boyle Heights footprint. Comparable regional focus and student-advocacy work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
communities in schools of los angeles social profiles
Digital presencecommunities in schools of los angeles financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
communities in schools of los angeles leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
communities in schools of los angeles funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
communities in schools of los angeles 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 communities in schools of los angeles
What does communities in schools of los angeles do?
Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA) is a nonprofit organization that places site coordinators inside Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools to identify at-risk student needs, create tailored support plans, and connect students and their families with community resources. Its core offerings center on integrated student support, community partnerships that mobilize volunteers and resources (tutoring, clothing closets, medical care), and college and career readiness guidance, delivered free of charge to students.
Is communities in schools of los angeles a public or private company?
communities in schools of los angeles is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was communities in schools of los angeles founded?
communities in schools of los angeles was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is communities in schools of los angeles based?
communities in schools of los angeles is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does communities in schools of los angeles make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate and Foundation Grants and fundraising Events.
Who are communities in schools of los angeles's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Communities In Schools (National), LA's Best (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow), After-School All-Stars Los Angeles, Para Los Niños, LA Promise Fund, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and College Track. Broad incumbents are Boys & Girls Clubs of America (LA region) and United Way of Greater Los Angeles. InnerCity Struggle is listed as a regional player.
Does communities in schools of los angeles have an API?
No public API is recorded for communities in schools of los angeles.
What industry is communities in schools of los angeles in?
communities in schools of los angeles's product category is K-12 Student Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAMAM, School Climate, Culture & Belonging Initiatives (DEI-Aligned), with a secondary code of BPAGAEAL, Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services. Its NAICS code is 61171 and its SIC code is 8200.