iMentor is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building mentoring relationships that empower students from low-income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions. Founded in 1999, iMentor has connected over 42,000 students with mentors and engaged more than 30,500 volunteers in its mission.
Mission and Programs
iMentor's core mission is to bridge the opportunity gap by providing every student in its program with a dedicated, college-educated mentor. These mentors commit to a minimum of three years, offering consistent support through weekly online communications and monthly in-person meetings. The organization partners with high schools in low-income communities, focusing on students who are often the first in their families to attend college.
In addition to direct mentoring, iMentor collaborates with local nonprofits to implement its model nationwide. This partnership approach has led to the establishment of programs in 17 cities, serving thousands of mentoring pairs.
Geographic Reach
iMentor operates in several major U.S. cities, including New York City, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Baltimore. Each regional office tailors its programs to meet the unique needs of its community:
- New York City: With a 22-year track record, iMentor NYC partners with 14 schools, serving 3,629 mentoring pairs.
- Chicago: Launched in 2015, iMentor Chicago collaborates with five schools, supporting 1,938 pairs.
- Baltimore: Established in 2019, iMentor Baltimore works with two schools, engaging 106 pairs.
Financial Overview
In the fiscal year 2023, iMentor reported total public support and revenue of $22,272,149. The breakdown is as follows:
- Foundation Grants: $5,046,147
- Corporate Contributions: $4,410,135
- Board Contributions: $2,799,437
- Individual Donations: $2,379,266
- Government Grants: $25,000
- Strategic Capital Revenue & Utilization: $5,851,924
- Other Income: $63,014
- School, District, & Partner Fees: $1,697,226
Total expenses for the same period amounted to $22,272,149, with program expenses accounting for $16,988,732 and non-program expenses totaling $5,283,417.
Impact and Outcomes
iMentor's programs have demonstrated significant positive outcomes:
- College Acceptance: In the past year, 92% of mentees were accepted into college and intend to enroll.
- Career Exploration: 81% of mentees reported learning about new post-secondary pathways through their mentors or iMentor programming.
- Mentor Diversity: The mentor population has grown to 51% people of color, reflecting the organization's commitment to diversity and better representation of the students served.
Employee Insights
Employee reviews provide a mixed perspective on working at iMentor:
- Pros: Employees appreciate the organization's mission-driven focus, the opportunity to work with dedicated colleagues, and the comprehensive benefits offered.
- Cons: Some employees have expressed concerns about workload sustainability, limited opportunities for advancement, and challenges with management communication.
Strategic Partnerships
iMentor has established significant partnerships to enhance its programs:
- PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc.: In 2023, the foundation awarded a $2 million grant to implement new curricula focusing on career exploration and social capital skill-building.
- Bloomberg LP: Since 2009, Bloomberg has partnered with iMentor, enlisting over 240 employees as volunteer mentors and supporting initiatives like the Mentor Education program, which provides anti-racism training.
