Persist Nashville, Inc. Market Research Report

Background

Overview

Persist Nashville, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the college graduation rate among students in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 2019 by educators Scott Campbell and Kristin King, the organization aims to empower graduates to earn their degrees by providing targeted support throughout their postsecondary journey.

Mission and Vision

Persist Nashville's mission is to empower Nashville graduates to earn a college degree. With only 27% of Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) graduates currently earning a postsecondary degree, the organization envisions unifying the community to double this rate.

Primary Area of Focus

The organization focuses on providing professional coaching to students, assisting them with enrollment, persistence, and career transition. This support includes guidance on registration, orientation, financial aid, social-emotional needs, campus resources, and career development.

Industry Significance

Persist Nashville addresses a critical gap in higher education support, particularly for low-income, first-generation college students, and students of color. By focusing on persistence and completion, the organization contributes to the broader educational ecosystem's efforts to improve graduation rates and postsecondary success.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Increase Graduation Rates: Enhance the number of Nashville graduates earning college degrees.

Provide Comprehensive Support: Offer coaching that addresses both academic and social-emotional needs.

Foster Community Engagement: Build a supportive network involving students, educators, and local businesses.

Specific Areas of Specialization

Enrollment Coaching: Assist students with registration, orientation, and financial aid processes.

Persistence Support: Provide ongoing coaching to help students navigate campus resources and meet academic deadlines.

Career Transition Assistance: Aid students in finding internships, applying for jobs, and pursuing graduate education.

Key Technologies Utilized

Persist Nashville employs digital communication tools, primarily text messaging, to maintain regular contact with students, ensuring consistent support and engagement.

Primary Markets or Conditions Targeted

The organization primarily serves graduates from Metro Nashville Public Schools, focusing on those from low-income backgrounds, first-generation college students, and students of color.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Persist Nashville has experienced significant growth since its inception:

2019: Revenue of $315,114 with total assets of $297,214.

2020: Revenue of $268,939 with total assets of $258,632.

2021: Revenue of $722,938 with total assets of $378,197.

2022: Revenue of $715,357 with total assets of $252,649.

2023: Revenue of $1,525,147 with total assets of $560,098.

Recent Funding Rounds

In 2023, Persist Nashville secured several grants to support its mission:

Care Foundation of America Two Brentwood Commons: $302,000.

Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE): $150,000.

Devine-Majors Foundation: $100,000.

Notable Investors

The organization has received support from various foundations and government entities, including the Care Foundation of America Two Brentwood Commons, SCORE, and the Devine-Majors Foundation.

Intended Utilization of Capital

The funds are utilized to expand coaching services, develop community-building initiatives, and provide emergency aid to students, thereby enhancing the organization's capacity to support a growing number of students.

Pipeline Development

Key Programs and Initiatives

Enrollment Coaching: Assists students with major enrollment milestones.

Persistence Support: Offers ongoing coaching to address social-emotional needs and academic deadlines.

Career Transition Assistance: Supports students in finding internships, applying for jobs, and pursuing graduate education.

Stages of Development

These programs are fully operational, with ongoing efforts to refine and expand their reach.

Target Conditions

The initiatives target challenges related to college enrollment, persistence, and career transition, particularly among underrepresented student populations.

Anticipated Milestones

Persist Nashville aims to double the college graduation rate among Nashville graduates, with ongoing assessments to measure program effectiveness and student success.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

The organization utilizes a proprietary coaching model that combines digital communication tools with personalized support strategies to effectively engage students.

Significant Scientific Methods

Persist Nashville employs data-driven approaches to monitor student progress, identify at-risk individuals, and tailor interventions accordingly.

AI-Driven Capabilities

While not explicitly stated, the organization's use of data analytics suggests potential integration of AI-driven methods to enhance program outcomes.

Leadership Team

Key Executives

Scott Campbell: Co-Founder and Executive Director. With a 16-year career in education, Campbell has served as a teacher, coach, and administrator, including roles at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Kristin King: Co-Founder. An educator with experience in various teaching and administrative roles, King co-founded Persist Nashville to address the need for college persistence support.

Key Contributions

The leadership team has been instrumental in establishing and expanding Persist Nashville's programs, securing funding, and building partnerships with local schools and organizations.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The nonprofit sector in Nashville includes several organizations focused on education and youth development. However, Persist Nashville's specific focus on college persistence and its scalable coaching model differentiate it in the market.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors include:

Book'em: A nonprofit dedicated to promoting literacy among children in Nashville.

Native American Indian Association (NAIA): Provides support and resources to enhance the quality of life for Native American Indians in Tennessee.

Disability Rights Tennessee: A nonprofit legal services organization advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities in Tennessee.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Persist Nashville collaborates with various organizations to enhance its impact:

Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS): Partners to provide coaching services to graduates.

YMCA Black and Latino Achievers Programs: Collaborates to support students in their postsecondary journey.

Local Businesses: Engages in initiatives like Persist Career to offer job shadowing, mentorship, and work experience opportunities.

Operational Insights

Persist Nashville's focus on scalable, cost-effective coaching services positions it uniquely in the market, allowing it to serve a large number of students with a relatively small team.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

The organization plans to expand its reach by: