Ready To Succeed - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

Ready To Succeed (RTS) is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2016 that focuses on empowering college students from underserved communities. With a particular emphasis on foster youth and first-generation college students, RTS provides coaching, connections, and a supportive community to help students launch successful careers and thrive in all areas of life. The organization addresses the opportunity gap these students face by providing resources, relationships, and opportunities needed to succeed in college and beyond.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

• RTS aims to empower foster youth and first-generation college students to graduate from college and begin meaningful careers.

• The organization provides personalized career and personal development coaching.

• RTS facilitates access to professional networks.

• RTS offers paid internship experiences and financial support to cover basic needs.

• RTS also focuses on providing social, emotional, and mental health support, connecting students to resources for housing, transportation, and food.

Specialization Areas

• RTS specializes in providing a trauma-informed approach to career and personal development through its Career Accelerator Program.

• The organization offers a holistic approach, combining coaching, networking, internships, and financial support.

Target Markets

• RTS primarily targets foster youth and first-generation college students in the Los Angeles County area.

• The organization aims to support students throughout their college journey and into their early careers.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

• Ready To Succeed receives funding through grants from foundations, philanthropic giving circles, and individual donations.

• Grants have been received from the Ric and Suzanne Kayne Foundation (\$1,023,427), the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation (\$585,000), and The SAM Initiative (\$80,000), as well as LA2050 grants.

• Funds support career advising, program expansion, and providing resources to students.

3. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

• Career Accelerator Program: This program offers personalized coaching, paid internships, mental health support, and financial aid to students.

• McCabe Impact Fellowship: This fellowship provides students with real-world experience.

• Project Dorm Room: This initiative provides college essentials for dorm life.

• Camp Ready: This is a career-building summer camp.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

• RTS leverages an online platform to connect students with mentors and opportunities.

• The organization utilizes data tracking to monitor student progress and outcomes.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

• Romi Lassally: Co-Founder/CEO.

• Patrick McCabe: Co-Founder/President.

• Candice Rosales: Director of Development & Corporate Partnerships.

• Gina Ibrahim: Program Director.

• Lucy Cherkasets: Director, Early Career Engagement.

• Madison Braybrooke: Community Engagement and Resource Manager.

• Adriana Gonzalez: Senior Assistant Director, Scholar Recruitment.

• Thomas Lee: Board Advisor.

6. Competitive Analysis

Major Competitors

• Ready To Succeed operates in a space with other non-profits and organizations that support youth development, college access, and career readiness.

• These organizations may provide similar services such as mentoring, career coaching, and financial assistance.

7. Market Analysis

Market Overview

• RTS operates in the Los Angeles County market, which has a significant population of foster youth and first-generation college students. The organization addresses the challenges faced by these students, including low college graduation rates and lack of access to professional networks.

• There are over 400,000 foster youth and 1.46 million first-generation college students in America.

• Only 3% of foster youth and 11% of first-generation students will graduate college.

• Ready To Succeed reports that over 85% of their foster youth graduate college and start careers, compared to 2% of the general population.

8. Strategic Partnerships

• Ready To Succeed has established partnerships with various organizations to provide resources and opportunities for its scholars.

• These partners include Aids Healthcare Foundation, Amazon Studios, Anthony + Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation, Bank of America, Creative Artists Agency, Disney-ABC Television Group, HBO, Ralph M Parsons Family Foundation, Sony, DreamWorks, and Johnson & Johnson.

• These partnerships provide opportunities for mentorship, internships, and employment for RTS scholars.

9. Operational Insights

• Ready To Succeed differentiates itself through its holistic, personalized approach to career development.

• The organization provides one-on-one coaching, networking opportunities, mental health support, internships, and financial assistance.

• The organization's success is demonstrated by its high college graduation and employment rates among its scholars.

10. Future Outlook

Strategic Roadmap

• Ready to Succeed aims to expand its reach and impact to serve more foster youth and first-generation college students.

• RTS plans to expand the Career Accelerator Program to serve more students annually.

• RTS aims to strengthen partnerships with companies and organizations to provide more internship and job opportunities.

• The organization aims to secure additional funding to support program expansion and provide resources to students, creating a scalable and sustainable model to serve as many students as possible.