The Future Project

Background

The Future Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people to discover their potential and actively shape their futures. Established in 2011 and headquartered in New York City, the organization focuses on transforming high schools into environments that foster passion, purpose, and engagement among students. By embedding transformational coaches known as Dream Directors within schools, The Future Project aims to inspire students to pursue their dreams and contribute positively to their communities.

Key Strategic Focus

The organization's primary strategy involves the deployment of Dream Directors—full-time, trained professionals who work directly with students to cultivate a sense of belonging, belief, purpose, and power. Through one-on-one coaching and dynamic workshops, Dream Directors guide students in developing leadership skills and launching passion-based initiatives called Future Projects. These projects address various themes, including social issues like gun control and inclusivity, thereby fostering a culture of active citizenship and community engagement within schools.

Financials and Funding

As of November 2024, The Future Project reported annual revenues in the range of $10 million to $50 million. The organization has raised a total of $10 million in funding, with the most recent funding round occurring on February 1, 2015.

Pipeline Development

The Future Project's core programs include:

Future Schools: This initiative places Dream Directors in partner schools to work closely with students, guiding them in developing leadership skills and launching Future Projects that address various social issues.

Future Camp: An intensive three-day workshop designed to activate purpose and agency in young people at the start of their change-making journey. The inaugural Future Camp took place in October 2018 in East Orange, NJ, with plans to expand to additional cities.

Technological Platform and Innovation

The Future Project utilizes a range of technology products and services to support its operations, including:

Squarespace: For content management and website development.

Twitter Emoji (Twemoji) and Font Awesome: For enhanced visual communication.

Modernizr and jQuery: JavaScript libraries for improved website functionality.

Lua and PHP: Programming languages used in various applications.

Google Tag Manager: For efficient tag management and analytics.

Leadership Team

The Future Project is led by a dedicated team of professionals:

Andrew Mangino: Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

Kanya Balakrishna: Co-Founder and President.

G. M.: Chief Education Officer.

Z. H.: Chief Innovation Officer and Director of The Future Lab.

The organization also benefits from the guidance of a diverse Board of Directors, including individuals from various sectors such as education, business, and non-profit organizations.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The Future Project operates within the non-profit education sector, focusing on youth development and school transformation. The market is characterized by a growing emphasis on student engagement, leadership development, and community involvement as key factors in educational success.

Competitor Analysis

Similar organizations in the non-profit education sector include:

YCore: Focuses on engaging young professionals in social impact projects.

iMentor: Provides mentorship programs to high school students.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Offers one-to-one mentoring relationships to children and youth.

Friends of the Children: Provides long-term professional mentoring to children facing the greatest obstacles.

Junior Achievement USA: Delivers programs focused on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

The Future Project has engaged in significant partnerships to enhance its impact:

Microsoft: Collaborated on the Accelerate LABS initiative, culminating in a Demo Day event in February 2018.

YNaija: Partnered to host and celebrate achievements in the tech sector.

Operational Insights

The Future Project distinguishes itself through its unique approach of embedding Dream Directors within schools, fostering a culture of student-led initiatives and community engagement. This model sets it apart from competitors by emphasizing internal transformation and student empowerment.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, The Future Project aims to expand its reach by scaling the Future Camp program to additional cities and equipping more youth development experts to deliver the program in their communities. The organization continues to focus on developing leadership skills among students and fostering environments where young people can actively shape their futures.