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Growth plan
Building for lasting impact
Our plan to grow programs, partnerships and jobs in Philadelphia-area communities, while keeping quality and access at the heart of everything we do.
Year 1
Stabilize, expand and build a strong foundation
Stabilize operations, expand program capacity and build the infrastructure needed for sustainable growth.
Program expansion
- Increase enrollment in STEM after-school programs, tutoring and test preparation by expanding service days and cohort size
- Launch GED preparation and adult education with a structured curriculum and defined intake cycles
- Formalize social-emotional learning workshops and family resource navigation as core offerings
- Pilot fee-for-service test prep and college guidance while keeping subsidized spots for low-income families
Partnerships
- Establish formal partnerships with 3 to 5 Philadelphia-based schools, community organizations or faith-based institutions as program sites or referral partners
- Build referral pathways with behavioral health providers, IBHS agencies and school-based support teams
- Engage with business support organizations and mentorship networks connected to the Catalyst ecosystem
Staffing and job creation
- Hire or contract part-time STEM instructors and academic tutors
- Hire a program coordinator
- Add part-time administrative and outreach support
- Prioritize hiring educators and staff from the communities we serve
Infrastructure and systems
- Track enrollment, attendance, academic progress and family engagement
- Standardize curricula, intake processes and referral documentation
- Strengthen financial management, compliance and reporting
Revenue and sustainability
- Diversify revenue through grants, earned income (test prep and college guidance) and partnerships
- Maintain annual revenue under $2 million while demonstrating steady growth and financial discipline
Year 1 outcomes
What success looks like after year one
More participants served
Improved academic engagement and skill development
New part-time and entry-level jobs created
A strong operational foundation for scaling
Years 2 and 3
Scale our impact across neighborhoods
Scale impact across multiple neighborhoods, deepen partnerships and establish long-term financial sustainability.
Program scaling
- Expand to additional Philadelphia neighborhoods, prioritizing underserved communities
- Increase after-school STEM cohorts and adult education cycles each year
- Introduce advanced STEM tracks such as coding, applied math and science labs aligned with workforce pathways
- Expand SEL into group-based wellness series for youth and adults
Workforce and job growth
- Move key roles to full time: program manager, lead educator or curriculum specialist, and family resource navigation coordinator
- Grow instructional and support staff as enrollment grows
- Create internships and apprenticeships for college students and emerging educators
Strategic partnerships
- Formalize long-term agreements with schools, community centers and municipal partners
- Align adult education and STEM programs with career pathways alongside workforce programs and employers
- Strengthen cross-sector connections in Philadelphia’s business community
Innovation and impact measurement
- Refine tools to track academic outcomes, program retention and family resource use
- Use data to keep improving and to show impact to funders and partners
- Develop program models that can be adapted for new sites and partners
Financial growth and sustainability
- Grow earned revenue through expanded services while preserving equitable access
- Secure multi-year grants and service contracts
- Keep growth responsible and aligned with capacity and mission
3-year outcomes
Where we are headed
Expanded reach across multiple Philadelphia neighborhoods
Sustained job creation and workforce development
Demonstrated academic, social-emotional and family support outcomes
A scalable, resilient organization positioned for long-term impact
Partner with us
Help us reach more learners and families
We are looking for partners who share our commitment to learners and families in underserved communities.
- Schools, community and faith-based organizations to host programs or refer families
- Behavioral health providers and school-based support teams to strengthen referral pathways
- Funders, businesses and mentors to help us grow with care
- Educators and volunteers from the communities we serve
Get involved
Together we can grow opportunity
Whether you want to enroll a learner, partner with us or support our work, we would love to hear from you.
Or email director@picoli.org