About Us

GardHouse is a non-profit organization that provides work-based programs for college students of color
and leverages partnerships with small businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to provide a training hub for talent.

Founded 2019
GardHouse was established after learning that students of color have been graduating from college twice as likely to be unemployed for the last 51 years. We began our work to dismantle barriers in Charlotte due to it’s upward economic mobility ranking of 50 out of 50; meaning those born into poverty lack opportunities to advance.
At the time of GardHouse’s inception, there were no work-based programs that primarily focused solely on college students of color by leveraging minority-owned businesses or minority-led organizations to serve as the training hub for talent.
Our Vision
To eliminate the systemic barriers BIPOC college students face when seeking post-secondary employment upon graduation.

Our Mission
To increase post-graduate employment opportunities amongst college students of color by maximizing work-based programming.

History
2019
Jonathan Ryan Gardner establishes GardHouse as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to provide work-based support to BIPOC college students in North Carolina.
2021
100% of GardHouse’s graduating seniors have been offered employment or acceptance into continued education.
2020
GardHouse pivots its operations to meet the growing demand for internships across the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022
GardHouse received national recognition for its impact on the community through Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Additionally, the organization increased its capacity to support its largest cohort of 40 interns by hiring its first full-time staff member.
2023
Currently, GardHouse is seeking to increase its 2023-2024 cohort by 75% and hire two additional full-time staff members to support the growth.
virtual office hours
M-F: 9 am – 5 pm
Mailing Address
809 Westmere Ave Suite C Charlotte, NC 28208

GardHouse is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization for tax-deductible donations.
EIN: 84-2952589