Ithaka incubates selected not-for-profit projects by providing them with resources and support to help them grow into sustainable and innovative enterprises.

Our incubated entities benefit from strategic and research services, from the experiences of the affiliates and other incubated entities, and from access to a network of experienced leaders from the higher education, philanthropic, technology, and business sectors. 

In addition, our shared services group provides critical administrative support.  Often the attention of new not-for-profit initiatives is diverted from mission-related activities to practical imperatives such as setting up an accounting system, designing a benefits package for staff, developing an internal IT network, establishing a legal entity, and even securing office space.  Ithaka's shared services enable incubated entities to focus on their core program objectives and to reduce administrative and technology costs. 

Our two incubated entities, NITLE, and Portico, have each pursued a disciplined approach to defining their missions, identifying constituencies that value their services, and developing viable business models.  Each is in the process of launching its services publicly.  As the incubated entities move through stages of development, Ithaka is documenting their experiences in order to share lessons learned with the broader community. An assumption of the Ithaka incubation process is that successful projects will eventually become independent or join larger, existing organizations; Aluka, incubated by Ithaka for several years, is becoming a part of JSTOR.