INDIANAPOLIS, IND., Jan. 6, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Indianapolis-based nonprofit USA Funds® has acquired a minority interest in Roadtrip Nation, the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based provider of career exploration and planning resources for students and adult career-changers. The transaction will help Roadtrip Nation expand the reach of its unique, highly engaging career exploration tools and content to help millions of people define their "purpose" and their ideal career path.

"Our investment in Roadtrip Nation aligns with USA Funds' focus on Completion With a Purpose, helping students and working adults build a more purposeful path to and through postsecondary education and on to rewarding careers," said USA Funds President and CEO William Hansen. "We believe that the Roadtrip Nation team is creating game-changing tools that connect extremely well both with young people and working adults, helping them investigate career opportunities and the education pathways to realize those opportunities."

"We started Roadtrip Nation because we didn't feel like there were any resources in school that could truly empower students to explore what was possible for their future," said Mike Marriner, co-founder of Roadtrip Nation. "With USA Funds' support we can help people take a more expansive and interest-based approach to their futures, ultimately enabling them to define their own roads in life."

The transaction represents a pair of "firsts" for both organizations:

  • The first direct operating investment by USA Funds in support of its Completion With a Purpose strategy.
  • The first major external financing for Roadtrip Nation, which was advised in the transaction by Chicago-based GSV Advisors.

Roadtrip Nation is best known for its iconic green RVs, which travel to communities and campuses throughout the country to meet with students and conduct interviews with leaders in various career fields. Founded in 2001 by three Pepperdine University graduates, Roadtrip Nation has developed an extensive archive of career exploration videos as well as a long-running annual public television series, live campus events, best-selling books, online multimedia content, and innovative educational curriculum.

About USA Funds

USA Funds is a nonprofit corporation that supports Completion With a Purpose, building a more purposeful path for America's students to and through college and on to rewarding careers and successful lives. USA Funds pursues its nonprofit mission through philanthropic activities and partnerships, policy research, and programs and services that enhance preparation for, access to and success in higher education. Learn more at www.usafunds.org.

About Roadtrip Nation

Roadtrip Nation creates self-discovery resources designed to help people build fulfilling lives and careers around their interests. Combining self-reflection with real-world exposure, Roadtrip Nation tools enable students and working adults to connect their interests to relevant life pathways and stay engaged with their futures. For more information, visit www.roadtripnation.com and www.roadtripnation.org.
 

CONTACT: Robert P. Murray
         USA Funds
         (317) 806-1283
         bob.murray@usafunds.org
         
         Loureen Ayyoub
         Roadtrip Nation
         (949) 764-9121 x207
         loureen@roadtripnation.com