A Reason To Survive
A Reason To Survive (ARTS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, place-based arts education to youth ages 12-24 in South County / South Bay San Diego through four programs — Community ARTS, ARTS on Campus, ARTS @ Work, and ARTS 4 Justice — anchored by its ARTS Center in National City.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersCalifornia City, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What A Reason To Survive does
A Reason To Survive (ARTS) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts education organization founded in 2001 and headquartered at its ARTS Center at 200 E 12th Street, National City, CA. It delivers free, place-based arts education to youth ages 12-24 across four program lines — Community ARTS (after-school creative art and design classes), ARTS on Campus (school-district visual and media arts), ARTS @ Work (paid internships and creative-career exposure for ages 16-24), and ARTS 4 Justice (healing-centered creative projects for system-impacted youth ages 14-19, delivered with SDCOE Juvenile Court and Community Schools). Programming is unified by Creative Youth Development, Healing-Centered Engagement, and alignment with National Core Arts Standards, CASEL, and California CTE standards, and is supplemented by signature community events (Bright Lights gala, Día de los Muertos, Better Together Youth Arts Festival, ARTS After Dark).
ARTS operates with no proprietary technology, relying on standard third-party tools: Squarespace for the website, Givebutter for donations and event ticketing, Asana for group volunteer intake forms, and Handshake/REAL Portal for internship postings. Its FY25 revenue of approximately $1.6M is diversified across earned revenue ($1M+), foundation grants ($486K), government grants ($76K), and corporate contributions ($43K). Foundation supporters include the Cowlin, Liwerant, Sager, Collins, Prebys, and VAPA foundations; US Bank is a flagship corporate sponsor. In FY25, ARTS served approximately 25,000 visitors and hosted more than 70 events at the ARTS Center.
The go-to-market model is community-led and event-driven: direct service through the ARTS Center and partner school campuses in South County / South Bay San Diego (National City, Chula Vista, and surrounding communities), coupled with grassroots donor cultivation via signature events and a Givebutter-driven fundraising infrastructure. ARTS maintains a 100+ person ecosystem spanning 15 core staff, 15+ events team members, 23 teaching artists, 12 program assistants, and 36+ volunteers and interns, anchored by Executive Director Lucy Eagleson (2024-present) and a Board chaired by Tom Reise. The organization is currently running a $150,000 25th anniversary campaign tied to Bright Lights 2026.
A Reason To Survive firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- A Reason To Survive
- Legal name
- A Reason To Survive
- Website
- https://areasontosurvive.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- A Reason To Survive (ARTS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, place-based arts education to youth ages 12-24 in South County / South Bay San Diego through four programs — Community ARTS, ARTS on Campus, ARTS @ Work, and ARTS 4 Justice — anchored by its ARTS Center in National City.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
A Reason To Survive industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Arts Education
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building) (BPAGAHAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cultural, Arts & Humanities Community Education (Museums/Arts Councils) (EDAAAFAD), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
Keywords
Where A Reason To Survive is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- California City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
A Reason To Survive business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Grassroots fundraising via Givebutter. As ARTS marks 25 years, the organization is raising $150,000 to strengthen programs. Donation tiers include $100 (season of art supplies), $500 (paid internships), $1,000 (safe creative spaces).
- Foundation Grants: Foundation grants contributed $486,000 in FY25. Major foundation supporters include Cowlin Family Foundation, Liwerant Family Foundation, Sager Family Foundation, Collins Art and Sports Foundation, Prebys Foundation (Honorable Mention in Sparx Challenge), and VAPA Foundation.
- Government Grants: Government grants contributed $76,000 in FY25 from sources including City of National City, County of San Diego/Health & Human Services Agency, San Diego County Office of Education, and California Arts Council.
- Earned Revenue (Programs & Events): Earned revenue exceeded $1,000,000 in FY25, generated through ticketed events (Bright Lights gala, ARTS After Dark adult workshops), paid youth internships/apprenticeships, venue rentals, and program partnerships.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate contributions of $43,000 in FY25. Notable corporate partners include US Bank (Bright Lights event sponsor and ARTS Patio Refresh partner), Taco Bell Foundation (Live Más Scholarship), and Fervor and Zeal (apparel partnership).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation tiers: $100 (art supplies), $500 (paid internships), $1,000 (safe creative spaces) |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Bright Lights 2026 gala tickets — price not publicly disclosed |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | ARTS After Dark adult (18+) workshop tickets — price not publicly disclosed |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free youth arts programming |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
A Reason To Survive product offering
Product offeringCore offering
A Reason To Survive (ARTS) is a nonprofit arts education organization that delivers place-based, healing-centered creative youth development programs for youth ages 12–24 in South County/South Bay San Diego. Its core offering is a four-program portfolio — Community ARTS (after-school creative art and design classes, ages 12–18), ARTS on Campus (visual and media arts education on school campuses), ARTS @ Work (paid creative-career internships and apprenticeships, ages 16–24), and ARTS 4 Justice (healing-centered creative programming for justice-impacted youth ages 14–19) — delivered free of charge to youth and supplemented by signature fundraising events and a Volunteer/Internship engagement program anchored at the ARTS Center in National City, CA.
Product overview
A Reason To Survive (ARTS) is a single nonprofit organization delivering a portfolio of interconnected youth arts education programs and community events from its ARTS Center in National City, California. Its core offering is not a software product but a programmatic platform composed of four youth-focused programs (Community ARTS, ARTS on Campus, ARTS @ Work, and ARTS 4 Justice), supplemented by signature community events (ARTS After Dark, Better Together: Youth Arts Festival, Día de los Muertos / Cruce de Almas, and Bright Lights) and engagement programs (Volunteer and Internship programs). Community ARTS serves as the flagship after-school creative art and community design pathway for ages 12-18; ARTS on Campus extends visual and media arts education into school campuses; ARTS @ Work delivers paid internships and apprenticeships for ages 16-24; and ARTS 4 Justice provides healing-centered creative programming for justice-impacted youth ages 14-19 in partnership with the Juvenile Court and Community Schools district. Together these programs are unified by Creative Youth Development, Healing-Centered Engagement, and the National Core Arts Standards frameworks, and are hosted physically at the ARTS Center located at 200 E 12th Street, National City, CA 91950.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Community ARTS: Creative arts and community design classes for elementary, middle, and high school youth ages 12-18 in the South County region of San Diego.
- ARTS on Campus
- ARTS @ Work
- ARTS 4 Justice
- ARTS After Dark
- Better Together: Youth Arts Festival
- Bright Lights
- Día de los Muertos / Cruce de Almas
Products and services
- Community ARTS Place-based, after-school creative art and community design classes for youth ages 12-18 in the South County region of San Diego; aligned with National Core Arts Standards, Creative Youth Development (CYD), and Healing-Centered Engagement; flagship program delivered at the ARTS Center in National City.
- ARTS on Campus Visual and mixed-media arts education delivered on school campuses through community-focused creative projects and workshops; aligned with California State Standards for Expanded Learning, CYD framework, CASEL, California VAPA standards, and National Core Arts Standards in Visual Arts.
- ARTS @ Work Internships, site visits to creative industries, guest speakers, and structured paid apprenticeships connecting youth ages 16-24 with creative career exposure; aligned with California CTE, Culturally-Relevant Maker Education, and Career Development / Work-Based Learning standards.
- ARTS 4 Justice Healing-centered, integrated creative projects for justice-impacted youth ages 14-19, delivered in partnership with SDCOE Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS) and the Juvenile Diversion Initiative (JDI); inspired by restorative practices and strengths-based approaches.
- ARTS After Dark An 18+ adult art-making event series for the South Bay community led by ARTS Teaching Artists, with proceeds supporting free youth art education programs; each season hosts three themed workshops (e.g., Kintsugi, piñata-making, oil pastel painting, journal collage, felt tiles).
- Better Together: Youth Arts Festival A seasonal festival celebrating the creative expressions of young artists across all ARTS programs; Spring 2026 edition scheduled for May 16, 2026 with the theme 'Collective Care'.
- Día de los Muertos / Cruce de Almas Annual Día de los Muertos / Undas celebration combining Día de los Muertos and Filipino Undas traditions, honoring lost loved ones through art and culture, featuring youth-led art workshops, live performances, partner tables, community resources, and a community altar.
- Bright Lights Annual Gala Annual awards event honoring individuals, families, and community partners who inspire and uplift the South Bay community; Bright Lights 2026 set for June 13, 2026 at the ARTS Center and sponsored by US Bank.
- Volunteer Program Volunteer engagement supporting Programming, Events, Administration, and Operations/Communications/Development; recruits in cycles (January-February, April-May, August-September) and requires TB Test, LiveScan background check, and Mandated Reporter Training.
- Internship Program School-credit internships across Advancement, Community Arts, Operations, People & Culture, and Programs; ARTS maintains academic partnerships with Southwestern College, San Diego Community College District, San Diego State, CSU San Marcos, and UC San Diego.
- ARTS Community Resources A curated directory of no-cost community-based services within National City and greater San Diego County, grouped into eight sections (Art, Emergency Preparedness, Food, Health, Hotlines, Legal Aid, LGBTQIA+, Mental Health, Parents/Caregivers, Youth).
Quantifiable outcome
- Approximately 25,000 visitors welcomed at ARTS Center in 2025
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use A Reason To Survive
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
A Reason To Survive technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
A Reason To Survive partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
42 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship municipal partner, core, minor and flagship historical partner.
- City of National Cityflagship municipal partnerMulti-department municipal partnership including Community Services Department, Engineers and Public Works Department, and other departments. Co-developed the Ripple Effect public art project at El Toyon Park and Sweetwater Spigot with Sweetwater Authority. National City is the home city of the ARTS Center.
- Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD)corePartner through the LEAD Expanded Learning Program serving TK through 6th grade students via after-school programs and intersession camps. Honored at Bright Lights 2026 for opening doors for South Bay youth through ARTS Center visits, school campus programming, and creative engagement.
- SDCOE Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS)coreCo-development partner for the ARTS 4 Justice program serving system-impacted youth. Includes the Global Campus high school site and Kimball Elementary intergenerational mural project led by Teaching Artist Lerida Armendariz alongside Ms. Cecilia from JCCS Global Campus.
- National School DistrictcoreSchool district partner delivering ARTS on Campus visual arts programming and family workshops. Referenced in Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 programming.
- San Diego Unified School DistrictcoreSchool district partner for ARTS on Campus programming.
- Southwestern CollegecoreAcademic partnership for internships through the Work Experience Education (WEE) Program and Service Learning Program. ARTS Internship Opportunities listed on Handshake.
- San Diego Community College District (Mesa College, San Diego City College)coreAcademic partnership for the Mesa Impactship Program (MIP) supporting underserved student populations in workforce training, and San Diego City College Work Experience Education program offering on-the-job learning experiences.
- San Diego State University (SDSU)coreAcademic partnership for Service Learning Agreements with PSY 495 and ART 452. School of Social Work and Department of Psychology also named as 2025 partners. Internship opportunities listed on Handshake.
- CSU San MarcoscoreAcademic partnership through Academic Internship Program and Service Learning Program. Internship and Service Learning opportunities listed on the S4 Academic Internship Database.
- University of California San Diego (UCSD)coreAcademic partnership through the Academic Internship Program (AIP 97 / AIP 197). Opportunities listed on the REAL Portal and Handshake. Also partnered with College Corps at UC San Diego.
- University of Southern California, School of Social WorkcoreAcademic partnership supporting MSW student internship pipelines. Listed as 2024-2025 partner for practicum host site opportunities.
- University of Denver Graduate School of Social WorkminorAcademic partner supporting MSW internship pipelines. Listed as 2025 partner.
- Sweetwater High SchoolcorePartner for ARTS 4 Justice programming and Día de los Muertos performance featuring Ballet Folklorico Tlapalán. Home to Eva Salazar who performs Kumeyaay Ceremony.
- Sweetwater AuthoritycoreCo-developer of the Ripple Effect youth-led public art project at the Sweetwater Spigot (free water source) in National City, raising awareness of water conservation and free water resources.
- Artist and Exile, Inc.coreProfessional fabrication partner co-developing legacy projects including the Ripple Effect public art installation with ARTS youth interns and Parco Tables paid internship (2024).
- Sew Loka (Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski)coreTeaching artist and partner organization led by founder Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski, providing sewing/textile arts programming across Community ARTS, ARTS on Campus, and ARTS 4 Justice.
- Village Arts Outreach Gallery – Studio 21coreExhibition partner at Balboa Park where Community ARTS youth curated and presented the Echoes of Blooming exhibition (Summer 2025) — for most students, their first time exhibiting at a major cultural institution.
- Institute for Public Strategies (IPS)corePublic health partner focusing on community-based prevention and advocacy. Curated community resources and vendor information for Día de los Muertos events. Listed across 2024 and 2025 partnerships.
- Casa FamiliarcoreLong-standing South San Diego County community services partner participating in Día de los Muertos event with community resources and programming.
- YMCA of San Diego CountyminorCommunity partner listed in 2025 partnerships. Also referenced in 2024 partner list via REACH-YMCA.
- Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial CountiescoreCo-host of the Bright Spots: Catalyst Conference at ARTS Center in October 2025, bringing together 250+ participants from creative leaders and social impact sector.
- Athenaeum Art CenterminorArts education partner listed in 2025 community partnerships.
- California Lawyers for the ArtsminorLegal/advocacy partner listed in 2025 community partnerships.
- Chicano Park Steering CommitteeminorCultural partner listed in 2025 community partnerships.
- Environmental Health CoalitionminorEnvironmental justice partner listed in 2025 community partnerships.
- Fleet Science CenterminorSTEM/STEAM education partner listed in 2025 community partnerships.
- Juvenile Diversion Initiative (JDI)coreJustice-system diversion partner providing hands-on art workshops at ARTS Center to reduce youth entry into the juvenile justice system. Co-led with National Conflict Resolution Center.
- National Conflict Resolution CenterminorCo-leads the Juvenile Diversion Initiative with ARTS. Listed in both 2024 and 2025 partner rosters.
- Ocean ConnectorsminorEnvironmental education partner listed in 2025 community partnerships.
- Olivewood Gardens and Learning CenterminorGardening and learning center partner listed across 2024 and 2025 partnerships.
- South Bay Youth CenterminorYouth services partner listed in 2025 community partnerships.
- Triple VminorCommunity partner listed in 2025 community partnerships.
- BIPOC Support FoundationminorPartner organization that uplifts BIPOC business owners and students through intersectional, culturally responsive programs. Participates in Día de los Muertos resource tabling.
- Border AngelsminorHumanitarian aid partner providing education and advocacy for migrants and asylum seekers, participating in Día de los Muertos resource tabling.
- Ronald McDonald Houseflagship historical partnerOriginal founding partner in 2001. ARTS began by partnering with children's hospitals and support organizations like Ronald McDonald House to provide therapeutic arts experiences for youth facing significant challenges. The Sowell family, served in 2001, was honored at Bright Lights 2026.
- Rise San DiegominorLocal partnership organization referenced in 2025 community event hosting.
- Art of ElanminorRegional arts partner that co-hosted events at the ARTS Center in 2025. Listed in 2024 partnerships.
- Fervor and ZealminorApparel partnership producing ARTS-branded merchandise (eco-tote bags, apparel with purpose), featured in June 2025 blog post.
- SD ART MattersminorCreative Youth Development Network partner participating in Prebys Sparx Challenge co-creation. Listed in 2024-2025 partnerships.
- Anakbayan San DiegominorFilipino youth advocacy partner participating in Día de los Muertos/Undas celebration and resource tabling.
- Livewell San DiegominorCoalition of 600+ organizations focused on improving health and well-being. Partner for Día de los Muertos community resource engagement.
- Ballet Folklorico Tlapalán (Sweetwater High School)minorPerformance partner performing Kumeyaay Ceremony and traditional dances at Día de los Muertos/Undas celebrations.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
A Reason To Survive competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Media Arts Center San Diego: San Diego-based nonprofit operating the Digital Gym and youth media arts programs including Teen Producers Project; comparable as a San Diego creative youth development organization with school-based delivery and paid youth apprenticeship components.
- Inner-City Arts: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing free arts education to inner-city youth through a dedicated campus and multiple program lines; directly comparable in mission, free youth arts model, facility-based delivery, and partnership-driven programming.
- A Step Beyond: San Diego County nonprofit providing arts-based youth development to underserved youth in Escondido and National City, with paid apprenticeships and creative career exposure; directly comparable in geography, youth ages served, apprenticeship model, and Creative Youth Development framework.
- San Diego Junior Theatre: San Diego's oldest children's theatre providing performing arts education to youth ages 3-18; comparable as a San Diego-based youth arts education nonprofit with after-school programming, ticketed events, and dedicated facility.
- Outside the Lens: San Diego nonprofit empowering youth through media arts, digital storytelling, and photography programs in schools and communities; directly comparable in place-based youth arts education model, school district partnerships, and creative career exposure focus.
- Resounding Joy: San Diego nonprofit providing music therapy and arts-based healing programs to youth, veterans, and seniors; comparable as a San Diego healing-centered arts organization serving youth with social-emotional and wellbeing outcomes similar to ARTS' Creative Youth Development model.
Broad incumbents
- La Jolla Playhouse: Tony Award-winning regional theatre in San Diego with extensive youth education and community engagement programming; comparable as a San Diego arts institution with youth education programs, school partnerships, and Arts Education Connections network participation.
- The New Children's Museum: San Diego downtown museum dedicated to contemporary art experiences for children and families; comparable as a larger San Diego arts-and-youth institution with facility-based programming, school partnerships, and signature community events.
Emerging players
- Casa Familiar: San Ysidro-based community services nonprofit serving South San Diego County with youth, education, arts, and human services programming; comparable as a South County community-based organization with overlapping youth/family services footprint and Dia de los Muertos collaboration history.
- Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center: National City-based nonprofit offering garden-based experiential learning, cooking education, and youth/family programs; comparable as a National City/South Bay nonprofit partner with overlapping youth and family demographic focus and shared community partnership ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
A Reason To Survive social profiles
Digital presenceA Reason To Survive compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
A Reason To Survive financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
A Reason To Survive leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
A Reason To Survive funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
A Reason To Survive M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about A Reason To Survive
What does A Reason To Survive do?
A Reason To Survive (ARTS) is a nonprofit arts education organization that delivers place-based, healing-centered creative youth development programs for youth ages 12–24 in South County/South Bay San Diego. Its core offering is a four-program portfolio — Community ARTS (after-school creative art and design classes, ages 12–18), ARTS on Campus (visual and media arts education on school campuses), ARTS @ Work (paid creative-career internships and apprenticeships, ages 16–24), and ARTS 4 Justice (healing-centered creative programming for justice-impacted youth ages 14–19) — delivered free of charge to youth and supplemented by signature fundraising events and a Volunteer/Internship engagement program anchored at the ARTS Center in National City, CA.
Is A Reason To Survive a public or private company?
A Reason To Survive is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was A Reason To Survive founded?
A Reason To Survive was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is A Reason To Survive based?
A Reason To Survive is headquartered in California City, United States, in the North America region.
How does A Reason To Survive make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants, government Grants, earned Revenue (Programs & Events) and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are A Reason To Survive's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Media Arts Center San Diego, Inner-City Arts, A Step Beyond, San Diego Junior Theatre, Outside the Lens and Resounding Joy. Broad incumbents are La Jolla Playhouse and The New Children's Museum. Emerging players are Casa Familiar and Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center.
Does A Reason To Survive have an API?
No public API is recorded for A Reason To Survive.
What industry is A Reason To Survive in?
A Reason To Survive's product category is Youth Arts Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAL, Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building), with a secondary code of EDAAAFAD, Cultural, Arts & Humanities Community Education (Museums/Arts Councils). Its NAICS code is 61161.