What Rainbow Labs does

Rainbow Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers free, trauma-informed mentorship programs to LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-18 across Los Angeles County. Founded in 2020 by Jacob Toups and Luis Vasquez, the organization operates six core program lines: the Storytelling Lab, Innovation Lab, Sports Lab, Leadership Lab, Policy Lab, and the One Bold Summer flagship. Curriculum is research-based and explicitly designed by and for queer, gender-nonconforming, and questioning (QGNC) youth, and is delivered by LGBTQIA+ adult mentors with lived experience and specific training. Programs are delivered at no cost to participants and are accessed primarily through school and Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) partnerships. {'company_description_short': 'Rainbow Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free trauma-informed mentorship programs for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-18 in Los Angeles County. Founded in 2020, it operates six core labs funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants.'}

Name

Rainbow Labs

Legal name

Rainbow Labs

Website

https://rainbowlabs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Rainbow Labs accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals through its website and mail-in options. The Dream Builder Lab is a monthly giving program for recurring donors.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors provide funding, in-kind donations, volunteers, and employee engagement opportunities. Sponsors include SoCalGas, AmeriCorps, Kaiser Permanente, American Airlines, Disney, LA Dodgers Foundation, and others.
3. Foundation Grants: Rainbow Labs receives grant funding from foundations including AmeriCorps (planning grant), Anthony Pritzker Family Foundation, and LA84 Foundation. The CA Department of Public Health's ACT grant supports the LGBTQ+ Youth Advocacy Coalition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

No source material was provided to extract a description of the company's core offerings.

Product overview

Rainbow Labs is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of seven distinct youth development programs designed by and for Queer and Gender Nonconforming (QGNC) youth ages 12-18 in Los Angeles. The core programs include: Storytelling Lab (creative arts and narrative development), Innovation Lab (STEM mentorship), Sports Lab (inclusive athletics), Leadership Lab (civic leadership), Policy Lab (advocacy and civics), and One Bold Summer (comprehensive summer camp combining all program areas). Supporting infrastructure includes Dream Builder Lab (monthly donor program) and Ask a Mentor (one-on-one advice service). All programs are free, trauma-informed, and emphasize mentorship, peer connection, and safe spaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants consistently report feeling more confident, more connected, and more hopeful about their futures
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ+ CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through California Department of Public Health's ACT grant program to create the LGBTQ+ Youth Advocacy Coalition. Joint leadership development initiative serving SGV LGBTQIA+ youth, with three-year support designed for longevity and sustainability.
• Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (Dodgers DreamTeam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for LGBTQ+ Youth Softball Team - a nine-week program where youth join an official softball team and learn about the rules of the game, social-emotional benefits, and develop community through teamwork and mentorship.
• LA ClippersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted Rainbow Labs youth and mentors at the Kia Forum to launch One Bold Summer mentorship program in June 2023.
• LA GalaxyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated $17,434 to Rainbow Labs during annual Pride Night 2023 at Dignity Health Sports Park, in partnership with Covenant House.
• Lakers Youth FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeamed up with Rainbow Labs to host Lakers LGBTQ+ Tee-Off, a Pride Month event celebrating Queer and Gender Nonconforming youth.
• LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured as community partner at Pride Match sponsored by BMO. Rainbow Labs provides affirming mentoring programs to Queer and Gender Nonconforming youth.
• Center for Healing and Justice Through SportsminorOthersThird-party evaluator that reviews Rainbow Labs programs each year. Prepared 2024 Program Data and Theory of Change & 2024 Data Results evaluation reports.
• The Broad MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerField trip destination for One Bold Summer participants where camp ideas are explored in the real world.
• Walt Disney Concert HallminorGTM or Marketing PartnerField trip destination for Storytelling Lab participants to experience opera and orchestral programming at the iconic venue.
• Huntington Library and Botanical GardensminorGTM or Marketing PartnerField trip destination for Storytelling Lab youth to explore 207 acres of gardens, collections, and educational experiences.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Center: The largest LGBTQ+ organization in LA, providing youth services, mentorship, healthcare, and housing directly overlapping Rainbow Labs' geographic and mission footprint. Comparable as a multi-service LGBTQ+ youth provider in the same metro.
• The Trevor Project: National LGBTQ+ youth crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization providing 24/7 support, similar target demographic (ages 13-24). Comparable mission to address LGBTQ+ youth mental health and isolation.
• Hetrick-Martin Institute: New York-based LGBTQ+ youth services organization offering mentoring, arts, and education programming to youth ages 13-24. Directly comparable program model with mentorship and community-building focus.
• GLSEN: National LGBTQ+ youth education organization supporting GSAs and safe schools, with strong overlap in school-based programming (Rainbow Labs' Storytelling Lab runs in partner high schools).
• Point Foundation: LGBTQ+ scholarship and mentorship nonprofit providing financial support and mentoring to LGBTQ+ students, closely paralleling Rainbow Labs' scholarship component ($1,000 educational award) and mentorship model.
• SMYAL (Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League): Washington DC-based LGBTQ+ youth services nonprofit providing drop-in services, housing, and leadership programs. Comparable as a regional LGBTQ+ youth development organization.

Broad incumbents

• PFLAG: National organization with 400+ chapters supporting LGBTQ+ people, families, and allies, including youth-focused programming. Comparable as an established LGBTQ+ family and youth support incumbent with much broader geographic reach.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles: Established youth mentoring organization serving LA youth broadly, comparable in mentorship model but not LGBTQ+-specific. Represents the broader mentoring category Rainbow Labs operates within.

Emerging players

• Gender Spectrum: National organization focused specifically on gender-diverse children, youth, and families, directly relevant to Rainbow Labs' gender-nonconforming youth programming.
• Born This Way Foundation: Founded by Lady Gaga, focused on youth mental health and kindness, supporting young people including LGBTQ+ youth. Comparable in mission alignment around youth wellbeing and identity-affirming support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RainbowLabsOrg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rainbowlabs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rainbow Labs