What SoLa Foundation does

SoLa Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2017-2018 and headquartered in South Los Angeles, serving as the nonprofit affiliate of SoLa Impact. The organization delivers free workforce development, education, and economic mobility programs to under-resourced youth and young adults (ages 8-28) in South LA, with a programmatic architecture spanning three pillars: (1) technology and entrepreneurship training delivered through the 13,000 sq ft SoLa Technology & Entrepreneurship Center powered by Riot Games, which has trained 7,300+ students since opening in January 2022; (2) culinary and hospitality training via the Kitchen to Capital Workforce Program and the student-run 60th Street Cafe, which opened in late 2025 and offers ServSafe certifications plus a $1,300 completion stipend; and (3) college access through the SoLa Success Academy and SoLa College Scholarship Fund, which has awarded $2.73M to 186 first-generation college students since 2018, including the Miller Full-Ride Scholarship for elite and HBCU-bound scholars.

The foundation operates nine named sub-brands and an additional layer of specialized labs (Howmet Material Science & Engineering Lab with laser cutting, CNC, and 3D printing equipment) and accelerator programs (CompTIA Security+ cybersecurity certification, SoLa Live Accelerator with Live Nation, SoLa Founders Launchpad for entrepreneurs, Art in Action, Operation IMPACT mentorship). Physical infrastructure includes the main Tech Center at 961 E. 61st Street, the 60th Street Cafe at 1000 E. 60th Street, and the SoLa Tech & Entertainment Center at 4611 S. Crenshaw Blvd opening in late Spring 2026 in partnership with Live Nation. Technology assets under management include 30 iMacs, 30 MacBooks, 15 iPads, a podcast/broadcast studio, a music production studio powered by 1500 Sound Academy, an Esports Arena with 40 gaming PCs, Oculus Quest VR headsets, and aerospace-grade materials science equipment.

Revenue mechanics are mixed and largely philanthropic: the dominant stream is tax-deductible donations and charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations (including a $3M Oprah Foundation gift), augmented by foundation grants (James Irvine, T.D. Jakes), corporate sponsorships (Wells Fargo, Target, Snap, Disney, Netflix), and an annual Cirque du SoLa gala with sponsorship tiers ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. Earned income is secondary but growing, sourced from 60th Street Cafe retail food sales (via DoorDash, UberEats, and Toast Tab), Tech Center space rentals (esports arena, creative lab, podcast studio), and a $500 refundable deposit for the CompTIA Security+ program. Programs are delivered free of charge to remove access barriers, with scholarships, stipends, and payment plans supporting participation. Customer segments are segmented vertically by life stage: K-12 students in the Success Academy, tech trainees ages 10-21 at the Tech Center, culinary trainees ages 18-28 at the Cafe, adult cybersecurity certification candidates ages 18+, and first-generation college scholarship recipients.

Name

SoLa Foundation

Legal name

SoLa I CAN Foundation

Website

https://thesolafoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SoLa Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in South Los Angeles providing free technology, culinary, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship training alongside college scholarships to under-resourced youth and young adults ages 8-28, operating two Tech Centers, a student-run cafe, and a scholarship fund that has awarded over $2.73M since 2018.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Workforce Development

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Philanthropy & Foundations Advisory (Donor-Advised Funds, Endowments) (FSAAABAH), Entrepreneurship, Business & Innovation Camps (EDAMALAL), Financial Literacy, Budgeting & Personal Finance (EDAMAHAE)

Keywords

• Youth workforce development
• Technology education programs
• College scholarship programs
• Culinary workforce training
• Community development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting the nonprofit mission. Monthly giving program available through GiveLively platform.
2. 60th Street Cafe Operations: Social enterprise cafe generating revenue through retail food and beverage sales. All profits reinvested into workforce development programs. Available via DoorDash, UberEats, and direct pickup orders.
3. Tech Center Space Rentals: Rental revenue from Esports arena, gaming center, creative lab, learning lab, podcast studio, music production studio, and event spaces for private rentals and corporate events.
4. Gala and Fundraising Events: Annual Cirque du SoLa gala with ticket sales, sponsorships, and auction items. Sponsorship tiers ranging from $10,000 to $150,000.
5. Cyber Security Program Deposits: $500 refundable deposit required for CompTIA Security+ program participation, fully refunded upon successful completion. Payment plans and scholarships available for low-income students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SoLa Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free workforce development, technology education, college scholarships, and community programs to underserved youth (ages 8-24) and families in South Los Angeles. Its flagship offering is the SoLa Technology & Entrepreneurship Center powered by Riot Games, a 13,000 sq ft facility offering training in coding, esports, robotics, graphic design, virtual reality, and entrepreneurship. It also operates the 6-week Kitchen to Capital Culinary Workforce Program at its 60th Street Cafe social enterprise and provides college scholarships ranging from $10,000 to full-ride.

Product overview

The SoLa Foundation operates a multi-program workforce development and education ecosystem serving underprivileged youth in South Los Angeles. The organization offers three primary pillars: (1) Technology & Entrepreneurship Programs through the SoLa Tech & Entrepreneurship Center (powered by Riot Games) offering coding, esports, robotics, graphic design, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship training; (2) Culinary & Hospitality Programs including the Kitchen to Capital Culinary Workforce Program and 60th Street Cafe social enterprise; and (3) College Access & Scholarships including the SoLa Success Academy and SoLa College Scholarship Fund ($10K to full-ride). Additional programs include the SoLa Live Accelerator (Live Nation partnership), Howmet Material Science Lab, Art in Action, Operation IMPACT mentorship, and space rentals. Programs target youth ages 3-24 with a focus on underserved South LA communities, providing free education and training to build career-ready skills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SoLa Tech & Entrepreneurship Center: A 13,000 sq ft state-of-the-art technology center powered by Riot Games, offering programs in video game design, virtual reality, esports, coding, graphic design, robotics, music production, and entrepreneurship for youth ages 8-24.
• 60th Street Cafe (SoLa Culinary Kitchen)
• SoLa Success Academy
• SoLa Founders Launchpad
• SoLa Live Accelerator
• Howmet Material Science & Engineering Lab
• Kitchen to Capital Culinary Workforce Program
• Art in Action
• Operation Impact

Products and services

• SoLa Technology & Entrepreneurship Center A 13,000 sq ft state-of-the-art technology and entrepreneurship facility powered by Riot Games, offering programs in video game design, virtual reality, esports, coding, graphic design, robotics, music production, and entrepreneurship for youth ages 10-21 in South LA.
• Kitchen to Capital Culinary Workforce Program A 6-week hands-on culinary training program for young people ages 18-28, covering kitchen foundations, food safety, cooking methods, barista training, baking, and career readiness; participants receive $1,300 stipend upon completion.
• 60th Street Cafe (SoLa Culinary Kitchen) A social enterprise cafe and student-run training facility serving as the operational setting for culinary students and providing healthy breakfast, lunch, and coffee to the South LA community; available via DoorDash, UberEats, and Toast Tab.
• SoLa Success Academy (SSA) A long-term support program for students from grades 3-12 providing scholarships ($10,000 to full-ride), academic support, career exposure, financial literacy, wellness, and mentorship with guaranteed SoLa Scholarships.
• SoLa Live Accelerator Program A 6-month intensive live entertainment career program in partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, selecting approximately 20 participants ages 16-22 annually to explore careers in live entertainment through guest speakers, field trips, and producing a culminating concert.
• CompTIA Security+ Cyber Security Program A 6-month cybersecurity training program covering Linux/Windows administration, Bash/PowerShell scripting, network security, cloud computing, ethical hacking, and security incident management; includes a CompTIA exam voucher ($400 value) and is supported by LA Care.
• SoLa Founders Launchpad A 12-week entrepreneur accelerator providing entrepreneurship workshops, 1-on-1 mentorship, business launch support, microgrants, networking opportunities, and a showcase event for emerging founders in South LA.
• Product Innovation & Material Science Fellowship An 18-week hands-on fellowship for high school students (grades 11-12) at the Howmet Material Science & Engineering Lab, covering sneaker design, 3D modeling, laser cutting, CNC machines, 3D printing, sewing, and electronics, with a stipend upon completion.
• Art in Action A creative arts program for young artists ages 15-22 from South LA working in 2D/3D mediums, visual art, photography, murals, illustration, design, filmmaking, or mixed media with a focus on social justice and community storytelling.
• Operation IMPACT Mentorship A mentorship program pairing adult mentors with youth ages 9-16 from South LA, featuring community-based check-ins, group activities, career field trips, and an annual IMPACT ceremony celebration.
• SoLa College Scholarship Program A college scholarship fund providing $10,000 to full-ride awards for South LA students attending accredited 4-year universities, with wraparound support including mentorship and career coaching. The fund has awarded $2.2M+ to 186+ students since 2018.
• Miller Full-Ride Scholarship A comprehensive full-ride scholarship established by Adam and Staci Miller for high-achieving South LA students (minimum 3.5 GPA), covering the full financial aid gap for attendance at elite universities including HBCUs and Ivy League schools.
• Tech Center Space Rentals Rental spaces within the SoLa Tech Center including the Esports/Gaming Center (40 PCs, green room, 18ft LED wall), Creative Lab (30 iMac workstations), Learning Lab, Broadcast/Podcast Studio, LiveNation Jam Room, and Game Zone, available for private and corporate event rentals.
• LA Fire Relief Program An emergency relief initiative providing immediate material aid, temporary facility access for displaced schools (e.g., hosting Rosebud Academy), ADU housing for fire survivors, and long-term community rebuilding support for LA fire-impacted families; over $1.75M in resources and services have been provided.
• SoLa Tech Summer Camp Seasonal tech education camp offering hands-on technology training, gaming, and skill-building activities for youth during summer months at the SoLa Tech Center.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7,300+ students trained since January 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Riot GamescoreTechnology or IntegrationFlagship partnership powering the SoLa Technology & Entrepreneurship Center. Riot Games provides funding, equipment, and brand support for the 13,000 sq ft technology facility offering gaming, esports, and tech education programs to South LA youth.
• Live Nation EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to build second Tech Center location in LAX-Crenshaw corridor opening late Spring 2026. Live Nation provides programming, mentorship, and career pathways in live entertainment industry through SoLa Live Accelerator Program.
• Howmet Aerospace FoundationcoreTechnology or IntegrationPowers the Howmet Material Science & Engineering Lab offering hands-on aerospace, robotics, and engineering education. Fellowship program for high school students with specialized equipment and industry exposure.
• Why Not? Foundation (Nina & Russell Westbrook)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Impact Partner for 2026. Joint initiatives to expand opportunity, uplift families, and invest in young people with tools and confidence needed to succeed.
• LA CaremajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare partner supporting the CompTIA Security+ cybersecurity training program. Provides funding and resources for tech career training for underserved communities.
• 1500 Sound AcademymajorTechnology or IntegrationPowers the Music Production Studio at SoLa Tech Center, providing equipment and curriculum for audio engineering and music production training.
• LA RamsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports partnership recognizing SoLa Impact Chief Impact Officer as first Rams pLAymaker. Youth engagement and community programs.
• Los Angeles LakersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLakers Youth Foundation YOU Grant supporting education and youth programs. Community engagement initiatives.
• Los Angeles KingsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHL team partnership for youth technology and community programs at SoLa Tech Center.
• LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLS soccer team partnership for community engagement and youth development programs.
• USC Iovine and Young CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with USC's Iovine and Young Center supporting technology education and pathways to higher education.
• DisneymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntertainment company partnership providing programming and special events at SoLa Tech Center.
• Sony PicturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntertainment partnership for media and entertainment career programming.
• TD Jakes FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for youth empowerment and educational initiatives.
• LA Urban LeaguemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil rights organization partnership for economic empowerment and educational programs.
• LA Promise FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation nonprofit partnership for school and community programs in Los Angeles.
• Jewish LAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish Community Foundation partnership for community development.
• Kwanza JonesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndividual philanthropist partnership for community initiatives.
• It's Bigger Than UsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Together We Rebuild LA Fire Relief campaign, co-hosting community events for fire-impacted families.
• Rosebud AcademyminorOthersAltadena charter school displaced by fires. SoLa Tech Center serving as temporary location for 150 TK-8th grade students.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Year Up: National nonprofit providing workforce development and career training for young adults from underserved communities. Closely comparable in target population (underprivileged youth 18–24), tech/career training model, and corporate partner ecosystem.
• Per Scholas: Nonprofit offering no-cost technology training (CompTIA-style certifications, cybersecurity, IT) to adults from low-income communities. Closely comparable to SoLa's CompTIA Security+ program model, paid-by-employers placement strategy, and target demographic.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Youth-development nonprofit network providing after-school programming, mentorship, and STEM education to underprivileged youth. Comparable in mission (closing opportunity gaps for ages 8–24), community-based delivery, and corporate-partnership fundraising model.
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF): Major scholarship and education-focused nonprofit for Black/underrepresented students. Comparable in scholarship-first operating model, donor and corporate-partner ecosystem, and wraparound student-support services.
• LA Urban League: LA-based civil-rights/empowerment nonprofit delivering workforce development, education, and economic mobility programs. Directly comparable geography, target population, and economic-mobility mission; SoLa lists LA Urban League as a major partner.
• LA Promise Fund: LA-based education nonprofit serving South LA students through school and college-access programs. Directly comparable in target geography (South LA), mission, and partnership with SoLa on related initiatives.
• LA84 Foundation: LA-based youth sports/education foundation investing in under-resourced communities; comparable mission and LA geography, with overlapping LA-sports-team donor ecosystem.
• Communities In Schools: National dropout-prevention and youth-development nonprofit embedded in public schools. Comparable in school-partnership-based delivery, wraparound support model, and target demographic of under-resourced students.

Emerging players

• Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation: Philanthropic foundation investing in education and family support in underserved LA communities. SoLa's announced Community Impact Partner for 2026, with closely aligned programmatic focus on youth/family empowerment.
• Magic Johnson Foundation: Celebrity-founded foundation focused on education, HIV/AIDS, and urban community empowerment. Comparable in being a high-profile LA-based philanthropy targeting Black/under-resourced communities, with similar corporate-sponsorship and gala-driven fundraising.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/solafoundation1
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsjOSEDW39kDW88PrEvxGBg
• Facebookfacebook.com/solaican
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-sola-foundation/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/thesolafoundation/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@solafoundation?lang=en

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

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 SoLa Foundation