What First Star does

First Star is a Los Angeles-headquartered 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1999 that operates long-term, university-based college preparatory programs for high-school-age youth in the U.S. foster care system. The organization's core offering, the First Star Academies, places foster scholars on partner university campuses for four consecutive immersive residential summers plus monthly school-year sessions throughout all four years of high school, supported by peer mentors who are former foster youth currently attending the host university. Programs span academics, life skills, caregiver engagement, and peer mentorship under a holistic educational case-management model; documented outcomes through the Foster Youth Pre-College Collective show an 88.2% high school completion rate and 78% post-secondary enrollment among participants.

The portfolio has expanded beyond the physical academy model to include the First Star National STEAM Academy—a virtual STEAM education platform for foster youth ages 13-24—and a First Star Alumni Program that maintains post-graduation engagement. The organization has replicated its UCLA-originated model to 12+ university locations across Arizona, California, Illinois, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Utah, New Jersey, and West Virginia, with partnerships including ASU, Cal State San Bernardino, Illinois State, Old Dominion, Sacramento State, UCLA, University of Miami, University of Utah, Kent State, UCF, Rowan University, and West Virginia. First Star pursues advocacy and technical-assistance work alongside direct service delivery.

First Star generates revenue through a mix of individual donations, corporate contributions, foundation grants, and state government funding (e.g., $740K California grant in 2019, $500K WellCare donation in 2018, $50K Patrick J. McGovern Foundation grant in 2021). All programs are provided at no cost to participants. GTM is community- and partnership-led: the organization leverages university campuses as program sites, alumni as peer mentors, and engagement with state child welfare and education systems to reach foster youth and their caregivers. Marketing relies on earned media (TIME Magazine 2021 cover feature, APSAC award), research publications (Destination Graduation, Trends & Best Practices reports), social media, newsletter distribution, and leadership public advocacy rather than paid acquisition.

Name

First Star

Legal name

First Star, Inc.

Website

https://firststar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

First Star is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1999 that runs university-based, four-year college-prep academies and a virtual STEAM platform for U.S. foster youth, currently operating at 12+ university sites with programs provided at no cost to participants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foster Youth Education

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

College & Career Exploration Camps (Pre-College Samplers, Pathways) (EDAMALAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pre-College Summer/Winter Academic Programs (High School Students) (EDAIAIAD), First-Year Experience & Transition Programs (EDALABAE)

Keywords

• Foster youth education
• College readiness programs
• University academy programs
• Nonprofit youth services
• STEAM education

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: First Star generates revenue through individual donations, corporate donations, and foundation grants. The organization is a 501(c)(3) public charity pursuing its mission through innovative programs, technical assistance, and policy advocacy.
2. Government Grants: First Star receives government funding such as the $740,000 award from the State of California to support the Sacramento-based First Star Academies site.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

First Star operates long-term, university-based college readiness academies for high-school-age youth in foster care (Grades 9–12), combining four immersive residential summers on partner university campuses with monthly school-year sessions that cover academics, life skills, caregiver engagement, and peer mentorship. The organization complements the academies with the First Star National STEAM Academy, a virtual STEAM learning platform for teens and young adults in foster care, and the First Star Alumni Program that sustains engagement after high school graduation.

Product overview

First Star operates a portfolio of education-focused programs for foster youth. The core offerings include the First Star Academies—a network of university-based, residential college readiness programs spanning four years of high school—offering immersive summer sessions on university campuses combined with monthly school-year programming covering academics, life skills, caregiver engagement, and peer mentorship. Complementing the academies is the First Star National STEAM Academy, a virtual national platform delivering Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math education. The First Star Alumni Program provides post-graduation support and continued engagement for program graduates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• First Star Academies: Long-term college readiness programs for high school foster youth that include immersive residential summers on university campuses and monthly sessions during each school year.
• First Star National STEAM Academy
• First Star Alumni

Products and services

• First Star Academies Long-term university-based college readiness programs for high school youth in foster care (Grades 9–12), consisting of four immersive residential summers on a partner university campus and monthly sessions during each school year, delivering academics, life skills, caregiver engagement, and peer mentorship throughout all four years. Programs are hosted at 12 university locations including Arizona State, Cal State San Bernardino, Illinois State, Kent State, Old Dominion, Sacramento State, UCLA, University of Central Florida, University of Miami, University of Utah, Rowan University (South Jersey Collaborative), and West Virginia, and are offered at no cost to participants.
• First Star National STEAM Academy A virtual national learning platform for teens and young adults (ages 13–24) from the foster care system, providing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math education that is led by technology and grounded in social justice. The platform enables remote STEAM skill-building and career preparation for foster youth nationwide, accommodating the unstable housing situations common to the population.
• First Star Alumni Program An extended First Star family program for high school graduates that keeps alumni connected to the organization through events, social media, newsletters, reunions, and ongoing support after completion of the academy experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88.2% high school completion rate for foster youth through tFYPC member programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and former core.

• Dress for Success PhoenixminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2025Dress for Success Phoenix collaborated with First Star to provide students with apparel suited for interviews and workplace environments, preparing them for future careers.
• Foster Youth Pre-College Collective (tFYPC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020First Star is one of six member organizations of the Foster Youth Pre-College Collective, established in 2020 during the pandemic. The collective serves youth in 10 California counties and has a combined high school graduation rate of 88.2% for foster youth, with 78% enrolling in post-secondary education. Member organizations include: First Star, Children Youth and Family Collaborative (CYFC), National Center for Youth Law (NCYL), Pivotal, Promises2Kids, and United Friends of the Children.
• Arizona State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASU hosts a First Star Academy providing residential summer immersion and monthly sessions for foster youth, part of the long-term college readiness program.
• Cal State University San BernardinocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSUSB hosts a First Star Academy. The Summer 2025 program featured scholars and peer mentors sharing the program's impact.
• Illinois State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIllinois State University hosts a First Star Academy as part of the network of university-based foster youth college readiness programs.
• Old Dominion UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOld Dominion University hosts a First Star Academy providing college preparation for local foster youth.
• Sacramento StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSacramento State hosts a First Star Academy supported by a $740,000 grant from the State of California. The program is a groundbreaking initiative guiding foster youth to college and careers.
• University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCLA hosts the First Star UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholars Academy, originally launched in 2011 as the first significant scalable step to leveling the educational playing field for foster youth in Los Angeles. The program has been replicated at multiple other universities.
• University of MiamicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Miami hosts a First Star Academy in collaboration with Miami Law's Children and Youth Law Clinic and School of Education. The inaugural class graduated in 2021.
• University of UtahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Utah hosts a First Star Academy providing foster youth with college immersion experiences.
• Kent State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKent State hosts a First Star Academy aimed at helping children in foster care in northeast Ohio realize they can succeed after aging out of the system.
• University of Central FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCF hosts a First Star Academy providing foster youth with college readiness programming.
• Rowan University (South Jersey First Star Collaborative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRowan University hosts the South Jersey First Star Collaborative, a partnership providing college preparation for foster youth in southern New Jersey.
• First Star Academy of West VirginiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWest Virginia hosts a First Star Academy providing foster youth with college readiness programming in partnership with KVC Health Systems.
• Tottenham HotspurminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive Tottenham Hotspur players conducted a surprise coaching session for 40 local foster children from First Star at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles as part of their Global Football Development program.
• Shaquille O'NealminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShaquille O'Neal attended the premier of 'Foster Boy' (the film produced by Peter Samuelson) and met students from the First Star UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholars Academy. Shaq is focused on bringing awareness to the foster care system as executive producer of the film.
• University of Miami School of Education and Human DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe School of Education and Human Development partners with Miami Law's Children and Youth Law Clinic to deliver the First Star University of Miami Academy's holistic college prep program for youth in the child welfare system.
• Miami Law Children and Youth Law CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Children and Youth Law Clinic serves as a key partner in the First Star University of Miami Academy, providing legal services and advocacy for foster youth while training Miami Law students in child welfare practice.
• Motivational EdgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMotivational Edge provides teaching artists who deliver motivational coaching and hip-hop inspired instruction to First Star Academy students, helping them develop life skills and self-advocacy.
• George Washington Universityformer coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorge Washington University previously hosted the First Star Greater Washington Academy, providing summer residential programs for foster youth in DC metro area from 2013-2015.
• University of Rhode Islandformer coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Rhode Island previously hosted the First Star URI Academy, providing summer residential programs for Rhode Island foster youth.
• University of Connecticutformer coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUConn previously hosted a First Star Academy as one of the early replication sites of the UCLA model.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• iFoster: National nonprofit providing resources, technology, and direct support to current and former foster youth; directly comparable to First Star in mission and target population, with overlapping technology-enabled delivery.
• John Burton Advocates for Youth: California-based nonprofit advancing education and housing outcomes for current and former foster youth; directly comparable to First Star's California footprint and policy-plus-program model.
• Promises2Kids: tFYPC member organization serving San Diego County foster youth with college access programs; directly comparable to First Star as a co-collective peer serving California foster youth through community-based programming.
• National Center for Youth Law (NCYL): tFYPC member that combines policy advocacy and direct legal support for foster youth; directly comparable to First Star's advocacy-plus-program delivery model and California foster-youth focus.
• Pivotal: One of the six tFYPC member organizations delivering foster-youth pre-college programming in California; operates as a direct collective peer in the same programmatic framework as First Star.
• United Friends of the Children: A fellow tFYPC member organization providing college-readiness, scholarships, and transitional support to Los Angeles County foster youth; direct co-collective peer to First Star's academies and a co-deliverer of the 88.2% / 78% outcome reporting.
• Treehouse: Washington State nonprofit focused on educational equity for kids and teens in foster care, with a Graduation Success program analogous to First Star's academies; a direct functional peer on academic outcomes for foster youth.
• Fosterful (formerly Foster Care to Success): National nonprofit directly providing college access, scholarships, and support services to current and former foster youth; the closest mission-aligned direct peer to First Star's college-readiness focus.

Broad incumbents

• Casey Family Programs: The largest U.S. foundation dedicated to reducing the number of children in foster care and improving long-term outcomes; broad incumbent across First Star's domain with overlapping educational and permanency goals.

Others

• KVC Health Systems: Child-welfare and behavioral-health services provider; a documented First Star partner on the West Virginia academy; comparable as a child-welfare ecosystem participant rather than a direct college-readiness peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/firststar
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKjpeRv4BuvYZJK13uCjZVg
• Facebookfacebook.com/firststar.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-star

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about First Star