Youth In Action

What Youth In Action does

Youth In Action (YIA) is a Providence, Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that operates a youth-led leadership development program for high-school-aged residents of Providence, primarily youth of color and first-generation or immigrant-origin youth. The organization's core product is a three-phase programming architecture (Core, Immersion, and Collective) under which youth progress from identity exploration to community issue identification and ultimately to paid leadership roles, supplemented by an Outdoor Equity/Wilderness series, a Youth Action Board addressing youth homelessness, and specialized programs including TenYoungMen and a Justice Cohort for court-diverted youth. All programming is free to participants, who can earn stipends (averaging $1,035 in 2022-23) and progress to paid part-time Co-Coordinator positions that span programming, development, digital engagement, and executive strategy; youth also hold 50% of board seats under a Co-Chair model.

YIA's revenue model is a hybrid of philanthropic and earned income. The philanthropic side includes a monthly giving program ("Bug-In Fam"), annual appeals, corporate sponsorship of the annual Bloom showcase, and foundation grants (notably the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Rhode Island Foundation, and Champlin Foundation), with a dedicated Development Director and youth Development Co-Coordinator managing the pipeline. Earned income derives from youth-led workshops and trainings delivered to schools, businesses, and nonprofits across New England (averaging roughly two per month, covering identity, power structures, undoing racism, student activism, and related topics), plus sliding-scale rental of YIA's 2nd/3rd-floor meeting space and a passenger van. YIA owns its headquarters at 672 Broad Street, purchased by youth in 2002, which doubles as a community programming hub and a revenue-generating venue.

Name

Youth In Action

Legal name

Youth In Action

Website

https://youthinactionri.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Youth In Action is a Providence, Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that runs a free, youth-led leadership development program for high-school-aged youth, primarily youth of color and immigrants, through a three-phase Core/Immersion/Collective model complemented by outdoor equity, workshops, and advocacy initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

Keywords

• Youth leadership development
• Social justice education
• Youth-led workshops
• Community organizing training
• Nonprofit youth services

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Individual donations through monthly giving program ('Bug-In Fam'), annual appeals, and corporate sponsorship for Bloom event. Foundation grants from organizations like Nellie Mae Education Foundation. YIA employs a Development Director and youth Development CoCo to cultivate donor relationships and write grant proposals.
2. Workshop and Training Fees: Youth-led workshops provided to schools, businesses, and nonprofits across New England. Workshops cover identity, power structures, undoing racism, student activism, and other social justice topics. Earned income revenue stream that also provides leadership opportunities for youth.
3. Space and Van Rental: Rental of YIA's 2nd and 3rd floor meeting spaces and van transportation to community organizations, universities, nonprofits, and for-profit companies on a sliding scale basis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Youth In Action delivers a three-phase youth leadership development program (Core, Immersion, Collective) for high-school-aged youth in Providence, Rhode Island, provided free of charge through after-school programming with adult mentorship. The organization also runs youth-led workshops and trainings on identity, power structures, and social justice topics for schools, businesses, and nonprofits across New England, as well as outdoor equity adventure programming, sliding-scale space and van rentals, and the annual Bloom youth showcase.

Product overview

Youth In Action (YIA) is a nonprofit youth leadership organization offering a three-phase programming structure (Core, Immersion, and Collective) that is youth-designed and facilitated with adult support. All programs are free for youth participants. Core is the foundational year-long programming where youth explore identities and establish leadership styles. Immersion is the second phase where youth identify community issues and form Action Groups. Collective is the advanced level where youth hold leadership positions including Board representation and paid Co-Coordinator roles. YIA also offers Outdoor Equity/Wilderness Series adventure programming, youth-led workshops and trainings for external organizations, space and van rental services, and hosts the annual Bloom youth showcase event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Foundational year-long programming where youth explore their identities, values, culture, stories, and truths and establish a unique leadership style. Youth push against oppression and marginalization they face due to their identities. Programming runs after school October-June and is free for participants.
• Immersion Second level of programming where youth immerse in practice by identifying issues important to them and their communities, actively building knowledge, power mapping, and connecting with local leaders through peer Action Groups addressing issues such as Language Justice, Faith As Resistance, and Ending Domestic Violence.
• Collective Final level of programming where youth gain experience and show commitment to leading and preparing newer members. Youth provide 1-on-1 adult mentoring, co-create personalized curriculum and leadership goals, and hold positions of power within the organization including paid Co-Coordinator roles and Board representation.
• Outdoor Equity / Wilderness Series Adventure learning and outdoor programming including hiking, overnight camping trips, canoeing, kayaking, winter cabin retreats, skating, biking, and beach days. Includes a youth-led Outdoor Equity advocacy group partnering with organizations such as PVD Trees and the Mystic Aquarium ADPC partnership.
• Youth-Led Workshops & Trainings Paid workshops on identity, power structures, undoing racism, student activism, culturally relevant learning, diversity and inclusion, organizing and mobilizing, and healing-centered strategies. Delivered by youth facilitators traveling across New England to schools, businesses, and nonprofits.
• Space Rental Rental of the 2nd and 3rd floor meeting spaces at 672 Broad Street, Providence, for community organizations to host events, meetings, community dinners, or affinity group meetings on a sliding scale basis. Available Mon-Thu 7AM-2PM and Fri-Sun 7AM-9PM during the school year, with more open summer availability.
• Van Rental Rental of YIA's van for transportation of youth or staff to agency-related events within three hours of Providence, RI. Available to community organizations, universities, nonprofits, and for-profit companies on a sliding scale basis.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% graduation rate from Providence Public High Schools in 4 years for YIA participants vs. 75% city average
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Amplifying Diverse Perspectives in Conservation (ADPC) / Mystic AquariumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership to co-create and facilitate space for youth of color to participate in ocean conservation movement. YIA's Stephanie Nunes serves as Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships for Mission Programs at Mystic Aquarium.
• OurSchoolsPVD CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Coalition of Providence youth demanding genuine voice and leadership in decision-making within Providence Public Schools takeover. YIA helped found this coalition.
• Sojourner HousecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Initial partner in Ending Domestic Violence Action Group, which later expanded and became the TenYoungMen program in partnership with RICADV and Gentlemen's Academy.
• Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in TenYoungMen program, modeled after RICADV's nationally-recognized TenMen program, supporting adolescent males in domestic violence prevention education.
• MentorRI / Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency PreventioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal and state partners for Justice Cohort, a leadership and identity exploration program for youth being diverted from the courts and justice system.
• Rhode Island Kids CountcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYIA youth work in partnership with RI Kids Count to explore education policy, co-create solutions, and activate community through briefings and awareness campaigns.
• PVD TreesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYIA youth serve as equity consultants on city-wide urban forestry project to increase tree canopy and advance environmental justice in Providence.
• Coalition for a Multilingual RI / Latino Policy InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLanguage Justice Cohort youth partnered with these organizations to advocate for inclusive policy and create multilingual programming opportunities.
• Providence Streets Coalition / Mobility JusticeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2019, collaboration advocating for safer streets. YIA led conference workshop and interactive panel at Mobility Justice Conference, and participated in (Park)ing Day community events.
• Brown University Swearer CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly partnership developing curriculum for YEAH Team (Youth Educating About Health) working on substance abuse, HIV and pregnancy prevention.
• Business Innovation FactoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to introduce Students Design For Education (SD4E), a groundbreaking initiative to create a school designed by high school students.
• AS220minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly venue for Multicultural Arts Team (MCAT) to coordinate arts events and celebrate diverse cultures of YIA youth through Battle of the DJs and City-Wide Jumpoff events.
• Youth PrideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly partner with YEAH Team developing curriculum for sexual health education workshops at the MET School.
• Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Youth 4 Change Alliance launching the Providence Youth Bill of Rights, elevating young people as critical thinkers and decision makers.
• Providence Student UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2017, partnered to orchestrate citywide walkout of over 1,000 students across public, private, and charter schools in protest of Trump administration policies.
• Gentlemen's AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport partner in evolution of TenYoungMen program from Ending Domestic Violence Action Group.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• City Year: National service organization engaging young adults in a year of full-time service in high-need schools. Comparable youth leadership and community impact mission; significantly larger and more established.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit with mentoring programs. Comparable mission targeting youth development outcomes; broader incumbent with established national infrastructure. Deputy Director Stephanie Nunes formerly worked at BBBS of Eastern Missouri.
• Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit providing young adults with career training and corporate internships. Comparable youth development outcomes and similar population served; more established scale.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Large national network of youth development clubs serving school-age youth with educational, recreational, and leadership programming. Broader incumbent providing youth development services across more dimensions than YIA's focused model.
• KIPP Foundation: National network of public charter schools serving underserved communities with college-prep education. Comparable demographics and mission of college graduation; significantly larger scale through school network model.

Direct peers

• Mikva Challenge: Chicago-based nonprofit developing youth voice and leadership through civic engagement, action civics, and youth-led activism in schools and communities. Highly comparable mission and methodology to YIA.
• Generation Citizen: National nonprofit bringing action civics to high school and college students, training them as citizens and leaders through teacher-led curricula. Closest mission-aligned direct peer focused on youth civic engagement and leadership.
• YouthBuild USA: National nonprofit providing education, job training, and leadership development to opportunity youth. Comparable youth-led leadership and workforce development mission; broader geographic footprint and program scope.
• Providence Student Union: Rhode Island youth-led organization advancing educational equity; partnered with YIA on a 2017 citywide student walkout. Direct peer sharing youth-led model and Providence geographic focus.

Emerging players

• iCivics: National civics education nonprofit founded by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor providing curricula and games for K-12 civic learning. Adjacent peer addressing youth civic education but with classroom curriculum rather than youth-led organizing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/youthinactionri
• Facebookfacebook.com/youthinactionri
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youth-in-action

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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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 Youth In Action