The Ever Forward Club

What The Ever Forward Club does

The Ever Forward Club is a nonprofit youth development and mentorship organization founded in 2004 by Ashanti Branch, M.Ed., at San Lorenzo High School in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its mission is to address dropout rates, youth violence, and the achievement gap through social-emotional learning (SEL) mentoring for underserved middle and high school males, particularly young men of color. Core programming is delivered through school-based clubs — the signature Ever Forward Club, Peer Mentoring Club, and Social Emotional Leadership Academy (SELA) — using a proprietary Four-Fold Development methodology spanning Academic, Family, Community, and Personal Development. The organization operates under fiscal sponsorship of Youth Passageways (a 501(c)(3), Tax-ID 47-4750095) since December 2019, with offices in San Leandro and Oakland, California, and a leadership team of fewer than 10.

The portfolio spans direct service, commercial products, paid youth programs, and global movement-building. Physical products (Adventure Card Game, Taking Off The Mask Workshop Box) are sold via Shopify; fee-based Taking Off The Mask workshops and Professional Development services serve educators, schools, and corporate teams. The global #MillionMaskMovement, launched October 2017, has reached 81,000+ participants across 6+ continents through 41 partner organizations, anchored by a free mask-creation tool at millionmask.org. Recent additions include the Youth Leadership Council (2024), The Brotherhood mentorship program, a paid Summer Internship Program, the Global Young Men's Conference (inaugural 2025), and the first college-based club at CSU East Bay.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model: individual and corporate donations (via Donorbox), foundation grants (notably $50K from Hollister Confidence Project in 2022), fundraising events (e.g., 24 Hour Relay raised $17K in 2022), product sales through Shopify, and fee-for-service workshops. Sponsorship tiers range from $49-100/month for Brotherhood support to $5,000 event sponsorships and $1,000 SELA stipends. Go-to-market combines event-driven school partnerships in the Bay Area, content marketing via the #MillionMaskMovement social campaign and 'Taking Off The Mask' podcast, earned media (Variety, NPR, East Bay Times, SXSW EDU), and a 41-partner global distribution channel for international workshops and conferences.

Name

The Ever Forward Club

Legal name

Ever Forward Club

Website

https://everforwardclub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Ever Forward Club is a Bay Area 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2004 that mentors underserved middle and high school males through school-based clubs, the global #MillionMaskMovement, fee-based SEL workshops, and branded SEL products, reaching 81,000+ participants across 41 partner countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Social-Emotional Learning Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Youth mentorship programs
• Social emotional learning
• Youth development services
• Professional development workshops
• Peer mentoring clubs

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue source through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. As of 2019, under fiscal sponsorship of Youth Passageways (Tax-ID: 47-4750095). Accepts donations via Donorbox and physical checks.
2. Product Sales: Sale of The Adventure Card Game and Taking Off The Mask Workshop Box through Shopify storefront (shop-ever-forward.myshopify.com). Products designed for educators, students, families, and organizations.
3. Workshop and Professional Development Services: Fee-for-service workshops and professional development training for educators, organizations, and high-performance teams. Workshops focus on emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and team building.
4. Event Revenue: Annual events including the 24 Hour Relay Challenge, Dance-A-Thon, and Young Men's Conference generate fundraising contributions. The 2022 relay raised over $17,000 for the MillionMaskMovement.
5. Foundation Grants: Major grants from foundations including $50,000 from Hollister Confidence Project (2022) to support Peer Mentoring program and MillionMaskMovement expansion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Ever Forward Club delivers mentor-led, year-long youth development programs for young men in grades 6-12, with a focus on underserved youth of color. Core services include school-based clubs (Ever Forward Club, Peer Mentoring Club, Social Emotional Leadership Academy), experiential 'Taking Off The Mask' workshops, and professional development training for educators and organizations. The organization also sells physical SEL products (Adventure Card Game, Taking Off The Mask Box Set) and operates the global #MillionMaskMovement initiative that has reached 81,000+ participants across 6+ continents.

Product overview

The Ever Forward Club is a nonprofit youth development organization that operates as a portfolio of interconnected programs, products, and events centered on social-emotional learning and young men's mental health. The core offering consists of school-based clubs (The Ever Forward Club, Peer Mentoring Club, Social Emotional Leadership Academy) providing year-long mentoring for young men in grades 6-12. The organization also offers professional development services and Taking Off The Mask workshops for schools and organizations. Physical products include The Adventure Card Game (a social-emotional learning card game) and the Taking Off The Mask Box Set (facilitator workshop kit). The global MillionMaskMovement initiative extends the work through mask-making activities worldwide. Annual programming includes the Global Young Men's Conference, Youth Leadership Council, The Brotherhood mentorship program, and Summer Internship Program for college students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Ever Forward Club
• Peer Mentoring Club
• Social Emotional Leadership Academy (SELA)
• Youth Leadership Council (EF-YLC)
• The Adventure Card Game
• Taking Off The Mask Box Set
• Taking Off The Mask Workshops & Events

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of RestorED Project educators reported increased well-being and support
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• The F.I.N.D. DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2025Co-led the RestorED Project in Nashville in collaboration with Metro Nashville Public Schools. Partnership focused on trauma-informed, Afrocentric wellness experience for educators. 85% of 35 participating educators reported increased well-being.
• Metro Nashville Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the RestorED Project pilot, a healing-centered educator-focused initiative. Provided access to schools and educators for wellness programming including mask-making workshops.
• I'm Stronger Than My FathercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNashville-based organization that hosted the RestorED Project events. Created warm, welcoming space for educators during wellness programming.
• Rare Beauty (Selena Gomez)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEver Forward Club participated in the 2025 Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit. Founder Ashanti Branch led mask-making activity and conversation on vulnerability, identity, and emotional wellness.
• Seton Hall UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEFC brought MillionMaskMovement to Men's Mental Health Gala in April 2025. Ashanti Branch delivered keynote speech, led mask-making workshops, and facilitated student dialogues.
• MTV (Mental Health Action Day)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Mental Health Action Day, an MTV-sponsored initiative, to host pop-up events and Young Men's Health Groups during Mental Health Awareness Month.
• CSU East BaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst-ever college-based Ever Forward Club launched by two former EFC interns, bringing MillionMaskMovement to campus with partnerships, mask-making events, and connection opportunities.
• Northeastern University OaklandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEFC participated in 'Taste of Oakland' event welcoming 750+ first-year students. Sparked reflection, connection, and community through MillionMaskMovement activities.
• Ajayi Foundation (Nigeria)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmpowers young people in Nigeria by bringing emotional expression, safety, and support to schools through #MillionMaskMovement workshops and healing spaces.
• MMM South Africa / The Boy Child ProjectcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmpowers young boys through mentorship, emotional education, and safe spaces to heal, grow, and redefine healthy masculinity in South Africa.
• MMM Serbia / Imaš petljucoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCreates safe spaces for young men to build confidence, emotional strength, and leadership. Has led four workshops reaching nearly 200 young men and women.
• MMM Germany (Thomas Harnisch)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmpowers young men through safe spaces for emotional growth, connection, and leadership in Germany. Partnership with Thomas Harnisch fosters freedom, resilience, and self-awareness.
• MMM Denmark / Baba FoundationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartners with Baba - The Foundation for Social Responsibility in Denmark to bring MillionMaskMovement to fathers, creating safe spaces for reflection and emotional modeling.
• MMM Nigeria / BMAN AdvocacycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBMAN (Boys Mentoring Advocacy Network) equips boys across Nigeria with mentoring, life skills, and positive masculinity education, preventing gender-based violence.
• Voice of Brotherhood (Mexico)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrotherhood member Valentin brought MillionMaskMovement to Jalisco, Mexico, introducing mask activity to 17 classmates at his high school.
• Amaku House (Houston, TX)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharitable organization dedicated solely to young men, focusing on cultural, spiritual, educational and career development for self-sufficiency.
• Artivist InK (Cleveland, OH)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDr. Vanessa Jones drives community change through arts-based education, research, and youth-led activism, blending creativity with grassroots media.
• Bay Area Community Resources (Oakland, CA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrengthens communities through afterschool programs, mental health services, and youth workforce training in the Bay Area.
• Beyond (London, UK)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK youth mental health charity improving access to support and promoting early, personalized care for young people.
• The Breakfast Group (Seattle, WA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorthwest's oldest all-Black male nonprofit, mentoring at-risk youth of color to achieve education, leadership, and life success.
• ManKind ProjectminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal nonprofit brotherhood transforming men's lives for 40 years through New Warrior Training Adventure and 1,000+ men's groups.
• Man in the Mirror (NY)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmpowers underrepresented youth through mentorship, leadership training, and community service, reducing violence and inspiring growth.
• Change for Five Hundred (Richmond, CA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmpowers underprivileged children in Richmond through mentorship, education, and community outreach.
• Corporation for Black Male AchievementminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational movement improving life outcomes for Black men and boys, leveraging over $212M and building a network of thousands.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ManKind Project: Global nonprofit brotherhood transforming men's lives for 40+ years through training and men's groups. A stated EFC partner with overlapping focus on men's emotional wellness, brotherhood, and group-based transformation.
• The Breakfast Group: Seattle-based all-Black male nonprofit mentoring at-risk youth of color for education, leadership, and life success. A stated EFC global partner with directly overlapping mission and methodology.
• Boys to Men Mentoring Network: Community-based mentoring organization serving boys and young men of color through group mentoring and rites-of-passage programs. Directly comparable as a mission-aligned youth male mentoring nonprofit with similar group-mentorship methodology.
• Corporation for Black Male Achievement: National movement improving life outcomes for Black men and boys, with a network of thousands and $212M+ leveraged. A stated EFC partner and a direct peer as a national Black-male-youth-development umbrella.
• 100 Black Men of America: National network mentoring Black youth across academic, leadership, and health domains. Comparable in focus on mentoring young Black males and serving as a youth-development umbrella organization.
• Becoming a Man (BAM) by Youth Guidance: School-based group mentoring and SEL program for young men, with documented outcome studies. Comparable as a school-embedded SEL/mentoring program targeting young men with group-format delivery.
• Man in the Mirror: Mentors underrepresented youth through leadership training and community service, reducing violence and inspiring growth. A stated EFC partner organization with directly comparable youth-mentorship focus.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National network of youth development clubs offering after-school programming, mentoring, and SEL-adjacent services. Comparable as a large, established youth-development club infrastructure with overlapping SEL and mentorship offerings.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Largest youth mentoring organization in the U.S., matching adult volunteers with young people. Comparable as a youth-mentoring incumbent with far greater scale, brand recognition, and institutional funding.
• MENTOR (National Mentoring Partnership): National umbrella organization advancing youth mentoring through advocacy, resources, and quality standards. Comparable as a youth-mentoring infrastructure peer operating above the direct-service level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/everforwardclub
• Xx.com/everforwardclub
• Facebookfacebook.com/everforwardclub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-ever-forward-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 The Ever Forward Club