What Sunset Youth Services does

Sunset Youth Services is a San Francisco-based 501(c)-style nonprofit organization (legally Sunset District Community Development, Inc.) founded in 1992 by Dawn and Ron Stueckle to support systems-impacted youth, young adults, and families in the Outer Sunset neighborhood. Its core program portfolio comprises Justice Services (probation support, court accompaniment, reintegration), Arts & Enterprise (digital arts, paid youth internships, youth-led media such as Upstar TV), Family Support Services (crisis response, parenting support, resource connection), and Grief Circles (peer-based bereavement support using the Dougy Center model, formerly Josie's Place). Programs are delivered free of charge via an in-person Youth Center, virtual channels (Zoom, Instagram Live, YouTube, SoundCloud), and partner referrals through the SF Family Resource Center network, the SF Probation Department, and the SF Department of Public Health.

The organization operates as a fundraising-dependent nonprofit rather than a commercial entity, deriving income from individual donations (monthly giving, stock donations, special appeals), an annual 'Sunset by the Bay' gala (replaced in 2020 by the virtual 'Live from the Living Room' event targeting $88,000 with $30,000 in matching donor support), and grants routed through the FRC network and the Juvenile Justice Providers Association. Beneficiary segments are systems-impacted youth and families, vulnerable San Francisco families, and bereaved youth and caregivers. The underlying technology stack is limited to off-the-shelf digital engagement and collaboration platforms; no proprietary software or AI systems are disclosed. Co-founder Dawn Stueckle's 2018 election as JJPA co-chair extends the organization's influence into juvenile justice policy and city-level funding decisions.

Name

Sunset Youth Services

Legal name

Sunset District Community Development, Inc.

Website

https://sunsetyouthservices.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sunset Youth Services is a San Francisco nonprofit founded in 1992 that delivers free Justice Services, Arts & Enterprise, Family Support, and Grief Circles programs to systems-impacted youth, young adults, and bereaved families in the Outer Sunset, funded by donations, grants, and an annual gala.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth and Family Support Services (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Court/Community School Programs (Diversion, Probation-Linked, Community Day Schools) (EDAJAEAI), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

Keywords

• Youth services
• Juvenile justice support
• Grief counseling
• Family support services
• Community nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Sunset Youth Services is a nonprofit funded primarily through individual donations. The organization runs donation campaigns including monthly giving programs, stock donations, and special appeals such as the COVID-19 emergency appeal seeking $88,000 with $30,000 matching donor support.
2. Annual Fundraising Gala: Annual 'Sunset by the Bay' gala fundraiser held at the Bently Reserve. In 2020, due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders, the gala was canceled and replaced with a virtual 'Live from the Living Room' event on May 1, 2020.
3. Grant Funding: The organization receives grant funding as a member of the Juvenile Justice Providers Association and participates in city-funded programs through the Sunset Family Resource Center network of 26 family resource centers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sunset Youth Services is a nonprofit that provides free, wraparound programs for systems-impacted youth, young adults, and families in San Francisco. Core offerings include Justice Services (probation support and reentry), Arts & Enterprise (digital arts, paid internships, and youth-led media such as Upstar TV), Family Support Services (crisis response, parenting classes, food delivery), and Grief Circles (peer-based bereavement support for children, teens, and caregivers using the Dougy Center model).

Product overview

Sunset Youth Services is a nonprofit organization offering a multi-faceted youth and family support program. The core service portfolio includes three main program areas: Justice Services (supporting system-impacted youth), Arts & Enterprise (digital arts, technology, and workforce development with paid internships), and Family Support Services (including Grief Circles for bereaved youth and families). Additional offerings include Healing Arts programming and special initiatives like Upstar TV and virtual programming during COVID-19. These programs provide wraparound support including safe spaces, meals, crisis intervention, job coaching, and creative expression opportunities for vulnerable San Francisco youth and families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Justice Services Services supporting systems-impacted youth involved in the juvenile justice system, including assistance with probation obligations, court support, and reintegration after incarceration.
• Arts & Enterprise Digital arts, technology, and workforce development programs for youth, including paid internships, leadership opportunities, and creative employment programming.
• Family Support Services Wraparound support for families including crisis response, parenting classes, groceries and meal delivery, and connection to community resources.
• Grief Circles (formerly Josie's Place for Bereaved Youth & Families) Peer-based grief support groups for children, teens, young adults, and caregivers who are grieving the death of a family member or friend, co-facilitated by trained volunteers using the Dougy Center model.
• Healing Arts Therapeutic arts programming providing mental health support through creative expression and healing modalities for youth.
• Upstar TV Youth-led video series where young leaders host Q&As with community artists, musicians, and leaders about their creative work.
• Creativity in Quarantine Virtual programming delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic including weekday Art & Conversation Instagram Live events, creative challenges, and online community building through social media.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Juvenile Justice Providers Association (JJPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Consortium of community-based organizations that plays an important role in local policy-making, youth advocacy, and has a strong voice in how funds are used to meet the needs of vulnerable youth. Dawn Stueckle was elected co-chair in 2018 and helped establish the JJPA in 2004.
• Sunset Family Resource Center (FRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSunset Youth Services is a member of the Sunset Family Resource Center, one of 26 family resource centers in San Francisco's network, coordinating service provision with the city.
• SF Juvenile Probation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Juvenile Probation Chief Katy Weinstein Miller to address needs of young people currently in detention, including virtual check-ins and support during shelter-in-place.
• Peet's CoffeeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal partner providing support for food delivery and crisis response efforts during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Food BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in delivering food boxes to under-resourced youth and families around San Francisco.
• Trader Joe'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner providing food donations for delivery to under-resourced youth and families during COVID-19.
• The Dougy CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally recognized, evidence-based educational platform for supporting grieving youth. Grief Circles facilitator training is based on the Dougy Center model.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• The Dougy Center: National nonprofit and recognized leader in peer-based grief support for children and families. Directly comparable as the evidence-based model provider that SYS's Grief Circles program is built on.

Others

• San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department (community partners): Public-sector partner that funds and refers youth to community-based juvenile justice services. Listed as a peer because it is the primary city referral pipeline that shapes SYS's Justice Services demand.

Direct peers

• Larkin Street Youth Services: San Francisco-based nonprofit providing wraparound services to youth experiencing homelessness and systems involvement. Directly comparable in target population (systems-impacted youth), wraparound service model, and city-agency referral relationships.
• Huckleberry Youth Programs: San Francisco nonprofit offering juvenile justice diversion, counseling, and youth development services. Closely mirrors SYS's Justice Services and Family Support programs and shares the same SF city-contract funding pool.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco: Major SF youth-development nonprofit operating multiple club sites with after-school programs, arts, and workforce programming. Comparable in serving vulnerable youth through arts, mentorship, and family engagement.
• Edgewood Center for Children and Families: San Francisco nonprofit providing behavioral health, residential, and community-based services for children and families impacted by trauma and juvenile justice involvement. Comparable in juvenile justice, mental health, and family wraparound services.
• Richmond Area Multi-Services (RAMS): San Francisco-based nonprofit serving vulnerable youth and families with behavioral health, case management, and youth development services. Directly comparable as a fellow multi-program community nonprofit in SF.
• Horizons Unlimited of San Francisco: SF nonprofit providing academic support, arts programming, and case management for Latino and other at-risk youth. Comparable arts and enterprise offerings and youth development approach.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of San Francisco: Large regional YMCA offering youth development, after-school programs, and family services across the Bay Area. Comparable in youth and family programming but operates at much larger scale and broader scope.
• Catholic Charities CYO (Catholic Youth Organizations): Bay Area nonprofit providing foster care, juvenile justice, and family services for vulnerable youth. Comparable in wraparound and justice-linked services with greater institutional scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/UpStarRecords
• Facebookfacebook.com/sunsetyouthservices
• Instagraminstagram.com/upstarrecords
• Xx.com/syssf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Sunset Youth Services