Simon Youth Foundation, Inc.

What Simon Youth Foundation, Inc. does

Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 and headquartered in Indianapolis that operates the largest network of alternative-education high school academies in the United States. SYF runs 32 Simon Youth Academies across 12 states in partnership with 80 public school districts, providing flexible, small-class, personalized learning environments located inside Simon Property Group mall properties and school district facilities for at-risk students (including those facing homelessness, pregnancy or parenting, economic hardship, mental health challenges, or family instability). The academies issue accredited diplomas through the partner districts, and SYF complements them with three scholarship programs (Simon Youth Academy Scholarships averaging ~$15k for four-year awards; Shari Simon Greenberg Community Scholarships; Greg Saunders Legacy Scholarships averaging ~$1,735 for dependents of Simon Property Group employees), experiential programs (Close Up Washington D.C. and Civil Rights Journey with Etgar 36), educator development (National Educator Conference, Educator Exchange Fellowship, Educator Book Club, Capacity Building Grants), and a 30,000-member SYF Alumni Network.

The foundation is funded entirely through charitable contributions rather than tuition or fees: revenue streams include individual donations, tiered corporate sponsorships (Graduate $75k, Scholarship $25k, Education $20k, Community $15k, Teacher $10k), a Simon Property Group employee payroll-deduction Employee Contribution Campaign ($374,772 raised in 2024 with a $425,000 goal for 2025), in-kind contributions ($262,000+ in 2024), and regional fundraising events (golf outings, baseball games, cruises, TopGolf tournaments) organized by Simon mall managers across 12+ regions. The organization has graduated 30,000+ students at an average 90% lifetime graduation rate and awarded $22.6 million in lifetime scholarships to nearly 6,600 students through the 2025 academic year, including 175 scholarships totaling $733,250 in 2024.

SYF does not operate proprietary technology — there is no application, API, or platform business. Operations are supported by standard web infrastructure (syf.org), a third-party Kaleidoscope scholarship application portal, and Convio for online donations. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by founder Deborah J. Simon; Dr. Mike Gustin was appointed President in February 2026, succeeding prior leadership. Key strategic partners include Simon Property Group (core), Close Up Foundation (since 2015, $442k+ invested), Etgar 36 (since 2022), Natural Diamond Council and Black in Jewelry Coalition (Future Jewelers Academy, launched 2024), and Marian University.

Name

Simon Youth Foundation, Inc.

Legal name

Simon Youth Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://syf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Simon Youth Foundation operates 32 alternative-education academies across 12 states for at-risk youth in partnership with Simon Property Group and 80 public school districts. The nonprofit has graduated 30,000+ students at a 90% lifetime rate and awarded $22.6M in scholarships since 1998.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Alternative Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Charter Alternative & At-Risk Schools (Continuation, Credit Recovery, Juvenile) (EDAJACAE), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Alternative education programs
• High school completion
• Post-secondary scholarships
• At-risk youth education
• Nonprofit educational services

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Contributions: The foundation receives donations from individuals, including alumni, supporters, and the general public through its website donation portal and direct mail campaigns.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: National sponsors and corporate partners provide significant funding, including tiered sponsorships at Graduate ($75k), Scholarship ($25k), Education ($20k), Community ($15k), and Teacher ($10k) levels.
3. Employee Contribution Campaign: Simon Property Group employees contribute through payroll deduction campaigns, raising hundreds of thousands annually (e.g., $374,772 in 2024).
4. In-Kind Donations: Corporate partners provide in-kind contributions valued at $262,000+ in 2024, including services, supplies, and venue access.
5. Event-Based Fundraising: Regional fundraising events (golf outings, baseball games, cruises, TopGolf events) raise significant funds across 12+ regions nationwide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Simon Youth Foundation operates 32 Simon Youth Academies in Simon Malls and school district facilities across 12 states, partnering with 80 public school districts to provide accredited, alternative high school completion pathways for at-risk youth through flexible, personalized, small-class learning environments. The foundation complements its academies with three scholarship programs (Simon Youth Academy Scholarships, Shari Simon Greenberg Community Scholarships, Greg Saunders Legacy Scholarships) that collectively disburse approximately $1 million per year to graduates and high school seniors, along with experiential learning trips, educator development programs, and a 30,000+ member alumni network.

Product overview

Simon Youth Foundation operates as a unified portfolio of educational support programs for at-risk youth, centered on Simon Youth Academies (32 alternative education programs in 12 states) that provide flexible, personalized high school completion pathways. The organization complements its core academy network with three distinct scholarship programs (Shari Simon Greenberg Community Scholarship, Simon Youth Academy Scholarship, and Greg Saunders Legacy Scholarship), experiential learning opportunities (Close Up Experience in Washington D.C. and Civil Rights Journey), and educator development initiatives (National Educator Conference, Educator Exchange Fellowship, Educator Book Club, and Capacity Building Grants). All programs feed into the SYF Alumni Network, creating a comprehensive cradle-to-career support system for non-traditional students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Simon Youth Academies Alternative education programs providing flexible, personalized learning environments with one-on-one learning, small class sizes, and compassionate teacher support for at-risk students who cannot thrive in traditional high schools. Students earn accredited high school diplomas through local public school districts.
• Simon Youth Academy Scholarships Post-secondary scholarships for graduates of Simon Youth Academies, with approximately $15,000 awarded for 4-year scholarships and $3,500 for 2-year scholarships (1-2 scholarships per Academy per year). Awarded based on academic promise, civic engagement, and demonstrated financial need.
• Shari Simon Greenberg Community Scholarship
• Greg Saunders Legacy Scholarship
• Close Up Experience All-expenses-paid experiential trips to Washington, D.C. for Simon Youth Academy students to participate in civic education programs through a partnership with the Close Up Foundation, using the capital as a living classroom.
• Civil Rights Journey Experiential trips to sites commemorating the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s throughout Georgia and Alabama, offered through partnership with Etgar 36 to use history, sites, and current issues as a springboard for education.
• SYF Alumni Network
• Capacity Building Grants
• National Educator Conference
• Educator Exchange Fellowship

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% average lifetime graduation rate maintained across Simon Youth Academies
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered notable, significant, major and core.

• Natural Diamond CouncilnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for the Future Jewelers Academy launched in 2024 at Simon Youth Academy at Baldwin High School. Provides students with immersive training in jewelry industry including design, benchwork, marketing, and sales.
• Black in Jewelry CoalitionnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in the Future Jewelers Academy providing students training in jewelry industry skills. Twelve students enrolled in inaugural cohort, working with professional jewelers to build professional portfolios.
• Etgar 36significantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership for Civil Rights Journey experiential trips that use history, sites, and current issues as a springboard for education. Trips commemorate the Civil Rights Movement through Georgia and Alabama. Started in 2022 with IDOE grant funding; expanded network-wide in fall 2024.
• Close Up FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015SYF's longest-established partnership provides experiential learning trips to Washington D.C. where students participate in the Close Up program using the capital as a living classroom. Since 2015, SYF has invested over $442,000, enabling 52 academies, 225 students, and 57 educators to participate.
• Simon Property GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSYF was founded by and maintains a close relationship with Simon Property Group, the largest mall operator in the US. SPG provides office space, employee volunteering, employee contribution campaigns, and organizes regional fundraising events through its mall managers nationwide. SPG mall teams participate in annual regional events across 12+ regions.
• Marian UniversitynotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Marian University's Fred S. (partnership details mentioned in Indianapolis Recorder article). Allows SYF to leverage relationships with high-quality institutions for the benefit of academies and educators.
• 80 Public School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSYF operates 32 academies in partnership with public school districts across 12 states. Districts provide accreditation, oversight, and integration with the local school system. The academies are extensions of local public school systems.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• KIPP Foundation: National nonprofit network operating a large portfolio of public charter schools serving underserved K-12 students, including alternative and college-preparatory pathways. Highly comparable to SYF in mission and outcome-driven K-12 nonprofit structure, though larger and charter-based rather than district-partnered.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Largest youth-development nonprofit in the U.S., providing after-school and out-of-school programming for at-risk youth via a national affiliate network. Comparable to SYF on mission (at-risk youth services), nonprofit structure, and national scale of donor-funded programming.
• Junior Achievement USA: National youth-serving nonprofit delivering K-12 financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programs through school partnerships. Comparable to SYF on the K-12 nonprofit/curriculum enrichment dimension, experiential learning focus, and corporate sponsorship model.

Direct peers

• Uncommon Schools: Nonprofit charter management organization operating a network of public charter schools focused on college success for low-income students. Directly comparable to SYF on the alternative K-12 education nonprofit dimension, with overlapping target populations and outcome metrics.
• Communities In Schools: National nonprofit that places site coordinators inside public schools to provide dropout prevention and wraparound support for at-risk K-12 students. Closely comparable to SYF in serving at-risk youth through school-based interventions, with similar outcome-tracking approaches.
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF): Education-focused nonprofit providing scholarships and institutional support to students attending member historically Black colleges and to underserved high school students. Directly comparable to SYF's scholarship administration and minority-serving mission.
• Options Schools / Options in Education Foundation: Indiana-based nonprofit operating alternative charter schools for at-risk students, including pregnant and parenting teens. Direct peer to SYF on alternative education nonprofit model, target population (at-risk teens), and school-district partnership approach; SYF's incoming president was previously CEO of this organization.
• GEO Academies: Nonprofit charter school network serving underserved K-12 students with a focus on college and career readiness. Directly comparable to SYF in operating alternative/charter-style academies for at-risk populations; SYF board includes the Executive Director of GEO Academies Indianapolis.
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Large nonprofit administering scholarships and education support services to Hispanic-American students and other underserved populations. Comparable to SYF on the scholarship foundation model, K-12 to post-secondary pathway focus, and corporate-sponsor-driven funding.

Emerging players

• Year Up: Workforce-development nonprofit serving young adults from low-income communities with career training and corporate internships. Comparable to SYF on post-secondary pathway funding, employer sponsorship model, and outcome-driven nonprofit structure, though serving older youth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/simon_youth
• Facebookfacebook.com/simonyouthfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simonyouthfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/simonyouthfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Simon Youth Foundation, Inc.