What We Are Family Foundation does

We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 by music icon Nile Rodgers in response to the September 11 attacks, with a corresponding UK registered charity (1163026). The foundation operates a portfolio of youth empowerment programs—including Three Dot Dash (for ages 13–19 social entrepreneurs addressing basic human needs), the Youth To The Front Fund (YTTFF, for under-30 activists fighting systemic injustice), Youth To The Table, TEDxTeen, and Global Study—delivering grants, mentorship, summit programming, and speaking platforms to a global cohort of young changemakers. Since 2020, YTTFF has disbursed over $1,000,000 in grants to 110+ Frontliners from 50+ countries, while Three Dot Dash has built a network of 400+ Global Teen Leaders across 75+ countries on six continents.

The foundation is funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, with no pricing tiers as all programs are delivered free of charge to youth participants. Core funding partners include EXCELerate Foundation, SAP, Sony Music, Walton Family Foundation, and the Warner Music Social Justice Fund/Blavatnik Family Foundation, while a strategic coalition of UNICEF, Adobe Project 1324, Delta Air Lines, PBS, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, FedEx, Sesame Workshop, and Virgin Unite provides programming resources and visibility. Technology infrastructure is minimal, comprising a Submittable-based application portal for YTTFF submissions, a Squarespace-hosted website, and standard social media channels (Instagram, X, Facebook).

WAFF's go-to-market relies on a community-led, event-driven motion: youth are recruited through online grant applications, then onboarded into an annual Just Peace Summit and year-long mentorship pairings. The foundation leverages Nile Rodgers' celebrity network and earned media coverage (Oprah, Wired, Fortune, CNN, Huffington Post) to amplify participant stories and secure donor commitments. The organization is headquartered in New York (163 Amsterdam Avenue, #1417) with a regional office in London (Elsley Court, 20-22 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 8BE), and is governed by a Board of Directors (US), Board of Trustees (UK), and Board of Governors.

Name

We Are Family Foundation

Legal name

We Are Family Foundation

Website

https://wearefamilyfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

We Are Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 by Nile Rodgers that empowers youth globally through grants, mentorship, and summits via programs including Three Dot Dash, Youth To The Front Fund, Youth To The Table, and TEDxTeen, serving activists and social entrepreneurs across 75+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Empowerment Nonprofit Programs

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Youth empowerment programs
• Nonprofit foundation
• Grant funding programs
• Youth mentorship
• Social entrepreneurship support

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

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. Donations and Charitable Contributions: WAFF operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 27-0010229) funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The UK entity (registered charity 1163026) also accepts charitable contributions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

We Are Family Foundation is a nonprofit organization that mentors, champions, and amplifies young people aged 13-29 who are addressing basic human needs and systemic injustice. Its core offerings are grant funding (Youth To The Front Fund), mentorship and summits for teen social entrepreneurs (Three Dot Dash), youth engagement and advocacy programs (Youth To The Table), and a youth-led speaking platform (TEDxTeen), all delivered at no cost to participants.

Product overview

We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) operates as a platform of youth empowerment programs, not a single product. The core portfolio includes Four flagship initiatives: Three Dot Dash (for ages 13-19 social entrepreneurs addressing basic human needs), Youth To The Front Fund (for under-30 activists fighting systemic injustice with grants), Youth To The Table (youth engagement and opportunity connection), and TEDxTeen (youth TEDx events). A Submittable-based application portal supports grant submissions. Together these programs form a continuum of support from teenage social entrepreneurs to established youth activists, unified by WAFF's mission to mentor, champion, amplify, and act creatively for youth-led social good.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Three Dot Dash: A program that powers the most influential social entrepreneurs between the ages of 13-19 who have found solutions to address basic human needs. Features the Global Teen Leaders (GTLs) program and annual Just Peace Summit.
• Youth To The Front Fund
• Youth To The Table
• TEDxTeen
• Global Study

Products and services

• Youth To The Front Fund (YTTFF) A grantmaking program supporting under-30-year-old Black, Indigenous, and communities of color youth activists, youth-led organizations, collectives, and allies fighting systemic racism, inequality, inequity, and injustice in the United States and around the world. Grants are awarded to selected Frontliners through an annual application process.
• Three Dot Dash A global initiative that identifies, mentors, and amplifies the most influential social entrepreneurs between ages 13-19 who have found solutions or innovations to address basic human needs. Includes the Global Teen Leaders (GTLs) program, annual Just Peace Summit, and one-on-one mentor matching. Network of 400+ GTLs from 75+ countries.
• Youth To The Table A youth empowerment and advocacy program connecting young changemakers with resources, partnerships, and opportunities at the forefront of global impact, including speaking engagements and policy-maker engagement.
• TEDxTeen A youth-led TEDx event series focused on amplifying youth voices and ideas for social change, providing speaking platforms and media exposure for young changemakers.
• Global Study An online global education platform providing learning opportunities for youth leaders and changemakers worldwide.
• The Possibilists A global coalition of young changemakers and possibilists connected through WAFF's youth empowerment programs and network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400+ GTL alumni positively affecting communities across 75+ countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in Three Dot Dash program, strengthening the global network of Global Teen Leaders through new opportunities and resources.
• Adobe Project 1324coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner supporting creative programming and content for youth empowerment initiatives.
• Delta Air LinessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting WAFF programs and youth leadership initiatives.
• PBSsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia partner providing platform for youth voices and programming content.
• Disney ChannelsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia partner supporting youth-focused programming and content creation.
• Virgin UnitesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner focused on entrepreneurial approaches to social and environmental issues.
• NickelodeonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth media partner supporting programming and youth engagement initiatives.
• FedExsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting logistics and operations for WAFF programs.
• Sesame WorkshopsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational content partner supporting youth learning and development programs.
• SonysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate technology and entertainment partner supporting youth programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ashoka: Global nonprofit that identifies and supports leading social entrepreneurs, including young changemakers, through fellowship funding and networks—directly comparable to WAFF's Three Dot Dash model.
• Echoing Green: Provides fellowships and seed funding to emerging social entrepreneurs, with a strong focus on leaders of color—closely mirrors WAFF's YTTFF grantmaking to under-30 activists fighting systemic injustice.
• Peace First: Funds and mentors young leaders (typically under 25) working on local peace and justice projects through grants and a global community—directly overlaps WAFF's youth-activist cohort model.
• DoSomething: Mobilizes young people (primarily US teens and young adults) around social impact campaigns and digital activism—comparable youth demographic and mission alignment.
• Global Fund for Children: Invests in innovative, community-based organizations working with children and youth worldwide through grants and capacity-building—mirrors WAFF's grantmaking-plus-mentorship approach.

Broad incumbents

• Skoll Foundation: Large-scale social entrepreneurship funder backing proven entrepreneurs with capital and connections; broader portfolio but overlapping mission of scaling youth-led solutions to systemic problems.
• Global Citizen: Mobilizes youth globally around poverty, climate, and justice causes through campaigns and high-profile convenings—broader movement platform but overlaps WAFF's youth-amplification and UN-facing positioning.
• Points of Light: Large volunteer-engagement nonprofit connecting individuals and organizations to civic action; broader scope but comparable focus on youth and changemaker mobilization.

Emerging players

• The Pollination Project: Provides seed grants and capacity support to early-stage social change projects, often led by young activists—comparable small-dollar grantmaking to emerging youth leaders.
• TakingITGlobal: Digital platform connecting young people globally to take action on social issues—overlaps WAFF's Global Study platform and cross-border youth engagement.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wearefamilyfdtn
• Facebookfacebook.com/wearefamilyfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/wearefamilyfdtn

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about We Are Family Foundation