The Guardsmen
The Guardsmen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1947 that funds camperships for 2,500+ at-risk youth and private-school scholarships for 250+ Bay Area students annually, supported by signature fundraising events including a Christmas Tree Lot, Wine Auction, and Sports Auction.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1947
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Guardsmen does
The Guardsmen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1947 in San Francisco by a group of young professionals committed to serving at-risk youth in the Bay Area. Its mission is delivered through two core programs: the Campership Program, which sends more than 2,500 youth annually from disadvantaged backgrounds to outdoor education programs (up to $45/day for up to 14 days per camper), and the Scholarship Program, which provides partial private-school tuition support (averaging $1,800, up to $2,200/year) to more than 250 students across 78 partner schools in nine Bay Area counties. The organization is all-volunteer with a three-person operational office (Office Manager, Director of Operations, Development Support Administrator) and no proprietary technology stack beyond a Squarespace website, Eventbrite ticketing, and standard social channels.
Revenue is generated entirely through fundraising rather than commercial sales. The portfolio includes the flagship Christmas Tree Lot at Fort Mason (selling Noble Fir trees from $65 to $1,250 plus wreaths, garlands, stands, and white-glove delivery), the annual San Francisco Wine Auction at Palace Hotel (~$500K raised, 30+ winery partners, Northern Trust presenting sponsor), the Sports Auction (~$150K target funding 70 scholarships, with Giants Community Fund, 49ers, and Chase Center partnerships), and a dozen other events including the Kentucky Derby Party, Crab Feed, Presidio Half Marathon, Tree Lot Party, Pumpkin Patch, Bark at the Park, Golf Tournament, and Marina Block Party. Beneficiary distribution operates through 25+ partner youth agencies that submit campership applications and 16 scholarship partner schools that identify eligible students, eliminating acquisition friction and enabling broad geographic reach with minimal paid staff.
The go-to-market motion is hybrid event-driven and community-led: large-scale galas and auctions target high-net-worth donors and corporate sponsors (sponsorship tiers $5,000-$40,000), while grassroots community partnerships drive beneficiary identification and program delivery. Notable deep partnerships include 60-year relationships with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and Catholic Charities CYO, a 50+ year partnership with Girl Scouts of Northern California, and ongoing support for organizations like Seven Tepees Youth Program, Big City Mountaineers, and LightHouse for the Blind. The organization has cumulatively served over 150,000 at-risk youth since 1947.
The Guardsmen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Guardsmen
- Legal name
- The Guardsmen
- Website
- https://guardsmen.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1947
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Guardsmen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1947 that funds camperships for 2,500+ at-risk youth and private-school scholarships for 250+ Bay Area students annually, supported by signature fundraising events including a Christmas Tree Lot, Wine Auction, and Sports Auction.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Guardsmen industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)
Keywords
Where The Guardsmen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Guardsmen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: Individual and corporate donations supporting scholarship and campership programs for at-risk youth
- Christmas Tree Lot Sales: Annual holiday tree lot at Fort Mason selling Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, stands, and accessories. Tree sales from $65 to $1,250 depending on size. White glove delivery service starting at $125.
- Wine Auction: Annual wine tasting and auction event at Palace Hotel raising approximately $500,000 for youth programs. Features live and silent auctions with rare wines and luxury experiences.
- Sports Auction: Annual celebrity sports auction event raising funds for scholarships. Target of $150,000 to fund 70 scholarships. Features live auction, silent auctions, and Fund-A-Future donations.
- Annual Events: Multiple annual fundraising events including Kentucky Derby Party, Crab Feed, Tree Lot Party, Halloween Party, Bark at the Park, Pumpkin Patch, Fleet Week Party, Comedy Night, Chili Cookoff, and Golf Tournament.
- In-Kind Donations: Accepts goods and services for auction items, wine and food services, and promotional support from corporate partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Christmas Trees by size |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wreaths and accessories |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Delivery fees |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Sports Auction sponsorship tiers |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Wine Auction table hosting |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Comedy Night tickets |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
The Guardsmen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Guardsmen is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports at-risk Bay Area youth through two flagship programs: the Campership Program, which sends over 2,500 disadvantaged youth annually to outdoor education programs and wilderness camps, and the Scholarship Program, which provides partial private school tuition assistance (up to $2,000 per year) to more than 250 K-12 students across nine Bay Area counties. The organization funds these programs through donations, corporate sponsorships, and signature fundraising events including the annual San Francisco Wine Auction, Sports Auction, and the seasonal Christmas Tree Lot at Fort Mason.
Product overview
The Guardsmen is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of youth development programs and fundraising events. Core programs include the Campership Program (sending over 1,500 youth annually to outdoor education) and Scholarship Program (supporting 250+ students with private school tuition assistance up to $2,000/year). The organization operates the Guardsmen Christmas Tree Lot as its primary retail fundraiser, selling fresh-cut Noble Fir trees, wreaths, garlands, stands, and accessories with white-glove delivery. Additionally, The Guardsmen hosts an annual calendar of signature fundraising events including the San Francisco Wine Auction at the Palace Hotel, Sports Auction, Tree Lot Party, Kentucky Derby Party, Presidio Half Marathon, Crab Feed, Golf Tournament (The Guardsmen Open), Pumpkin Patch, Marina Block Party, and Sip Savor & Spark wine tasting. The Guardsmen Open and Marina Block Party are the latest additions to their event portfolio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Campership Program
- Scholarship Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 150,000 at-risk youth served since 1947
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Guardsmen
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Guardsmen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Guardsmen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
26 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Northern TrustflagshipPresenting sponsor of the San Francisco Wine Auction, described as the 49th Annual event raising half a million dollars for at-risk youth programs.
- Giants Community FundcoreMLB Giants community partner collaborating on Sports Auction events to raise funds for Bay Area youth scholarships.
- 49erscoreNFL team partnership supporting Sports Auction events and youth programs.
- WeilminorCorporate sponsor of Sports Auction event.
- GoodwinminorCorporate sponsor of Sports Auction event.
- Price Family DealershipsminorCorporate sponsor of Sports Auction event.
- Duane MorrisminorCorporate sponsor of Sports Auction event.
- HKAminorCorporate sponsor of Sports Auction event.
- NewmarkminorCorporate sponsor of Sports Auction event.
- NationwideminorCorporate sponsor of Sports Auction event.
- Kingsford CapitalminorCorporate sponsor of Sports Auction event.
- SF UnicornsminorCorporate sponsor of Sports Auction event.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of San Franciscocore60-year partnership sending kids to Camp Mendocino, with Guardsmen representation on Board of Governors.
- Catholic Charities CYOcore60+ year partnership with Guardsmen Village at camp; hosts Thank You Day for members to meet campers.
- Big City MountaineerscoreEnabled 30% annual growth in Bay Area programs; funded expansion of outdoor experiences for at-risk youth.
- Seven Tepees Youth ProgramcorePartnership for outdoor experiences and high school retreats for Mission District youth.
- LightHouse for the Blind and Visually ImpairedminorSupport for Enchanted Hills Camp for visually impaired youth since 1986.
- Girl Scouts of Northern Californiacore50+ year partnership enabling hundreds of girls from low-income communities to attend Girl Scout camp.
- Salvation ArmycoreLong-standing partnership including helping find interim space during construction of Kroc Corps Community Center.
- Don't Tell ComedyminorPartnership for comedy night events at the Tree Lot to raise funds.
- HillsboroughminorPartner sponsor listed on Donors & Sponsors page.
- Wing & Barrel RanchminorDonor/supplier for Sports Auction events.
- Original Joe'sminorDonor/supplier for Sports Auction events.
- Safari WestminorDonor/supplier for Sports Auction events.
- Chase CenterminorVenue partner for Golden State Warriors MVP Experience sponsorship package.
- Multiple Winery Partnerscore30+ winery partners pour wines at annual Wine Auction including Adams, Antinori Napa Valley, AXR, Barnett Vineyards, Be Bubbly, Bella Union, Bohemian Vineyard, Boyd Family Vineyards, Clase Azul, Cultivar Wine, Detert Family Vineyards, Domaine Della, Far Niente, Hanzell, Impensata, Lang & Reed, Larkmead, Marston Family Vineyards, Merry Edwards, Nickel and Nickel, O'Brian Estate, Occidental, Repris, Saison Cellar, The Debate, The Wine Foundry, Wheeler Farms, Whitehall Lane and more.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights2 records
The Guardsmen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- San Francisco Foundation: Large established Bay Area community foundation with broader scope (arts, equity, environment, education) than The Guardsmen. Both channel philanthropic dollars toward regional social causes, but SFF is far larger and operates with broader programmatic reach.
Direct peers
- Girl Scouts of Northern California: Regional Girl Scouts council serving Northern California with summer camp and youth programming. 50+ year partner of The Guardsmen enabling hundreds of girls from low-income communities to attend camp — shares the campership mission and Bay Area geographic footprint.
- Hidden Villa: Bay Area nonprofit operating residential summer camps and environmental education programs serving low-income youth. Direct partner hosting Seven Tepees youth; shares the outdoor education and youth development mission.
- Big City Mountaineers: Outdoor experiential education nonprofit for at-risk youth in urban areas. Direct partner of The Guardsmen with 30% annual growth enabled by Guardsmen funding. Comparable mission focus on wilderness experiences for disadvantaged youth.
- Tipping Point Community: Bay Area poverty-fighting nonprofit that funds and partners with other nonprofits serving low-income populations. Similar event-driven fundraising model, Bay Area geographic concentration, and donor base of high-net-worth tech and finance executives.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco: Direct Bay Area youth development nonprofit serving at-risk youth. While they directly operate programs (whereas The Guardsmen funds them), they share the same target beneficiary population, geographic footprint, and donor base — and are actually a Guardsmen partner via Camp Mendocino.
- United Way Bay Area: Regional affiliate of United Way focused on Bay Area poverty and youth education programs. Operates a similar fundraising and grantmaking model directing funds to partner organizations serving at-risk families and youth in the same nine-county region.
- YMCA of San Francisco: Major Bay Area community youth and family services nonprofit with similar mission (youth development, education, healthy living) and reliance on community fundraising and membership. Comparable geographic scope and donor overlap.
- Catholic Charities CYO: Bay Area faith-based youth and family services nonprofit with a 60+ year partnership with The Guardsmen operating Guardsmen Village at camp. Shared target population, similar event fundraising, and overlapping beneficiary base.
- Larkin Street Youth Services: San Francisco nonprofit serving homeless and at-risk youth with education, housing, and job training. Same Bay Area geographic focus, overlapping beneficiary population (Bay Area at-risk youth), and similar reliance on local philanthropic funding.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Guardsmen social profiles
Digital presenceThe Guardsmen compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The Guardsmen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Guardsmen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
The Guardsmen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Guardsmen M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Guardsmen
What does The Guardsmen do?
The Guardsmen is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports at-risk Bay Area youth through two flagship programs: the Campership Program, which sends over 2,500 disadvantaged youth annually to outdoor education programs and wilderness camps, and the Scholarship Program, which provides partial private school tuition assistance (up to $2,000 per year) to more than 250 K-12 students across nine Bay Area counties. The organization funds these programs through donations, corporate sponsorships, and signature fundraising events including the annual San Francisco Wine Auction, Sports Auction, and the seasonal Christmas Tree Lot at Fort Mason.
Is The Guardsmen a public or private company?
The Guardsmen is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Guardsmen founded?
The Guardsmen was founded in 1947. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Guardsmen based?
The Guardsmen is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Guardsmen make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are christmas Tree Lot Sales, wine Auction, sports Auction, annual Events and in-Kind Donations.
Who are The Guardsmen's main competitors?
San Francisco Foundation is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Girl Scouts of Northern California, Hidden Villa, Big City Mountaineers, Tipping Point Community, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, United Way Bay Area, YMCA of San Francisco, Catholic Charities CYO and Larkin Street Youth Services.
Does The Guardsmen have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Guardsmen.
What industry is The Guardsmen in?
The Guardsmen's product category is Youth Development Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMALAA, Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports), with a secondary code of MPAKAJAA, Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps). Its NAICS code is 8134 and its SIC code is 8300.