The Bridge for Youth

What The Bridge for Youth does

The Bridge for Youth is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 that provides emergency shelter, supportive housing, crisis intervention, and outreach services to youth ages 10-24 experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities metro area. It operates two buildings in south Minneapolis housing Resilience House (emergency shelter ages 10-17), Gloria's Place (the only emergency shelter in Minnesota for pregnant/parenting youth ages 15-17 with children ages 0-3), Marlene's Place (site-based transitional living ages 16-20), and Rita's House (12-unit supportive housing ages 18-21). It also operates the Mobile Youth Outreach Center, a 24/7 crisis line and text service, and specialized case management for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and crime victim youth. In 2025, the organization engaged more than 11,000 young people across these programs and housed over 300 youth annually. All services are provided at no charge to youth.

The organization is funded through a mix of individual and corporate donations, in-kind contributions, government grants (notably Minnesota Legislature and Minnesota Housing Finance Agency), and signature fundraising events including Create, which raises over $100,000 annually. The 2022-2024 Strategic Direction centers racial justice, equity, and youth voice, with a Youth Advisory Board that participates in staff hiring decisions and a Youth Voice Leadership Initiative creating a pathway to the Board of Directors. The organization is currently pursuing a major capital expansion of up to 45 housing units for young families experiencing homelessness, with $1.25 million in state funding secured for site control and predesign as of 2025, and a pending $7.5 million capital request before the Minnesota Legislature.

The Bridge is not a technology company. Operational infrastructure consists of standard nonprofit systems including a YSN-branded mobile app for bed availability and outreach scheduling, Charity Navigator and Candid accreditation, and routine donor CRM. The technology stack is not disclosed and there are no public APIs, AI capabilities, or proprietary software products. The organization's competitive position rests on 56+ years of community presence, specialized facilities for a narrow population (parenting youth experiencing homelessness), and deep ecosystem integration through co-chairmanship of the statewide Youth Services Network.

Name

The Bridge for Youth

Legal name

The Bridge for Youth

Website

https://bridgeforyouth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Bridge for Youth is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit founded in 1970 that provides 24/7 emergency shelter, supportive housing, mobile outreach, and crisis intervention to youth ages 10-24 experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities, including the only Minnesota emergency shelter for pregnant and parenting youth with young children.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Homeless Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Child and Youth Services (624110), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Housing & Social Housing Development/Modernization Programs (FSALAKAH)

Keywords

• Youth homelessness services
• Emergency youth shelter
• Supportive housing
• Crisis intervention services
• Mobile youth outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Nonprofit relies heavily on individual donors and corporate sponsors for operational funding. Donations can be made online, by mail, stock transfer, or through Donor Advised Funds.
2. Government Grants and Legislative Funding: State funding from Minnesota Legislature for capital projects and housing expansion. Awarded $250,000 in 2025 for predesign work on young families housing expansion. Previously requested $3.5 million and $7.5 million for housing expansion.
3. In-Kind Donations: Accepts in-kind donations of basic needs items (hygiene products, clothing) and stocks/property contributions. Broker relationship with LPL Financial for stock transfers.
4. Capacity Building Grants: Received $50,000 Minnesota Housing Finance Agency capacity building grant in 2023 for youth engagement in housing program design.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Bridge for Youth delivers free, 24/7/365 emergency shelter, supportive housing, crisis intervention, mobile outreach, and case management services to youth ages 10-24 experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities. Programs are delivered at two south Minneapolis facilities and via a Mobile Youth Outreach Center, with specialized tracks for unaccompanied minors, pregnant and parenting youth with young children, and LGBTQ+ youth. All services are provided at no charge to youth and are funded through donations and government grants.

Product overview

The Bridge for Youth is a nonprofit homeless shelter organization providing a comprehensive suite of youth services. The core offerings include emergency shelter programs (Resilience House for ages 10-17 and Gloria's Place for pregnant/parenting youth ages 15-17), supportive housing (Marlene's Place transitional living for ages 16-20 and Rita's House for ages 18-21), and mobile/community outreach services. These programs are designed to serve homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ populations, providing shelter, basic needs, mental health support, case management, crisis intervention, and youth leadership development. All services center youth voice and are delivered holistically with racial justice and equity as core organizational values.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter (Resilience House) A 24/7/365 emergency shelter for unaccompanied youth ages 10-17 experiencing homelessness. Provides safe shelter, meals, clothing, holistic healthcare, therapy, and case management at no charge to youth. Largest emergency shelter for this age range in Hennepin County.
• Gloria's Place (Emergency Shelter for Pregnant and Parenting Youth) Emergency shelter for pregnant and parenting youth ages 15-17 with children ages 0-3. Provides private child-friendly rooms, meals, holistic healthcare, and comprehensive parenting support. Only emergency shelter in Minnesota for young parents and their children.
• Supportive Housing (Transitional and Affordable) Longer-term supportive housing for homeless youth, combining site-based transitional living with affordable rental housing and case management. Includes Marlene's Place and Rita's House programs.
• Marlene's Place (Transitional Living Program) The only site-based transitional living program in Hennepin County for pregnant and parenting youth ages 16-20 with children ages 0-3. Provides up to 18 months of housing with comprehensive support services.
• Rita's House (Supportive Housing for Young Adults) Intentional living community providing affordable rental housing and independent living skills instruction for youth ages 18-21.
• Outreach and Support Services Street, site, and mobile outreach services plus aftercare, weekly support groups, specialized services for crime victims, LGBTQ+ youth, sexually exploited youth, and the Work Ambassador employment program.
• Mobile Youth Outreach Center A mobile intervention service bringing healthy food, gender-affirming clothing, harm reduction resources, safety planning, assessments, referrals, case management, and 1:1 support directly to youth throughout the Twin Cities metro. Schedule available online and via YSN mobile app.
• 24/7 Crisis Intervention (Phone and Text) 24/7 phone and text crisis intervention available to youth at any time via crisis line (612-377-8800) and text line (612-400-7233). Provides immediate support, safety planning, and bed availability information.
• So What If I Am (LGBTQ+ Support Group) A long-running weekly LGBTQ+ support group meeting to provide community, resources, gender-affirming items, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-24.
• Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Youth leadership program where former program participants ages up to 24 influence organizational change, make recommendations on programming and policies, participate in staff hiring panels, and plan events including the annual Youth Pride Celebration. Includes the Youth Voice Leadership Initiative pathway to the Board of Directors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% of youth were in school and/or employed in 2025, and 92% made progress towards their personal goals
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered critical, major, core and minor.

• Senator Scott DibblecriticalOthers · 1 January 2025Legislative champion for The Bridge's Young Families Housing Campaign. Served as Senate sponsor (SF854) for the organization's capital request. Has supported ending youth homelessness through legislation, advocacy, and direct personal support for over a decade.
• Representative Katie JonescriticalOthers · 1 January 2025Bill sponsor (HF1526) for The Bridge's Young Families Housing Campaign in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Legislative champion for funding to expand shelter and housing options for young families.
• Lieutenant Governor Peggy FlanaganmajorOthers · 1 January 2024Met with young families at The Bridge and learned about strategic growth plans in January 2024. Provides executive branch visibility and support for organizational initiatives.
• Healthcare Reparations Cooperative (HCR)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Engaged young families experiencing homelessness, centered their voice, and learned directly from their lived expertise to define ideal spectrum of housing supports. Facilitated national research on best practices and evaluated data on pregnant and parenting youth experiencing homelessness. Funded by $50,000 MHFA capacity building grant.
• Dunwoody College of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Fifth-year architecture students partnered with youth and staff in research and design project to understand facility possibilities and reimagine capabilities. Students contributed to trauma-informed design and conceptualization of new facility plans.
• Joy CollaborativecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Project consultation partner through all phases of facility design and renovation project. Provided expertise in creating trauma-responsive, welcoming spaces for youth.
• Youth Services Network (YSN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Statewide collaborative of organizations committed to ending youth homelessness. Co-chaired by Lisa Mears, President of The Bridge. Connects youth to resources, provides real-time bed availability updates, and hosts the YSN mobile app for outreach scheduling.
• Youth Advisory Board (YAB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternal youth leadership body making recommendations on programming, practices, and policies. Members participate in staff interview panels with weighted voices in hiring. Plan events including Youth Pride Celebration. Contributed to youth-led social media team. Six graduates selected for Youth Voice Leadership Initiative to join Board of Directors.
• Charity NavigatorminorOthersThird-party charity evaluator. Displayed Charity Navigator seal on website indicating financial transparency and accountability.
• Candid (GuideStar)minorOthersThird-party nonprofit information platform. Displayed Candid Gold Seal indicating commitment to transparency and nonprofit best practices.
• Council of Voices / Smart GiversminorOthersThird-party evaluator indicating The Bridge meets standards for nonprofit accountability and effectiveness.
• Wilder ResearchminorOthersResearch organization providing data on youth homelessness in Minnesota. Cited statistics on 6,000+ youth experiencing homelessness nightly, racial disparities, and mental health challenges inform The Bridge's understanding of community needs.
• Youth Advisory Board Members (Board of Directors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSix graduating YAB members selected in late 2025 for Youth Voice Leadership Initiative (YVLI), creating an intentional path to join The Bridge's Board of Directors. First full board retreat held April 2026 focusing on trust, decolonized leadership, and collective values.
• Wayzata Community ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRaised over $28,000 towards The Bridge's mission during their Easter Sunday offering. Active community supporter of youth homelessness services.
• Hennepin Avenue United Methodist ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSurprised The Bridge with a deeply meaningful and unexpected financial gift during a time when federal dollars were being cut or restricted.
• The Lowry RestaurantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocated near The Bridge shelter, offers 'round up' program where diners can round up their bill to support The Bridge's mission.
• Chanhassen High SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStudents donated semester's worth of in-kind gifts including over 300 wellness kits for the Mobile Youth Outreach Center.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Avenues for Youth: Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, supportive housing, and outreach for youth experiencing homelessness ages 12-24. Most directly comparable peer, operating in the same Twin Cities market with a similar continuum of care model.
• The Open Door: Dakota County nonprofit providing food, housing, and basic needs services. Lisa Mears was its startup Executive Director from 2009-2015, and it operates comparable community-based basic-needs programming.
• Simpson Housing Services: Minneapolis nonprofit providing shelter, transitional, and permanent supportive housing with a focus on adults and families experiencing homelessness. Comparable housing-first service model and Minnesota-based funding environment.
• VEAP: Minnesota nonprofit focused on housing stability and basic needs — previously led by The Bridge's current President Lisa Mears. Comparable nonprofit operating model and Twin Cities service area.

Emerging players

• Ruth Ellis Center: Detroit-based nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth with housing, mental health, and case management services. Comparable specialized focus on LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.

Regional players

• Hope House: Minnesota nonprofit providing supportive housing for youth and families experiencing homelessness. Comparable continuum-of-care model with transitional and supportive housing components.
• YouthLink: Minneapolis-based nonprofit serving youth experiencing homelessness with a drop-in center, housing navigation, and employment services. Direct operational overlap with The Bridge's outreach and case management functions in the Twin Cities.

Broad incumbents

• Pillsbury United Communities: Minneapolis-based community nonprofit addressing housing, food insecurity, and youth services. Comparable racial justice and equity framing, with overlapping youth and family programming in the same market.
• Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis: Large regional nonprofit operating shelter, housing, and family services across the Twin Cities. Both senior leaders at The Bridge previously worked here, and it is a major provider of overlapping services including youth and family housing.

Others

• National Runaway Safeline: National 24/7 helpline and resource network for youth in crisis. Comparable crisis intervention mission, though operating as a national helpline rather than a direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BridgeforYouth
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCVtttjNvQOMbiEmi4mLaYwg
• Facebookfacebook.com/thebridgeforyouth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-bridge-for-youth
• Instagraminstagram.com/bridgeforyouth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 The Bridge for Youth