What Sharefest does

Sharefest Community Development, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 and headquartered at 638 S. Beacon St., Suite 700, San Pedro, California, that serves under-resourced and disconnected youth in the Los Angeles area, primarily through programs embedded inside LAUSD continuation high schools. The organization targets students facing compounding barriers — falling behind in school, unaddressed physical/mental/behavioral health needs, unsafe neighborhoods, challenging home lives, and criminal justice involvement — and has been described as the only community-based organization consistently working inside LAUSD continuation schools with underserved youth since 2009. Its core programs include the year-round Youth Development Academy (YDA) operating at Avalon (Wilmington), Patton (Harbor City), and Simon Rodia (Watts) continuation high schools; the Summer Youth Development Academy (S-YDA) held at California State University Dominguez Hills; Career Connections for job and internship placement; the Youth Leadership Council for student-led service projects; and the annual Sharefest Workday, which mobilizes 2,700-3,000+ volunteers across dozens of sites for community improvement projects.

The organization's underlying technology stack is limited: its primary technology product is the FlexLA workforce development platform (launched 2024, powered by third-party vendor GoodFlexi) that matches vetted youth with employer job opportunities, but the organization does not develop proprietary AI or software. Sharefest generates no commercial revenue; all programs are provided free of charge to youth participants, funded entirely through a mix of individual donations (including a landmark $1M gift from the Lundquist family in 2019), corporate sponsorships (Phillips 66, Marathon Petroleum, Balfour Beatty Construction, Valero, Andeavor, Toyota), foundation grants (NBA Foundation, Alcoa Foundation, California Community Foundation), government partnerships (LA Harbor Commission, Los Angeles County), and fundraising events (annual gala and Balfour Beatty/Sharefest golf tournament). In the 2024-2025 school year Sharefest served 632 youth across 19 schools and placed 300 youth in jobs, internships, and college programs over the prior two years, with a small staff of 1-10 employees.

Name

Sharefest

Legal name

Sharefest Community Development, Inc.

Website

https://sharefestinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps (EDAMALAK)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Workforce development services
• Mentorship and education
• Community volunteer programs
• Nonprofit youth services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Pedro

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Sharefest raises funds from individual donors through its website, direct mail, and fundraising events including annual galas and the Giving Circle planned giving program.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor Sharefest Workday projects, the annual golf tournament, Youth Development Academy programs, and school beautification projects. Sponsors include Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66, Balfour Beatty Construction, Valero, Andeavor, and others.
3. Foundation Grants: Sharefest receives grants from foundations including the Alcoa Foundation ($50,000), NBA Foundation, and others. Foundation funding supports specific programs such as the Youth Development Academy.
4. Government Partnerships: Sharefest receives funding and support from government agencies including the LA harbor commission ($209K award) and Los Angeles County.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sharefest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers youth development programs to under-resourced continuation high school students in the Los Angeles area. Core offerings include the year-round and Summer Youth Development Academy (YDA), Career Connections internship/placement services, long-term mentoring, and the FlexLA workforce development platform that connects vetted youth with employers. All programs and services are provided free of charge to youth participants.

Product overview

Sharefest is a nonprofit youth development organization offering multiple interconnected programs focused on empowering underserved youth in the Los Angeles area to graduate high school and achieve economic success. The core offerings include the Youth Development Academy (YDA) - both year-round after-school and Summer (S-YDA) programs - which provide leadership development, STEM education, mentoring, and career guidance. The Career Connections program facilitates job placements and internships, while the Youth Leadership Council develops civic engagement through student-led service projects. FlexLA is a separate workforce development platform that connects vetted young professionals with employers. Corporate Service Experiences engage business partners in community improvement through volunteer projects, culminating annually in the Sharefest Workday event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FlexLA: A workforce development platform focused on career and professional development for young employees, connecting vetted and trained individuals with job opportunities
• Youth Development Academy (YDA)
• Career Connections
• Sharefest Workday

Products and services

• Youth Development Academy (YDA) Comprehensive year-round youth development program providing after-school programming, mentoring, career guidance, leadership development, STEM education, and support services for continuation high school students at risk of dropping out. Operates at Avalon, Patton, and Simon Rodia continuation schools.
• Summer Youth Development Academy (S-YDA) Four-week summer program held at California State University Dominguez Hills providing leadership development, STEM education, social-emotional learning, and service opportunities for middle and high school students.
• Career Connections

Quantifiable outcome

• 632 youth served in the 2024-2025 school year
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Phillips 66flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing flagship partner of Sharefest, having contributed over a decade of support. Phillips 66 has funded major projects including a $250,000 technology lab at the Sharefest Youth Development Center, robotics lab at Banning High School, beautification of Carnegie Middle School, and sponsorship of Sharefest's annual Workday. Their support spans school improvements, technology access, and workforce development for underserved youth.
• Marathon Petroleum CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor corporate partner of Sharefest for multiple years, funding and volunteering for school beautification and community projects. Marathon Petroleum has sponsored the transformation of Del Amo Elementary, Carnegie Middle School, Elizabeth Hudson Elementary, and Dominguez Elementary, contributing both funding and employee volunteers for community service days.
• Balfour Beatty ConstructionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTitle sponsor of Sharefest's annual Workday and annual golf tournament. Since 2010, Balfour Beatty has raised $714,000 for Sharefest community projects, mobilized 1,238 volunteers, provided $988,200 worth of work for schools, and given $29,000 in student scholarships. They sponsor multiple school project sites annually and manage golf tournaments that fund Workday projects and YDA scholarships.
• Valero Energy FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner supporting annual Earth Day celebrations and school beautification projects. Valero has funded and executed service days at Wilmington Park Early Education Center, Gulf Avenue Elementary School, and Hawaiian Avenue Elementary School, including community garden installations and campus improvements.
• AndeavorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive sponsor of Sharefest since 2009, having donated $35,000 toward the beautification of Stephen M. White Middle School in Carson. Andeavor employees volunteered 41 staff members for the project. Andeavor also has an internship program that has worked with over 900 young adults over 26 years.
• The Asomugha FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Sharefest and Phillips 66 to renovate the Wilmington Senior Center. The Asomugha Foundation also hosted the 'Voices of Hope' advocacy presentation by Sharefest YDA students in 2017, with Gabriela Medina from Congresswoman Barragan's office in attendance.
• Watson Land CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner that has participated in Sharefest Workday projects and collaborated on community events such as honoring roots at Carson's Del Amo Park. Longstanding supporter of Sharefest's community-building efforts.
• PostmatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-demand delivery platform that partnered with Sharefest during COVID-19 to deliver virtual mental health support, mentorship, meals for families, and technology to youth. Postmates donated resources to connect youth and families to meals, medical supplies, pharmacies, and essential technologies, helping Sharefest retain its staff during budget cuts.
• GoodFlexicoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology platform that enables the FlexLA workforce development platform. GoodFlexi powers the system that connects vetted youth directly with employers, providing the technical infrastructure for Sharefest's workforce development program.
• OurfoodscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to urban agriculture education, training, and jobs. Partnered with Sharefest's Summer YDA STEM Lab, teaching 86 middle school students about sustainable urban farming, aquaponics, and food sustainability. Led the GRoW Community Garden expansion project in Watts.
• Local 1309minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal union that visited Sharefest as part of the beginning of the workforce development program, helping continuation high school students prepare to enter the workforce after graduation.
• Cornerstone Construction Group, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partner that has collaborated with Sharefest for over a decade, establishing its mission and vision together. Supported Sharefest Workday projects and community improvements.
• AltaSea at the Port of Los AngelesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Sharefest and Rotary Club to build 'friendship benches' at the AltaSea campus during Sharefest Workday 2018, creating community spaces at the Port of LA.
• Councilman Joe Buscaino (Los Angeles City Council District 15)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLA City Councilmember who has partnered with Sharefest every year since taking office in 2015. Sponsored multiple Sharefest Workday projects across District 15, including the first-ever dog park in Wilmington, and participated in Facebook Live tours of project sites.
• Toberman Neighborhood CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarbor-area community center that has partnered with Sharefest for multiple service days, where YDA students have painted murals, cleaned facilities, sorted donated books, and beautified the campus. Toberman provides services to Harbor-area families and individuals.
• Harbor Interfaith ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Pedro-based organization providing meals, therapy sessions, and housing to the homeless and working poor. Sharefest YDA students prepared and distributed 140 lunch bags to Harbor Interfaith clients as part of their service learning curriculum.
• Watts Century Latino OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization in Watts that partnered with Sharefest on the GRoW Community Garden project, which was expanded by YDA students. The garden is fully accessible to families in the Watts community.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Largest US youth-development nonprofit network, providing after-school programming, mentoring, and career readiness to at-risk youth. Comparable mission and youth segments, but operates as a federated national network rather than a school-embedded model like Sharefest.
• KIPP Foundation (KIPP Public Schools): Large national charter school network serving predominantly low-income students with a college-prep mission and long-term alumni support through college and career. Operates at much larger scale than Sharefest, but shares the mission of college and economic-mobility outcomes for underserved youth.

Direct peers

• Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit providing job training, internships, and career pathways for low-income young adults aged 18-24. Comparable career-pathway mission and employer-matching model, but operates at national scale with corporate partnerships similar to Sharefest's Career Connections and FlexLA programs.
• College Track: National nonprofit providing comprehensive college-completion support to first-generation and low-income students from high school through college graduation and career. Comparable long-term follow-through model from high school into workforce and emphasis on college/career pathways.
• Generation USA: Global nonprofit providing free, employment-focused training and job placement for underserved young adults, with employer partnerships for placement. Comparable workforce-development mission and employer-matching approach to Sharefest's Career Connections and FlexLA programs.
• After-School All-Stars: National nonprofit providing comprehensive after-school programs to underserved youth in schools, including academic support, enrichment, and career exploration. Closely comparable to Sharefest's in-school YDA model and youth-development mission, though operates at national scale across multiple states.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National mentoring nonprofit pairing at-risk youth with adult mentors for sustained long-term relationships. Comparable long-term mentoring model and target population (underserved youth), but delivers through volunteer mentor matching rather than school-embedded academies.
• Communities In Schools: National nonprofit that places site coordinators inside public schools to provide integrated student supports, dropout prevention, and connections to community resources. Most directly comparable to Sharefest's school-embedded continuation-high-school model and dropout-prevention mission.

Regional players

• Urban League of Los Angeles: Los Angeles affiliate of the National Urban League, providing youth development, workforce development, education, and social services to underserved African American and other communities. Comparable youth-and-workforce-development mission and LA regional focus, with broader community-services scope than Sharefest.
• LA's Best (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow): Los Angeles-based after-school enrichment program serving elementary-age students in LAUSD schools, providing academic, enrichment, and recreation programming. Comparable in-school delivery model and LAUSD partnership structure, though focuses on younger grades than Sharefest's continuation-high-school emphasis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ShareFestInc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Sharefestinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/sharefest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sharefest-community-development-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/sharefestinc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Sharefest