Youth Climate Action Team

What Youth Climate Action Team does

Youth Climate Action Team Inc. (YCAT) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization (EIN #85-3217345) headquartered in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area that delivers climate justice advocacy, climate education, and outreach through a volunteer-driven model. The organization operates across every inhabited continent with 2,500+ volunteer organizers in 30+ countries and 17 regional branches, reaching 300,000+ individuals through grassroots organizing initiatives including lobbying, climate education, social-media campaigns, workshops, school outreach, and direct action. Its core product is YCAMP (Youth Climate Action Midsummer Program), a free online summer program for rising 4th–7th graders delivered via Zoom; supporting products include the Turtle's Climate Adventure picture book (sold on Amazon), the YCAT Student Research Journal, a Climate Info Hub content platform, a weekly newsletter, a podcast, and a $10 bracelet merchandise storefront that funds YCAMP operations.

YCAT's underlying technology stack is intentionally lightweight, relying on a Wix-hosted website, Zoom for virtual programming, Google Forms for volunteer and member recruitment, GoFundMe for donations, and social media channels (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn) for distribution; no proprietary mobile app, API, or AI/ML capability is deployed. Revenue is generated primarily through small-dollar donations and merchandise sales, with no disclosed institutional grants, major donors, or published financials. The organization is led by a top-heavy Board of Directors executing through 9 core teams (Social Media, Finance, Operations, CEE, Global Affairs, Press, Policy, Communications, Logistics), with Samir Chowdhury as Founder and Chairman, Tatiana Hlinka as Executive Director, and Odessa Zhang as Co-Founder and Senior Advisor.

Name

Youth Climate Action Team

Legal name

Youth Climate Action Team Inc.

Website

https://ycatinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Youth Climate Action Team Inc. (YCAT) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that delivers climate education and advocacy through a volunteer network of 2,500+ organizers across 30+ countries, anchored by its free YCAMP summer program for students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Advocacy & Environmental Education

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability Engagement, Training & Behavior Change Programs (On-site) (BPABALAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Earth Science & Geoscience Programs (EDAMABAI)

Keywords

• Climate justice advocacy
• Youth climate education
• Environmental nonprofit services
• Grassroots climate organizing
• Intersectional climate action

Headquarters

HQ city

Mclean

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: YCAT accepts donations through GoFundMe platform. As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization (EIN #85-3217345), donations may be tax-deductible.
2. Merchandise Sales (Bracelet Fundraiser): YCAT sells bracelets and merchandise through their fundraiser shop. Proceeds support environmental education initiatives, specifically YCAT's Youth Climate Action Midsummer Program (YCAMP). Bracelets priced at $10 each.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

YCAT provides youth-driven climate justice advocacy, climate education, and grassroots organizing services. Its flagship offering is YCAMP (Youth Climate Action Midsummer Program), a free online summer program for rising 4th-7th graders featuring interactive climate lessons. The organization also publishes a children's picture book (Turtle's Climate Adventure) and a student research journal, and engages in lobbying, social-media campaigns, school outreach, and direct action across 30+ countries.

Product overview

Youth Climate Action Team Inc. (YCAT) operates as a unified nonprofit organization offering multiple interconnected climate action programs and educational products. The core flagship program is YCAMP (Youth Climate Action Midsummer Program), a free virtual summer program teaching environmental education to children. Supporting this mission are the Turtle's Climate Adventure picture book and the YCAT Student Research Journal, which extend educational reach to different age groups. The Climate Info Hub, Newsletter, and Podcast serve as ongoing content platforms providing climate education and updates. The Core Teams Program and Global Branches Network provide volunteer engagement pathways, while the Bracelet Fundraiser Shop generates revenue to sustain YCAMP operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YCAMP: Youth Climate Action Midsummer Program - a free online environmental education program for youth launched during COVID-19 in 2021.
• Turtle's Climate Adventure
• YCAT Student Research Journal
• Clean America Project

Products and services

• YCAMP (Youth Climate Action Midsummer Program) YCAMP is YCAT's flagship free online summer program for rising 4th through 7th graders internationally. It teaches children about the environment and climate change through interactive lessons, art projects, and video games. Programs range from 3-7 weeks, run by high school and college volunteers, and are led by the Director of CEE. The 2024 program was held July 16-30 via Zoom with classes 1 hour long and times varying by timezone.
• Turtle's Climate Adventure Picture Book Turtle's Climate Adventure is an interactive children's picture book that introduces climate change to elementary school students through a turtle protagonist. It is co-authored by Vihaan Mathur, Odessa Zhang, Odessa Hott, and Sonia Mukherjee and illustrated by Jasper Jimenez. Sold on Amazon as eBook and Paperback, the book includes a free Activity Guide PDF with discussion questions, coloring pages, and a word search.
• YCAMP Fundraiser Bracelet Shop The YCAMP Fundraiser Bracelet Shop is an online storefront selling themed bracelets (such as Sunshine Twist, Ocean Bow, Spring Day, Fairy Dust, and Emeralds) at $10 each. All proceeds support environmental education initiatives, specifically the YCAMP Youth Climate Action Midsummer Program. The shop is run by YCAT's CEE department as a fundraising channel.
• YCAT Student Research Journal The YCAT Student Research Journal is a free publishing platform for student-conducted environmental research. It accepts various research types and provides students with a medium to publish their work, with issues released periodically.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with EPA on climate initiatives and advocacy efforts as part of YCAT's mission to bridge non-climate groups with the climate movement.
• United Nations Environment ProgrammemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorked with the Executive Director of UNEP, organizing international initiatives and global climate action efforts.
• The White HousemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with White House on climate policy, with board member Samir Chowdhury having national policymaking experience at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
• Harvard Institute of PoliticsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Harvard Institute of Politics for climate advocacy and youth engagement initiatives.
• Stanford School of MedicinemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Stanford School of Medicine on climate-related research and initiatives.
• Council on Environmental QualityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYCAT board member Samir Chowdhury worked on national policymaking at the Council on Environmental Quality.
• Commonwealth ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Commonwealth Club on climate programming and speaker events.
• Climate Reality ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Climate Reality Project for climate activism and education initiatives.
• AmazonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon serves as the distribution platform for Turtle's Climate Adventure picture book (eBook and Paperback).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sunrise Movement: US-based youth climate advocacy organization focused on the Green New Deal and political mobilization. Directly comparable as a youth-powered climate advocacy nonprofit pursuing policy influence and intersectional climate action.
• Earth Guardians: Youth-led international environmental organization that trains young climate leaders and runs school-based climate programs. Closely comparable mission and demographic to YCAT, including international reach and youth-driven governance.
• Zero Hour: Youth-led climate justice organization focused on intersectional climate action, policy advocacy, and youth mobilization. Mirrors YCAT's focus on diversity, equity, and bridging non-climate groups into the climate movement.
• Climate Reality Project: Al Gore-founded climate education and advocacy nonprofit that trains grassroots climate leaders globally. Direct peer as both organizations deliver climate education and mobilization, and Climate Reality Project is already an explicit YCAT partner.
• Fridays for Future: Global youth-led climate strike movement founded by Greta Thunberg. Operates as the dominant international youth climate brand, with national chapters that overlap with YCAT's target volunteer demographic and mission of youth-driven climate action.
• Earth Uprising: Youth-led climate advocacy nonprofit that mobilizes young people through training, campaigns, and policy engagement. Similar age range, organizational structure, and grassroots model as YCAT.

Broad incumbents

• National Geographic Society: Major science and exploration nonprofit that runs climate education programs and the Young Explorers program that recognized YCAT's Vihaan Mathur. Comparable in climate education mission and youth engagement focus, but with vastly greater resources and media reach.
• Earthday.org (Earth Day Network): Global environmental organization best known for Earth Day mobilization, with significant youth education programming. Comparable in mission of broad climate literacy, but vastly larger scale and institutional backing.
• 350.org: Global grassroots climate organization founded by Bill McKibben that runs mass mobilizations and divestment campaigns. Broader scope and resources than YCAT, but overlapping mission of building a global climate movement and engaging youth activists.
• Sierra Club: One of the oldest and largest US environmental organizations, with active youth programs and grassroots chapters. Much larger and more established than YCAT, but comparable mission of environmental education, advocacy, and volunteer mobilization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/youthclimateinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youthclimateinc
• Instagraminstagram.com/youthclimateinc
• TikToktiktok.com/@youthclimateinc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Youth Climate Action Team