Youth Invest Partners

What Youth Invest Partners does

Youth Invest Partners (formerly Venture Philanthropy Partners, then VPP+Raise DC) was a 501c3 philanthropic investment organization founded in June 2000 by Mario Morino, Raul Fernandez, and Mark Warner, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Over a 23-year operating history, the organization deployed more than $133 million in capital to 34 nonprofit organizations serving youth ages 0–24 in the Greater Washington region (DC, Maryland, Virginia), reaching more than 57,000 children and young adults. Its model combined venture philanthropy principles — high-engagement financial investments ranging from roughly $500,000 to $5+ million multi-year commitments — with collective impact methodology, providing portfolio nonprofits not only capital but strategic assistance in board development, leadership coaching, outcomes measurement, and network connections.

Core program areas spanned three priority issues: Early Childhood Education (third-grade literacy, pre-K access, educator support via the JPMorgan Chase-backed Advancing Early Education Collaborative), Career and College Readiness (graduation rates, workforce pathways via partners like Year Up), and Boys and Young Men of Color (educational equity through My Brother's Keeper DC and cross-sector networks). The organization convened Collaborative Action Networks in DC and Fairfax County and operated the District Student Well-Being Data Project using Panorama Education's platform and Bellwether research analysis. Notable portfolio investments included KIPP DC (growth from 4 to 16 schools), Mary's Center, Friendship Public Charter School, CentroNía, AppleTree, See Forever/Maya Angelou Public Charter School, and SEED Foundation.

The business model was that of a philanthropic intermediary rather than a commercial enterprise: capital was raised from foundations, corporations, government, and individual donors and deployed as grants/investments to partner nonprofits. The organization did not sell products or services and had no traditional pricing model. In January 2024, Youth Invest Partners announced a responsible sunset, dissolving during Q1 2024 and transitioning its programmatic work to Education Forward DC, Martha's Table, and DC Action. The website now operates as an archival resource. Carol Thompson Cole served as President and CEO for approximately 17 years (2007–2024), succeeding co-founder Mario Morino.

Name

Youth Invest Partners

Legal name

Youth Invest Partners

Website

https://youthinvestpartners.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Youth Invest Partners was a Washington, D.C.-based 501c3 philanthropic investment organization that deployed over $133 million to 34 nonprofits serving youth ages 0–24 across Greater Washington from 2000 until its 2024 sunset.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Venture Philanthropy / Nonprofit Investment Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSAAALAG

Sustainable Private Markets (Impact PE/VC, Private Credit, Infrastructure)

Financial & Insurance/Asset & Wealth Management/Asset Management — ESG/Sustainable & Impact Investing

SECONDARYBPADAOAJ

Impact Investment & Social Finance Programs

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Donor Coordination, Grantmaking & Development Finance Programs

SECONDARYFSANAJAM

Gender Lens / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Funds

Financial & Insurance/Private Equity & Venture Capital/Impact / ESG & Sustainable Investment Funds

Keywords

• Venture philanthropy
• Nonprofit investments
• Collective impact
• Capacity building
• Youth development

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Capital Deployment: Youth Invest Partners operates as a philanthropic investment organization, deploying capital raised from investors, foundations, corporations, and government sources to nonprofit organizations serving youth in Greater Washington. The organization sunsetted operations in Q1 2024 and transitioned its programmatic work to partner organizations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Youth Invest Partners was a philanthropic investment organization that made multi-year financial investments (typically $500,000 to $5+ million) combined with strategic capacity-building support to high-performing nonprofit organizations serving children and youth ages 0-24 in Greater Washington. It also convened Collaborative Action Networks spanning business, government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors to advance shared outcomes across three priority issue areas: Early Childhood Education, Career and College Readiness, and Boys and Young Men of Color.

Product overview

Youth Invest Partners is a philanthropic investment organization that operates as a venture philanthropy model, combining direct financial investments to nonprofits with strategic capacity-building support and collective impact collaboratives. Their portfolio includes investment partnerships with over 34 nonprofits, Collaborative Action Networks in Washington, DC and Fairfax County focused on three priority issue areas (Early Childhood Education, Career and College Readiness, and Boys and Young Men of Color), and data initiatives like the District Student Wellbeing Data Project and Advancing Early Education Collaborative. The organization deployed over $133 million in capital and served over 57,000 youth across Greater Washington over its 23-year history.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Investment Partnerships Strategic investment partnerships with nonprofits in Greater Washington, providing multi-year financial capital (typically $500,000 to $5+ million) combined with capacity-building support to high-performing nonprofit organizations serving youth and families.
• Collaborative Action Networks Cross-sector networks of system and community leaders working together to advance shared visions for improved population-level outcomes for children and youth in Washington, DC and Fairfax County, Virginia.
• Early Childhood Education Programs Initiatives focused on improving third-grade literacy rates, expanding access to quality early learning, and supporting early childhood educators, particularly in Washington, DC and Fairfax County.
• Career and College Readiness Programs Programs aimed at ensuring youth complete high school ready for career and postsecondary education or training, with focus on improving graduation rates and reconnecting disconnected youth.
• Boys and Young Men of Color Initiative Programs addressing systemic barriers facing boys and young men of color, supporting My Brother's Keeper DC, and working to improve educational and career outcomes for this population.
• District Student Wellbeing Data Project Multi-phase initiative that collects and analyzes citywide student social-emotional survey data using Panorama Education, provides actionable tools and peer learning, and supports educators in improving student mental health and well-being outcomes.
• Advancing Early Education Collaborative Six-partner collaborative focused on expanding education, training, and wealth-building opportunities for early childhood educators in the Washington region, with JPMorgan Chase funding of $5 million over three years.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 57,000 youth served annually have better access to quality education, health care, and career training
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Education Forward DCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Long-term partner that continued Youth Invest Partners' programmatic work on Boys and Young Men of Color after YI's sunset. Education Forward DC completed the Student Well-Being Data Project and implemented it city-wide through the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education. Currently serves as key partner in Collaborative Action Networks.
• BellwethercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Research partner for the District Student Well-Being Data Project. Conducted analysis of social-emotional survey data from 5,500 students to identify trends, areas of opportunity for intervention, and coaching support. Released 'Students Speak: A Snapshot of Youth Well-Being in the District of Columbia' report.
• Martha's TablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinued Youth Invest Partners' Early Childhood Education work through the Advancing Early Education Collaborative with oversight from Martha's Table after YI's sunsetting.
• DC ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinued Youth Invest Partners' Career & College Readiness work and integrated some Early Childhood Education work. DC Action leads the local stakeholder coalition of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and explores continuation of relationships between DC and StriveTogether.
• StriveTogethercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network member of StriveTogether cradle-to-career initiative. Participated in 2023 StriveTogether Convening focused on economic mobility. YI supports Collaborative Action Networks in D.C. and Fairfax aligned with StriveTogether's national framework.
• Panorama EducationcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for the District Student Well-Being Data Project, providing the Social Emotional Learning Survey platform used by DC LEAs to collect student-level and school-level wellbeing data.
• American UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Advancing Early Education Collaborative providing educational pathways and certification opportunities for early childhood educators. Established articulation agreement with Trinity Washington University for credential transferability.
• Trinity Washington UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Advancing Early Education Collaborative offering degree-granting programs. Articulation agreement with American University allows transfer of CDA credentials to associate degree program.
• Urban InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Advancing Early Education Collaborative contributing research and policy expertise on early childhood education systems and workforce development.
• LIFT-DCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Advancing Early Education Collaborative providing financial coaching and support services to early childhood educators.
• DC Office of the State Superintendent of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner that implemented the Student Well-Being Data Project city-wide. Collaborates on education policy and data initiatives for DC students.
• Association of Black Foundation ExecutivessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the DC Boys and Young Men of Color Collaborative Action Network, contributing expertise in racial equity and philanthropy.
• CareFirst BlueCross BlueShieldsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the DC Boys and Young Men of Color Collaborative Action Network, supporting health equity and youth development initiatives.
• Children's National HospitalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the DC Boys and Young Men of Color Collaborative Action Network, contributing healthcare expertise and support for youth wellbeing.
• KIPP DCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment partner that grew from 4 to 16 schools. Key partner in Collaborative Action Networks focused on education equity.
• Howard UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DC networks providing higher education expertise and pathways for youth, including Howard University Middle School of Math & Science.
• Year Up National Capital RegionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Career and College Readiness Collaborative Action Network providing workforce development and career readiness programs for youth.
• My Brother's Keeper AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network that YI's MBK DC initiative is affiliated with. Focuses on addressing persistent opportunity gaps for boys and young men of color through community-based, cross-sector collaboratives.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Edna McConnell Clark Foundation: Youth-focused foundation that pioneered the high-engagement venture philanthropy model with rigorous evaluation. Highly comparable to YI's approach of pairing multi-year capital investments with capacity-building assistance for youth-serving organizations.
• NewSchools Venture Fund: Education-focused venture philanthropy fund that invests capital and strategic assistance in innovative schools and education entrepreneurs. Closely comparable to YI's high-engagement investing approach targeting youth-serving nonprofits in the education sector.
• Charter School Growth Fund: Venture philanthropy organization that invests philanthropic capital and strategic assistance to grow high-performing charter school networks. Directly comparable to YI's charter school investments in KIPP DC, Friendship, See Forever, and SEED Foundation.
• Blue Meridian Partners: Place-based impact investing collaborative that pools philanthropic capital to fund large-scale initiatives for children and families. Similar to YI in deploying multi-million-dollar investments paired with strategic support for youth outcomes.
• Social Venture Partners: Global venture philanthropy network connecting engaged donors with nonprofits through high-engagement investing principles. Comparable to YI's venture philanthropy approach and emphasis on cross-sector collective impact.
• Robin Hood Foundation: Major New York-based venture philanthropy organization focused on poverty reduction using high-engagement investing, capacity building, and data-driven program evaluation. Directly comparable to YI's model of combining capital with strategic assistance for youth and families.
• StriveTogether: National cradle-to-career collective impact network that YI was an active member of. Highly comparable given shared focus on education-to-workforce outcomes for children and youth and reliance on cross-sector collective impact methodology.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/youthinvestptrs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/vppartners?app=desktop
• Facebookfacebook.com/youthinvestpartners
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youth-invest-partners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Youth Invest Partners