AYA Foundation

What AYA Foundation does

AYA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 85-2802236, 509(a)(2) status) operating as Colorado's first Black-led and Black-serving operating community foundation. Founded in 2020 by the Black Business Initiative, the organization is headquartered at 1031 33rd St. in Denver within the Posner Center for International Development and runs six core programs supporting Black entrepreneurs across the business lifecycle: JumpStart My Biz (an eight-module entrepreneurship bootcamp), AYAFinancial Readiness, Scale My Biz (accelerator for businesses generating $500,000+ revenue), AYA Masterclass Series, AYAConnex (1-on-1 coaching, bookkeeping, and back-office support), and AYAInvest (catalytic grant-making). AYA also offers Fiscal Sponsorship to emerging Black-led organizations and runs donor services including a Donor Advised Fund program (minimum $5,000) managed in partnership with Colorado Gives Foundation and a Denver Enterprise Zone Contribution Project tax-credit program offering 25% state tax credits on donations of $250 or more.

The foundation generates no product or service revenue from beneficiaries; all programs are free to participants. Operating revenue derives from philanthropic contributions (donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, government grants), with 13+ institutional backers named including Gates Family Foundation, Colorado OEDIT, SBA, Colorado Trust, Mile High United Way, Colorado Health Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, McKinsey & Company, Cooley LLP, Rose Community Foundation, Colorado Enterprise Fund, The Denver Foundation, and Huntington Bank, supplemented by hundreds of individual donors. The foundation reports cumulative impact of 160+ entrepreneurs supported since founding, with cohort outcomes including a hiring rate increase from 34% to 75% and average monthly business revenue growth from $1,557 to $3,853.

As of mid-2025, AYA operates with approximately 2-3 full-time staff (CEO Lynnette White-Colin, who succeeded founding CEO Benny Samuels effective July 16, 2025 after a national search, plus COO Tonoa Manuel who joined as the second full-time employee in January 2023). Founder and Board Chair Jice Johnson led the launch of AYA through the Black Business Initiative, where she also serves as Founder and CVO. The organization has expanded its geographic and demographic ambition through outreach to emerging Black-led organizations (via fiscal sponsorship and the Eight28 Fund) while remaining focused on Colorado-based entrepreneurs.

Name

AYA Foundation

Legal name

AYA Foundation

Website

https://ayafoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AYA Foundation is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) community foundation and the state's first Black-led and Black-serving organization of its kind. It provides free entrepreneurial training, coaching, bookkeeping, and grant funding to Black entrepreneurs across Colorado through six programs, funded by philanthropic donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation / Nonprofit Economic Empowerment

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Financial Literacy, Budgeting & Personal Finance (EDAMAHAE)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Entrepreneurship education programs
• Small business grants
• Minority business support
• Nonprofit economic empowerment

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Contributions: AYA Foundation relies primarily on donations from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government entities. The organization is a certified agency within the Denver Enterprise Zone, enabling donors to receive a 25% state tax credit on donations of $25 or more. Backed by Gates Family Foundation, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Small Business Administration, Colorado Trust, Colorado Gives Foundation, Mile High United Way, The Colorado Health Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, McKinsey & Company, Cooley LLP, Rose Community Foundation, Colorado Enterprise Fund, and hundreds of individual donors.
2. Donor Advised Funds: AYA offers Donor Advised Funds in partnership with Colorado Gives Foundation, requiring a minimum contribution of $5,000. Donors receive immediate tax benefits and can recommend grants to charitable causes over time.
3. Grant Programs (AYAInvest): AYAInvest is the foundation's grant-making initiative providing flexible, catalytic funding to Black-owned businesses and startups across Colorado. Funding cycles are released strategically based on available capital, partner alignment, and programmatic priorities. Grants support business stability, job creation, and long-term growth.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AYA Foundation is a Colorado-based public charity community foundation that operates a suite of free entrepreneurship education, coaching, and grant-making programs for Black entrepreneurs, including JumpStart My Biz (8-module bootcamp), Scale My Biz (growth accelerator), AYAConnex (1-on-1 coaching), AYAFinancial Readiness, AYA Masterclass Series, Fiscal Sponsorship, and AYAInvest grants. It also offers donor services including Donor Advised Funds managed through Colorado Gives Foundation and an Enterprise Zone Tax Credit program.

Product overview

AYA Foundation operates as a platform of interconnected programs designed to support Black entrepreneurs at every stage of business development. The core offerings include: JumpStart My Biz (free 8-module bootcamp for early-stage entrepreneurs), AYAFinancial Readiness (capital-readiness support), Scale My Biz (accelerator for established businesses), AYA Masterclass Series (advanced instruction on AI, finance, and policy), AYAConnex (1-on-1 coaching and back-office support), Fiscal Sponsorship (for emerging organizations), and AYAInvest (grant-making initiative). Donor services include Donor Advised Funds managed through Colorado Gives Foundation and the Enterprise Zone Tax Credit program for Colorado taxpayers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AYAInvest: Grant-making initiative dedicated to fueling the growth of Black-owned businesses and innovative startups across Colorado through flexible, catalytic funding.
• JumpStart My Biz
• AYAFinancial Readiness
• Scale My Biz
• AYA Masterclass Series
• AYAConnex
• Eight28 Fund

Products and services

• JumpStart My Biz Free eight-module entrepreneurship bootcamp meeting twice per week that helps early-stage Black business owners in Colorado move from idea to execution. Participants build foundational skills across business structure, marketing, operations, financial readiness, and access to capital. Includes dinner and childcare, and connects participants to ongoing coaching, bookkeeping support, and ecosystem resources.
• AYAFinancial Readiness Pilot initiative for Black-owned businesses that are growth capital-ready but have been locked out of funding access due to insufficient financial records, inadequate collateral, and other operational challenges. Entrepreneurs are matched with financial professionals and business consultants through interest forms submitted via Airtable.
• Scale My Biz Intensive business growth accelerator for established, high-growth-potential businesses owned by founders of color in Colorado who are ready to move from momentum to meaningful scale. Includes advanced business management curriculum and is targeted at businesses generating $500,000+ in annual revenue.
• AYA Masterclass Series Master-level instruction led by subject-matter experts designed specifically for Black entrepreneurs in Colorado, covering topics including AI, business financials, procurement and contracting, and policy impacting Black businesses.
• AYAConnex Connection hub providing Black entrepreneurs with 1-on-1 customized business coaching, bookkeeping and back-office assistance, and financial coaching. Connects entrepreneurs to internal and external business resources.
• Fiscal Sponsorship AYA Foundation selectively offers fiscal sponsorship to emerging organizations and social initiatives that align with its mission and vision. Sponsored projects gain access to AYA's established infrastructure, compliance support, and operational guidance to focus on mission delivery and community impact.
• AYAInvest AYA Foundation's grant-making initiative dedicated to fueling the growth of Black-owned businesses and innovative startups across Colorado through flexible, catalytic funding. AYAInvest supports business stability, job creation, and long-term growth, with funding cycles released strategically based on available capital, partner alignment, and programmatic priorities. Includes the Eight28 Fund sub-brand to empower Black nonprofits with resources and expertise.
• Donor Advised Funds A giving account opened to support AYA Foundation (a public charity). Donors can establish a Donor Advised Fund managed in partnership with Colorado Gives Foundation, requiring an initial minimum contribution of $5,000 in cash, securities, or other assets. Donors receive immediate tax benefits and can recommend grants to charitable causes over time.
• Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Program Colorado taxpayer program enabling donors to earn a state income tax credit worth 25% of their contribution by donating to AYA Foundation, a certified agency within the Denver Enterprise Zone (DEZ). Donations of $250 or more qualify for the 25% credit; stock and securities donations are eligible for a 12.5% credit. Minimum donation deliberately set at $25 to make tax savings accessible at all giving levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Entrepreneur employment/hiring rate increased from 34% to 75%
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Black Business InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Spearheaded the launch of AYA Foundation as its philanthropic branch. Colorado's Black Business Initiative launched AYA with the goal of closing the wealth gap for the Black community. Jice Johnson is both AYA Foundation Founder/Board Chair and Founder/CVO of Black Business Initiative.
• Colorado Gives FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner managing Donor Advised Funds for AYA Foundation. Works with AYA to expertly manage DAF accounts and simplify the giving process for donors.
• McKinsey & CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsulting partner that has helped accelerate Black economic development in Colorado. McKinsey featured AYA Foundation's impact including serving 91+ founders and entrepreneurs and serving as fiscal sponsor for philanthropic dollars to startups including the DEMI FUND.
• SCORE DenvermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit arm of Small Business Administration. AYA connected inventor Sirena Rolfe with SCORE Denver for business strategy support including licensing, marketing, and patent coaching assistance.
• Kindred Communications, LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunications firm providing marketing and media support. Angelle & Daryn Fouther, principals, provide services to AYA Foundation. Angelle Fouther is also an AYA program participant (Kindred Communications LLC).
• Denver Enterprise ZonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAYA Foundation is a certified agency within the Denver Enterprise Zone (DEZ), a tax credit program administered by the State of Colorado. Donors can receive a 25% tax credit on donations of $250 or more through this partnership with the City & County of Denver.
• Denver Economic Development and OpportunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity agency that helped AYA Foundation achieve Denver Enterprise Zone Contribution Project designation, enabling donors to access state tax credits.
• Posner Center for International DevelopmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for AYA Foundation headquarters and many programs including JumpStart My Biz bootcamp sessions and Harambee Holiday Market events. Located at 1031 33rd Street in Denver.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Village Capital: Nonprofit impact investor supporting early-stage entrepreneurs building solutions to real-world challenges, with explicit focus on underrepresented founders. Comparable to AYA's entrepreneur-support platform and AYAInvest-style catalytic funding model.
• Backstage Capital: Venture fund and accelerator founded by Arlan Hamilton to invest in underrepresented founders, with a focus on Black, women, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Comparable to AYA's Black entrepreneur focus, but operating as an investment vehicle with larger check sizes.
• Common Future: A racial-economic equity nonprofit that supports BIPOC-led economic ecosystems through fellowships, capital, and field-building. Directly comparable to AYA's focus on closing the racial wealth gap through entrepreneur and ecosystem support.
• Operation HOPE: National nonprofit providing financial literacy coaching, small business support, and credit restoration to underserved communities. Comparable to AYA's credit repair, financial coaching, and small business programming, though much larger and broader in scope.
• Camelback Ventures: New Orleans-based nonprofit that supports Black and Latinx entrepreneurs through fellowships, coaching, and catalytic capital. Highly comparable to AYA's mission of empowering underrepresented founders with culturally responsive programming and capital access.
• Foundation for Black Communities: A national Black-led community foundation initiative launched in 2021 to build a permanent financial infrastructure for Black communities in Canada. Most directly comparable to AYA as a Black-led community foundation, though operating at a national rather than state level.

Broad incumbents

• Echoing Green: Global nonprofit that has supported emerging social entrepreneurs for 35+ years through fellowships, seed funding, and leadership development. Comparable to AYA's entrepreneur support mission, but broader in scope and operating globally.
• National Urban League: One of America's oldest civil rights and economic empowerment organizations, operating 90+ local affiliates with broad programs for Black communities including entrepreneurship and small business support. Comparable to AYA's mission space, but at national scale and with a much broader programmatic mandate.

Emerging players

• BOSS Network: Networking and entrepreneurship community specifically supporting women of color entrepreneurs. Comparable to AYA's entrepreneur-community-building model and event-driven GTM motion (markets, masterclasses), though more network-focused and not a grantmaker.

Regional players

• The Denver Foundation: Colorado's largest community foundation, managing charitable assets across the Denver metro area. Comparable to AYA as a Colorado-based community foundation, but with a broader mission that is not specifically focused on the Black community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AYA-Foundation-100088217214134
• Instagraminstagram.com/aya.foundation
• Xx.com/1865AYA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aya-foundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 AYA Foundation