Aging UP

What Aging UP does

Aging UP is a Sacramento, California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2016 that serves youth ages 13-21 (primarily 13-19) with current or former foster care experience in the Sacramento Region, stretching from Galt to Roseville. The organization delivers three core programs: one-to-one mentoring that pairs youth with screened volunteer mentors trained through a 20+ hour trauma-informed curriculum; recreational group meetUPs offering peer support and positive experiences; and UPshop workshops covering independent living skills such as cooking, college/career preparation, and healthy living. A newer Youth Leadership Group extends the product surface into structured leadership development for mentees. The mentor training curriculum and strengths-based service model are positioned as differentiated intellectual property developed specifically to complement government-funded child welfare services in the region.

The underlying operating model is community-led: youth are referred through child welfare systems, foster families, schools, and partner nonprofits, while mentors are recruited via outreach and orientations and then trained and matched by Match Coordinators who are themselves Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists or LCSWs with deep foster care and trauma expertise. Aging UP funds itself entirely through individual donations (including a monthly UPlifter program), foundation grants (Golden 1 Credit Union, Capitol Network, Ticket to Dream Foundation), corporate sponsorships (Capitol Advisors Group, UC Davis Health), and fundraising events such as the annual Play to Empower Topgolf event and the CalSAWS Charity Golf Tournament. All services are delivered free of charge to youth and mentors.

The organization is governed by a volunteer board of directors and operates with a lean staff (Co-founder/Community Director April Johnson, Engagement Lead, Match Coordinator, and contracted therapist Match Coordinators), supported historically by AmeriCorps members whose positions were eliminated in 2025 due to federal funding cuts. Co-founder Kecia Domoto retired from her Program Director role in August 2025, and the 2024 decision to join Just In Time For Foster Youth's 100K Community signals a shift toward scaling the program via replication rather than direct geographic expansion.

Name

Aging UP

Legal name

Aging UP

Website

https://agingup.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aging UP is a Sacramento-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides trauma-informed one-to-one mentoring, recreational group activities, and independent living skills workshops to Sacramento Region youth ages 13-21 with current or former foster care experience, funded by donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the mission to empower youth from foster care. Monthly UPlifter donor program available.
2. Grant Funding: Grants from foundations including Golden 1 Credit Union, Capitol Network, and Ticket to Dream Foundation.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual Play to Empower fundraiser at Topgolf, golf tournaments, and other community events. CalSAWS Charity Golf Tournament raised more than $23,000.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorships from companies like Capitol Advisors Group, Golden 1 Credit Union, UC Davis Health, and others for fundraising events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aging UP is a Sacramento-based nonprofit that provides one-to-one mentoring, group recreational meetUPs, and educational UPshop workshops to youth ages 13-21 with current or former foster care experience. All services are delivered free of charge to participants using a trauma-informed, strengths-based model supported by volunteer mentors who complete more than 20 hours of training. The organization complements government-funded and other local nonprofit programs serving foster youth in the Sacramento region.

Product overview

Aging UP is a nonprofit youth mentoring organization offering a trauma-informed, strength-based program consisting of three core services: one-to-one mentoring (matching youth with volunteer mentors), recreation through group meetUPs (organized outings and activities), and education via UPshops (hands-on independent living skills workshops). The organization also operates a Youth Leadership Group and hosts the annual Play to Empower fundraiser. Services are backed by research and designed to complement government-funded programs available to Sacramento Region youth ages 13-21 with foster care experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-to-One Mentoring Matches youth from foster care with screened and trained volunteer mentors to provide a one-to-one relationship with a committed and supportive adult offering care and consistency during turbulent adolescent years. Designed for Sacramento region youth ages 13-21 with current or former foster care experience.
• Recreation / Group meetUPs Organized group outings and recreational activities for Mentoring Matches to enjoy together, offering youth additional peer support, adult role models, and positive experiences. Examples include the Wild meetUP wolf-dog walk and appreciation events.
• Education / UPshops Expert-led, hands-on workshops covering independent living skills for foster youth, including college and career preparation, healthy living, coping skills, and more. Examples include Cooking Skills UPshop, Professional Presentation UPshop, and Grocery Games.
• Youth Leadership Group (YLG)

Quantifiable outcome

• Recruited first cohort of 10 mentors in 2018; program has grown to multiple cohorts with 18 mentors in largest cohort
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• CalSAWS (California Statewide Automated Welfare System)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026CalSAWS selected Aging UP as beneficiary of their Charity Golf Tournament, raising more than $23,000. This was particularly meaningful because many Aging UP youth and foster families are recipients of CalSAWS-administered programs such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and foster care services.
• Just In Time For Foster YouthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Aging UP joined JIT's 100K Community, a 'scaling by sharing' approach allowing partners to replicate JIT's impactful model. JIT serves more than 3,000 former foster youth annually. Don Wells, JIT's Chief Empowerment Officer, made a $20,000 personal multi-year investment and began mentoring Co-founder April.
• Ticket to Dream FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided the Take Flight Grant that funded the Cooking Skills UPshop at Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op. Also provided grants supporting general operations and mentor training cohort 4.
• Bike Dog BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated event space for Aging UP's 2026 Appreciation Event.
• Save Mart Folsom Blvd.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided delicious food/bites for the 2026 Appreciation Event.
• Born This Way FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSelected Aging UP as Channel Kindness Tour Partner for Lady Gaga's Joanne World Tour Sacramento stop in August 2017, featuring Aging UP at Kindness Pop Up event. Born This Way Foundation was founded by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta to support youth wellness.
• Capitol Advisors Group, LLCmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlay to Empower 2026 event sponsor.
• Golden 1 Credit UnionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlay to Empower 2026 event sponsor and grant provider supporting mentor training cohort 4.
• UC Davis HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlay to Empower 2026 event sponsor.
• Women for WolvesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with Aging UP for the Wild meetUP wolf-dog walk event at William B. Pond in Carmichael. Tracy and Tara from Women for Wolves brought wolf-dog Aria and led the outdoor educational experience.
• Sacramento Natural Foods Co-opminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided Cooking School and Community Learning Center venue for Cooking Skills UPshop, including store tour highlighting healthy eating options.
• Sacramento County Office of EducationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided support enabling first mentor training sessions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Sacramento CASA: Sacramento County affiliate of National CASA, training volunteer advocates for foster youth in the same service region as Aging UP. Highly comparable target population and Sacramento geography, providing advocacy rather than mentoring.

Broad incumbents

• MENTOR (National Mentoring Partnership): National umbrella organization advancing youth mentoring through advocacy, training resources, and affiliate network. Comparable mentoring methodology focus, though operates as a capacity-building intermediary rather than direct service provider.
• Casey Family Programs: One of the largest foundations dedicated to children and families in the child welfare system, operating direct programs and providing grants. Highly comparable mission focus on foster youth outcomes, but operates as a large foundation rather than a community-based mentoring program.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development organization providing mentoring, education, and recreation programs. Comparable in offering recreation meetUPs and educational workshops, but serves the general youth population rather than specializing in foster care transition support.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: The largest youth mentoring organization in the U.S., matching volunteer mentors with youth ages 6-18. Comparable one-to-one mentoring service model, but operates at national scale and serves the general youth population rather than specializing in foster care.

Direct peers

• iFoster: National nonprofit providing resources, technology, and support to transition-age foster youth. Comparable target population and focus on independent living skills, though iFoster emphasizes digital resource delivery rather than in-person mentoring.
• Just In Time For Foster Youth: San Diego-based nonprofit serving transition-age foster youth with housing, education, employment, and wellness support. Directly comparable mission and target population; Aging UP has joined JIT's 100K Community 'scaling by sharing' network.
• CASA for Children (National CASA): Court Appointed Special Advocates train volunteers to advocate for children in foster care. Highly comparable target population (foster youth) and volunteer-driven service model, though the intervention is advocacy rather than mentoring.
• FosterClub: National network led by and for young people with foster care experience, providing transition support, leadership training, and peer connection. Directly comparable mission of empowering foster youth through the transition to adulthood.

Others

• Ticket to Dream Foundation: National nonprofit providing grants and direct support to foster youth and families, including Aging UP's Cooking Skills UPshop and mentor training cohort 4. Comparable target population (foster youth), but operates primarily as a grantmaker rather than direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@agingUP
• Facebookfacebook.com/agingUP
• Instagraminstagram.com/agingup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aging-up

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Aging UP