AZYouthforce

What AZYouthforce does

AZYouthforce is a nonprofit workforce development program of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ), serving teens and young adults ages 14-21 in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area. Founded in 2019, the program operates two physical Academy hubs — East Valley (Mesa) and West Valley (Glendale) — delivering a structured pipeline: teens complete 30+ hours of pre-internship essential-skills training at AZYF Academy (earning NAU Essential Skills Badge and NWRC Essential Soft Skills Credential), then are placed in paid internships with employer partners across banking, automotive, healthcare, sports, construction, retail, technology, and government industries. Cumulatively, AZYouthforce has trained 726 teens and facilitated 683 completed internships, with $900,000 in wages earned by participants and a 48% Academy graduation rate.

The underlying platform is human-capital service delivery, not proprietary technology. AZYF handles recruitment, screening, background checks, drug testing, case management, and payroll administration for participating employer partners, who are invoiced monthly for intern hours worked. The organization has 15 employees, including dedicated case managers, a Sr. Director of Workforce Development (Samantha Hansen), and a Sr. Manager of Workforce Training & Partnerships. Revenue derives from employer partnership fees, philanthropic donations (including a $500,000 contribution from Justin Bayless in March 2022 funding the Bayless Entrepreneurship Program), and the S.T.E.P. Scholarship Fund for skilled trades education. Additional program tracks include the Emerging Leaders Program, AZYouthforce Ambassadors, Industry of Sports / AZPlays, Entrepreneurship Track, and supporting bootcamps in culinary arts and skilled trades.

The go-to-market motion is community-led: teens are recruited through BGCAZ's 30+ club branches, high schools, and community events; employer partners are cultivated through direct outreach and maintained via recurring internship cycles. Distribution is wholly domestic and geographically concentrated in the Phoenix Valley, with no expansion beyond Arizona signaled. Named employer partners include Bank of America ($25/hour summer interns), Phoenix Suns / Mortgage Matchup Center ($15.15/hour year-round), Jiffy Lube, Avondale Toyota, Haskins Electric, Swire Coca-Cola, Valleywise Health, Kitchell, Safelite Autoglass, Old Navy, Banfield Pet Hospital, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, and Gateway Community College.

Name

AZYouthforce

Legal name

AZYouthforce

Website

https://azyouthforce.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

AZYouthforce is a nonprofit workforce development program of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, placing Phoenix-metro teens ages 14-21 into paid internships across diverse industries after completing certified pre-internship training at AZYF Academy locations in Mesa and Glendale, Arizona.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Workforce Development

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAAOAD

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Workforce Development Initiatives

SECONDARYEDALABAG

Experiential Learning & Internships/Co-ops

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Academic Advising, Career Services & Student Success

SECONDARYBPACANAK

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs

Business & Public Services/HR, Staffing & Recruitment Services/Training, Learning & Development Services

SECONDARYEDAAAFAN

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

Keywords

• Youth workforce development
• Teen internship programs
• Career training services
• Workforce readiness programs
• Youth employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Employer Partnership Services: AZYouthforce provides a structured internship program where employers receive pre-trained, supported interns. Employers pay AZYF through monthly invoices for intern hours worked. AZYF handles recruitment, screening, background checks, drug testing, case management, and payroll for the duration of the internship.
2. Donations and Philanthropic Support: The program accepts donations to support operations and scholarship funds, including the S.T.E.P. Scholarship Fund for skilled trades education and the Bayless Entrepreneurship Program which awards $2,500 seed money to winning entrepreneurs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AZYouthforce is a workforce development program that recruits, trains, and places teens ages 14-21 into paid internships with employer partners across the Phoenix metropolitan area. Teens first complete AZYF Academy, a 30+ hour pre-internship training covering customer service, resume writing, public speaking, financial literacy, and mindset, earning NAU and NWRC certifications. AZYF then matches them with employer partners (Bank of America, Phoenix Suns, Jiffy Lube, healthcare, construction, and more), handling recruitment, screening, background checks, payroll, and case management throughout the internship.

Product overview

AZYouthforce is a workforce development program of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offering a portfolio of paid internship programs for teens ages 14-21. The core offering includes AZYF Academy (30+ hours of pre-internship essential skills training leading to NAU and NWRC certifications), Career Internships with employer partners across industries, and Group Internships at live event venues. Additional tracks include the Emerging Leaders Program, AZYouthforce Ambassadors leadership development, Industry of Sports certification training, and Entrepreneurship programming including the Bayless Entrepreneurship Program and Lemonade Day Arizona. Supporting offerings include the S.T.E.P. Scholarship Fund for skilled trades education ($3,000-$5,000) and specialized bootcamps in culinary arts, trades, and technology. The organization connects teens to over 30+ employer partners including Bank of America, Phoenix Suns/Mortgage Matchup Center, Jiffy Lube, Haskins Electric, Gateway Community College, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AZYF Academy Pre-internship training program providing 30+ hours of essential skills training covering customer service, resume writing, public speaking, financial literacy, and mindset development, leading to certifications from Northern Arizona University (Essential Skills Badge) and the National Work Readiness Council (Essential Soft Skills Credential). For teens ages 14-21 preparing for internship placement.
• Career Internships Paid individual internships with employer partners (Bank of America, Jiffy Lube, Haskins Electric, Avondale Toyota, Valleywise Health, etc.) providing real-world industry experience with one-on-one mentorship. For teens ages 14-21 across diverse industries including banking, automotive, healthcare, construction, and electrical trades.
• Group Internships Team-based learning at live events at Mortgage Matchup Center (formerly PHX Arena/Footprint Center) for teens ages 16-21. Interns staff basketball games, concerts, and other arena events supporting operations under professional mentors, with opportunities for lead intern advancement and internship extensions.
• Emerging Leaders Program Seven to eight week stipend-paid internship for teens ages 14-17 to work with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, learning valuable leadership skills while supporting various programs at Club branches.
• AZYouthforce Ambassadors Leadership program for AZYF alumni to recruit peers, represent the program at clubs, high schools, and community events, and share their internship experiences as peer ambassadors.
• Industry of Sports (AZPlays) Sports industry training track for teens ages 16-21 to become certified coaches or referees and learn how the sports industry works from youth leagues to leadership roles. Includes paid multi-sport internship opportunities in basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball for refereeing, coaching, scoring, and operations management.
• Entrepreneurship Track (Bayless Entrepreneurship Program) Eight-week program where youth develop business plans, revenue streams, unique value propositions, and cost structures. Winners pitch for $2,500 seed money to launch their businesses. Six-week Saturday sessions with business mentor matching. Funded by the Bayless family donation to BGCAZ.
• S.T.E.P. Scholarship Fund Skilled Trade Education Program scholarship providing $3,000-$5,000 for underserved teens pursuing careers in skilled trades including automotive, electrical, HVAC, welding, plumbing, construction, solar installation, and healthcare certifications. Established through the Bloss Family donor-advised fund, awarded twice yearly (summer and fall).
• Lemonade Day Arizona Annual youth-run lemonade stand business experience held at Planet Fitness locations across the Valley. Club members who completed business training launch their own stands and donate profits to causes they care about.
• Culinary Bootcamp Beginner-friendly culinary course teaching essential cooking techniques, kitchen and food safety, with ServSafe certification offered at Benedictine University in Mesa. For teens interested in culinary and hospitality careers.
• Safelite Autoglass Technician Trainee Eight-week technician trainee internship for teens ages 18-19 at Safelite Autoglass learning autoglass installation, work record maintenance, and autoglass repairs.
• Phoenix Suns / Mortgage Matchup Center Internship Year-round paid internship at Mortgage Matchup Center (PHX Arena, formerly Footprint Center) for teens ages 16-21 at $15.15/hour staffing basketball games, concerts, and other events. 4-month internship with opportunity to extend. Lead intern (junior manager) positions available for advancement.
• Grow with Google Free online training program offering Google Career Certificates in IT Support, Data Analytics, Project Management, and User Experience Design for career preparation. Participants must complete 10 hours of AZYF essential skills training to enroll.
• Gateway Community College Trade Bootcamp Four-day, 32-hour program introducing participants to four different trades with free certification, offered in partnership with Gateway Community College.
• SupplyHub Internship Remote internship working with SupplyHub co-founders on MVP refinement, AI model development, product requirements, and business development in technology and cloud solutions. For tech-interested teens.
• Banfield NextVet Six to ten week summer internship at Banfield veterinary hospitals at $15/hour for Phoenix-area teens. Approximately 90% hospital time and 10% virtual learning, shadowing veterinarians and technicians and receiving industry training.

Named customers21 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship/parent, core, secondary and minor.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ)flagship/parentStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZYF is a program of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. BGCAZ provides organizational infrastructure, 30+ Club branch locations for recruitment, administrative support, and alignment with BGCAZ's four priority outcomes: Academic Success, Good Character and Leadership, Good Health & Physical Fitness, and Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness.
• Bank of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor employer partner offering summer internships for teens ages 18-21. Pays $25/hour, 30 hours/week for 8 weeks. Interns placed at multiple Phoenix-area bank locations convenient to their home and school. AZYF's largest and most established corporate partnership.
• Phoenix Suns / Mortgage Matchup Center (formerly Footprint Center/PHX Arena)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear-round group internship at downtown Phoenix arena for teens ages 16-21. $15.15/hour. Interns staff basketball games, concerts, and other events. 4-month internship with opportunity to extend. Lead intern (junior manager) positions available for advancement.
• Gateway Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner offering Radiologic Technology Lab Assistant internships for teens ages 16-21. Also provides Trade Bootcamp—4-day, 32-hour program introducing participants to four different trades with free certification.
• Northern Arizona University (NAU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing Essential Skills Badge certification through AZYF Academy. Recognizes workplace skills including communication, teamwork, professionalism, problem solving, time management, and adaptability.
• National Work Readiness Council (NWRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational credentialing body providing Essential Soft Skills Credential through AZYF Academy. Independent credential verifying essential workplace readiness skills through proctored assessment.
• Avondale ToyotacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive employer partner offering 8-week paid internships for teens ages 16-21. Positions in customer service, shop, or corporate. Multiple teens have converted internships to full-time employment.
• Jiffy LubecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive employer partner for teens ages 17-21. Courtesy Tech and Lube Technician positions. Interns learn vehicle services with potential for hire after internship completion.
• Haskins ElectricsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectrical employer partner for teens ages 18-21. Valleywide jobsites. Electrician Helper positions at commercial and residential electrical sites. 20+ years serving the Valley.
• Swire Coca-ColacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeverage manufacturing employer partner. Multiple teens have been hired after internships and intern Enrique was offered full-time employment as a merchandiser starting April 2026.
• Banfield Pet Hospital (NextVet Program)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterinary employer partner offering 6-10 week summer internships for Phoenix-area teens. $15/hour. Shadow veterinarians, receive virtual training, connect with Banfield executives.
• Grow with GooglesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner offering free online career certificates in IT Support, Data Analytics, Project Management, and UX Design. Must complete 10 hours of AZYF essential skills training.
• Valleywise Health FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare foundation partner enabling behavioral technician internships. Interns receive AED and BLS certifications and gain healthcare field experience.
• Grand Canyon University (GCU)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner for BGCAZ Athletics Site Supervisor volunteer positions. GCU students supervise youth sports programs at Boys & Girls Clubs.
• Planet FitnesssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Lemonade Day events. Hosts lemonade stands outside select Planet Fitness locations across the Valley on event days.
• Diversified RoofingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction employer partner offering 8-week Construction Roofing Estimator internship in office setting. Learn business side of roofing including digital job files, contracts, and roof drawings.
• Safelite AutoglasssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive employer partner for ages 18-19. 8-week Technician Trainee internship learning autoglass installation and repair.
• KitchellsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction employer partner offering project intern and equipment yard internships. Work at Valleywise Medical Center and Phoenix Children's Hospital jobsites.
• Old Navy (This Way ONward)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail employer partner through Gap Inc.'s This Way ONward program providing next generation with first jobs, mentoring, skills and confidence.
• Maricopa County Sheriff's OfficesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment employer partner offering 8-week law enforcement internship for ages 18-19. Explore detention, evidence, dispatch, courts, training, and probation.
• Arizona Sustainability AlliancesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental nonprofit partner with priorities in conservation, renewable energy, sustainable food systems, urban forestry, and cities.
• Arizonans for a Clean EconomysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental advocacy organization. Local Organizing Intern position focused on grassroots advocacy and clean energy policy outreach.
• AAA LandscapingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning commercial landscape company with 45+ years experience. Internship learning nature, sustainability, and landscape design outdoors.
• Go DaddysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner offering online website building training. Includes Go Daddy subscription for 2 years, mentorship on branding and domains, marketing guidance.
• Tempe DodgesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive employer partner. Showroom coordinator position at $16/hour. Customer greeting, visitor direction, appointment management.
• SupplyHubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup technology company offering remote internship working with AI models, product development, and business development.
• Glendale Elementary School District (GESD)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGESD System of Care Center internship. Office assistant position providing administrative support, client greeting, correspondence management.
• Biltmore SoundscapeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSound studio partner offering industry tour opportunities for podcasting, editing, marketing, and production experience.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Year Up: Year Up is a leading national workforce development nonprofit providing young adults (18-24) with six-month training + corporate internships. Directly comparable to AZYF in employer-paid internship model and DEI-focused youth talent pipeline, though serves an older age cohort and operates at national scale.
• Genesys Works: Genesys Works provides high school students from under-resourced communities with professional skills training and paid corporate internships, with an alumni network for ongoing support. Closely aligned with AZYF on model (pre-internship training + employer-paid placements + alumni follow-up) and target demographic.
• NAF (National Academy Foundation): NAF operates career academies in high schools delivering industry-focused curricula and paid work-based learning (internships) across multiple sectors. Highly comparable to AZYF in combining pre-internship training, employer partnerships, and career-track exposure for high school students.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National parent organization of BGCAZ (AZYF's parent). While AZYF is a workforce program within a chapter, BGCA provides the broader youth-development umbrella including career exploration, college prep, and workforce-readiness programming across 5,000+ club locations nationwide.
• Per Scholas: Per Scholas provides tuition-free technology and IT training to under-resourced adults, with employer partnerships for job placement. Compares to AZYF on employer-funded talent pipeline model but focuses on adult tech training rather than teen workforce development.
• Junior Achievement: Junior Achievement provides K-12 students with work-readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship programs including career exploration. Shares AZYF's focus on youth workforce preparation and employer engagement but delivers curriculum inside schools rather than as a standalone internship program.
• KIPP Public Schools: KIPP is a national charter school network focused on college and career readiness for students from under-resourced communities. Shares AZYF's mission of upward economic mobility for teens, with comparable career-and-college exposure programming, though delivered within K-12 schools.

Regional players

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: BBBS provides one-to-one youth mentoring focused on educational attainment and career exploration, with site-based programs in many cities including Phoenix. Comparable to AZYF's mentorship-and-coaching model but operates as a national mentoring agency rather than a paid-internship placement program.

Others

• CareerConnect (American Career College / workforce boards): Federal/state workforce development infrastructure providing career exploration, skills training, and employer matching. Comparable in workforce-development mission but operates as a public-sector resource rather than a nonprofit paid-internship program like AZYF.

Emerging players

• Spark America: Spark pairs middle and high school students from underserved communities with workplace mentors for multi-year apprenticeship-style experiences. Closely comparable to AZYF's mentorship-driven model with employer worksite engagement, though Spark operates primarily in the Bay Area and a few other metros.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/azyouthforce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 AZYouthforce