Connections to Independence (C2i)

What Connections to Independence (C2i) does

Connections to Independence (C2i) is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 that delivers independent-living and transition services to current and former foster-care youth ages 14 to 24 across Hennepin and Ramsey Counties in Minnesota. The organization runs two core programs — the Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) for youth aged 14–17 and After Care Services (ACS) for young adults aged 18–24 — supplemented by an ecosystem of wraparound supports including the Explorers Program, OG Mentoring Program, Employment Readiness Training, Rentwise Training, a Youth Internship Program, and a Youth Advisory Council. Reported outcomes range from approximately 70% to 94% across housing stability, education, employment, and civic engagement measures.

The technology footprint is conventional: standard nonprofit website and online donation infrastructure, with no disclosed platform, data system, or proprietary tooling. Service delivery is staff-led and case-managed by a team of approximately 15 employees operating in two Minnesota counties.

C2i is funded through a four-channel model: individual donations, restricted and unrestricted foundation grants from regional funders, government contracts (notably Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Human Services STAY Program), and event fundraising anchored by its 11th annual Kentucky Derby–themed benefit in 2026. The organization does not charge program fees to participants and does not disclose audited financials in the available input.

Name

Connections to Independence (C2i)

Legal name

Connections to Independence

Website

https://c2iyouth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Connections to Independence (C2i) is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit, founded in 2009, that delivers independent-living skills and aftercare services to foster-care youth ages 14 to 24 across Hennepin and Ramsey Counties in Minnesota, funded by donations, foundation grants, government contracts, and annual fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foster Care and Youth Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Foster youth services
• Independent living skills
• Transition age youth
• Youth mentorship programs
• Nonprofit social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: C2i accepts financial donations through PayPal, processing secure tax-deductible donations from individual donors
2. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundation partners including Sauer Family Foundation, John and Denise Graves Foundation, Minneapolis Foundation, and others
3. Government Contracts: Partnerships with government agencies including Hennepin County and MN DHS STAY Program for foster care transition services
4. Event Fundraising: Annual Kentucky Derby fundraiser generating sponsorship revenue and ticket sales; 11th annual event in 2026

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

C2i delivers independent living skills programming, mentorship, housing support, employment readiness, and education services to youth currently or formerly in foster care, ages 14 to 24, in the Minneapolis metropolitan area. Services are delivered through one-on-one counseling, group workshops, and formalized partnerships with county social services and community-based organizations. The organization operates multiple age-segmented programs that address the practical and developmental needs of transition-age foster youth.

Product overview

Connections to Independence (C2i) is a nonprofit social services organization that provides a portfolio of programs and services for foster care youth ages 14-24. The core offerings include the Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) for ages 14-17 and After Care Services (ACS) for ages 18-24, which form the foundation of their service delivery. These are supplemented by structured program modules including the Explorers and OG Mentoring Programs for youth mentorship, Employment Readiness Training (ERT) and Rentwise Training for practical life skills, a Youth Internship Program connecting youth with employment experience, and the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for youth leadership development. The organization also hosts an annual Kentucky Derby Fundraiser. All programming is grounded in a holistic healthy mind, body, and soul philosophy with five core competency areas: Financial Literacy, Housing, Employment, Education, and Personal Wellness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Explorers Program: Mentorship program for youth ages 14-17 in a group setting with community members
• OG Mentoring Program

Products and services

• Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) A one-on-one support and educational program for youth ages 14-17 currently in the foster care system, helping them build practical life skills and prepare for the transition out of care.
• After Care Services (ACS) A continuation support program for young adults ages 18-24 who have aged out of the foster care system, providing ongoing guidance, resources, and case management to support adult independence.
• Explorers Program A program designed to expose youth to new experiences, life skills, and community engagement opportunities as part of the organization's healthy mind, body, and soul approach.
• OG Mentoring Program A mentorship initiative pairing foster care youth with caring adult mentors who provide guidance, support, and positive role modeling.
• Employment Readiness Training (ERT) A workforce preparation program that helps youth develop job-readiness skills including resume building, interview preparation, and professional conduct.
• Rentwise Training A rental education curriculum that teaches youth about tenant rights, lease responsibilities, budgeting for housing, and successful tenancy.
• Youth Internship Program A paid or structured internship opportunity that gives foster care youth hands-on work experience in a professional environment.
• Youth Advisory Council (YAC) A governance and feedback body composed of program participants who inform organizational decisions, programming, and advocacy priorities.
• Academic Support Services Educational planning and academic coordination provided to youth to support school success, post-secondary enrollment, and credential completion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of youth successfully employed or enrolled in education within 6 months
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hennepin CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing referrals and contract funding for services to youth in Hennepin County foster care system
• MN DHS STAY ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState program partner providing services for adolescents transitioning out of foster care
• Family AlternativesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization
• The Sanneh FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting youth programs; also provides internship opportunities
• Summit Academy OICminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing educational opportunities
• North Star Community RowingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing youth rowing camp and team opportunities
• Kente CircleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health partner providing services to C2i youth
• Foster Alum MinnesotaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlumni organization supporting former foster youth
• Foster AdvocatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy organization supporting foster care youth
• Center for Communications and Development (CCD) KMOJminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site partner providing employment experience for youth
• Insight NewsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site partner; also event sponsor
• Robbins Health and Wellness CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site partner providing health and wellness experience
• NOC-Neighborhoods Organizing For ChangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site partner providing community organizing experience
• Job CorpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal employment program partner providing resources for youth

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• TreeHouse: Midwest-based nonprofit providing educational and transition support to youth in foster care, focused on closing the graduation gap. Comparable mission of preparing foster youth for adulthood through targeted programming.
• Avenues for Homeless Youth: Minneapolis nonprofit offering housing, case management, and life-skills programming for homeless youth and young adults, including those aging out of foster care. Directly comparable mission and Twin Cities footprint to C2i.
• Family Alternatives: Minnesota foster care and child welfare services organization providing family preservation, foster care licensing, and youth transition support. Comparable in child-and-family services focus and Minnesota operating geography.
• The Bridge for Youth: Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, housing, and supportive services for youth experiencing homelessness and instability, including former foster youth. Operates in the same Twin Cities service geography and overlapping 14-24 age band as C2i.
• Tubman (formerly Tubman Family Alliance): Minneapolis-based social services nonprofit offering youth housing, chemical and mental health services, and advocacy for young people experiencing crisis. Same metro area and overlapping services for at-risk youth.
• Hope for Youth (HOPE for the Children / similar IL programs): Minnesota youth housing and independent living provider serving foster and homeless youth with housing, life skills, and case management. Closely comparable program model and target population to C2i.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities: Large regional nonprofit providing youth development, housing, and supportive services including programs for teens aging out of foster care in the Twin Cities. Comparable in youth services and geography but vastly larger and more diversified.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities: Major youth development nonprofit serving Twin Cities youth with education, career, and leadership programming. Overlaps with C2i on youth development and life-skills programming in the same geography but serves a broader youth population.
• National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP): Large national child welfare and youth services organization delivering foster care, behavioral health, and independent living services across multiple states. Operates in the same child welfare and IL services space but at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth than C2i.

Others

• FosterClub: National nonprofit supporting current and former foster youth through peer connection, advocacy, and transition resources. Thematically comparable in serving foster youth transitions to independence but does not deliver direct IL services in C2i's geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/C2iyouth
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/C2iyouth
• Facebookfacebook.com/C2iyouth
• Instagraminstagram.com/c2iyouth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connections-to-independence-c2i

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Connections to Independence (C2i)