What City Surf Project does

City Surf Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 47-2091985) founded in 2014/2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, that delivers surf instruction and ocean-based youth development programs to Bay Area middle and high school students, with a deliberate focus on youth historically underrepresented in surf culture. The organization operates three core programmatic products: Intro to Surfing (1–4 day clinics), Surfing 101 (a semester-long course eligible for high school PE credit), and week-long Summer Surf Camps, 90% of which are fully subsidized through "surferships." Programs are delivered directly through partnerships with ten or more San Francisco Unified School District schools (Aptos Middle School, Balboa High School, Burton High School, Lowell High School, Mission High School, etc.) and five or more community-based organizations (ALAS, Faces SF, Sama Sama Cooperative, A Home Away from Homelessness, Booker T. Washington Community Service Center). A Leadership Development track and a Volunteer Program that includes background-checked assistant surf instructors, drivers, and photographers round out the service portfolio. The organization also runs an Alumni Surf Instructor employment pathway ($23/hour) that converts program graduates into paid staff.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack rather than a commercial revenue model. Revenue sources include: tax-deductible individual donations accepted via credit card, CashApp ($CitySurfProject), and Venmo (@makewavescsp); corporate sponsorships (Vans, Sun Bum, GoPro, New York Life Foundation, dryrobe, Mollusk Surf Shop, City Real Estate, and others); foundation grants (Campbell Foundation, AE Foundation, MNH Foundation, Red String Foundation, Dylan Todds Simonds Foundation, Olympic Club Foundation); government grants from the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth & Their Families, which contributed over $100,000 in FY 2023-24; an annual flagship fundraiser (9th Annual Surf-a-Thon with a $75,000 goal funding 75 youth scholarships); and a Squarespace-based e-commerce merchandise storefront selling branded apparel at $20–$50. Pricing for youth participants is effectively zero at point of service due to the 90% scholarship rate.

The organization is led by Co-Founder and Executive Director Johnny Irwin and employs approximately 15 staff, including a recently posted full-time Development Director role ($95,000–$125,000) responsible for fundraising and corporate partnerships, signaling a deliberate professionalization of revenue generation. Cumulative impact metrics disclosed by the organization include over 3,000 youth introduced to surfing since inception, 434 students served across 131 surf days in the most recent reporting year, 71% of participants self-identifying as surfers post-program, 80% experiencing the ocean for the first time with CSP, and 2025 California Nonprofit of the Year recognition from Assemblymember Matt Haney. No proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, or external funding rounds are disclosed; the organization is independent with no parent company or private equity backing.

Name

City Surf Project

Legal name

City Surf Project

Website

https://citysurfproject.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

City Surf Project is a San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free surf instruction, ocean safety education, and leadership development to Bay Area middle and high school youth historically underrepresented in surf culture, with 90% of summer campers on full scholarship and over 3,000 youth served since 2014.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development & Outdoor Education Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ), Aquatics Programs (Pools, Swim Lessons, Lifeguarding) (EDALAIAF)

Keywords

• Youth surf instruction
• Nonprofit youth programs
• Surf education
• Community youth development
• Outdoor youth programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco, CA

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Individual donations via website, credit/debit card, CashApp ($CashApp/$CitySurfProject), and Venmo (@makewavescsp). Corporate sponsorships at various levels. Foundation grants. Government grants (City and County of San Francisco). 90% of summer campers receive full scholarships funded by these donations.
2. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce storefront selling branded apparel including t-shirts ($20-$50), hoodies ($50), gift certificates ($25+). Proceeds directly support youth surf programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

City Surf Project provides free and scholarship-based surf instruction to Bay Area middle and high school youth through school-based clinics, semester-long courses, and summer surf camps. Programs combine on-water surf training with water safety, environmental education, and leadership development, delivered in partnership with SFUSD schools and community organizations. The organization supplements its mission through merchandise sales, donations, corporate sponsorships, and annual fundraising events.

Product overview

City Surf Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing equitable access to the ocean through surf instruction for Bay Area youth. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including Youth Surfing Programs (Intro to Surfing clinics and Surfing 101 semester courses), Summer Surf Camps with scholarship support, and Leadership Development initiatives. Core programs are delivered through partnerships with SFUSD schools and community-based organizations. The organization supplements its mission through fundraising activities (Surf-a-Thon), merchandise sales, volunteer programs, and corporate partnership opportunities. Programs serve middle and high school students, with 90% of summer campers receiving full scholarships. Since inception, over 3,000 youth have been introduced to surfing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Intro to Surfing A 1 to 4 day surf clinic offering ocean exploration, community building, and self-discovery with basic instruction in water skills, water safety, paddling, standing up on a board, and catching waves for middle and high school youth.
• Surfing 101 Semester-long program providing regular surf instruction at the beach combined with swim instruction in local pools, offering high school PE credit or after-school programming with environmental education.
• Summer Surf Camps Week-long surf camps during summer providing access to the ocean and surfing for youth through Bay Area community-based partner organizations, with surferships (scholarships) covering 90% of participants.
• Leadership Development Program focused on developing leadership skills in youth through surfing and ocean-based experiences, part of CSP's mission to grow strong, resilient leaders.
• Merchandise Store Online store selling branded merchandise including t-shirts ($25-$30), hoodies ($50), tank tops, sweatshirts, posters, and gift certificates ($25+) to support youth surf programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3000 youth introduced to surfing since inception
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VanscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand sponsor supporting City Surf Project through their commitment to youth outdoor recreation and surf culture.
• Sun BumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSunscreen brand providing product donations for surf programs.
• City Real EstateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSan Francisco-based real estate company supporting CSP through corporate sponsorship.
• New York Life FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporting youth programs and community initiatives.
• Murf Electric BikesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerElectric bike company providing product support or sponsorship.
• Mollusk Surf ShopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal surf shop supporting community surf programs.
• Entropy ResinsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSurfboard resin company providing product donations.
• NIA Impact CapitalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerImpact investment firm supporting mission-driven organizations.
• SeagerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner supporting surf and outdoor initiatives.
• San Francisco Department of Children, Youth & Their Families (DCYF)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCity agency providing funding and support for youth programming. CSP received over $100,000 from the City and County of San Francisco during FY 2023-24.
• GoProminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCamera company providing product donations for surf photography programs.
• Ocean's HalominorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner supporting ocean conservation and youth access.
• MNH FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation providing grant support for youth programs.
• Rise Financial SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial services firm supporting CSP through corporate giving.
• Red String FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporting youth and community initiatives.
• GogachirominorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner supporting surf culture and youth programs.
• DomebuildsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization providing support for youth programs.
• GaetaniminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner supporting CSP mission.
• Olympic Club FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporting athletics and youth development.
• dryrobeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand providing product donations for surf program participants.
• Dylan Todds Simonds FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation providing grant support.
• Campbell FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporting nonprofits and youth programs.
• AE FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation supporting youth and community initiatives.
• One Percent for the PlanetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental membership organization where businesses commit to giving 1% of sales to environmental causes. CSP is a member profile in their directory.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/citysurfproject

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 City Surf Project