Empowering Youth And Families Outreach

What Empowering Youth And Families Outreach does

Empowering Youth And Families Outreach (EYFO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 by Charlett Shoecraft, headquartered on Rainier Ave South in Seattle, Washington. The organization delivers a Cradle-to-Career continuum of youth and family services targeting primarily youth of color in South Seattle and greater King County. Core programs include Creative Minds Academy of Early Learning (ages 18 months-5 years, state-licensed), Kaleidoscope Play and Learn (ages 0-3 with caregivers), an After School Program for K-5 students, the Summer Leadership Academy, the College & Career Readiness (CEO) program with multi-state college tours, the EYFO Youth Entrepreneurs art-based business collective, STEM/Tutoring, Community Service Learning, a Community Diaper Bank, and Family Support Services including resource navigation. EYFO also runs international cultural exchange trips to Ghana. Across its 25-year history, EYFO reports serving over 15,000 youth and families.

EYFO's operating model is hybrid: tuition/subscription fees for direct services ($475/month for After School, $900 for Summer Leadership Academy, tuition-based Creative Minds Academy), free programming for the CEO college-readiness track, and significant reliance on donations, government subsidies (DSHS, City of Seattle CCAP, King County Best Starts for Kids, Washington State DCYF), and foundation/corporate grants (Seattle Foundation, BECU, Bellwether Housing, Verity Credit Union, Puget Sound Energy/Seattle Kraken). Distribution combines direct enrollment (website, Brightwheel), community referrals from 40+ partner organizations (Seattle Public Schools, Westside Baby, Treehouse, churches), and event-driven recruitment. The organization holds licensed childcare provider credentials (DSHS #160415, City of Seattle ASA #9726, Best Starts for Kids PBSK-M9rt3lp) and reports outcome metrics including a 100% high school graduation rate and 98% college attendance among participating students. Leadership is concentrated under Founder/Executive Director Charlett Shoecraft, with a 6-person staff and a board of directors.

EYFO has no proprietary technology products, no AI/ML capabilities, and no patents; its technology footprint is limited to a Squarespace website and the third-party Brightwheel enrollment platform. Its infrastructure expanded materially in 2024 with an 11,000-square-foot facility on Rainier Ave S, complementing an 8,000-square-foot childcare center at the Bellwether Housing–developed Flourish on Rainier affordable housing project. The organization has received regional recognition including BECU's Employee's Choice Award (2022), the Urban Impact Seattle Mountaintop Education Award (2023), and the Delta Dental Smile Award (2025).

Name

Empowering Youth And Families Outreach

Legal name

Empowering Youth and Families Outreach

Website

https://eyfo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Empowering Youth And Families Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 in Seattle that delivers cradle-to-career youth development programs — including early learning, after-school, summer leadership, college readiness, and youth entrepreneurship — to youth of color and families across King County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Parenting Skills & Child Development Education (EDACALAA), Family Engagement & Parent-Facing Early Learning Content (EDAGACAJ), Family & Life-Stage Financial Planning (Marriage, Kids, Caregiving) (EDAAAJAM)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Early childhood education
• After school programs
• College readiness services
• Family support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Program Fees: Fees charged for After School Program ($475/month), Summer Leadership Academy ($900), and Creative Minds Academy (tuition-based). Programs accept subsidies from DSHS, City of Seattle CCAP, and Best Starts for Kids.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. EIN #02-055-3368. Accepts PayPal, checks, company matching through Benevity and Boeing Community Fund, and Fred Meyer Community Rewards program.
3. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from City of Seattle for out-of-school-time programs, Seattle Foundation, King County Best Starts for Kids, Washington State DCYF, and various foundation partners. Puget Sound Energy/Seattle Kraken donates $1000 per goal scored.
4. Youth Entrepreneurs Business Revenue: EYFO Youth Entrepreneurs (EYE) Program generates revenue through selling art products and clothing created by youth participants. Students operate as a design collective learning business management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

EYFO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers a cradle-to-career continuum of youth development and family support services in South Seattle. Core offerings include early learning childcare (Creative Minds Academy, ages 18 months-5), an After School Program for K-5 students, a Summer Leadership Academy, Kaleidoscope Play and Learn for infants and toddlers, College & Career Readiness for high schoolers, EYFO Youth Entrepreneurs, STEM/Tutoring, Community Service Learning, Family Support Services, and a Community Diaper Bank. Programs integrate academic tutoring, financial literacy, leadership development, and culturally responsive curriculum.

Product overview

Empowering Youth & Families Outreach (EYFO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 serving over 15,000 youth and families. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs spanning early childhood education through career readiness. Core offerings include: Creative Minds Academy of Early Learning (infant/toddler care, ages 18 months-5 years); After School Program (K-5 academic and enrichment); Summer Leadership Academy (summer literacy camp); Kaleidoscope Play and Learn (parent-child play program, ages 0-3); College & Career Readiness/CEO Program (high school preparation and college tours); EYFO Youth Entrepreneurs (art-based business training); STEM/Tutoring Program; Community Service Learning; and Family Support Services. Additional programs include a Community Diaper Bank and international Ghana cultural exchange trips. The programs integrate resilience training, leadership development, academic support, financial literacy, entrepreneurship education, sports, arts, and community outreach to raise resilient leaders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EYFO Youth Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurial leadership program for underserved middle and high school youth providing hands-on experience operating an art-based business through the Youth in Business design collective.
• COP Every Opp (CEO)
• Creative Minds Academy of Early Learning
• Kaleidoscope Play and Learn
• Summer Leadership Academy

Products and services

• After School Program Year-round school programming for K-5 students providing individualized academic assessment, social/emotional group sessions, daily enrichment activities including Amazon Hour of Code, financial literacy education, individual tutoring, art and games. Operates Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM at 8172 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118. Priced at $475/month with subsidies accepted.
• Creative Minds Academy of Early Learning State-licensed early learning center serving children ages 18 months to 5 years with toddler programs (18 months-3 years) and preschool programs (3-5 years). Open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM at 7936 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118. Features multisensory education and free diapers, toys, and baby gear. Tuition-based with part-time, full-time, and drop-in options; subsidies accepted.
• Summer Leadership Academy Eight-week summer literacy camp serving over 150 students annually at Holly Park Community Church (7936 Rainier Ave S location). Includes morning academics, weekly field trips, team building, enrichment classes, career readiness, and financial literacy. Priced at $900 with subsidies accepted.
• College & Career Readiness Program (CEO) Free college and career planning program teaching high school youth to become CEOs of their future. Provides 1:1 support with FAFSA, college/scholarship applications, financial literacy, monthly Saturday meetings, bi-weekly 1:1 virtual sessions, and quarterly events. Includes College and Culture Tours visiting colleges across the USA since 2017.
• EYFO Youth Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurial leadership program for underserved middle and high school youth providing hands-on experience operating an art-based business through the Youth in Business (YIB) design collective. Teaches business management, financial literacy, social media marketing, and mentorship. Students create and sell art products and clothing, partnering with Verity Credit Union since 2019.
• Kaleidoscope Play and Learn Drop-in play program for infants and toddlers (0-3 years) and caregivers. Uses multisensory education to teach letters, numbers, and colors. Offers experiential learning, weekly themes, monthly family outings, and free diapers, wipes, toys, and baby gear. Sessions on Saturdays: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM and 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM.
• Community Diaper Bank Program distributing essential items like free diapers to the community weekly, in partnership with Westside Baby. Provides basic-needs support to families throughout King County.
• STEM/Tutoring Program High-tech/high-touch tutoring program providing academic support in math, reading, writing, science, and solar energy for students of all ages. Designed to help students identify academic needs and individual strengths, translating them into goals. Tutoring services increase reading scores using Seattle Public Schools curriculum.
• Community Service Learning Program Program teaching youth the importance of giving back through community service. Students identify issues and propose solutions including cleaning initiatives, care packages, clothing drives, meal distribution, and charitable donations.
• Family Support Services Services connecting families to community resources throughout their Cradle to Career journey. Provides supportive resource navigation, builds community partnerships, and helps families access basic needs, food resources, IEP/504 support, college/scholarship/FAFSA assistance, child care, parent groups, mental health services, and homelessness prevention.
• Ghana International Cultural Exchange International learning and service exchange program visiting Accra and Cape Coast, Ghana. Exposes youth to global cultural, educational, and entrepreneurial experiences. Includes visits to historic sites, service at orphanages, entrepreneurship education, and cross-cultural exchange with EYFO alumni now leading schools in West Africa.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% graduation rate among participating students
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bellwether HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2019Partnership enabled EYFO to expand to 11,000 square feet and enhance services for the community. Established 8,000-square-foot childcare center at Flourish on Rainier, a 186-unit affordable housing development, to serve 127 students during school year including preschool, toddlers, and school-age youth. Project completed fall 2023.
• American Red CrosscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with EYFO to distribute weekly Healthy Heart Meals to hundreds of families during the pandemic, providing critical food security support.
• Verity Credit UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides financial literacy education for EYFO youth through the Youth Entrepreneurs program. Students must open bank accounts with Verity Credit Union as program requirement. Partnership since 2019.
• Seattle Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEYFO provides tutoring services increasing reading scores using Seattle Public Schools curriculum. Partnership enables EYFO to serve SPS students.
• Holly Park Community ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllows EYFO to run Summer Leadership Academy out of their facility, increasing capacity to serve up to 100 youth during summer months.
• Meaningful TeenscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides EYFO students with one-on-one weekly literacy tutoring sessions, increasing their literacy and comprehension skills.
• Seattle AquariumminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides youth with marine science educational programs to engage them with opportunities in marine science careers.
• Seattle Theater GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides EYFO families with free tickets to theater and the arts, creating enriching, meaningful experiences.
• Museum of FlightminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExposes youth to opportunities in the aviation field through historically significant air exhibits and artifacts.
• Seattle SymphonyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides families with free tickets to classical music performances, making music accessible, welcoming, and enjoyable. Exposure to classical music has had lasting positive impact.
• Westside BabycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides EYFO with essential items like free diapers, which EYFO distributes weekly to the community through its Community Diaper Bank.
• Woodland Park ZoominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTheir Up-CLOSE programs bring the zoo to EYFO students, getting them excited about the natural world and building empathy for animals.
• STEM TutoringcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides EYFO high school students with math and science tutoring, sparking curiosity, renewing confidence, and fostering a love for learning in STEM subjects.
• Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides free museum access for EYFO families, engaging them with a connection to the arts.
• Double Dutch DivasminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides students with support for health and fitness, learning, growing, and developing through the art of Double Dutch, instilling camaraderie and building confidence.
• First Tee Greater SeattleminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBreaks down barriers for youth by building game-changers, helping them develop character, and increasing their ability to focus through golf.
• Greater New Bethel ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with EYFO to provide the community with monthly food security plus other goods and services.
• Seattle Pacific UniversitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartners to provide tutoring and connect SPU students through weekly service teams and quarterly immersion experiences.
• Seattle UniversitycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided EYFO with capacity-building guidance, fundraising support, and a marketing roadmap through their nonprofit graduate program.
• Braided SeedsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides outdoor exploration for students and families, promoting rest, land reconnection, and outdoor activities.
• Rainier Beach Action CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWith help from EYFO staff and students, helps keep the community safe and clean.
• Child Care ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheir programs work across the early learning system, allowing EYFO to improve overall awareness, access, and quality of child care.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program): National charter network explicitly focused on college preparedness for students from underserved communities; comparable in cradle-to-college mission and outcomes reporting.
• Treehouse: Seattle-area nonprofit supporting foster youth through educational advocacy, tutoring, and college/career readiness — overlaps with EYFO's CEO Program and is also a documented EYFO funding partner.
• Communities In Schools: National nonprofit that places coordinators inside schools to deliver integrated student supports, college/career readiness, and family resource navigation — overlapping with EYFO's CEO program and Family Support Services.
• Rainier Scholars: Seattle-based nonprofit that provides long-term academic and college-readiness programming for students of color, sharing EYFO's target population, geography, and cradle-to-college model.
• After-School All-Stars: National nonprofit providing free after-school and summer programming emphasizing academic support, enrichment, and college readiness for underserved K-12 youth.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound: Youth-mentoring nonprofit focused on educational attainment and college/career readiness for underserved youth, comparable in target population and outcomes-tracking approach.
• College Possible: National nonprofit delivering intensive college admission, financial aid, and retention coaching to low-income high school students — directly analogous to EYFO's CEO Program.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National nonprofit network providing after-school, summer, and youth development programming for K-12 youth, closely matching EYFO's After School, Summer Leadership Academy, and youth-development mission.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of King County: Regional funder and convener for human-services and youth-development nonprofits in King County, often the umbrella through which agencies like EYFO receive Best Starts for Kids and other pass-through funding.
• YMCA of Greater Seattle: Regional YMCA offering childcare, after-school, summer camp, and teen leadership programs across the same South King County geography as EYFO.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/eyfosouthseattle
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/empowering-youth-and-families-outreach

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 Empowering Youth And Families Outreach