Point Source Youth
Point Source Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with community-based organizations to deliver direct cash transfers and targeted housing assistance to U.S. youth aged 16-26 at risk of homelessness, operating across roughly 10 states with a portfolio of programs, handbooks, and a peer learning network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Point Source Youth does
Point Source Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by Larry Cohen, Colin McSwiggen, and Ronald Johnson, headquartered in New York City. The organization is dedicated to preventing and ending youth homelessness in the United States through a portfolio of direct cash transfer and housing assistance programs. Its core interventions are Direct Cash Transfers (DCT), which provide monthly payments to young people over 24 months, and the Targeted Housing Assistance Program (THAP), which delivers one-time cash payments averaging $2,500-$3,700 to youth at imminent risk of homelessness, with optional wraparound services such as housing navigation, financial coaching, and peer mentorship. The Oregon Direct Cash Transfers Plus (DCT+) variant offers $1,000/month for 24 months plus a $3,000 enrichment fund.
The organization operates a community-led model in which it partners with vetted local community-based organizations (CBO) - such as Henry Street Settlement in New York, AMAAD Institute in Los Angeles, RYSE in Contra Costa County, Connected Lane County in Oregon, and LifeWorks in Austin - that handle on-the-ground recruitment, cash disbursement, and supportive services. Point Source Youth supplies program frameworks, technical assistance, training, and centralized funding, while a peer learning network (the National Prevention Learning Collaborative) and annual symposiums build field-wide capacity. The organization measures itself on housing stability outcomes: 92% of 7-state pilot participants stayed out of the homelessness system within six months, Oregon DCT+ reports 94% housed at program exit after two years, and 1,000+ young people received an average of $2,500 in 2025.
Revenue is philanthropic and grant-based, sourced from a concentrated set of major funders including the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Cedars-Sinai, Trinity Wall Street, the McGregor Foundation, the Sherman Family Foundation, and the Oregon Department of Human Services. Programs are free to recipients; the product surface also includes the WorthIt digital financial empowerment platform, a library of published implementation handbooks, and a Rapid Re-housing program. The organization holds the Candid Silver Seal of transparency (2025) and operates with 28 employees.
Point Source Youth firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Point Source Youth
- Legal name
- Point Source Youth
- Website
- https://pointsourceyouth.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Point Source Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with community-based organizations to deliver direct cash transfers and targeted housing assistance to U.S. youth aged 16-26 at risk of homelessness, operating across roughly 10 states with a portfolio of programs, handbooks, and a peer learning network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Point Source Youth industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Homelessness Prevention Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)
Keywords
Where Point Source Youth is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Point Source Youth business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Others, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Philanthropic Donations: Point Source Youth operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. They receive support from major funders including the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Cedars-Sinai, and private donors.
- Government Grants and Contracts: The organization partners with government agencies such as the Oregon Department of Human Services and participates in publicly-funded programs, receiving grants and contracts to implement direct cash transfer and homelessness prevention programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Targeted Housing Assistance Program - One-time cash payment for youth at risk of homelessness |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
Point Source Youth product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Point Source Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that prevents and ends youth homelessness through direct cash transfer programs delivered in partnership with community-based organizations. Its core offerings include the Targeted Housing Assistance Program (one-time cash payments averaging $3,700 within 48 hours), Direct Cash Transfers Plus ($1,000/month for 24 months), Rapid Re-housing subsidies, the WorthIt digital financial empowerment platform, and the National Prevention Learning Collaborative peer learning network. The organization provides optional wraparound services such as housing navigation, financial coaching, and peer mentorship to youth ages 16-26.
Product overview
Point Source Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating a portfolio of youth-centered programs to prevent and end youth homelessness. The organization offers Direct Cash Transfers (DCT) as its core intervention, providing flexible cash assistance to young people either through one-time payments (Targeted Housing Assistance Program/THAP) or monthly stipends over 24 months (DCT Plus). The Direct Cash Transfers Handbook and Targeted Housing Assistance Program Handbook serve as implementation guides. Additional offerings include the National Prevention Learning Collaborative (NPLC) for peer learning, Rapid Re-housing programs, and the WorthIt digital financial empowerment platform. Regional programs include CASH LA (Los Angeles), Direct Cash New York, Direct Cash Detroit, and the Oregon DCT+ program. The organization convenes annual National Symposiums and Innovation Summits, and publishes comprehensive handbooks and resources for implementation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Direct Cash Transfers (DCT): Program that provides monthly payments to young people over 24 months, tailored to their needs and preferences, with optional support services.
- Targeted Housing Assistance Program (THAP)
- National Prevention Learning Collaborative (NPLC)
- CASH LA (Cash Assistance Supporting Housing)
- Oregon Direct Cash Transfers Plus (DCT+)
- WorthIt
Products and services
- Direct Cash Transfers (DCT)
Quantifiable outcome
- 92% of participants stayed out of the homelessness system within 6 months of receiving support
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Point Source Youth
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Point Source Youth technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Point Source Youth partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Safe Place for YouthcorePartner for CASH LA 2.0 expansion launching spring 2026. Will bring the direct cash prevention program to more young people in Los Angeles County.
- Henry Street SettlementcoreLead service provider partner for Direct Cash New York program. Point Source Youth provides funding and program framework; Henry Street Settlement implements direct cash distribution and provides supportive services to young people in NYC. Partnership expanded to serve additional 50 youth.
- AMAAD InstitutecoreArming Minorities Against Addiction & Disease Institute served as the lead community-based organization overseeing implementation of CASH LA pilot program in Los Angeles County. Provided culturally relevant programs serving South Los Angeles communities.
- Oregon Department of Human ServicescoreGovernment partner for Oregon Direct Cash Transfers Plus program. ODHS provides funding and partners with Point Source Youth to implement the $1,000/month for 24 months program serving youth ages 18-24. Report published jointly on program outcomes.
- Young People to the FrontcoreYouth-led organization partnered with Oregon Department of Human Services and Point Source Youth to implement DCT+ program. Co-authored research report on program impact.
- LA EmissarymajorCollaborated with Point Source Youth to design and pre-implement CASH LA program. Guided design with local youth voices and selected AMAAD Institute as implementing partner.
- Homeless Action Network of DetroitmajorPartner with Point Source Youth and McGregor Foundation to design and implement Direct Cash Detroit THAP program. Provides local expertise and coordinates with Detroit Continuum of Care.
- RYSEcoreCommunity-based organization partner in Contra Costa County, California. Served 40 young people in THAP pilot with 94% success rate.
- AYA Youth CollectivecorePartner in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Served 45 young people in THAP pilot with 86% success rate. Partnership expanded for next phase of program.
- Connected Lane CountycoreOregon partner in Lane County. Served 56 young people in THAP pilot with 89% success rate.
- Youth On Their OwncorePartner in Tucson, Arizona. Served 27 young people in THAP pilot with 91% success rate.
- Youth Empowerment Success ServicescorePartner in Atlanta, Georgia. Served 45 young people in THAP pilot with 100% success rate.
- LifeWorkscorePartner in Austin, Texas. Served 34 young people in THAP pilot with 85% success rate.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Point Source Youth competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GiveDirectly: Leading direct cash transfer nonprofit operating globally. Closely comparable on core intervention (unconditional cash to low-income individuals) and evidence-based approach, though GiveDirectly focuses on international and rural U.S. poverty rather than youth homelessness specifically.
- Larkin Street Youth Services: San Francisco-based nonprofit serving youth ages 12-24 experiencing homelessness with housing, education, and employment programs. Directly comparable target population and intervention mix, with overlapping San Francisco footprint.
- Springboard To Opportunities (Magnolia Mother's Trust): Operator of Magnolia Mother's Trust, a guaranteed income pilot for low-income Black mothers in Mississippi. Closely comparable on the guaranteed income / cash transfer model and rigorous evaluation approach, though focused on mothers rather than youth.
- Fund for Guaranteed Income: National nonprofit supporting guaranteed income pilots across the U.S. Comparable in promoting direct cash as an intervention and running pilots with rigorous evaluation. Broader population focus but overlapping policy and research agenda.
Broad incumbents
- Covenant House: Large national nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and supportive services to youth experiencing homelessness. Comparable in target population (homeless youth ages 16-24) and mission, but operates traditional shelter-based model rather than cash-transfer prevention.
- Heartland Alliance: Large anti-poverty nonprofit providing housing, healthcare, and economic opportunity services including programs for people experiencing homelessness. Comparable in mission scope and target population, with much broader service portfolio than Point Source Youth's cash-transfer focus.
Emerging players
- Compass Working Capital: Nonprofit operating financial coaching and asset-building programs for low-income families, including matched savings and emergency cash assistance. Comparable in providing cash-based financial empowerment interventions to low-income populations, though with a savings-led rather than unconditional model.
- True Colors United: Nonprofit focused on preventing homelessness among LGBTQ youth through programming, training, and advocacy. Comparable in serving the LGBTQ youth homelessness segment that Point Source Youth specifically targets, but focused on system change rather than direct cash.
- A Way Home America: National initiative working to prevent and end youth homelessness through systems-change advocacy and community collaboration. Comparable mission on ending youth homelessness, operates as a movement-building intermediary rather than direct service provider.
Others
- National Network for Youth: National advocacy organization for youth-serving programs including runaway and homeless youth services. Comparable in convening youth homelessness stakeholders and influencing federal policy, but operates as an advocacy intermediary rather than program operator.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Point Source Youth social profiles
Digital presencePoint Source Youth compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Point Source Youth financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Point Source Youth leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Point Source Youth funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Point Source Youth M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Point Source Youth
What does Point Source Youth do?
Point Source Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that prevents and ends youth homelessness through direct cash transfer programs delivered in partnership with community-based organizations. Its core offerings include the Targeted Housing Assistance Program (one-time cash payments averaging $3,700 within 48 hours), Direct Cash Transfers Plus ($1,000/month for 24 months), Rapid Re-housing subsidies, the WorthIt digital financial empowerment platform, and the National Prevention Learning Collaborative peer learning network. The organization provides optional wraparound services such as housing navigation, financial coaching, and peer mentorship to youth ages 16-26.
Is Point Source Youth a public or private company?
Point Source Youth is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Point Source Youth founded?
Point Source Youth was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Point Source Youth based?
Point Source Youth is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Point Source Youth make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Philanthropic Donations are the primary driver. The others are government Grants and Contracts.
Who are Point Source Youth's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GiveDirectly, Larkin Street Youth Services, Springboard To Opportunities (Magnolia Mother's Trust) and Fund for Guaranteed Income. Broad incumbents are Covenant House and Heartland Alliance. Emerging players are Compass Working Capital, True Colors United and A Way Home America. National Network for Youth is listed as an others.
Does Point Source Youth have an API?
No public API is recorded for Point Source Youth.
What industry is Point Source Youth in?
Point Source Youth's product category is Youth Homelessness Prevention Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAM, Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits, with a secondary code of BPAGADAD, Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.