City Youth Now

What City Youth Now does

City Youth Now is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization (EIN: 94-1519135) founded in 1950 and headquartered at 375 Woodside Avenue in San Francisco. The organization serves system-impacted youth ages 14–19 — those currently or previously involved in San Francisco's foster care and juvenile justice systems — through a portfolio of interconnected programs: the Personal Empowerment Program (PEP), the Youth Partnering for Education & Employment (YPEE) program, the Inside-Out Juvenile Justice Center programs, an annual Scholarship Program, the youth-led Free Store (opened October 31, 2022), and the Holiday Gift Program (in continuous operation since 1950). The Free Store serves approximately 60 individuals per month with critical need items, and the Personal Empowerment Program supports 1,000–2,000 youth and transition-age-youth annually. The Readiness Skills Academy, a 6-week pre-internship training, is delivered in collaboration with STEPS and the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department.

The organization's technology stack is standard nonprofit productivity tooling rather than a proprietary platform — Excel and Salesforce for data tracking, Google Suite for internal collaboration, Canva for design assets, and WordPress for website management and the branded merchandise storefront. There are no proprietary AI/ML systems, no API platform, and no disclosed app. Recent program additions (Free Store, Readiness Skills Academy, expanded internship host network) reflect incremental expansion of the service surface over a small staff base of approximately 2.5 full-time equivalent employees plus part-time bookkeeper and grant writer roles.

City Youth Now operates as a donation- and grant-funded nonprofit rather than a commercial revenue model. All direct services to youth and families are provided free of charge. Funding sources include individual donations (the largest stream and described as the organization's primary reliance), foundation and corporate grants (named grants include George H. Sandy Foundation $65,000, NBC Local Impacts Grant $30,000, Kimball Foundation $25,000), corporate sponsorships at five tiers from $1,000 RISE to custom TRANSFORM packages funding four years of named scholarships, modest merchandise sales ($25–$75 SKUs), and event-based fundraising headlined by the Rise Awards (~$40,000 raised at the 76th annual ceremony in 2026) and the Mae Louise Mays Charity Softball Tournament. Customer segments are non-commercial: the primary beneficiary is system-impacted youth, with secondary "stakeholder customers" comprising social workers, case managers, and probation officers who drive referral volume.

Name

City Youth Now

Legal name

City Youth Now

Website

https://cityyouthnow.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

City Youth Now is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1950 and headquartered in San Francisco serving system-impacted youth in foster care and juvenile justice systems through education support, paid internships, scholarships, and direct resource distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Services (611)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Juvenile Justice Education Programs (Detention & Correctional Education) (EDAJAEAB), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

Keywords

• Youth social services
• Foster care support
• Juvenile justice programs
• Youth employment training
• Educational scholarship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Relies almost entirely on private individual donors for support. Multiple donation tiers and ways to give including online, by mail, and employer matching programs.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Receives grants from foundations including George H. Sandy Foundation ($65,000), NBC Local Impacts Grant ($30,000), Kimball Foundation ($25,000), and others. Corporate sponsorships at various levels.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sells branded merchandise including hooded sweatshirts ($60), canvas tote bags ($25), and combo deals ($75). Proceeds fund Personal Empowerment Program.
4. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate and event sponsorships ranging from $1,000 (RISE level) to $10,000+ (EMPOWER level) and event-specific sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

City Youth Now delivers a portfolio of free youth development programs serving San Francisco youth in foster care and juvenile justice systems. Core offerings include the Personal Empowerment Program (PEP) for critical social service and personal development needs, the Youth Partnering for Education & Employment (YPEE) program providing paid internships, scholarships, and Readiness Skills Academy training, and Inside-Out programs delivered at the Juvenile Justice Center. All direct services are provided at no cost to youth and families.

Product overview

City Youth Now offers a portfolio of interconnected youth development programs serving San Francisco youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. The core offerings include the Personal Empowerment Program (PEP), which provides holistic support for critical social service, health, and personal development needs; the Youth Partnering for Education & Employment (YPEE) program, which integrates educational support and vocational training through paid internships and the Readiness Skills Academy; and Inside-Out programs providing academic and recreational activities within the Juvenile Justice Center. Additional services include an annual Scholarship Program, the Rise Awards annual celebration event, a Free Store resource center, and a Holiday Gift Program. The organization also operates a Young Professionals Board for community engagement. Together, these programs aim to promote stability, personal growth, and long-term success for system-involved youth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Personal Empowerment Program (PEP) A holistic youth development program designed to address barriers to programs, services and critical need items, including emergency clothing, groceries, medical/dental/vision assistance, eyeglasses, summer camps, theater classes, sports team memberships, and independent living support for youth in San Francisco's foster and juvenile justice systems.
• Youth Partnering for Education & Employment (YPEE) An education and employment support program providing paid internships, college and vocational scholarships, and financial assistance for interview clothing, exam fees, textbooks, and transportation. Includes the 6-week Readiness Skills Academy and placement at community worksites such as Boys & Girls Clubs SF, SF Recreation Centers, and local businesses.
• Inside-Out: Juvenile Justice Center Programs Academic, recreational, and therapeutic activities for youth housed in the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center, including tutoring, musical performances, basketball games, family holiday brunch, college admissions presentations, and special programming for Black History Month.
• Scholarship Program Annual scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 awarded to approximately 5 youth per year who are system-involved (current/previous foster care or juvenile justice) or demonstrate financial need, to support higher education and vocational expenses. 90% of recipients come from the SF Foster Care/Juvenile Justice System and pursue higher education.
• City Youth Now Free Store A youth-led resource center providing critical need items to youth experiencing San Francisco's foster care and juvenile justice systems. Serves approximately 60 individuals per month with sanitary products, cold weather accessories, hygiene products, non-perishables, diapers, and cleaning supplies.
• Holiday Gift Program City Youth Now's longest-running initiative, operating since 1950, providing thousands of holiday gifts to children in San Francisco's Juvenile Justice and Foster Care Systems.
• Rise Awards Annual Fundraising Event Annual scholarship awards ceremony celebrating youth scholarship recipients, recognizing community members and partners, and raising funds for programs. The 76th Annual Rise Awards took place May 14, 2026 at Chase Center's Above the Rim and raised nearly $40,000.
• Branded Merchandise Branded merchandise including a hooded sweatshirt (black, sizes XS-3XL, 50% cotton) priced at $60, a Canvas Tote with CYN label (beige, 100% cotton) priced at $25, and a Sweatshirt & Tote Combo priced at $75. Proceeds support the Personal Empowerment Program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of youth scholarship recipients come from SF Foster Care/Juvenile Justice System and pursue higher education
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• San Francisco Human Services Agency (SF HSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of annual Mae Louise Mays Charity Softball Tournament and key referral partner for youth and families in need of services.
• San Francisco Recreation & ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of annual softball tournament and internship host site for youth. Multiple locations participate in youth programming.
• San Francisco Juvenile Probation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Readiness Skills Academy (RSA) providing 6-week job readiness training before youth are placed at internship host sites.
• STEPScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for Readiness Skills Academy program providing job readiness training to system-involved youth.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (Mission Clubhouse)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternship host site where youth complete paid internships gaining professional experience.
• San Francisco Park and RecreationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMultiple Recreation Center locations host youth interns for workforce development experience.
• 826 ValenciaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternship host site for youth participating in YPEE program.
• Lets Get Cute Hair SalonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal business hosting youth interns through YPEE program.
• The Garage SF Mechanic ShopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternship host site providing automotive repair training experience.
• Sprouts Cooking ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternship host site providing culinary arts experience.
• House of HandsomeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal business hosting youth interns for workforce development.
• 100% College PrepminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducation-focused organization hosting youth interns.
• Us 4 UsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity organization hosting youth interns.
• City Surf ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration for one-day surfing experience designed to build confidence and resilience in youth. Transportation provided to Ocean Beach.
• Laney CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented at College Prep Panel to provide higher education information to youth.
• UC BerkeleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented at College Prep Panel to advise youth on college admission process.
• CSU East BayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented at College Prep Panel for youth college preparation.
• San Francisco State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented at College Prep Panel for youth higher education guidance.
• Ticket to Dream FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting PEP program through resources and programming.
• Project GlimmerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing support to PEP program participants.
• City College of San FranciscominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides admissions guidance to detained youth through Inside-Out program visits.
• Skyline CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides college admission information to youth at Juvenile Justice Center.
• San Francisco Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors author visits for detained youth at Juvenile Justice Center.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• First Place for Youth: Bay Area nonprofit serving transition-age foster youth (TAY) with education, employment, and housing support. Directly comparable on TAY-focused wraparound services for former foster youth pursuing higher education and careers.
• Edgewood Center for Children and Families: San Francisco-based nonprofit serving children, youth, and families with mental health, educational, and residential services. Comparable as a multi-service SF youth organization with similar mission around supporting vulnerable youth.
• Larkin Street Youth Services: San Francisco-based nonprofit serving at-risk, homeless, and system-involved youth with education, employment, and housing programs. Directly comparable mission, geography, and wraparound service model targeting the same youth populations City Youth Now serves.
• Huckleberry Youth Programs: Multi-service San Francisco nonprofit providing education, employment, juvenile justice, and crisis intervention services to at-risk youth. Highly comparable model with overlapping referral networks and similar youth development programs.
• Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY): Bay Area nonprofit focused specifically on juvenile justice-involved youth through legal education, leadership, and mentorship programs. Directly comparable mission around reentry and system-impacted youth outcomes.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco: Major SF youth development organization offering education, workforce, and leadership programs and is also an active CYN internship host partner. Comparable in serving youth with workforce development and after-school programming in the same geography.
• Beyond Emancipation: Alameda County-based nonprofit supporting former foster youth (TAY) with education, employment, and housing services. Highly comparable wraparound model for system-impacted youth, with overlapping scholarship and workforce components.
• San Francisco CASA: San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocates program recruiting and training volunteers to advocate for foster children in the juvenile court system. Comparable in serving SF foster youth and operating within the same child welfare referral ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cityyouthnowsf
• Facebookfacebook.com/CityYouthNow
• Instagraminstagram.com/cityyouthnow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/city-youth-now

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 City Youth Now