Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation

What Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation does

The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation (MWYF) is a private nonprofit organization incorporated in Massachusetts and headquartered in Newton, MA, founded in May 2001 by Mark Wahlberg and his brother James (Jim) Wahlberg. Its mission is to remove barriers that prevent youth from succeeding, with a particular focus on inner-city youth, primarily through working partnerships with other youth organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester and Massachusetts. The foundation does not sell products or services; instead, it operates as a grantmaker and direct program provider.

MWYF runs six core programs: Camp Northbound (an annual summer camp in Bridgton, Maine for Boston-area youth), an Annual Holiday Party for Boys & Girls Clubs members, youth facility construction (basketball courts, recording studios, art spaces), the 'If Only' opioid awareness film, National Youth Summits on Opioid Awareness (delivered with the DEA, Walmart, and The Rendon Group), and a formal Grant Program. The foundation has cumulatively raised and distributed nearly $20,000,000 to youth organizations across the country and has hosted marquee events including the Feldman Automotive Children's Miracle Celebrity Invitational (over $1,000,000 raised) and Miracle Day at CIBC's New York trading floor.

The foundation's business model is donation-based: revenue consists of individual contributions, corporate sponsorships, and proceeds from recurring fundraising events. Marketing is executed through celebrity endorsements leveraging founder Mark Wahlberg's social media reach, earned media coverage of events, the foundation's own website, and an event-driven GTM motion. Governance rests with a board that includes Mark Wahlberg (President), James Wahlberg (Executive Director), and directors Michael Donkis, Sheila Jaffe, Michael Joyce, Stephen Levinson, Michael Rotondi, Robert Scannell Jr., and Jason Sloane. The foundation has earned Charity Navigator's 4-star rating in both 2018 and 2020.

Name

Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation

Legal name

THE MARK WAHLBERG YOUTH FOUNDATION, INC.

Website

https://markwahlbergyouthfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit founded in 2001 by Mark and James Wahlberg that provides grants, camps, holiday programs, facility construction, and opioid-awareness education to inner-city youth, primarily through partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Nonprofit Foundation Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Youth nonprofit foundation
• Charitable youth programs
• Grantmaking organization
• Inner city youth services
• Community youth enrichment

Headquarters

HQ city

Newton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation raises funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and event-based fundraising. Donations can be made online or by sending checks to the foundation's mailing address in Newton, MA.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation that raises and distributes charitable funds to youth-serving organizations and operates direct youth enrichment programs. Its offerings include residential summer camping (Camp Northbound in Maine), annual holiday gift events, on-site facility construction at Boys & Girls Clubs and schools, opioid awareness education through a short film ("If Only") and traveling Youth Summits, and a grant program that has directed nearly $20 million to youth organizations across the United States.

Product overview

The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation is a charitable organization that operates as a unified set of youth enrichment programs rather than a commercial product platform. The foundation's core offerings include Camp Northbound (summer camp in Maine), annual holiday parties for Boys & Girls Clubs, youth facility construction (basketball courts, recording studios, art spaces), the IF ONLY opioid awareness film, and Youth Summits on Opioid Awareness. MWYF has raised and distributed nearly $20,000,000 to youth organizations across the country.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Camp Northbound Annual residential summer camp in Bridgton, Maine that sends thousands of children from Boston neighborhoods to a week of recreational activities including swimming, arts & crafts, ninja warrior obstacle courses, and tubing.
• Annual MWYF Holiday Party Annual holiday party for Boys & Girls Clubs members throughout Massachusetts that distributes thousands of gifts to youth every year.
• Youth Facility Construction Construction of basketball courts, recording studios, art spaces, and similar facilities at Boys & Girls Clubs and schools throughout the country.
• IF ONLY Short Film Short film produced through MWYF for teens, parents, and adults to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse, reaching hundreds of thousands of youth and parents across the country.
• Youth Summits on Opioid Awareness Educational summits designed to educate middle and high school students about the dangers of opioid addiction while promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle; delivered in partnership with the DEA and Walmart across multiple states.
• MWYF Grant Program Grant program that distributes charitable funds to youth service and enrichment programs through a formal pre-application process; nearly $20 million raised and distributed to organizations nationwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Raised and distributed nearly $20,000,000 to youth organizations nationwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary, minor and primary.

• Jordan's FurniturecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Jordan's Furniture hosts the annual MWYF Holiday Party at their Enchanted Village space in Massachusetts, providing the venue and creating a winter wonderland experience for 250 children.
• Soles4SoulssecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Donates shoes to children attending MWYF holiday events.
• WahlburgerssecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Family restaurant chain co-founded by Mark Wahlberg, supports holiday party events.
• Native ShoessecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Donates footwear to MWYF holiday party attendees.
• Knights of ColumbussecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Catholic fraternal organization supporting MWYF holiday events.
• National Dance InstitutesecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Provides dance performances for Miracle Day celebrations with young dancers.
• CSS IncminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Corporate supporter for MWYF holiday party events.
• Zapps WholesaleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Corporate supporter for MWYF holiday party events.
• Fancy Faces Face PaintingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Entertainment vendor for MWYF holiday party, providing face painting services.
• Mykos ShoesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Corporate supporter for MWYF holiday party events.
• CIBCcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 December 2025CIBC Capital Markets team donates their fees and commissions annually to support foundations that uplift children in need. MWYF has partnered with CIBC for nearly two decades for Miracle Day events on CIBC's New York trading floor. CIBC also hosts MWYF at NYSE events and supports movie premieres.
• Camp NorthboundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 August 2023Annual summer camp program in Bridgton, Maine where MWYF sends kids from Boston neighborhoods for a week of activities including swimming, arts & crafts, ninja warrior obstacle courses, and tubing.
• Camp MicahsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 August 2023Camp facility partner for Camp Northbound program activities.
• Children's Miracle Network HospitalscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2021Partnership for celebrity golf events that benefit children's hospitals. Over $1 million raised through the Feldman Automotive Celebrity Invitational.
• Beaumont HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2021Host location for Celebrity Golf Invitational benefiting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals at Beaumont Health.
• Feldman AutomotiveprimaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 September 2021Presenting sponsor of the Children's Miracle Celebrity Invitational golf event that has raised over $1 million for youth causes.
• US Signal CompanysecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 September 2021Presenting sponsor of the Celebrity Golf Invitational.
• PowerHome SolarsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 September 2021Presenting sponsor of the Celebrity Golf Invitational.
• WalmartcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 March 2019Lead Community Partner for National Youth Summits on Opioid Awareness, providing snacks, water, and backstage catering for events reaching thousands of students.
• The Rendon GroupsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2019Collaborated with MWYF on National Youth Summits on Opioid Awareness programming.
• Tewksbury Country ClubcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 December 2018Hosts MWYF annual holiday party and celebrity poker tournaments, providing venue and support for events.
• HasbrosecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 December 2018Donates toys and games for MWYF holiday party gift selections.
• Operation WarmsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 December 2018Provides winter coats for children in need through MWYF holiday events. Has provided 3 millionth coat to children in need.
• AcersecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 December 2018Donated brand new Acer Chromebooks to every child at MWYF holiday party.
• Connection ITsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 December 2018Corporate technology partner that helped donate Chromebooks to holiday party attendees.
• Southern New Hampshire UniversitysecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 March 2017Host venue for New Hampshire Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness at SNHU Arena, reaching 8,500 students.
• Marko Albrecht CreativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated the foundation's website design and development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Stephen Curry Foundation (Nothing But Nets / Curry Family Foundation): Stephen Curry-affiliated philanthropic initiative focused on youth-impact causes including malaria nets and food insecurity. Comparable celebrity athlete foundation operating with a more issue-specific lens.

Others

• The Obama Foundation: High-profile public figure-led foundation with a broader mission (leadership, education, civic engagement). Comparable in brand-driven, donor-network fundraising but operates at much larger scale and broader mission scope.

Direct peers

• Why Not You Foundation: Russell Wilson and Ciara's foundation focused on youth empowerment, education, and health. Direct peer in the celebrity athlete youth philanthropy category, with a similar high-visibility event-based fundraising approach.
• Chris Paul Family Foundation: NBA athlete-founded foundation focused on youth education, health, and family support. Directly comparable celebrity athlete foundation with similar event-based fundraising and program delivery to underserved youth.
• Tiger Woods Foundation: Athlete-founded foundation running youth education programs and the annual Tiger Jam fundraising event. Closely comparable in celebrity-driven grantmaking model and youth-focused program delivery.
• Andre Agassi Foundation for Education: Athlete-founded foundation focused on youth education and charter school development. Comparable in celebrity-led, program-plus-grant structure serving at-risk youth.
• LeBron James Family Foundation: Celebrity athlete-founded foundation focused on youth education and wraparound support. Operates the same celebrity-led, grant-plus-direct-program model as MWYF and serves comparable inner-city youth demographics.
• Magic Johnson Foundation: Celebrity athlete foundation focused on education, health, and inner-city youth empowerment. Shares MWYF's celebrity-led model and urban youth focus, with a longer operating history and broader programmatic scope.
• Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation: Stephen and Ayesha Curry's foundation focused on child hunger, education, and safe play spaces for underserved youth. Directly comparable celebrity athlete foundation targeting similar beneficiary communities with program-plus-grant model.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth services organization that is MWYF's primary beneficiary and operational partner (Camp Northbound, Holiday Party, facility construction). Operates in the same youth development space at vastly larger scale as an established incumbent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/WahlbergYouth
• Facebookfacebook.com/markwahlbergyouthfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/markwahlberg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation