The CityKids Foundation

What The CityKids Foundation does

The CityKids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 by Laurie Meadoff in New York City, focused on positive youth development and social-emotional learning for young people ages 9-21. Its core offerings are the CityKids Repertory Company (free audition-based performing arts training in music, drama, dance, creative writing, and multimedia), the CityKids Coalition (a peer-led youth leadership forum ages 13-21), and the Homebase Program of in-person workshops delivered at the East Village Playhouse, which the organization launched in 2017 as its permanent home venue. The foundation's underlying methodology is its proprietary SafeSpace/BraveSpace framework, layered with an "Artivism" (artist + activist) model and self-reported alumni outcomes in the 85-100% range across communication, leadership, and engagement measures.

The portfolio extends beyond local programming into national and international initiatives: the DJ Girls national program (52 youth from every U.S. state and territory), the Sharpen Up culinary-education partnership with A Better Life Foundation, the 10-city Keith Haring Banner Tour, the Geoversity-led climate-activism work in Panama (including the COP 26 Vela Mola Sail), and participation in the Global Mental Health Task Force alongside the Chopra Foundation. Signature legacy assets include the 1986 CityKids Speak on Liberty banner co-created with Keith Haring and 1,000 youth, and the Emmy-nominated 1993-94 ABC television series co-produced with Jim Henson Productions. Business model is donation- and grant-funded (individual contributions, foundation grants, and corporate sponsors such as Nike, Pepsi, and Nickelodeon); all youth-facing programs are offered free of charge. The technology stack is non-applicable (no proprietary platform, no AI/ML components, no public API), and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

The CityKids Foundation

Legal name

The CityKids Foundation

Website

https://citykids.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The CityKids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 in New York City that runs free youth development programs (performing arts, leadership, social-emotional learning) for young people ages 9-21 through its Repertory Company, Coalition, and East Village Playhouse venue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Performing arts training
• Social emotional learning
• Leadership development workshops
• Community arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: CityKids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity (Tax ID# 13-3453226) that operates primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization accepts tax-deductible donations through its website.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The CityKids Foundation provides free youth development programs for young people ages 9-21, combining performing arts training (music, drama, dance, creative writing, multimedia) with leadership development and social-emotional learning through its proprietary SafeSpace/BraveSpace methodology. Programs are delivered via the CityKids Repertory Company (audition-based performing arts), CityKids Coalition (peer leadership ages 13-21), and project-based initiatives such as mural projects, DJ training, and climate activism, all funded through donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

The CityKids Foundation operates a suite of interconnected youth empowerment programs centered on performing arts, leadership development, and social-emotional learning. Its core programs include the CityKids Repertory Company (Rep), which provides free performing arts training in music, drama, dance, creative writing, and multimedia alongside leadership development; the CityKids Coalition, a forum for youth ages 13-21 to engage in peer leadership, community organizing, and social advocacy; and CityKids Speak Events, which combine media, touring, and workshops for youth to amplify their voices. The foundation also runs the Homebase Program at its East Village Playhouse venue (launched 2017) and partnerships including the DJ Girls national program, the Keith Haring Banner Tour (a 10-city national tour), Sharpen Up (culinary education with ABLF), and international programs with Geoversity including the GEO 2030 Bamboo Ark and Vela Mola Sail for COP 26. Signature projects include the iconic 1986 CityKids Speak on Liberty Banner created with Keith Haring and 1,000 youth, and the Boone Ave Mural with Crash One of Tats Cru. The Global Mental Health Task Force represents its international policy collaboration. The portfolio spans local, national, and international levels, united by the SafeSpace/BraveSpace methodology and the Artivism (artist + activist) approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CityKids Repertory Company (Rep): A performing arts training program combining leadership development with arts instruction in music, drama, dance, creative writing, and multimedia for young artists.
• CityKids Coalition
• East Village Playhouse
• CityKids Speak on Sustain

Products and services

• CityKids Coalition A free youth leadership program for ages 13-21 offering peer leadership training, SafeSpace/BraveSpace training, conflict resolution, and community organizing. Members share ideas, take collective action, and advocate on social justice, environmental sustainability, mental health, and youth empowerment topics in virtual and in-person meetings.
• CityKids Repertory Company (Rep) A free audition-based performing arts training program for young artists combining theater arts (writing, acting, music, dance, spoken word, choreography) with leadership development. Members learn music, drama, dance, creative writing, and multimedia, transforming themes of self-esteem, parent-youth relationships, violence, and discrimination into original issue-based performances.
• Homebase Program In-person grassroots programming hosted at the East Village Playhouse and Lower Eastside Girls Club covering Artivism workshops, CityKids TED talk training, anti-bullying panels, music healing percussion and drum circle events, youth suicide prevention workshops, and open mics.
• DJ Girls A national creative leadership and DJ training program for girls and gender-expansive youth from every U.S. state and territory. Participants complete a four-week Creative Leadership Artivist Boot Camp and produce ongoing weekly TikTok broadcasts of positivity.
• Sharpen Up A free online culinary education workshop in partnership with A Better Life Foundation, focused on youth within BIPOC, AAIP, and LGBTQIA communities. Includes group and one-on-one training sessions, plus grocery deliveries of ingredients tailored to allergies, cultural sensitivities, preferences, and seasonal availability.
• Geoversity's School of Biocultural Leadership An international collaboration with Geoversity in Panama training youth alongside local and Indigenous leaders (including Indigenous Guna leaders) to advance climate change activism. Includes the GEO 2030 Bamboo Ark campaign and the Vela Mola Sail produced for COP 26.
• Global Mental Health Task Force A key participant and advisor initiative collaborating with the Chopra Foundation, Global Partnerships Forum, Creative Intelligence Agency, and TheSocialArchitects to address global mental health in support of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• CityKids Speak on Liberty Banner Tour A 10-city national tour exploring how a new generation defines freedom, featuring performances and workshops that teach youth how to create safe spaces. Inspired by the 1986 Keith Haring Liberty Banner collaboration.
• Boone Ave Mural A mural project created in partnership with Johnny Matos (Crash One of Tats Cru) and the Bronx Envision Academy DJ Club, serving as a monumental timestamp capturing the culture and voices of the young people involved and echoing the 1986 Keith Haring collaboration.
• CityKids Muppets TV Show A Saturday morning television series on ABC co-produced with Jim Henson Productions, featuring Muppet characters inspired by CityKids youth. Youth served as performers, writers, musicians, dancers, singers, creative assistants, and production interns across 13 episodes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of alumni bring SafeSpace training into their communities
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Jim Henson ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partnership for the 'CityKids' TV series on ABC (1993-1994). Thirteen episodes produced with Muppet characters inspired by CityKids youth. Original characters included the Dirt Sisters, Frankie Frank and the Footers, and Dread the Rastafarian philosopher.
• Keith HaringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIconic 1986 collaboration creating the 'CityKids Speak on Liberty' banner - the largest freestanding piece Haring ever worked on. A 30x90FT eight-story banner painted by 1,000 diverse young people. Philip Glass, Peter Yarrow, and Herbie Hancock provided music for the creation.
• GeoversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership in Panama for youth climate activism leadership training. Includes the GEO 2030 Bamboo Ark campaign and Vela Mola Sail for COP26. Indigenous Guna leaders collaborate with CityKids youth on biocultural leadership.
• A Better Life FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through 'Sharpen Up' program - a three-part online culinary education workshop for youth in BIPOC, AAIP, and LGBTQIA communities. Three grocery deliveries of ingredients were used for recipes tailored to allergies, cultural sensitivities, preferences, and seasonal availability.
• Lower Eastside Girls ClubmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFall programs for CityKids Rep and CityKids Coalition hosted at the Girls Club facility. Founded in 1996, the Girls Club connects young women and gender-expansive youth of color across NYC to healthy, successful futures through free, innovative year-round programming.
• Bronx Envision Academy DJ ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for the Boone Ave Mural project. The DJ Club is a safe space where participants explore the five elements of hip-hop through MCing, DJing, breakdancing, knowledge, and graffiti.
• Johnny Matos (Crash One of Tats Cru)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead mural artist for Boone Ave Mural project. With deep roots in hip-hop culture, Crash One brought authenticity and expertise to the project. Also partnered for recent mural project inspired by original Keith Haring collaboration.
• Chopra FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey participant in Global Mental Health Task Force, working with Chopra Foundation's NeverAlone initiative. Focus on addressing global mental health in support of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Global Partnerships ForummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on the Global Mental Health Task Force, focused on building a world where mental health is prioritized regardless of location, social standing, or personal circumstances.
• DJ Cherish (CK Music Director)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic Director leading the DJ Girls program - 52 girls and gender-expansive youth from every U.S. state and territory who are trained as state leaders and creative DJs in a four-week boot camp.
• Brookings Institution on Cultural DiplomacyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaurie Meadoff worked with Brookings Institution on cultural diplomacy, focusing on use of arts and media to build bridges between people.
• Elite ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Boone Ave Mural project implementation.
• NickelodeonminorOthersCorporate sponsor shown on website sponsors and partners section.
• NikeminorOthersCorporate sponsor shown on website sponsors and partners section.
• PepsiminorOthersCorporate sponsor shown on website sponsors and partners section.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Global Kids: NYC-based nonprofit that develops youth leaders through international education, leadership training, and social action. Highly comparable to CityKids in combining SEL, global citizenship, and civic engagement for similar age cohorts.
• Lower Eastside Girls Club: NYC nonprofit providing free year-round programming for girls and gender-expansive youth of color, including arts and leadership. Direct peer and existing CityKids partner (hosts CityKids Coalition/Rep fall programs).
• The Possibility Project: NYC nonprofit using performing arts (theater, film, music) to help young people transform social issues into artistic expression and leadership. Mirrors CityKids' Rep/Artivist model almost exactly.
• The Door: NYC youth services nonprofit offering comprehensive support (education, arts, career, wellness) for young people ages 12–21. Overlapping target demographic and programming mix.
• Urban Arts Partnership: NYC nonprofit delivering arts education and youth development programs in underserved schools. Comparable mix of arts programming, SEL outcomes, and school/community partnerships.
• DreamYard: Bronx-based arts education nonprofit combining in-school and out-of-school programming with social justice, youth development, and the arts for K-12 youth. Comparable arts-plus-activism model in NYC.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit with broad programming across academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character/leadership. Operates a much larger national footprint; relevant incumbent in the same category.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring organization focused on one-to-one relationships. Comparable mission of positive youth development through adult mentorship, but at vastly greater scale.
• Covenant House: National nonprofit serving youth experiencing homelessness and trafficking with housing, education, and job training. Comparable youth-services mission for at-risk young people in NYC.

Regional players

• Roundabout Theatre Company: NYC-based performing arts institution with significant education and youth artist-training programs. Comparable NYC performing-arts training environment, but with a professional-theater primary mission rather than youth development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CityKidsFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/citykids_nyc
• Xx.com/CityKids_NYC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-citykids-foundation-inc.

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 The CityKids Foundation