LoveLife Foundation

What LoveLife Foundation does

LoveLife Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in November 1997 by Donald E. Lacy, Jr. in Oakland, California following the murder of his 16-year-old daughter LoEshe Adanma Lacy. Operating for 26 years, the foundation delivers a portfolio of youth development programs targeting at-risk high school students in Oakland with a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. Core offerings include the LoveLife Summer Program (a 7-week college preparedness course with $500 stipends), the LoveLife Financial Literacy Program (a 6-week course on managing, investing, and saving), LAMTA (a six-month after-school arts and media training academy covering radio, television, theater, and multimedia production), and the Legacy for LoEshe / Saving Lives Theater Project, an annual youth-written and youth-performed play addressing violence that is staged in Bay Area theaters, schools, and juvenile hall.

The foundation is built on a community-led go-to-market model rather than a technology platform. Programs are delivered through direct partnerships with Oakland schools, community centers including the WERC facility, and broadcast partners KMTP Channel 32 TV and KPOO Radio 89.5 FM (the latter covering the 4th largest US media market). Distribution is augmented by high-visibility endorsements from the Golden State Warriors and Oakland Athletics, plus a 2019 CNN Redemption Project feature with Van Jones that generated 14 million+ video views. There is no proprietary technology stack disclosed; the digital footprint is limited to a Wix-hosted website, Givebutter-powered donations, a merchandise shop unit-priced between $7.50 and $130, and organic social channels on Twitter/X, Facebook, and YouTube.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable channels: direct donations, annual ticketed galas (the 2025 LoveLife Gala raised $183,239 of a $300,000 goal via Givebutter), corporate sponsorships from entities such as Waste Management of Alameda County, Port of Oakland, and East Bay Community Foundation, event-based fundraising, and merchandise sales. The primary customer segment is at-risk Oakland youth served free of charge through scholarships and stipends, while the paying customers are donors, corporate sponsors, and merchandise buyers. The organization is governed by a board chaired by the founder, with no parent company, subsidiaries, or external funding rounds disclosed.

Name

LoveLife Foundation

Legal name

LoveLife Foundation

Website

https://lovelifefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Short description

LoveLife Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Oakland-based non-profit founded in 1997 that delivers college preparedness, financial literacy, arts/media training, and youth-written theater programs to at-risk Oakland high school students, funded through donations, galas, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Violence Prevention Services

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Family & Life-Stage Financial Planning (Marriage, Kids, Caregiving) (EDAAAJAM)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Violence prevention services
• College readiness training
• Financial literacy education
• Media arts training

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

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 Fundraising: The foundation raises funds through direct donations via platforms like Givebutter, annual galas with fundraising goals ($300,000 target for 2025), and general donor contributions.
2. E-commerce Product Sales: Sells merchandise and products through its online shop with prices ranging from $7.50 to $130, including apparel and accessories.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Receives sponsorship support from companies and organizations including Waste Management, Port of Oakland, East Bay Community Foundation, and others for events and programs.
4. Event-based Fundraising: Generates revenue through ticketed events like the annual Oakland's Finest Gala and Toy Drive, with corporate sponsors supporting specific initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LoveLife Foundation runs in-person youth development programs for at-risk Oakland high school students, including a 7-week summer college preparedness course with $500 stipends, a 6-week financial literacy course, a 6-month LAMTA media training academy, and an annual youth-written Legacy for LoEshé theater production. The foundation supplements program funding through an online merchandise shop and corporate sponsorships. All programs are delivered free of charge to eligible youth with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Product overview

LoveLife Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a portfolio of youth development programs centered on preventing violence and empowering at-risk youth in Oakland. The core offerings include the LoveLife Summer Program (7-week college preparedness course with $500 stipends), the LoveLife Financial Literacy Program (6-week financial education course), the LoveLife Arts and Media Training Academy (LAMTA) for multi-media production skills, and the Legacy for LoEshé Theater Project for youth expression through performing arts. Additionally, the organization operates a merchandise shop to support fundraising for scholarships and youth programs. The programs work together to provide educational alternatives to violence through college preparedness, financial literacy, media arts training, and theatrical performance opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LAMTA (LoveLife Arts and Media Training Academy): A six-month after-school program that trains youth in the art of radio, television, theater and multi-media production.
• Saving Lives Theater Project

Products and services

• LoveLife Summer College Preparedness Program A 7-week course for high school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA providing college preparedness classes taught by college graduates, covering financial aid applications, mental health, HBCUs, scholarships, and balancing social and academic life. Each participant receives a $500 stipend. Delivered free to eligible Oakland-area youth.
• LoveLife Financial Literacy Program A 6-week course for high school students maintaining a 3.0 GPA covering topics on managing, investing, saving, and other financial topics. Delivered free to eligible Oakland-area youth.
• LoveLife Arts and Media Training Academy (LAMTA) A six-month after-school program training youth in radio, television, theater, and multi-media production. Students learn camera and audio equipment operation, production, and editing, with professionals conducting workshops in the arts and media field.
• Legacy for LoEshé and the Saving Lives Theater Project An annual play written and performed by Oakland youth about their experiences with violence, presented throughout the Bay Area in theaters, schools, and juvenile hall. Features youth-written and youth-performed pieces addressing violence and issues important to today's youth. Broadcast on KMTP Channel 32 TV and KPOO radio 89.5 FM.
• LoveLife Foundation Shop

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 750 toys donated in single event
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Courageous Women, A Safe Place BOSS, and Haven for Black HealingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for Conference on Preventing Violence Against Women during LoveLife Week 2025
• Golden State WarriorscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Warriors honor LoveLife Foundation for 26-year commitment to Oakland youth; featured at games and community events
• Oakland AthleticscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024A's honor LoveLife and their 26 year commitment to providing educational alternatives to violence for Oakland's youth; recognized before July 4th game
• KMTP Channel 32 TVcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBroadcast partner for LoveLife media productions including Legacy for LoEshé play; 4th largest media market
• KPOO Radio 89.5 FMcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBroadcast partner for LoveLife radio programs and live play broadcasts
• Ex'pression Center for New MediaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-of-the-art media training school in Emeryville; collaborated for live webcast of Legacy for LoEshé production in 2002
• Van JonescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCNN contributor; featured LoveLife Foundation on The Redemption Project generating 14M+ views; invited Executive Director to CPAC prison reform forum
• Waste Management Of Alameda CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of LoveLife Foundation events and programs
• Port of OaklandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of LoveLife Foundation events and programs
• Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for events and programs
• Acts Full Gospel Church / Bishop Bob JacksonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based community partner
• OAACC Oakland African American Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness community partner
• Healthy Communities Inc. / Pastor Raymond LankfordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization
• Portfolio Affect Real Change (Cat Brooks)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Oakland Kids First: Oakland student-led youth leadership and violence prevention organization working in Oakland public schools—a direct comparable in city, beneficiary, and program focus.
• Youth Uprising: East Oakland youth development and violence prevention organization providing leadership pipelines, arts programming, and college/career support to at-risk youth ages 13–24.
• Beyond Emancipation: Alameda County-based nonprofit supporting transition-age youth (16–24) with education, employment, and housing—comparable on transition-age youth services and benefit navigation.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area: Bay Area youth mentoring nonprofit serving at-risk youth through one-to-one mentoring and college/career readiness—similar beneficiary profile and program model.
• Urban Peace Movement: Oakland-based violence prevention and youth leadership organization focused on healing-centered engagement for youth of color—an immediate mission-aligned peer.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland: Oakland-based youth development nonprofit offering after-school programs, college readiness, and violence prevention for at-risk youth. Directly comparable in mission, geography, and beneficiary profile.
• New Door Ventures: Bay Area nonprofit providing job training, employment, and financial literacy for at-risk youth—directly comparable on financial literacy and youth workforce development.

Broad incumbents

• California Alliance of Child and Family Services: Statewide association representing child and family services agencies in California—an 'incumbent' comparable operating at broader geographic and programmatic scale.

Regional players

• East Bay Community Foundation: Regional grantmaking foundation based in Oakland that funds many Oakland youth nonprofits, including LoveLife. Comparable as a regional civic/philanthropic actor with deep Oakland ties.

Emerging players

• 100 Black Men of the Bay Area: Bay Area chapter of national mentoring organization serving African American youth with education, mentorship, and health programs; comparable beneficiary focus and mentoring/education mix.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/lovelifeloeshe
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCVf-rIH4-UT876AzLXO4_Xw
• Facebookfacebook.com/The-Lovelife-Foundation-96180368808

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about LoveLife Foundation