Youth Conservation Corps
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) operating the YouthBuild program in Waukegan, Illinois, providing six-month workforce readiness, GED preparation, NCCER construction, and CompTIA IT certification training to opportunity youth ages 16-24 in Lake County, funded by donations, government grants, and corporate sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersWaukegan, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Youth Conservation Corps does
Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1974 and headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, that operates the YouthBuild program, a six-month workforce readiness pathway for opportunity youth ages 16-24 in Lake County who have left high school without a diploma and are unemployed. Core programming combines GED preparation (with testing costs 100% covered), industry-recognized construction credentials via the NCCER Core Curriculum, a CompTIA IT certification pathway (A+, Network+, Security+) under the Construction PLUS brand, life skills and resiliency coaching, weekly on-site therapy and trauma-related care through a partnership with Youth & Family Counseling, and dedicated career placement services. Members earn bi-weekly stipends that increase with milestone achievements and produce affordable housing units as part of their construction training. A separate Summer Conservation Program provides an eight-week paid internship for high school and college students in partnership with the Lake County Forest Preserve District, covering trail improvement, boardwalk construction, invasive species removal, and prairie and wetland preservation.
YCC's underlying technology stack is limited to standard nonprofit operations tools; there is no proprietary software, hardware, or AI/ML capability described. The organization is a local affiliate of the national YouthBuild USA network and a member of the Illinois YouthBuild Coalition, which secured $5 million in state funding for 2023 (doubled from $2.5 million in 2022). The business model is donation-and-grant-driven rather than commercial: revenue comes from individual and corporate donations via a Network for Good portal, government grants (YouthBuild, AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA), foundation grants (Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County, Lake County Community Foundation, Impact100, Daybreak Fund), a five-tier corporate sponsorship program (Master Builder, Conservation Leader, General Contractor, Crew Member, Apprentice), and three annual signature fundraising events (Rockegan spring concert, Golf Outing, Build+Brews+Bears fall event). All program services are free to eligible Lake County participants. The organization has recently invested in capital expansion, including a Learning Labs facility for plumbing, electrical, roofing/siding, drywall, and HVAC training, plus rooftop solar panels and a permeable paver and rain garden project.
Youth Conservation Corps firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Youth Conservation Corps
- Legal name
- Youth Conservation Corps
- Website
- https://youthconservationcorps.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Nonprofit 501(c)(3) operating the YouthBuild program in Waukegan, Illinois, providing six-month workforce readiness, GED preparation, NCCER construction, and CompTIA IT certification training to opportunity youth ages 16-24 in Lake County, funded by donations, government grants, and corporate sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Youth Conservation Corps industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Workforce Development Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (61), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs (EDAAAOAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- College & Career Exploration Camps (Pre-College Samplers, Pathways) (EDAMALAN)
Keywords
Where Youth Conservation Corps is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waukegan
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Youth Conservation Corps business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual and Corporate Donations: YCC accepts monetary and in-kind donations from individuals and corporations. The organization runs annual fundraising campaigns and maintains a Network for Good donation portal.
- Event-Based Fundraising: YCC generates revenue through three signature fundraising events: Rockegan (spring concert), annual Golf Outing, and Build+Brews+Bears (fall Bears watch party). Ticket sales and sponsorships fund education and workforce training programs.
- Government Grants and YouthBuild Funding: YCC receives federal and state funding through the Illinois YouthBuild Coalition and AmeriCorps. The Illinois YouthBuild Coalition was instrumental in securing $5 Million in state funding for 2023. Additional grant support comes from foundations such as the Lake County Community Foundation and Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County.
- Corporate Sponsorships: YCC offers tiered annual sponsorship packages (Master Builder, Conservation Leader, General Contractor, Crew Member, Apprentice) that provide corporate partners with recognition and brand exposure in exchange for financial support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free program with earned stipends for eligible youth ages 16-24 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels11 records
Youth Conservation Corps product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Youth Conservation Corps delivers a six-month YouthBuild workforce readiness program for opportunity youth ages 16-24 in Lake County, Illinois, combining GED preparation, NCCER construction training, CompTIA IT certifications, life skills coaching, on-site therapy, and career placement. It also runs an eight-week paid Summer Conservation Program that places high school and college students in conservation work with the Lake County Forest Preserve District. All core services are provided free of charge to participants.
Product overview
Youth Conservation Corps is a nonprofit organization that operates multiple interconnected workforce development programs rather than a single software product. The core offering is the YouthBuild Program, a six-month workforce readiness program for youth ages 16-24 that combines education (GED preparation), vocational training (construction and IT certifications), life skills development, and career placement services. The Summer Conservation Program provides separate seasonal conservation internships. These programs share common elements including industry-recognized certifications (NCCER, CompTIA), social support services, and job placement assistance, functioning as an integrated pathway from education to employment for opportunity youth in Lake County.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- YouthBuild: YCC's core six-month workforce readiness program for young people ages 16-24 that provides education, construction skills, and career development.
- Summer Conservation Program
- Construction PLUS
- Rockegan
- Build+Brews+Bears
Products and services
- YouthBuild Program YCC's flagship six-month program for Lake County young adults ages 16-24 who have left high school without a diploma and are unemployed. Members earn a GED, obtain NCCER construction certifications and CompTIA IT certifications (A+, Network+, Security+), access weekly on-site therapy, and receive job placement into careers, higher education, internships, or military service. Program services are free, with stipends that increase on milestone achievement.
- Summer Conservation Program Eight-week paid summer internship for high school and college students interested in conservation, forestry, and environmental sciences. Participants work on Lake County forest preserves improving trails, building boardwalks, removing invasive species, and restoring prairies and wetlands, gaining exposure to conservation career pathways.
Quantifiable outcome
- 25 members earned educational and workforce credentials in one Celebration of Achievements cycle
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Youth Conservation Corps
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Youth Conservation Corps technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Youth Conservation Corps partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- YouthBuild USAcoreYCC is an affiliated YouthBuild program under YouthBuild USA, which provides the organizational framework, curriculum standards (NCCER), advocacy, and national network for youth workforce development programs. YCC staff attend YouthBuild Global's annual conference in Washington, D.C. and participate in Capitol Hill advocacy.
- YouthBuild Illinois CoalitioncoreYCC is part of the Illinois YouthBuild Coalition which secured $5 Million in state funding for 2023 (doubled from $2.5 Million in 2022). State Senator Adrienne Johnson and State Representative Rita Mayfield were instrumental in this funding. YCC participates in the coalition's annual Leadership Summit at the State Capitol.
- Lake County Forest Preserve DistrictcoreThe Summer Conservation Program is a public/private partnership between YCC and the Lake County Forest Preserve District. YCC members work on conservation projects including trail improvement, boardwalk construction, invasive species removal, and prairie restoration in Lake County forest preserves.
- Youth & Family CounselingminorThanks to a grant from the Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake County, YCC works with Youth & Family Counseling in Libertyville, IL to provide weekly on-site therapy sessions and trauma-related care to all YouthBuild members.
- College of Lake County (CLC)minorCollege of Lake County is listed as a partner, with many YouthBuild graduates going on to earn degrees at CLC. YCC has partnered with CLC's Urban Farm Center.
- Great Lakes Credit UnionminorGreat Lakes Credit Union runs its 'Bite of Reality' financial literacy program at YCC, providing interactive budgeting simulations for YCC members to build financial knowledge and readiness for independent adulthood.
- AmeriCorps / AmeriCorps VISTAcoreYCC is affiliated with AmeriCorps, which provides national service and volunteerism framework. The organization hosts AmeriCorps VISTA members (such as the Education Success VISTA position) who serve to build organizational capacity. AmeriCorps 9/11 Day of Service is observed annually.
- City of WaukeganminorThe City of Waukegan is a Crew Member-level sponsor and works with YCC on Operation Clean Sweep community cleanup initiatives. Mayor Sam Cunningham has attended YCC events and celebrations.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Youth Conservation Corps competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Year Up: National nonprofit providing workforce training and career placement for young adults from underserved backgrounds, with a similar combination of vocational skills, mentoring, and employer partnerships targeting opportunity youth transitioning to careers.
- Groundwork USA: Network of local trusts engaging youth in environmental improvement projects in underserved communities. Comparable to YCC's blend of conservation work, youth development, and community service components.
- Urban Alliance: Nonprofit providing workforce development through paid internships, mentoring, and job placement for opportunity youth in major cities. Comparable mission and demographic targeting to YCC's YouthBuild program.
- NPower: Nonprofit offering free IT skills training and job placement to veterans and underserved young adults. Comparable in combining technical certification pathways (CompTIA-style curriculum) with job placement support for opportunity youth.
- Student Conservation Association: National nonprofit engaging youth and young adults in hands-on conservation work on public lands. Directly comparable to YCC's Summer Conservation Program model that combines paid stipends with conservation projects and career pathways in environmental fields.
- Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing free IT training (including CompTIA-aligned certifications) and career placement for adults from underserved communities. Directly comparable to YCC's Construction PLUS CompTIA A+/Network+/Security+ pathway serving similar demographics.
- Conservation Legacy: Network of conservation corps programs engaging young adults in conservation service projects across multiple regions. Comparable to YCC's Summer Conservation Program and its historic origins in environmental/conservation work.
Broad incumbents
- YouthBuild USA: National umbrella organization for the YouthBuild network. YCC is an affiliate of YouthBuild USA, which provides curriculum standards (NCCER), advocacy, and a peer network of similar local programs serving opportunity youth ages 16-24.
- Job Corps: Federally funded nationwide residential workforce training program for low-income youth ages 16-24. Operates at much larger scale but targets the same opportunity youth demographic with similar education, vocational, and job placement services.
- The Corps Network: National association of Service and Conservation Corps. Provides policy advocacy, training resources, and federal partnership support to a network of 130+ corps programs comparable to YCC's conservation-focused Summer Program.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Youth Conservation Corps social profiles
Digital presenceYouth Conservation Corps financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Youth Conservation Corps leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles28 records
Youth Conservation Corps funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Youth Conservation Corps 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 Youth Conservation Corps
What does Youth Conservation Corps do?
Youth Conservation Corps delivers a six-month YouthBuild workforce readiness program for opportunity youth ages 16-24 in Lake County, Illinois, combining GED preparation, NCCER construction training, CompTIA IT certifications, life skills coaching, on-site therapy, and career placement. It also runs an eight-week paid Summer Conservation Program that places high school and college students in conservation work with the Lake County Forest Preserve District. All core services are provided free of charge to participants.
Is Youth Conservation Corps a public or private company?
Youth Conservation Corps is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Youth Conservation Corps founded?
Youth Conservation Corps was founded in 1974. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Youth Conservation Corps based?
Youth Conservation Corps is headquartered in Waukegan, United States, in the North America region.
How does Youth Conservation Corps make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual and Corporate Donations are the primary driver. The others are event-Based Fundraising, government Grants and YouthBuild Funding and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are Youth Conservation Corps's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Year Up, Groundwork USA, Urban Alliance, NPower, Student Conservation Association, Per Scholas and Conservation Legacy. Broad incumbents are YouthBuild USA, Job Corps and The Corps Network.
Does Youth Conservation Corps have an API?
No public API is recorded for Youth Conservation Corps.
What industry is Youth Conservation Corps in?
Youth Conservation Corps's product category is Youth Workforce Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAH, Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs, with a secondary code of EDAMALAN, College & Career Exploration Camps (Pre-College Samplers, Pathways). Its NAICS code is 61 and its SIC code is 8200.