Youth Service Opportunities Project

What Youth Service Opportunities Project does

Youth Service Opportunities Project (YSOP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1983 in New York City that designs and runs service-learning programs for youth, college students, and adults. The organization operates two principal program lines: YSOP Connex, an intergenerational program launched in Fall 2020 that pairs younger volunteers with older adults, and YSOP DC Programs, which delivers the same service-learning model in Washington, D.C. Both programs route participants into structured volunteer placements with community partner sites — schools, faith-based congregations, social service agencies, and senior-serving organizations — supplemented by orientation and reflection components.

The underlying product is a curated volunteer service experience rather than a technology platform. YSOP does not appear to operate a proprietary software system, app, or digital tool; its differentiation is programmatic, drawn from 40+ years of partner relationships and a stated Quaker service tradition. Programs are typically delivered over fixed periods (weekend immersions, semester engagements, or one-off service days) and have been adapted over time — most notably YSOP Connex, which debuted as a virtual program during COVID-19 and shifted to in-person delivery in 2023.

The business model is donation-funded nonprofit operations. YSOP derives revenue from individual donors, faith-based congregations, school and college program fees, and corporate volunteer group fees. The organization employs between 11 and 50 staff, consistent with a small-to-mid-sized community-based nonprofit, and operates across two geographic markets: New York City and Washington, D.C.

Name

Youth Service Opportunities Project

Legal name

Youth Service Opportunities Project

Website

https://ysop.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Youth Service Opportunities Project (YSOP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 that runs service-learning volunteer programs for youth, college students, and adults in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Service & Volunteer Programs

NAICS

Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Study Habits & Homework Systems Workshops (EDAMAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online & Hybrid Senior Learning Platforms (EDAAAMAD)

Keywords

• Service-learning programs
• Youth volunteer programs
• Community service experiences
• Intergenerational connection programs
• Nonprofit volunteer engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: YSOP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations from supporters to fund operations. Donations are used for staff to contact potential participants, conduct training, facilitate sessions, and follow up. The organization sends mailings and newsletters to donors and supporters. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by federal law.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

YSOP engages youth, college students, and adults in structured service-learning experiences that combine orientation, hands-on volunteer work at partner agencies serving homeless and hungry populations, and reflection. The organization operates two main programs: YSOP Connex (intergenerational connections between youth and seniors via virtual and in-person service projects) and YSOP DC Programs (hands-on service experiences for students in Washington, D.C.).

Product overview

YSOP (Youth Service Opportunities Project) is a Quaker nonprofit organization offering volunteer service programs for youth, college students, and adults. The organization operates two main programs: YSOP Connex (launched 2020) facilitates virtual and in-person intergenerational connections between youth and seniors through conversation sessions and service projects like blanket-making; YSOP DC Programs provide hands-on service experiences in Washington, D.C. with orientation, direct service at homeless and hunger service agencies, and reflection components. Both programs are non-sectarian and welcome participants of all backgrounds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YSOP Connex Intergenerational connection program that brings youth and seniors together through virtual conversations (3 one-hour Zoom sessions over 3 weeks) and in-person service projects such as blanket-making and celebration boxes for children experiencing homelessness. Free for all participants and funded through charitable donations.
• YSOP DC Programs Hands-on volunteer service experiences for middle school, high school, and college students in Washington, D.C., including orientation, direct service at agencies serving low-income and homeless communities (soup kitchens, food pantries, family shelters, senior homes), and reflection activities. Programs are free to participants.
• YSOP NY Programs Original YSOP service-learning programs based in New York, offering day-long immersion experiences for schools, corporate groups, faith-based organizations, families, and unaffiliated individuals. Combines orientation, direct volunteer work at soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and senior homes, with structured reflection.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,900,000+ homeless and hungry people served since 1983
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Service Agencies (Soup Kitchens, Food Pantries, Shelters)coreOthersYSOP partners with service agencies across NYC and D.C. where volunteers serve. Partner agencies include soup kitchens, food pantries, family shelters, agencies distributing furniture/clothing/children's supplies, organizations serving low-income seniors, and community gardens. YSOP carefully monitors all worksites to ensure organization, safety, and respectful treatment of guests, clients, staff, and volunteers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Emerging players

• Idealist: Idealist lists volunteer and nonprofit opportunities, similar to YSOP's role as a bridge between participants and service experiences, but functions as a marketplace rather than a program operator.
• VolunteerMatch: VolunteerMatch is a digital volunteer-opportunity matching platform; comparable to YSOP as a connector between volunteers and service opportunities, though it operates online rather than through direct program facilitation.

Broad incumbents

• AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps is the federal national-service program engaging Americans in intensive community service; comparable to YSOP in mobilizing youth into structured service experiences, with substantially larger scale and government funding.
• Points of Light: Points of Light is the large-scale volunteer-engagement infrastructure nonprofit; comparable to YSOP as a broader umbrella for volunteer mobilization, but operates at national scale across all age groups.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Big Brothers Big Sisters is a large established youth-mentoring nonprofit; comparable to YSOP in its focus on positive youth development through structured adult-engaged experiences.
• Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity mobilizes volunteers to build affordable housing, similar to YSOP in using volunteer labor for community-impact service but at vastly larger scale and with a different beneficiary focus.

Direct peers

• City Year: City Year engages young people (primarily 18–25) in full-time national service in schools and communities, mirroring YSOP's model of channeling youth energy into structured civic-service experiences.
• Generation On: Generation On (formerly part of Points of Light) is a youth service and volunteer-engagement nonprofit offering service-learning toolkits and programs; directly analogous to YSOP's school-based service-learning work.
• DoSomething.org: DoSomething.org mobilizes young people in volunteer and civic-action campaigns; comparable to YSOP's youth-focused service-learning mission, although delivered primarily through digital channels.

Regional players

• Meals on Wheels America: Meals on Wheels mobilizes volunteers to serve seniors — comparable to YSOP Connex's intergenerational senior-engagement model, though focused on meal delivery rather than broader service-learning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ysop

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Youth Service Opportunities Project