Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute)
Y.E.T.I. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free outdoor adventure programs, including weekly school clubs, to youth in South King County's Highline and Tukwila School Districts, funding operations through donations, grants, and corporate partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersDeer Park, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) does
Y.E.T.I. (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that delivers free outdoor adventure programming to youth in South King County, Washington, primarily within the Highline and Tukwila School Districts. The organization operates four core program lines: School Y.E.T.I. Clubs (weekly after-school clubs at 9 school sites), Partnership Programs (customized outdoor experiences for youth-serving organizations such as Seattle Housing Authority and Partners in Employment), Custom School Programs (tailored outdoor curriculum for individual teachers and schools), and Open Enrollment adventures (weekend and overnight trips open to all youth). Supporting services include a Gear Library that loans equipment at no cost and Wilderness First Aid certification courses. The portfolio is delivered by a small staff (1-10 employees) including an Executive Director, Program Director, Development Manager, two Program Coordinators, and a Field Instructor, supported by a Board of Directors and Advisory Board.
The organization is structured to remove every barrier to participation: programs are free, and transportation, food, gear, and instruction are all provided. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations run on standard tools (Twilio for SMS, Salesforce for donor management, FormAssembly for registration, Google Workspace, Google Maps). Distribution is exclusively school- and community-embedded, with no commercial sales channels. Student reach has scaled from 205 adventures and 350+ students in 2024 to 234 adventures and 550+ students over the most recent reporting period, with 400+ students projected for 2025-2026 across 9 weekly school sites.
Y.E.T.I. is funded through a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: individual donations structured across tiers (Grit Keepers recurring donors, Guardians of Grit at $1,000+/year, Mountain Movers at $10,000+), corporate matching and 1% for the Planet sponsorships, state and foundation grants, and product/fundraising events (Middle Fork Roasters Adventure Blend coffee, house parties, ski movie nights). In 2025, the organization lost approximately 30% of its funding from state grant program changes, creating a near-term replacement-fundraising imperative even as program reach continues to expand.
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute)
- Legal name
- Youth Experiential Training Institute
- Website
- https://goyeti.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Y.E.T.I. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free outdoor adventure programs, including weekly school clubs, to youth in South King County's Highline and Tukwila School Districts, funding operations through donations, grants, and corporate partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Outdoor Education Programs
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs (THAAAOAB), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)
Keywords
Where Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Deer Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donations from supporters, including monthly recurring donors (Grit Keepers), annual donors (Guardians of Grit at $1,000+/year), and major donors (Mountain Movers at $10,000+).
- Corporate Matching & Sponsorships: Corporate matching programs where employers match employee donations, plus corporate sponsors who support programs through 1% for the Planet and other giving programs.
- Grants & Funding: State grants, foundation grants, and institutional funding. The organization lost 30% of funding from state grant program changes in 2025 and is actively working to replace this revenue.
- Product Sales & Fundraising: Sale of Middle Fork Roasters Adventure Blend coffee with proceeds supporting programs, plus fundraising events including ski movie nights, house parties, and Facebook fundraisers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Programs - All activities provided at no cost |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Y.E.T.I. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free outdoor adventure programs for young people in South King County, primarily through weekly after-school clubs at public schools, partnership programs with youth-serving organizations, custom school programs, and open-enrollment weekend/overnight trips. The organization removes participation barriers by providing transportation, food, gear, and instruction at no cost to students.
Product overview
Y.E.T.I. (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers a portfolio of free outdoor adventure programs for youth in South King County, primarily serving the Highline and Tukwila School Districts. The core offerings include School Y.E.T.I. Clubs (weekly after-school programs at partner schools), Partnership Programs (customized experiences with youth-serving organizations), Custom School Programs (tailored outdoor curriculum for individual schools), and Open Enrollment/Outdoor Recreation (weekend and overnight adventures open to all students). Supporting services include a Gear Library for equipment lending, Wilderness First Aid Training certification, and a Grit Blog for storytelling. The organization removes barriers to outdoor access by providing transportation, food, gear, and instruction at no cost to participants.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- School Y.E.T.I. Clubs
Quantifiable outcome
- 234 free outdoor adventures, 550+ students served, 7,500+ hours outdoors in past year
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute)
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CHILL FoundationcorePartnership providing weekly snowboarding trips to Stevens Pass for Foster High School students. CHILL provides funding and support enabling students to access ski/snowboard instruction and equipment.
- Mt. Rainier Public PoolcoreIndoor kayaking practice facility partnership allowing Y.E.T.I. to practice paddling skills year-round. Pool donates hours to Y.E.T.I. at no cost, enabling early-season skill development before outdoor paddling season.
- Washington Alpine Club (W.A.C.)coreWinter recreation partnership providing access to WAC mountain lodge at Snoqualmie Pass for snowshoeing and winter activities. WAC volunteers host Y.E.T.I. groups and offer free parking, plus educational presentations on mountaineering.
- Audubon SocietyminorBirding and environmental education partnership, with Audubon leading nature programs at Seward Park for Y.E.T.I. clubs.
- Mountains to Sound GreenwayminorStewardship partnership where students participate in environmental restoration activities at Lake Sammamish State Park.
- Trout UnlimitedminorFly Fishing Series sessions provided to Y.E.T.I. students teaching fishing skills and conservation awareness.
- 1% for the PlanetcoreEnvironmental giving program through which partner companies donate 1% of sales to Y.E.T.I., providing ongoing funding support.
- GraylcoreOutdoor water filter company sponsoring one school club location through 1% for the Planet program. Provides gear donations and fundraising support including hosting house parties.
- Middle Fork RoasterscoreCoffee company producing Y.E.T.I. Adventure Blend with proceeds supporting youth programs. Monthly coffee purchases directly fund outdoor adventures.
- Wonderland Gear ExchangeminorGear donation partner where donors can direct profits from used outdoor gear sales to Y.E.T.I.
- Black Bird Iron & DesignminorProvided matching campaign challenge for fall fundraising, amplifying donor contributions.
- Evergreen Mountain Bike AllianceminorMountain biking advocacy organization whose trail work at Black Diamond Open Space enables Y.E.T.I. biking programs.
- Camp LongcoreOutdoor climbing and rappelling location used regularly for Y.E.T.I. climbing programs and skill development.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NatureBridge: NatureBridge is a nonprofit environmental-education organization that provides immersive, field-based learning in natural settings for students and youth. Its school and youth environmental programs overlap with Y.E.T.I.'s outdoor experiential education, although NatureBridge operates at a larger destination scale.
- IslandWood: IslandWood is a Pacific Northwest nonprofit outdoor and environmental education center offering hands-on, field-based programs for children and schools. Its school-based nature-learning model is directly comparable to Y.E.T.I.'s clubs and outdoor trips.
- Camp Fire: Camp Fire is a national youth-development nonprofit providing after-school, camp, outdoor, and leadership programs. Its combination of youth development and recreational programming makes it a relevant direct peer, although its program portfolio is broader.
- NOLS: NOLS is an outdoor education and leadership school that teaches wilderness travel, risk management, and expedition skills through field courses. Its instructional model and youth-facing outdoor courses are strongly comparable to Y.E.T.I.'s experiential training.
- Outward Bound: Outward Bound is a nonprofit experiential education organization known for wilderness expeditions, leadership development, and youth courses. It overlaps with Y.E.T.I. in youth outdoor skill-building and experiential learning, while serving a broader audience.
Broad incumbents
- REI: REI is an established outdoor retailer and outdoor-school operator offering classes, guided activities, gear access, and family programming. It is a broad incumbent because it overlaps in outdoor instruction and gear-enabled experiences, but it uses a commercial model rather than Y.E.T.I.'s nonprofit school-club model.
- YMCA: YMCA is a broad youth-development incumbent with after-school, camping, and outdoor leadership programs, including the BOLD & GOLD model referenced in Y.E.T.I.'s leadership history. It serves a similar youth population and community access mission at a much larger scale.
- Scouting America: Scouting America is a large youth organization with outdoor adventure, camping, leadership, and service programming. Its youth outdoor education and community volunteer network are comparable to Y.E.T.I.'s mission, although its national scale and membership model differ.
- Girl Scouts of the USA: Girl Scouts is a large youth organization offering outdoor adventure, camping, environmental education, and leadership development. It is a broad incumbent serving a similar youth audience and community mission, though it is not a school-club-based operator.
Regional players
- The Mountaineers: The Mountaineers is a Pacific Northwest outdoor nonprofit providing courses, trips, youth activities, and stewardship programs. It is a regional peer because it combines outdoor education and youth engagement in the same geography as Y.E.T.I.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) social profiles
Digital presenceY.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) 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 Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute)
What does Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) do?
Y.E.T.I. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free outdoor adventure programs for young people in South King County, primarily through weekly after-school clubs at public schools, partnership programs with youth-serving organizations, custom school programs, and open-enrollment weekend/overnight trips. The organization removes participation barriers by providing transportation, food, gear, and instruction at no cost to students.
Is Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) a public or private company?
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) founded?
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) based?
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) is headquartered in Deer Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Matching & Sponsorships, grants & Funding and product Sales & Fundraising.
Who are Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute)'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NatureBridge, IslandWood, Camp Fire, NOLS and Outward Bound. Broad incumbents are REI, YMCA, Scouting America and Girl Scouts of the USA. The Mountaineers is listed as a regional player.
Does Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute).
What industry is Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute) in?
Y.E.T.I (Youth Experiential Learning Institute)'s product category is Youth Outdoor Education Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAOAA, Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning), with a secondary code of THAAAOAB, Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs. Its NAICS code is 61162 and its SIC code is 8200.