Camp Out for Kids

What Camp Out for Kids does

Camp Out for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2008 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The organization provides summer camp scholarships and year-round youth programming for children ages 5-17 from underserved communities, including automatic eligibility for foster care youth. Since inception, it has raised over $7.9 million cumulatively and enabled more than 13,000 children to attend summer camp through a network of 50+ camp and community partners, including McGaw YMCA Camp Echo, Experience Camps, Camp Kesem at University of Illinois, Urban Initiatives, Off the Street Club, Beat the Streets Chicago, Four Star Fellowship, and Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center. The organization also operates COFK365, a year-round program offering leadership development, athletics, mentorship, and community programming in partnership with Intentional Sports and Humboldt Park Patriots.

The business model is donation- and event-driven rather than commercial. Revenue derives from individual donations, employer matching gifts, memorial and tribute gifts, corporate sponsorships arranged through a six-tier ladder (Fan Favorite $1K-$2.5K up to Hall of Fame $50K+), an annual Chicago All-Star Fundraiser, and a branded Swag Store selling apparel and accessories at $5-$65 price points. Beneficiaries receive services at no cost based on income eligibility and foster care status. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with awareness generated through the website (campoutforkids.org), YouTube testimonial films, social media, the annual fundraiser, and referral pipelines from community organizations. The organization is founder-led (Marc Lifshin as Founder & President) with a small staff (1-10 employees), supported by an Executive Director (Taylor Romani) and dedicated sponsorship lead (Ashley Proctor).

Name

Camp Out for Kids

Legal name

Camp Out for Kids

Website

https://campoutforkids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Camp Out for Kids is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008 that provides summer camp scholarships and year-round youth programming for underserved children ages 5-17 through a network of 50+ camp and community partners, funded via donations, corporate sponsorships, an annual fundraiser, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)

Keywords

• Youth camp scholarships
• Summer camp funding
• Youth development programs
• Nonprofit community programs
• Camp grant assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Primary revenue stream from individual donors, corporate sponsors, and in-kind donations. Sponsors contribute at various tiers (Hall of Fame $50K+, MVP $25K-$50K, All-Star $10K-$25K, Coach $5K-$10K, Team Captain $2.5K-$5K, Fan Favorite $1K-$2.5K).
2. Merchandise Sales (Swag Store): Branded merchandise including apparel (jerseys, t-shirts, hoodies), accessories (hats, socks, bags), and drinkware (custom YETI bottles) sold at various price points ($5-$65). Revenue supports the camp programs.
3. Memorial and Tribute Gifts: Accepts online donations and checks for memorial and tribute gifts, allowing donors to honor individuals while supporting the cause.
4. Employer Matching Gifts: Participates in employer matching gift programs where donors can double their impact through workplace giving programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Camp Out for Kids provides summer camp tuition grants to children from underserved communities, enabling them to attend accredited summer camps. Beyond summer scholarships, the organization runs year-round youth development programming through its COFK 365 initiative, including the Outdoors on the Go program and an annual Youth Summit. Services are funded by individual donations, corporate sponsorships, an annual fundraiser, and branded merchandise sales.

Product overview

Camp Out for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2008 that operates two core service programs: (1) Summer Camp Grants, which provide financial assistance to send children ages 5-17 from underserved Chicagoland communities to summer camp of their choice, and (2) COFK 365, a year-round youth development program offering leadership development, athletics, mentorship, and community programming through partnerships with Intentional Sports and Humboldt Park Patriots. The organization also runs an annual fundraising event in Chicago and maintains a volunteer program. A branded merchandise Swag Store sells apparel and accessories including jerseys, hats, t-shirts, hoodies, water bottles, socks, and tote bags to support fundraising efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• COFK365: Year-round program extending the impact of summer camp beyond summer months through leadership development, athletics, mentorship, and community programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 13,000 children sent to summer camp since 2008
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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, key and standard.

• Intentional SportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear-round COFK365 programming partner providing sports facilities and programming for leadership development and athletics. Hosts Humboldt Park Patriots Football and Cheer Clinics.
• Humboldt Park PatriotscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth football and cheerleading organization partnering for COFK365 programming, providing athletic opportunities and mentorship through sports.
• McGaw YMCA Camp EchokeyOthersLong-standing traditional overnight camp partner providing authentic camp experiences for COFK campers. Listed as photo partner on website.
• Camp Kesem at University of IllinoiskeyOthersCamp serving children of parents with cancer. Listed as photo partner on website, providing specialized camp experience.
• Off the Street ClubkeyOthersChicago nonprofit providing camp experiences and youth programming. Featured in camper testimonial film 'No Place I'd Rather Be.'
• Experience CampskeyOthersNational nonprofit serving grieving children. Featured in camper testimonial with quote: 'This place changed my life.'
• Urban InitiativeskeyOthersChicago nonprofit providing youth sports and educational programming. Listed as community partner.
• Beat the Streets ChicagostandardOthersWrestling program partner. Featured camper testimonial: 'I have never experienced life like this.'
• Four Star FellowshipstandardOthersFellowship program providing camp experiences. Featured camper testimonial about sense of safety at camp.
• Busey BankkeyGTM or Marketing Partner2026 Annual Fundraiser sponsor - financial services partner for the annual event.
• CorespaceskeyGTM or Marketing PartnerHall of Fame sponsor ($50,000+) at 2026 Annual Fundraiser. Real estate company.
• Linden Davis FamilykeyGTM or Marketing PartnerMVP sponsor ($25,000-$50,000) at 2026 Annual Fundraiser.
• Webster BankstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerAll-Star sponsor ($10,000-$25,000) at 2026 Annual Fundraiser.
• Baker TillystandardGTM or Marketing PartnerAll-Star sponsor ($10,000-$25,000) at 2026 Annual Fundraiser - professional services firm.
• Citi BankstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerAll-Star sponsor ($10,000-$25,000) at 2026 Annual Fundraiser.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• City Year: Nonprofit deploying young adults as near-peer mentors in underserved schools. Thematically adjacent — both channel donor funds into youth development for underserved communities — but focused on in-school mentorship rather than camp experiences.

Direct peers

• Experience Camps: Nonprofit providing free one-week summer camps for grieving children. Directly comparable as a Camp Out for Kids partner and as a peer organization funding camp access for youth facing adversity through donor-supported camp scholarships.
• The Fresh Air Fund: Long-running NYC nonprofit providing free summer experiences to underserved city children. Highly comparable mission and donor/community-driven operating model, though larger and East Coast-based.
• Camp Kesem: National nonprofit operating free summer camps for children affected by a parent's cancer. Comparable to Camp Out for Kids in mission (camp access for underserved youth) and operating model (partnerships with existing camps, donor-driven funding).

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: National nonprofit operating camps, childcare, and youth programming. McGaw YMCA Camp Echo is a Camp Out for Kids partner, and YMCAs are a primary venue for the underserved-youth camp experience.
• SeriousFun Children's Network: Global network of 30+ member camps serving children with serious illnesses and families. Broader incumbent in the camp-for-underserved-youth space, operating camps directly rather than purely funding scholarships.
• Hole in the Wall Gang Camp: Nonprofit providing free summer camp experiences for children with serious illnesses. Comparable camp-for-underserved-youth mission and donor-driven funding model, but operates camps directly.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Large national youth-development nonprofit providing after-school and summer programming for underserved youth. Comparable target population and donor base, but with a much broader year-round program scope.

Regional players

• Police Athletic League: Nonprofit providing youth development, athletics, and summer programming for underserved children. Comparable population and youth-development mission, primarily regional (NYC) rather than national.

Emerging players

• Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation: Nonprofit creating lasting, positive memories for families with children facing late-stage cancer, including camp-like experiences. Adjacent mission overlap with the camp-for-vulnerable-youth category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@campoutforkids2008/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/campoutforkids
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/camp-out-for-kids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Camp Out for Kids