What changing young lives foundation does

Changing Young Lives Foundation (CYLF) is a Hong Kong-registered charity (Charity No. 91/4624) that delivers 100% free educational and empowerment programs to underprivileged children and marginalized youth in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Founded in the 1950s as a branch of Save the Children UK, it was formally incorporated as Save the Children Hong Kong in 1996 and rebranded to its current name in 2006 after leaving the Save the Children Alliance. CYLF serves children and youth aged 1-18 through a centre-based Learning Centre at Pak Tin Estate in Shamshuipo, school-based outreach programs across Hong Kong, a Talent Development Scholarship, and a Gansu Project supporting approximately 200 Dongxiang migrant children annually in Lanzhou, Mainland China.

CYLF's service portfolio spans early childhood education (Discover), academic and talent development for ages 6-14 (Empower), SEN support, school-based programs (Story Wonders, Art to Heart), sports and leadership (Slam Dunk Challenge with 500 youth per year, 7,500 training hours, 150 matches), employability (Job Hunter Challenge with AI literacy content), intergenerational programs (Community Grandkids), and STEAM competitions (H2Future for Good Challenge, Little Safflower). The organization operates an E-Learning digital platform comprising NetPals (peer support), Live Classroom, Digital Library, and Think Tank modules, plus a charity E-Shop on Boutir for merchandise designed with Dutch illustrator Dorien Bellaar. Strategic partners include the Hong Kong Community Chest, Tencent Foundation, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Commission on Children, Education University of Hong Kong, and corporate sponsors such as FANCL.

CYLF's revenue model is entirely donation-based, accepting one-off, monthly, and yearly contributions through PayPal, credit card, PayMe, FPS, cheque, bank transfer, and autopay, with US donor routing via CAF America. Supplementary inflows come from charity merchandise sales (T-shirts at HK$200, folders at HK$50, mask holders at HK$20), charity book sales (HK$100 per copy), and signature event fundraising including the Charity Gala, Swing for Change Golf Tournament, and Flag Day. No financial figures are publicly disclosed; the organization is governed by a Council co-chaired by Mrs Sheilah Chatjaval and Mrs Yvette Ho and operates with program, scholarship, and governance committees.

Name

changing young lives foundation

Legal name

Changing Young Lives Foundation

Website

https://changingyounglives.org.hk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Changing Young Lives Foundation is a Hong Kong-registered charity that delivers 100% free educational, talent development, and empowerment programs to underprivileged children and youth aged 1-18 in Hong Kong and Lanzhou, Mainland China, through a community Learning Centre and school-based outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Youth Education

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services (EDAJAEAG)

Keywords

• Youth education programs
• Early childhood education
• Special education support
• Talent development programs
• Youth mental health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kowloon City

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: CYLF is a registered charity (No. 91/4624) that relies on public donations. One-off, monthly, and yearly donations are accepted via PayPal, credit card, PayMe, FPS, cheque, bank transfer, and autopay. US donors can give through CAF America. Donations of HK$100 or above are tax-deductible.
2. Charity Merchandise Sales (E-SHOP): Sale of limited-edition merchandise including T-shirts (HK$200), A4 folders (HK$50), and mask holders (HK$20) in collaboration with Dutch illustrator Dorien Bellaar. Proceeds support free services for underserved children.
3. Charity Book Sale: Sale of charity books at HK$100 per copy with free postage to Hong Kong addresses. All proceeds donated to CYLF.
4. Flag Day and Event Fundraising: Annual Flag Day (Kowloon Region, September 19, 2026) and community fundraising events where individuals and organizations raise funds for CYLF programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Changing Young Lives Foundation delivers free educational, talent-development, and self-empowerment programs to underprivileged children and marginalized youth in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Programs are provided through learning centres, schools, community settings, digital learning, a scholarship, volunteer services, and the Lanzhou-based Gansu Project.

Product overview

Changing Young Lives Foundation (CYLF) operates a multi-faceted charitable service portfolio focused on underprivileged children and youth in Hong Kong and Mainland China. The organization provides 100% free educational and developmental programs through two delivery channels: Centre-Based Services (Empower, Discover/Early Childhood Education, SEN Support Service) and Outreach Services (Community Chest Slam Dunk Challenge basketball program, Job Hunter Challenge, Art to Heart, Story Wonders). Additional community programs include NETPALS, Community Grandkids, and H2Future for Good Challenge STEAM initiative. CYLF also offers the Talent Development Scholarship for secondary students, operates E-Learning and E-Shop platforms, and runs the Youth Power volunteer program. Mainland services include the Gansu Project supporting migrant children in Lanzhou.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Limited-Edition Charity T-Shirts Limited-edition T-shirts offered to charity supporters for HK$200 each, made from 100% cotton fibre and available in children's and adult sizes from XS to XL. Designs include Explore the Nature, Fun Digital Learning, Little Ballerina, My Basketball Dream, and Talented Violinist, and the merchandise was created in collaboration with Dutch illustrator Dorien Bellaar.
• A4 Folder Set Set of four A4 folders offered to charity supporters for HK$50, with free delivery within Hong Kong and proceeds supporting CYLF services.
• Mask Holder Yellow or blue mask holder offered to charity supporters for HK$20 each, with free delivery within Hong Kong and proceeds supporting CYLF services.
• Charity Book A charity book sold to supporters at HK$100 per copy, with free postage to Hong Kong addresses and all proceeds donated to CYLF.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500 youth served annually through Slam Dunk Challenge with over 7,500 training hours and 150 matches
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Tencent FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizes the 'Tencent Little Safflower' Community STEAM Scholars Award with CYLF and Tencent WeTech Academy, inspiring secondary students to apply STEAM knowledge to real-world social challenges. Also co-organized H2Future for Good Challenge with Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.
• Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizes the 'H2Future for Good Challenge' with CYLF and Tencent Foundation, promoting STEAM innovation among secondary students with themes around carbon neutrality and hydrogen energy applications.
• Commission on ChildrencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunds the 'Story Wonders' Inter-School Storytelling Contest, which cultivates literacy and oral presentation skills in primary students. Provides funding through the Funding Scheme of Children Well-Being and Development.
• The Hong Kong Community ChestcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Chest sponsors the Slam Dunk Challenge program, enabling 500 youth per year to participate in basketball training, tournaments, social service, and leadership development. The Community Chest logo appears on all program materials.
• The Education University of Hong KongmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner supporting the 'Little Safflower' Community STEM Scholars Award, providing scholarly oversight and evaluation for STEAM education projects developed by secondary students.
• Tencent Youth Development CommitteemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports the 'Little Safflower' Community STEM Scholars Award in partnership with Tencent Foundation and CYLF, promoting youth innovation and technology education.
• FANCLmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of CYLF Charity Gala events (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), contributing to fundraising for free education and empowerment services for underprivileged children.
• Dorien BellaarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch illustrator who collaborated with CYLF to design limited edition T-shirts, A4 folders, and mask holders for charity sale at the CYLF E-SHOP.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups: HK's largest youth services NGO delivering education, leadership, employability and community programs for young people across Hong Kong. Directly comparable to CYLF in target population (youth) and program mix (education + talent development + leadership), though significantly larger in scale and breadth.
• Boys' & Girls' Clubs Association of Hong Kong: Long-running Hong Kong NGO providing after-school academic support, talent development, sports, and youth leadership programs for underprivileged children and youth. Closely mirrors CYLF's combination of academic support, arts/sports enrichment, and youth empowerment programming.
• Heifer International Hong Kong: Hong Kong arm of the international poverty-alleviation nonprofit focused on underprivileged communities through education, capacity building, and sustainable livelihoods. Comparable donation-driven funding model, HK + Mainland China footprint, and beneficiary focus on disadvantaged children and families.
• Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Lady MacLehose Centre Services: Social services arm of the Anglican Church in Hong Kong providing children, youth, elderly, and family services including after-school academic support and talent development. Directly comparable to CYLF in combining educational support, youth development, and free community-based services in Hong Kong.
• Hong Kong Children Foundation: Hong Kong nonprofit supporting children's welfare and education through scholarships, programs, and advocacy. Comparable donor-dependent funding model and focus on underprivileged children's education and development in Hong Kong.

Broad incumbents

• St James' Settlement: One of Hong Kong's largest multi-service NGOs offering children, youth, elderly, and family services including educational support and talent development. Comparable in mission breadth (whole-person services for underprivileged communities) and HK geographic focus, but much larger and more diversified than CYLF.
• Caritas Hong Kong: Major Hong Kong Catholic social services organization providing education, youth, family, and community welfare services across the territory. Operates schools, community centres, and youth programs serving similar low-income populations, with broader scope and deeper institutional resources than CYLF.
• Yan Chai Hospital: Established Hong Kong charitable organization providing education, social welfare, and community services including schools and youth programs. Comparable in serving underprivileged children with educational support in Hong Kong, though with much larger institutional footprint including hospital services.

Emerging players

• Pathfinders: Hong Kong nonprofit focused on underprivileged children, particularly migrant and at-risk youth, providing education and welfare support. Comparable in serving migrant and underprivileged youth in Hong Kong with education-focused programming, though narrower scope than CYLF.

Others

• Make-A-Wish Hong Kong: Hong Kong affiliate of international children's wish-granting charity serving children with critical illnesses. Comparable as a Hong Kong-registered children's charity with donor-driven funding and event-based revenue, but focuses on critically ill children rather than underprivileged youth education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/changingyounglivesfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/cylffoundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@changingyounglivesfoundationc771
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/changing-young-lives-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about changing young lives foundation