Helping kids succeed academically is essential to their economic future – but helping them build character enhances every aspect of their lives. YLF does it all, training college-age youth and young professionals to mentor children ages 7-17 both in person and virtually. Year-round, students in the Tenley Achievement Program for boys and the Program for Academic and Leadership Skills for girls strive for educational excellence through intensive tutoring while building character through sports, trips, and challenging electives. The Virtuous Leadership Academy also provides high school students with opportunities to engage community leaders through a Spirit of Service Business Plan competition. Mentors serve as role models, empowering students to tackle challenges in the classroom and at home, and instilling in them the values of hard work, generosity, justice, and community service. Teaching kids not only to do well but to do good is life-changing.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 3

Where They Operate: DC-Ward 3; DC-Ward 5; Lamond Park in Northeast DC; Brookland in Northeast DC

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17)

Ethnic Groups Served: African American; Latino/Hispanic

Population(s) Served: Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Students

Schools They Work In: Hope Communtiy Public Charter School (Tolson Campus); Hope Community Public Charter School (Lamond Campus)

Awards & Recognition

2002 Philanthropy Magazine's Charity Deserving of Support
2007 EWomen's Network Charity of Choice
2008-2009 Catalogue for Philanthropy
2009 Fight Night Chairman's Choice Charity

Press

Budget (FY2023)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • The current budget for Youth Leadership Foundation is: $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About Spur Local

Each year 150+ community advocates review applicants on the basis of governance, equity, and impact. Each featured nonprofit has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. Spur Local charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $57 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region.

Spur Local looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to Spur Local to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

If you like Youth Leadership Foundation you might also like