Setting young people on the right path to achieve career success.
Founded in 1969, Enterprise for Youth has served over 25,000 young people to date. Each year, 500 youth attend workshops that cover topics including interviewing skills, resume and cover letter preparation, money management training, and conflict resolution. They place youth in internships that give them the opportunity to dig deeper into career fields they’re interested in pursuing. Participants who complete their program apply and enroll at higher rates to post-secondary education.
Founded: 1969
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Mission
To empower under-resourced youth to reach their potential through transformative paid internship experiences supported by a community of employers, caring adults, and peers.
Vision
Enterprise for Youth envisions that all youth are prepared for their professional future and become successful members of society.
Values
Youth Empowerment
Community
Growth
Integrity
Programs & Impact Approach
Enterprise for Youth prepares and empowers young people through job readiness training, paid work experiences, and career mentorship opportunities.
They believe that by connecting youth with real-world career exploration, skill-building workshops, and supportive adult mentors, young people will develop the confidence, skills, and networks needed to thrive in school, work, and life.
- Job Readiness Training: Through their Job Readiness Training program, students learn professional skills such as resume writing, interview techniques, workplace communication, and goal setting, laying the foundation for future success.
- Paid Internships: Enterprise for Youth offers paid summer internships across industries like healthcare, environmental stewardship, arts, finance, and technology. These experiences allow youth to gain hands-on experience, build their resumes, and explore career paths.
- Career Exploration and Workshops: They provide year-round workshops, panels, and field trips that expose young people to diverse industries, help them build career skills, and connect them with inspiring professionals.
- Mentorship and Alumni Support: Participants are paired with professional mentors who offer guidance, encouragement, and networking support. Alumni also receive ongoing career development resources as they move through college and into early careers.
Using Data & UpMetrics to Drive their Mission Forward
When asked how UpMetrics has helped them further their mission, Enterprise for Youth shared the following:
Strengthening Data Collection and Storytelling:
Before partnering with UpMetrics, Enterprise for Youth’s data collection efforts were inconsistent and lacked the visual tools needed to fully capture and communicate their impact. By streamlining their data collection and using intuitive dashboards, they’ve been able to more clearly define key metrics, track progress across programs, and craft a compelling narrative for funders, board members, and community stakeholders.
Driving Strategic Funding Success:
Leveraging detailed demographic and program success metrics—including data on race, household income, newcomer status, and skill development—has directly contributed to securing thousands of dollars in new grant funding. UpMetrics has made it easier to align impact stories with funder priorities, strengthening both fundraising efforts and community partnerships.
Fueling Growth and Program Expansion:
With trend data at their fingertips, Enterprise for Youth can now demonstrate the long-term outcomes of their programs, making a stronger case for sustainable funding. This expanded insight is helping them not only improve program design but also extend their reach to serve even more youth across the Bay Area.
When asked what advice they'd give others who are considering improvements to their impact measurement practices, Enterprise for Youth recommends:
"Focus on what makes your organization unique, identify a few core impact metrics, and use them to both drive internal improvements and tell your story in a visually engaging, mission-centered way."
