1. NONPROFIT INVESTOR
I N D E P E N D E N T R E S E A R C H F O R P H I L A N T H R O P Y
Nonprofit Investor Research | nonprofitinvestor.org
SUMMARY
Founded in 1967, Huckleberry Youth Programs, Inc. (“Huckleberry”)
helps young people in San Francisco and Marin make healthy life
choices and maximize their potential through its comprehensive and
innovative programs.
STRENGTHS
▲Program make tangible impact on San Francisco and Marin youth
The 5 different programs help San Francisco and Marin adolescents
in four key ways, by providing temporary shelter, medical care,
academic support, and juvenile justice system diversion to San
Francisco teens.
▲Partnerships with federal and local governments increase impact
The Department of Public Health provides Huckleberry with the
support necessary to offer quality health care services. The San
Francisco police department collaborates by contacting Huckleberry
Community Assessment and Referral Center (CARC) for every junior
arrest the department makes.
▲Programs are actively managed to provide maximum impact
Management actively monitors program offerings for effectiveness
and has demonstrated an ability to reallocate resources away from
less impactful programs. In fact, Huckleberry shut down Nine Grove
Lane, an adolescent shelter in Marin, when the shelter was not used
to full capacity. Huckleberry then focused on other, more impactful,
programs such as the Wellness Academy and Multi‐services center.
CAUTIONS
● Strong reliance on government funding – Majority of funding is
from the government, which could be volatile and unstable.
However, Huckleberry is trying to increase funding from other
sources, such as special events, to stabilize the funding sources.
● Measurement of impact can be more precise ‐ It’s difficult to
quantify the impact of the programs. Huckleberry should engage in a
research program to record and evaluate the impact of different
programs, especially the education workshops.
RECOMMENDATION: BUY
Huckleberry has proven successful in helping young people develop healthy
life decisions. These programs have made positive impact on participating
students. NPI recommends considering a donation, volunteering for one of
Huckleberry’s programs, and/or becoming a sponsor of Huckleberry.
Huckleberry Youth
Programs, Inc.
Nonprofit Investor Rating:
BUY
Mission Statement
Educate, inspire, and support underserved
youth to develop healthy life choices, to
maximize their potential, and to realize their
dreams
Financial Overview
$ in MM, Fiscal Year Ended Jun 30
2011 2012 2013
Revenue and Support $4.0 $4.3 $4.5
Operating Expenses $4.0 $4.3 $4.5
% of Total:
Program Expenses 73.5% 75.2% 78.4%
G&A 12.2% 11.3% 9.5%
Fundraising 14.3% 13.5% 12.1%
Year Founded: 1967
Contact Details
Huckleberry Youth
Programs
3310 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 668‐2622 / 1‐800‐735‐2929
Fax (415) 668‐0631
http://www.huckleberryyouth.org
EIN: 94‐1687559
Analyst: Lucy Wang
Peer Review: JB Oldenburg, Jordan Carter
Publication Date
May 20, 2014
4. Huckleberry Youth Programs | Nonprofit Investor Research 4
Huckleberry tries to move its funding source away from government. Government funding reliance moved from 66% in
2008 to 62% in 2013 as Huckleberry tried to increase fundraising from other sources, such as special events. 2013
fundraiser events included the Cirque du Soleil fundraiser and auction events. It will be important to track the success in
other funding sources as Huckleberry decreases its reliance on government funding.
Revenue Mix Over Time 2013 Revenue Mix
$ in MM
Expenses:
Program expenses have increased to 78% of total expenses in 2013, compared to 75% in 2012 and 73% in 2011,
demonstrating better alignment of funds to fulfill the mission. Every year, Huckleberry tries to keep its expenses at the
budgeted level of $4MM.
2013 expenses increased by 5% from the prior year due to higher program expenses and higher management and
general expense. The increase in these expenses was likely driven by innovations in programs and program facility make‐
overs. Some line items on the expenses side are inconsistent historically because expense line items have historically
been broken out into additional sub‐categories as certain programs increase in size. (e.g., Wellness Academy in San
Francisco and Marin)
Expense Breakout Over Time
$ in MM
$4.5
$0.0
$2.0
$4.0
$6.0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Foundation Grants Individual Donations Corporate Donations
Special Events Governments Miscellaneous
$3.7 $3.9 $4.0
$4.2
$4.
$4.5
72.6% 75.6% 73.2% 73.5% 75.2% 78.4%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
$0.0
$1.0
$2.0
$3.0
$4.0
$5.0
$6.0
$7.0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Program Services Management and General
Fundraising Program Expense % of Total
$3.9 $4.0 $4.1 $4.1 $4.3
5. Huckleberry Youth Programs | Nonprofit Investor Research 5
Detailed Financial Information
Fiscal Year Ended June 30 2011 2012 2013
Revenue and Expenses (GAAP Accounting Basis)
Operating Revenue:
Foundation Grants $1,009,074 $1,309,124 $1,108,757
Individual Donations $141,376 $125,801 $160,245
Corporate Donations $170,874 $136,733 $162,910
Special Events $153,586 $283,042 $240,942
Governments $2,457,425 $2,328,272 $2,782,910
Miscellaneous $37,513 $94,616 $33,564
Total Support and Revenues $3,969,848 $4,277,588 $4,489,328
% Growth 2.9% 7.8% 4.9%
Expenses:
San Francisco Program
Huckleberry House, SF $592,655 $628,331 $739,536
Huckleberry Multi-Service Center / Youth Clinic /
Counseling Services
$767,571 $557,919 $602,987
Huckleberry Wellness Academy, SF $0 $296,988 $350,075
CARC $770,388 $778,993 $854,987
Marin Programs
Huckleberry Multi-Service Center / Teen Health
Program
$793,578 $480,134 $582,964
Huckleberry Wellness Academy $0 $475,277 $385,991
Support Services $484,349 $481,163 $427,480
Fundraising $568,862 $577,649 $543,152
Total Expenses: $3,977,403 $4,276,454 $4,487,172
% of Revenue 100.2% 100.0% 100.0%
Increase in Net Assets from Operations ($7,555) $1,134 $2,156
Expenses by Function (GAAP Accounting Basis)
Program Services $2,924,192 $3,217,642 $3,516,540
Management and General $484,349 $481,163 $427,480
Fundraising $568,862 $577,649 $543,152
Total Expenses $3,977,403 $4,276,454 $4,487,172
Program Costs as a % of Total Expenses 73.5% 75.2% 78.4%
G&A as a % of Total Expenses 12.2% 11.3% 9.5%
Fundraising as a % of Total Expenses 14.3% 13.5% 12.1%
Source: Adjusted GAAP financials from Annual Report
6. Huckleberry Youth Programs | Nonprofit Investor Research 6
Cost Per Student Over Time
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
SF Huckleberry House
Number of Students 273 187 231 241 212
Total Expenses $582,378 $534,947 $592,655 $628,331 $739,536
Cost Per Student $2,133 $2,861 $2,566 $2,607 $3,488
Y0Y Change
Number of Students ‐32% 24% 4% ‐12%
Total Expenses ‐8% 11% 6% 18%
Cost Per Student 34% ‐10% 2% 34%
SF Huckleberry Multi-Service Center / Youth Clinic / Counseling Services
Number of Students 1,011 1,132 686 954 855
Total Expenses $735,247 $644,398 $767,571 $557,919 $602,987
Cost Per Student $727 $569 $1,119 $585 $705
Y0Y Change
Number of Students 12% ‐39% 39% ‐10%
Total Expenses ‐12% 19% ‐27% 8%
Cost Per Student ‐22% 97% ‐48% 21%
SF and Marin Huckleberry Wellness Academy
Number of Students 48 85 106 136 150
Total Expenses $198,071 $218,240 $0 $772,265 $736,066
Cost Per Student $4,126 $2,568 $0 $5,678 $4,907
Y0Y Change
Number of Students 77% 25% 28% 10%
Total Expenses 10% n.a. n.a. ‐5%
Cost Per Student ‐38% n.a. n.a. 14%
CARC
Number of Students 554 494 434 460 437
Total Expenses $716,579 $758,671 $770,388 $778,993 $854,987
Cost Per Student $1,293 $1,536 $1,775 $1,693 $1,956
Y0Y Change
Number of Students ‐11% ‐12% 6% ‐5%
Total Expenses 6% 2% 1% 10%
Cost Per Student 19% 16% ‐5% 16%
7. Huckleberry Youth Programs | Nonprofit Investor Research 7
Marin Huckleberry Multi-Service Center / Teen Health Program
Number of Students 633 634 792 917 781
Total Expenses $678,253 $689,082 $793,578 $480,134 $582,964
Cost Per Student $1,071 $1,087 $1,002 $524 $746
Y0Y Change
Number of Students 0% 25% 16% ‐15%
Total Expenses 2% 15% ‐39% 21%
Cost Per Student 1% ‐8% ‐48% 43%
Total Huckleberry Youth
Number of Students 2,519 2,532 2,249 2,708 2,435
Total Expenses $2,910,528 $2,845,338 $2,924,192 $3,217,642 $3,516,540
Cost Per Student $1,155 $1,124 $1,300 $1,188 $1,444
Y0Y Change
Number of Students 1% ‐11% 20% ‐10%
Total Expenses ‐2% 3% 10% 9%
Cost Per Student ‐3% 16% ‐9% 22%
8. Huckleberry Youth Programs | Nonprofit Investor Research 8
KEY PERSONNEL BIOS
Bruce Fisher, Executive Director
Mr. Fisher is a graduate of University of Washington, where he earned his BA in History, followed by a JD at Harvard Law
School. Mr. Fisher came to Huckleberry Youth Programs (HYP) as Project Director in 1985 and became Executive Director
in 1988. With 30 years of experience in administrative and fiscal management as a social policy analyst, Mr. Fisher is
responsible for overall administration and development for HYP. Prior to HYP, he was a partner in Urban and Rural
Systems Associates, directing national studies and evaluations in the areas of child and adolescent abuse, juvenile
prostitution, family violence, and juvenile justice and corrections. Under Mr. Fisher’s leadership, HYP has created the
Cole Street Youth Clinic, the Huckleberry Teen Health Program (Marin), and the Huckleberry Wellness Academies. The
agency has also assumed management of the largest juvenile justice diversion program in the Bay Area, San Francisco’s
Community Assessment and Referral Center. In addition to his work at HYP, Mr. Fisher is a juvenile justice policy
consultant to the Vera Institute of Justice in New York and the Co‐Founder and former Co‐Chair of the San Francisco
Human Services Network, a public policy organization of over 100 non‐profit agencies that provide health and social
services in San Francisco.
DISCLOSURES
Lucy Wang certifies that she does not have any affiliation with Huckleberry Youth Programs and has never made a
donation to the organization. Additionally, Lucy Wang has not supported directly competing organizations in a greater
capacity than a nominal donation. Lucy Wang and NPI as an organization do not receive any form of compensation from
reviewed charities.
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