OkaySo

Young people have incredible strength. They are tech-savvy, forward-thinking, and committed to change. Unfortunately, they are also struggling. Sixty-four percent of US teens report experiencing depression or anxiety in the last year, 29% have experienced relationship violence, 90% are learning about sex from porn, the list goes on. However, young people also feel unsupported by the society they live in. In the US, nearly half of LGBTQ-identifying youth report feeling under attack “a lot” and about 60% of BIPOC youth feel the same. 

Unfortunately, in the face of this great need, only about half of young people report having access to needed support or resources and these numbers are lower for BIPOC and LGBTQ youth. 

These challenges are compounded by the fact that Gen Z lives in a new reality; a world where 95% own a smartphone and 45% report that they are online “almost constantly”. In this world, if it’s not accessible online, it might as well not exist. And yet, 80% of young people report that they have no trusted place to go online for support and information.

Altogether, millions of young people in the US are navigating their lives essentially alone, without the connections or support they need to make the choices that are healthiest and best for them.

OkaySo has two programs. First, a free app available on iOS or Android where young people can easily access experts they couldn’t reach any other way for compassionate, medically accurate support and information. Second, a virtual training program for youth workers to help build their capacity to be safe spaces for young people navigating health and wellness issues.

Direct to young people: 

When a young person downloads OkaySo, they create a confidential account. They can then access the “Community Questions” shared anonymously by other users, or ask their own question. To do this, they pick a team of experts grouped into topic areas including Dating & Relationships, Stress & Self Care, Identity, and more. When they select a team, they can read information about each expert in the team to help build trust. They then type their question in their own words. From an expert’s perspective, all users are completely anonymous - they only see the username and emoji avatar. With this model young people are completely in control and retain full autonomy over how much and when they want to share information.

After a young person asks their question, experts from the team will respond as soon as possible, within a few hours. Often multiple experts chime in, like a group chat. Unlike most chat lines, conversations can continue asynchronously for as long as the young person needs. This enables experts to support a young person as they navigate an issue over a period of days or weeks, providing information and support along the way. Experts provide local referrals if necessary and in emergency situations, refer out to appropriate support services.

Experts follow up with young people after every conversation to maintain consistent continuity of care to see if the young person needs additional support.

OkaySo’s experts are volunteers who are required to have previous training in the field. Experts go through an extensive vetting process which includes a written application and phone interview. Additionally, our team model ensures a high quality of response - no expert ever chats with a young person alone.

Youth systems:

We partner with organizations who aren’t in the health space (workforce development, mentorship, etc) and offer a suite of online courses covering essential skills for any youth worker (empathy, trauma informed best practices). We also have a growing list of topical courses designed to help youth workers with a wide range of topics including LGBTQ+ issues, unhealthy relationships, pregnancy prevention, and more. 

We add new courses frequently, drawing from the needs expressed by partners and offer office hours where staff can get advice about situations they are facing with young people. This work is shifting the culture of how all youth workers think about their interactions with young people, creating more youth-friendly environments and giving organizations the capacity to train their staff without having to stretch their budgets.

Additionally for our partners, OkaySo serves as a reliable, trusted referral source, enabling these organizations to ensure a more holistic approach to their work. 

OkaySo is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of young people aged 13+ across the United States, with a particular focus on reaching those facing the greatest barriers to accessing support—LGBTQ+ youth, BIPOC individuals, those from low-income backgrounds, and residents of rural areas. This diversified population is disproportionately impacted by challenges such as depression, anxiety, relationship violence, and systemic inequity, often feeling under-supported or outright attacked by society at large. Despite their resilience and tech-savviness, a significant gap remains in their access to trusted, culturally competent support, especially in a digital landscape that is an integral part of their daily lives.

Our solution, the OkaySo app, bridges this gap by providing a free, confidential, and easily accessible platform where young people can seek advice and support. Via the app, users can engage in anonymous, text-based conversations with a team of vetted experts on a wide range of issues pertinent to their lives, including mental health, relationships, identity, and sexual health. This asynchronous communication format allows users to discuss their concerns at their own pace, fostering a personal and empathetic connection that is often lacking in traditional support mechanisms.

Moreover, OkaySo's impact extends beyond the individual level by equipping youth workers through our professional development program. This initiative enhances the capacity of those in youth-serving roles to create safe, supportive environments, ensuring young people everywhere encounter empathy and understanding in their communities.

The incorporation of Human-Centered Design in developing OkaySo’s offerings ensures that our solutions are directly shaped by the needs and preferences of the young people we serve. This approach has led to features like the anonymization of conversations, enabling a level of honesty and openness that many young people feel they cannot achieve even in therapeutic settings. The commitment to ongoing conversations and follow-up messages further underscores our dedication to providing continuous and comprehensive support.

In essence, OkaySo's dual-program approach directly addresses the pronounced need for accessible, understanding, and youth-friendly support systems. By filling this void, OkaySo empowers young people to navigate life's challenges with confidence and makes strides toward a future where every young person has the resources they need to thrive, irrespective of their background or circumstances. The implementation of our solution thus promises a significant enhancement in the lives of the youth we serve, by ensuring they receive the support they need in a manner that respects their autonomy, upholds their dignity, and fosters their independence.

At the heart of OkaySo lies our unwavering commitment to the communities we serve, founded on a bedrock of lived experiences and genuine connection. Our leadership and team, starting with Co-founders Elise Schuster and Francisco Ramirez, embody the diversity and challenges of the young people we aim to empower. As queer sexuality educators deeply familiar with the feelings of isolation and the quest for understanding and support, we share a common history with our users. This shared experience is not just a footnote; it's the driving force behind OkaySo’s mission and methodology.

Our team is a rich tapestry of identities and backgrounds, mirroring the demographic diversity of the youth we serve. Inclusion is not just a principle but a practice, with team members from LGBTQ+, BIPOC, low-income, and rural communities, ensuring a variety of perspectives that inform every decision we make. This representation ensures our solution is not imposed but grown organically from the needs and voices of the communities we serve.

OkaySo is more than an app; it's a reflection of the collaborative spirit between our team and the youth we reach. Using Human-Centered Design (HCD), we have built our platform and services by directly involving young people every step of the way. From initial interviews that shaped the app's conceptualization to ongoing feedback that informs its evolution, young people’s insights, concerns, and aspirations are the blueprint of our work. This inclusive approach ensures our solution remains relevant, responsive, and respectful to the nuanced needs of our users.

Furthermore, the continuous dialogue with our community doesn’t stop at our youth users. Through our professional development program for youth workers, we extend our engagement to those tasked with supporting young people daily. The bi-directional flow of knowledge and experiences enriches our understanding and enhances our solution’s effectiveness, making it a communal effort rather than a top-down intervention.

In summary, OkaySo thrives on the guiding principle that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. By embedding our own lived experiences and those of our community into every aspect of our work, we ensure that our solution is more than just an offering—it’s a shared mission for change. Our team’s diversity, combined with our commitment to inclusive, community-driven development, positions us uniquely to deliver a solution that is not only effective but also empowering for the young people we serve.

Since our launch, OkaySo has engaged with thousands of young people across all 50 states in the United States. Specifically, we have:

Developed the OkaySo App: A mobile platform that embodies our mission, built using Human Centered Design principles with direct input from target users. The app features include asynchronous messaging, expert profiles for user selection, and a community questions area for shared learning.

Recruited and Vetted Experts: Assembled a diverse team of over 25 experts (and growing), all vetted through a rigorous selection process. These professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and empathy, addressing users' queries on complex topics with sensitivity and depth.

Conducted Tailored Conversations: Facilitated over 14,000 conversations with an average of 10 messages exchanged per conversation. Topics range widely from mental health issues to navigating personal relationships, demonstrating the varied needs of our users.

Engaged Thousands of Users: Over 17,000 users have downloaded our app so far, indicating a substantial reach across young populations in need of support. In addition to asking questions, an average of 13 young people read at least 5 shared conversations every day, learning from their peers.

Expanded Professional Development Program: Beyond direct user support, OkaySo has developed a virtual training program for youth workers to enhance their capacity to be supportive adults in young people's lives. This program complements our app's work by ensuring that young people receive empathetic support both online and in their communities. We currently have 3 paying partners with 3 more starting in July.

Captured Valuable Feedback: Post-conversation surveys have consistently shown that 90% of users find our experts helpful, learn something new, and feel empowered to make changes based on the advice received. Over 70% of surveyed OkaySo users told us they wouldn’t have asked their question anywhere else had it not been for OkaySo.

Facilitated Real Impact: Users report tangible benefits from their conversations on OkaySo, including improved self-esteem, reduced anxiety, and actionable steps towards healthier lifestyles. This impact is underscored by stories of young people making significant life decisions, accessing healthcare, and finding solace in shared experiences on our platform. Over half of users are thinking about themselves or their situation differently after using OkaySo and, for users who have a need for medical or behavioral health care, over 80% access those services after their conversation on OkaySo.

In summary, OkaySo has built a robust platform that leverages technology to meet the urgent needs of young people seeking support on sensitive issues. Our achievements to date manifest in the form of a growing user base, successful expert engagements, and the positive outcomes reported by our beneficiaries. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to providing a valuable, impactful service to the young people we serve.

Our application to Solve is driven by a recognition of both our strengths and the hurdles we face in expanding the impact of OkaySo. While we have made significant strides in empowering young people through our dual-pronged approach—offering direct, accessible support via a mobile app and enhancing the capacity of youth workers through professional development—we encounter persistent challenges that hamper our growth and efficacy. We believe Solve’s multifaceted support system can help us navigate these barriers more effectively.

Technical Barrier: As technology evolves and the digital habits of young people shift, staying ahead in developing a responsive, engaging, and secure platform requires ongoing technical innovation. We hope to leverage Solve’s network to access expertise and resources required to keep our app at the forefront of digital health solutions, ensuring it meets the high standards of privacy, user experience, and scalability needed to impact more young lives.

Cultural and Market Barriers: Despite the pressing need, conversations around mental health, sexuality, and identity remain stigmatized in many communities, challenging our efforts to reach and support those most in need. Solve’s global community offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn from and collaborate with innovators who have successfully navigated similar cultural sensitivities. We aim to use these insights to refine our approach, making it more inclusive and effective across diverse contexts.

Financial Barrier: While funding isn’t our sole aim, scaling our impact requires a sustainable financial model. Beyond direct funding, we anticipate Solve’s mentorship in refining our revenue generation strategies, particularly around our professional development program for youth workers. This guidance will be crucial in achieving financial viability without compromising our mission or accessibility.

Access to Partnerships: A critical component of our growth strategy involves forming meaningful partnerships with organizations and educational institutions. Solve’s ecosystem could dramatically accelerate this process, connecting us to potential partners and amplifying our solution’s reach and effectiveness.

In applying to Solve, we seek more than just advancement; we seek transformation. The support, expertise, and community Solve offers align with our strategy to not only overcome immediate barriers but to also lay a stronger foundation for sustainable growth. By collaborating with Solve and its partners, we aim to amplify our solution's impact, enabling us to support more young people in navigating life's challenges with confidence and access the caring, competent support they deserve.

OkaySo’s solution stands as a beacon of innovation in addressing the urgent mental and sexual health needs of young people. By merging technology with human empathy, we offer an approach that reimagines how support services can adapt to the digital age, thus revolutionizing the landscape of youth support.

Innovative Approach: Traditionally, young people seeking support navigate a fragmented landscape of in-person services, digital information silos, and generic advice platforms. OkaySo transcends these limitations by providing a seamless, confidential, and personalized support system directly through a mobile app. Our solution leverages the ubiquity of smartphones among youth, catering to their digital-first preferences while ensuring anonymity and safety. Unlike traditional models, our app facilitates asynchronous, text-based conversations with vetted experts, enabling ongoing support that is responsive to the evolving needs and circumstances of each user. This unique feature allows young people to engage in deeper, more meaningful dialogues over time, breaking free from the constraints of time-bound or one-off consultations.

Culturally Congruent Support: Acknowledging the diversity of youth experiences, OkaySo deliberately assembles a diverse team of experts. This diversity ensures culturally congruent support, particularly for marginalized groups such as LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth, who often encounter barriers in accessing empathetic and understanding care. Our platform’s design, informed by Human-Centered Design principles, incorporates direct feedback from young people, guaranteeing that our services remain relevant, accessible, and tailored to the unique needs of our user base.

Rethinking Volunteering: OkaySo’s volunteer team model has created a new way to give back: “micro-volunteering”, enabling people to provide support in a way that is not time consuming and provides instant positive evidence of their impact.

Promoting Broader Impacts: OkaySo's model has the potential to catalyze significant positive shifts within the broader ecosystem of mental health and youth support services. By demonstrating the effectiveness of asynchronous, digital mentorship, we encourage other stakeholders in the space to reconsider and innovate upon their delivery models. Our success in engaging hard-to-reach demographics underscores the importance of inclusivity and cultural competence, setting new standards for service providers and encouraging a more holistic approach to youth support across the sector.

Transforming the Market/Landscape: OkaySo's pioneering approach challenges and expands the market’s conception of youth support services. By providing an accessible, user-friendly platform that meets young people where they are, we not only fill a critical gap but also pave the way for a digital transformation in how support is conceptualized and delivered. Our model shows that with the right technological tools and commitment to empathy and privacy, it is possible to create a global safety net for young people. This potential for scalability and replication could inspire a systemic shift towards more innovative, youth-centered support systems worldwide, fundamentally altering the landscape of youth mental health and well-being for the better.

OkaySo's innovative approach to supporting young people through technology is based on robust evidence that online interventions, empathy-driven interactions, and the principles of Positive Youth Development (PYD) and trauma-informed care significantly contribute to healthier, more resilient individuals. Our theory of change envisions the transformative impact of connecting young individuals with empathetic, knowledgeable experts through a digital platform, fundamentally improving their mental and emotional well-being.

Online Interventions: There is substantial evidence to support the effectiveness of online interventions in reaching and positively impacting young people. Studies indicate that digital platforms can significantly increase access to health information and support, particularly for youth. Young people are increasingly seeking answers and community online, highlighting the need for trusted, safe spaces where they can explore sensitive topics. The popularity and integration of technology into daily life among youth underscore the demand for digital solutions to health and well-being challenges.

Empathy, PYD, and Trauma-Informed Practices: Empathy and understanding are crucial in supporting young individuals, especially those navigating mental health challenges, identity questions, or social pressures. Incorporating Positive Youth Development principles, our solution actively engages young people in their own growth process, encouraging agency, competence, and healthy relationships. Trauma-informed approaches ensure that all interactions are conducted with an awareness of and sensitivity to past experiences of trauma, which is especially important given the high incidence of trauma among youth. Research has consistently shown that empathy, combined with PYD and trauma-informed methods, fosters stronger, more positive outcomes in youth development and well-being.

Connecting with Someone Who Cares: The profound impact of feeling supported and understood cannot be overstated. Evidence from psychological and developmental studies demonstrates that young people who feel connected to at least one caring adult are less likely to experience depressive symptoms and engage in risky behaviors. They are more likely to exhibit resilience in the face of challenges and express a greater sense of personal well-being. OkaySo harnesses this understanding by offering a platform for meaningful, caring connections, aiming to reduce feelings of isolation and promote a sense of belonging and community.

Ongoing Support: During our conversations with young people, we heard one key insight: context matters. Young people wanted and needed a place to share their own stories with someone who could be there as things changed and evolved. A one-time conversation, an article, or a chat-bot never felt like enough. 

In summary, the integration of these evidence-based approaches within OkaySo's digital platform addresses a critical gap in support services for young people. By offering empathetic, informed, and anonymous support, we not only align with what young individuals are seeking but also provide it in a way that's been proven effective. This innovative solution stands to change the landscape of youth engagement and support, offering a model for how technology can be leveraged to nurture healthier, happier young communities.

OkaySo is dedicated to transforming the lives of young people by providing them with the tools and support necessary to navigate complex issues surrounding mental health, identity, and relationships. Our impact goals are centered around improving well-being, enhancing informed decision-making, and broadening access to supportive, culturally congruent advice for marginalized youth, particularly those who are LGBTQ+, BIPOC, low-income, or from rural areas. We meticulously measure our progress towards these goals through a set of carefully selected indicators, enriched with our accumulated data to offer insights into our impact.

Impact Goals and Measurement:

Improve Well-being:

How We Measure: We deploy post-conversation and follow-up surveys asking users if they felt supported, understood, and less alone after using OkaySo. Indicators include reductions in feelings of isolation and increases in self-reported mental well-being. We also read every conversation and code responses.

Our Data: To date, over 90% of surveyed users affirm feeling supported and understood, with 80% reporting feeling less alone after their interactions on our platform.

Enhance Access to Quality Information and Support:

How We Measure: We track the number of users engaging with the app, the diversity and frequency of conversations, and the topics covered. These indicators highlight the app’s usage and its relevance across a wide range of issues.

Our Data: Since its inception, OkaySo has facilitated over 14,000 detailed advice-giving conversations, covering a broad spectrum of subjects from mental health to sexuality, and directly engaged with thousands of users, evidencing a significant stride in enhancing access to quality support with at least 80% of conversations involving a transfer of knowledge.

Build Capacity of Youth Workers to Support Young People Effectively:

How We Measure: All of our virtual trainings include quizzes and post-training assessments.

Our Data: Youth workers engaged in our training programs consistently rate our trainings highly and show over 80% competence post-training. Workers also self-report new levels of empathy and understanding, and intentions to change how they interact with young people in ways that show more awareness of trauma-informed best practices, Positive Youth Development, and general knowledge about health issues.

Comprehensive Evaluation Approach:

Our approach to measuring progress encompasses both quantitative data, such as user engagement metrics and training completion rates, and qualitative insights gleaned from user feedback and expert observations. This multifaceted evaluation strategy allows OkaySo to continuously refine our platform and programs, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of our community effectively.

Further, our ongoing collection of user testimonials provides compelling narratives that complement our quantitative data, shedding light on the personal stories behind the numbers and reinforcing the transformative impact of our work.

By aligning our impact goals with clear, measurable indicators and reflecting on the data collected thus far, OkaySo is not only able to illustrate its current achievements but also strategically plan for future growth and deeper impact. Our commitment to evidence-based practices and continuous improvement positions us to make a lasting, positive change in the lives of young people we serve.

The core technology underpinning the OkaySo solution is our mobile application, designed to provide young people with free, confidential, and accessible advice from experts on critical issues like mental health, identity, relationships, and sexual health. This app cleverly leverages modern technology's reach and engagement capabilities to offer a platform where youth can safely navigate the complexities of adolescence and young adulthood.

Mobile Application Technology: At the heart of OkaySo's solution is the application built for both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring wide accessibility across devices young people use today. The app's design adheres to Human-Centered Design principles, developed following extensive interviews and engagement with our target demographic to ensure it meets their needs and preferences.

Asynchronous Messaging System: The app utilizes an asynchronous text-based conversation system, allowing users to receive advice at their own pace, without the pressure of real-time communication. This system is particularly beneficial for users in different time zones, those who need time to process and respond to the information shared by experts, or those who want to follow up as their situation or question evolves.

Anonymity and Privacy: User anonymity is a crucial feature, enabled through advanced data handling and privacy protocols that protect users' identities while allowing them to share openly without fear of judgment or exposure. This approach addresses the vital need for a safe space online where young people can discuss sensitive topics.

User Interface and Experience Design: The application’s UI/UX design is intentionally simple and intuitive, facilitating ease of use among young people, regardless of their tech proficiency. This design philosophy extends to the curated content available within the app, which are continually updated based on user feedback and emerging needs.

Leveraging Evidence-Based Practices: Beyond the software architecture, OkaySo's solution is grounded in evidence-based knowledge regarding Positive Youth Development (PYD), trauma-informed care, and the power of empathetic listening. By training our experts in these methodologies and incorporating these principles into our platform’s operational framework, we ensure that the technology not merely connects users to experts but does so in a way that promotes healing, growth, and positive development.

Integrating Traditional and Modern Knowledge Systems: While OkaySo primarily uses modern digital technology, we recognize the value of integrating traditional and ancestral knowledge systems into our advice and resources when appropriate. This holistic approach acknowledges the diverse cultural backgrounds of our users and the wealth of wisdom found in ancestral practices relating to mental health and community care.

In conclusion, OkaySo's mobile application represents a convergence of modern technology, medically accurate information, and evidence-based practices to offer a revolutionary support system for young people. It stands as a prime example of how technology can be harnessed to address complex societal challenges, driving positive change by making expert advice accessible, personalized, and responsive to the needs of youth worldwide.

Full time staff: 1

Part time staff: 1

Interns: 2

Expert volunteers: 25-40 at any given time

Board: 6

Co-Founders Elise Schuster and Francisco Ramirez have been working on OkaySo since 2017, launching the app in 2019 as a self-funded side project. 

At OkaySo, we recognize that our strength lies in our diversity. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is woven into the fabric of our organization, from our leadership team to our on-the-ground experts. This commitment not only reflects our organizational ethics but also enhances our ability to serve young people from all walks of life effectively.

Diverse Leadership: Our leadership team exemplifies the diversity we strive to achieve across the organization. It includes individuals from various backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities, and encompasses a wide range of experiences and perspectives. For instance, our co-founders themselves identify with marginalized groups, bringing firsthand insight into the challenges these communities face, between them having experience with being LGBTQ+, BIPOC, a first generation immigrant, having faced homelessness and poverty, and experience with restrictive religious communities. 

We work hard to ensure that our board members and advisors come from diverse professions and cultural backgrounds so that our strategic direction is informed by a broad spectrum of viewpoints. Three-quarters of our leadership team identifies at LGBTQ+ and half of our board identify as BIPOC. Additionally, we have two Gen Z board members.

Minimizing Barriers to Opportunity: To minimize barriers to opportunity within OkaySo, we employ several strategies:

Recruitment Practices: We actively seek out staff, board members, interns, and volunteers from underrepresented groups, employing outreach and hiring practices designed to attract a diverse pool of candidates. This includes partnerships with organizations focused on diversity in tech and non-profit sectors, and use of inclusive job descriptions.

Flexible Working Arrangements: Understanding that different team members have varying needs, we offer flexible working hours and remote work options to accommodate personal circumstances, including caregivers, those with disabilities, or individuals living in rural areas.

Creating an Inclusive Environment: Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment is critical to our work. Actions we’ve taken include:

Regular DEI Training: All team members participate in ongoing DEI training, focusing on cultural competency, anti-bias, and allyship practices. This foundational work ensures our internal environment is supportive and our external work reflects these values.

Inclusive Policy Development: Our policies are developed with input from all levels of the organization, ensuring they reflect the needs and values of our diverse team. This includes non-discrimination policies, gender-affirmative healthcare benefits, and mechanisms for feedback and conflict resolution.

Goals for Continued Growth: We're committed to ongoing improvement in our DEI efforts. Our goals include increasing the representation of individuals from underrepresented groups in leadership roles, expanding our professional development offerings to focus on DEI leadership skills, and continuing to enhance our organizational culture to ensure it is inclusive and welcoming for all.

In conclusion, at OkaySo, we understand that creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment is a journey, not a destination. We're committed to continually assessing and improving our practices to ensure our team not only reflects the diversity of the communities we serve but also provides a model for other organizations striving to make a positive impact in the world.

OkaySo’s business model delivers immediate, tailored support to young people facing challenges in mental health, identity, relationships, and sexual health, leveraging mobile technology to offer a confidential, accessible platform. This approach specifically aids underserved communities including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, low-income, and rural youth.

Key Customers and Beneficiaries: Primary beneficiaries are young people aged 13+, seeking advice on sensitive issues. We connect them with experts, enhancing their well-being and decision-making. Youth workers and organizations form a secondary segment, benefiting from our professional development program to better support youth.

Products and Services:

The OkaySo App: A free platform providing personalized, anonymous advice from vetted professionals.

Professional Development for Youth Workers: Courses and resources improving youth workers’ support skills.

Delivery Mechanism: Our services are delivered digitally, ensuring scalability and wide accessibility. The mobile app facilitates user engagement, while professional development utilizes an online system.

Value Proposition: OkaySo offers a lifeline for young individuals needing confidential support, and a resource for youth workers seeking to enhance their skills.

Revenue Model: The app remains free for users, promoting accessibility. Revenue is generated through our professional development offerings, charged to organizations. This model, diversified with donations, sponsorships, and grants, funds the maintenance and expansion of our services.

In summary, OkaySo leverages technology to provide vital support to youth, sustained by diverse revenue streams that ensure scalability and a broad, positive systemic impact.

OkaySo's financial sustainability plan is strategically designed to support our mission of providing accessible, confidential advice and support to young people, while also ensuring the organization's long-term viability. Our financial model leverages a mix of revenue streams, including service charges for our professional development programs, philanthropic donations, and potential future revenue-sharing partnerships.

Revenue Streams:

Professional Development Program Fees: A growing portion of our revenue comes from fees charged for our professional development programs designed for youth workers. These programs not only enhance the support ecosystem around young individuals but also represent a sustainable income source, with organizations and institutions paying for access. Thus far we have 3 paying partners with an additional 3 paying partners joining in July. We’re also in the contracting phase for a pilot with Hyatt Hotels, who have committed to hiring Opportunity Youth across all of their locations.

Philanthropic Donations and Grants: OkaySo has successfully secured funding from various philanthropic entities committed to improving young people’s health and well-being. We have received grants from notable foundations which include Ashoka, the Roddenberry Foundation, and RobinHood. These grants not only fund our operations but also enable us to continuously improve and scale our app and other services. Our Ashoka funding is multi-year and we are currently a finalist for two additional multi-year grants, which will help to sustain our work as we grow our professional development revenue.

Corporate Sponsorships: We are building this aspect of our work but have successfully conducted two pride-month campaigns with LGBTQ-owned businesses, bringing in thousands of dollars and expanding our reach. This fall we will be developing a campaign with Phluid, a well-known LGBTQ clothing company.

Partnerships: We’re exploring revenue-sharing models with aligned companies and organizations, providing them with valuable data insights and content while upholding our commitment to user privacy and data protection. These partnerships have the potential to open new revenue channels while expanding the impact of our services.

Future Plans:

To further our financial sustainability, we plan to:

Expand the reach and offerings of our professional development programs, including scaling into new markets.

Cultivate a larger, more diversified donor base, including individual donors and corporate sponsorships, to support our mission.

In conclusion, OkaySo’s multifaceted approach to revenue, balanced with our mission-driven services, positions us for long-term sustainability and impact. The evidence of our financial viability lies in the funding we’ve obtained, the traction of our professional development programs, and the significant app user growth. Our ongoing and future endeavors will continue to focus on expanding our impact while ensuring financial resilience.