named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
College Access & Success Program
Supports high school students in navigating college applications, financial aid, and higher education retention
Elementary and Middle School Initiatives
School-based after-school programs at PS 63, PS 124, and JHS 202 that provide academic support and youth development
Richmond Hill High School Programming
Comprehensive youth development and community school model at Richmond Hill High School in Queens
Young Men’s Leadership Program
Leadership development initiative for young men, focusing on identity, mentorship, and personal growth
Young Women’s Leadership Program
Program that empowers young women through leadership training, social justice education, and identity exploration
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Arts, wellness, and enrichment programmingProvides arts-based and wellness-focused enrichment activities such as yoga, dance, theater, crafts, sports, STEAM projects, music, and joint sporting events like basketball tournaments. Collaborations with institutions like the Queens Museum and The Red Curtain Project enhance cultural engagement and creative expression.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- College access and success supportOffers comprehensive college application coaching and post-secondary success programming, including support with personal statements, financial aid, scholarship applications, campus visits, and career exposure. Every student in the 2025 college access cohort was accepted to college, and undergraduates receive ongoing academic advising, mental health guidance, and career readiness training.
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Volunteer Mobilization for Community Improvement 1 activity
- Community engagement and volunteerismOrganizes volunteer activities and community service opportunities for youth in neighborhoods like Jackson Heights, partnering with organizations such as The Connected Chef. Also facilitates participation in civic and leadership summits, including the DYCD Youth Leadership Summit.
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Youth Cultural and Educational Travel Programs 1 activity
- Educational and cultural excursionsCoordinates educational trips and cultural site visits for youth, including college tours to institutions in Washington, DC, New York City, and upstate New York, as well as visits to cultural sites like The Met Cloisters and events such as the Gaming Devs of Color Expo.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Leadership and identity development programsRuns structured leadership programs by grade level, including co-ed programming for 9th–10th graders focused on identity and social issues, gender-specific programs for 11th graders emphasizing health, mentorship, and life skills, and initiatives that foster cross-racial solidarity and self-confidence, particularly among young women.
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Library and Community Facility Renovation 1 activity
- Planning for expanded community facilitiesDesigning a 20,000 sq. ft. permanent community center in Elmhurst to expand capacity for youth and family services, supporting collaboration, creativity, and learning, with the goal of serving thousands more individuals annually.
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
- Professional development and career exposureDelivers professional development opportunities including resume-building workshops, networking mixers with industry professionals, career panels, workplace tours (e.g., Oliver Wyman), and career exploration events. These activities aim to build career readiness and connect youth with real-world professional pathways.
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Youth Development Programs 1 activity
- Youth development programming across K-12 and collegeProvides year-round, holistic youth development programs for students from kindergarten through college, serving over 4,000 youth annually in New York City, primarily in Queens. Programs include academic support, life skills training, identity development, leadership building, and personal guidance tailored to developmental stages.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$6.47M
Contributions & grants$5.12M79%
Program service revenue$1.27M20%
Investment income$76K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$6.92M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$5.44M
Grants paid out$197K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.33M
Cash$633K
Investments$1.65M
Liabilities$560K
Net assets$4.77M
Liquid reserves4.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -9.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SONIA B SISODIA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $217K |
| SAPHIA NAJAFEE | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $185K |
| JASMINE BLANEY | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $158K |
| SUHAIL AHMED | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $146K |
| GRISELDA ESTEVEZ | SR. DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $140K |
| GEORGIA SCHOONMAKER | ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL GIVING | 40 | $123K |
| DEDUNU SURAWEERA | COMMUNITY SCHOOL DIRECTOR | 40 | $118K |
board members · 17
- ARJUN MENON — MEMBER
- ARUN SUBRAMANIAN — MEMBER
- BHARAT DAS — MEMBER
- BHARAT SAWHNEY — MEMBER
- FARAZ MUNAIM — MEMBER
- RADHIKA SEGHAL — MEMBER
- RIPPI GILL RANGWALA — SECRETARY (STARTED 4/25)
- SAMIDH GUHA — CHAIR
- SASANK CHARY — TREASURER
- SHALINI MAHAJAN — MEMBER
- SHEETAL SHETH — MEMBER
- SONIA DEB — SECRETARY (THROUGH 1/25)
- SRI MURTHY — MEMBER
- SUCHARITA DASA — MEMBER
- SUNITA DESAI — VICE CHAIR
- THARA NATALIE PRASHAD — MEMBER
- ZARME SHAHNAWAZ — MEMBER
relationships · 48
Who they work with
- Adelphi University Partner — Hosted a visit for SAYA youth as part of college exposure programming.
- American Red Cross Government — Anu Aiyengar serves on the board of the American Red Cross, suggesting institutional connections between SAYA and national service organizations through shared leadership.
- Amplify Her Foundation Funder — Named SAYA as an inaugural grantee partner, providing funding to advance opportunities for communities.
- Black participants and their families Partner — Reiterates commitment to Black participants and their families in the context of racial justice work.
- Central Queens Academy Charter School Partner — Site for SAYA's elementary and middle school programming
- Columbia University Partner — Hosted a visit for SAYA youth as part of college exposure programming.
- Corporate Sponsors Partner — Provides financial and programmatic support through corporate partnerships.
- Corporate sponsor Partner — Collaborates with SAYA to build a customized curriculum for the Career Mentoring Program.
- DYCD Government — Participates in the DYCD Youth Leadership Summit.
- Dress for Success Partner — Anu Aiyengar serves on the board of Dress for Success, which has also recognized her with an award, indicating organizational alignment and potential partnership ties.
- EPIC High School - South Partner — Site for SAYA's high school programming
- Elmhurst-based community center Partner — Hosts SAYA's programs and services for youth in Queens.
- High School for Construction Trades, Engineering, and Architecture Partner — Site for SAYA's high school programming
- Hillcrest High School Partner — Site for SAYA's high school programming
- J.H.S. 202 Robert H. Goddard Partner — Site for SAYA's middle school programming
- J.P. Morgan Partner — Professional affiliation of honoree Anu Aiyengar, who has held senior leadership roles at the firm; connection implies institutional relationship or engagement through leadership support.
- Jeremy Lin Foundation Partner — Collaborated with SAYA on the Stronger Together Collaborative focused on AAPI youth solidarity and empowerment in NYC.
- KKR Funder — Major supporter of SAYA's capital campaign
- MacMillian Family Foundation Funder — Major supporter of SAYA's capital campaign
- Mackenzie Scott Funder — Major supporter of SAYA's capital campaign
- New York City Ballet Partner — Anu Aiyengar serves on the board, indicating cross-sector engagement between SAYA and cultural institutions.
- New York University Partner — Hosts college visits for youth.
- Oliver Wyman Partner — Hosted a visit for SAYA youth at their offices.
- Our World Neighborhood Charter School Middle School Partner — Site for SAYA's middle school programming
- P.S. 124 Osmond A Church Partner — Site for SAYA's elementary school programming
- P.S. 63 Old South Partner — Site for SAYA's elementary school programming
- Queens Museum Partner — Collaborates on art projects for youth.
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Partner — Hosts college visits for youth.
- Richmond Hill High School Partner — Collaborated with SAYA for a community night event.
- Richmond Hill High School Partner — Site for SAYA's high school programming
+ 18 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Centered Space as Developmental Infrastructuremethodology: community_centered_developmentBy creating permanent, inclusive community spaces rooted in South Asian culture, SAYA enables sustained youth connection and growth because physical belonging reinforces psychological safety, continuity, and inter-racial solidarity more reliably than transient programs.
- Culturally Affirming Youth Developmentmethodology: culturally_affirming_youth_developmentBy providing culturally affirming spaces and mentorship that reflect the identities of South Asian and immigrant youth, SAYA produces stronger personal and social identity development, belonging, and engagement because cultural resonance increases trust, reduces isolation, and enhances program relevance.
- Long-Term Advising for Educational Persistencemethodology: long_term_advisingBy sustaining academic and personal advising relationships through college, SAYA improves student retention and success because continuous support mitigates the risks of disengagement during transitional phases, particularly for underserved and immigrant youth.
- Youth-Led Identity and Advocacy Developmentmethodology: youth_led_developmentBy centering youth voice through student-led storytelling, goal-setting, and solidarity practices, SAYA fosters empowerment and racial understanding because peer-driven reflection and leadership build confidence, agency, and collective advocacy more effectively than top-down programming.