It’s important for kids to have as many resources setting them up for success as possible during the crucial developmental years — and Marin has solutions. 

The 2025 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Play Marin (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Youth Services picks see below.

Our 2025 Philanthropy category sponsor is Marin Community Foundation. View the rest of the Philanthropy category here.

We’ve broken it down by region: Southern and Central Marin.

Southern Marin

Next Generation Scholars

San Rafael

Next Generation Scholars (NGS) is a San Rafael-based nonprofit that empowers first-generation, under-resourced Marin County students to succeed in college and beyond. Through academic support, leadership development, and family services, NGS fosters educational equity and social justice.

1018 E St, San Rafael, 415.259.0900

Play Marin

Marin City and Sausalito

Play Marin provides all kinds of recreational and educational opportunities for kids and teens,  for and sports equity for kids of all ages. They have a robust sports program, after-school program, summer camp and other fun services available

info@playmarin.org

Central Marin

Side by Side

San Anselmo

Founded in 1895 in Marin County as an orphanage, Side by Side has provided a continuum of youth services for over 130 years. Today, Side by Side operates across the Bay Area, offering a comprehensive support network for youth impacted by trauma and adversity. Their services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each young person, ranging from mental health assistance to transitional housing.

300 Sunny Hills Dr, San Anselmo, 415.457.3200

Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium

San Rafael

This international consortium is dedicated to researching and treating brain tumors in children, bringing new therapies to children of all ages and young adults. Patients and families are at the heart of what they do, resulting in clinical trials and therapies that are precisely designed for that individual patient.

1005 Northgate Dr #224, San Rafael

Miscellaneous

Kids Cooking for Life

Marin-wide

With home economics classes vanishing from most schools, it’s a challenge for kids to learn proper nutrition and food preparation. Fortunately, Kids Cooking for Life is here to fix that. Their well-trained staff will bustle into a classroom to walk students through how to cook healthy, delicious meals. They also offer virtual home lessons.

Are you a BOC business but want to change your photo, or did we miss including it? Submit your new photo here.