The Sanneh Foundation

What The Sanneh Foundation does

The Sanneh Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, founded in 2003 by former U.S. national team soccer player Tony Sanneh. The organization delivers a portfolio of 14+ free youth development and community programs serving tens of thousands of youth and families across the Twin Cities metro area, plus a Haitian Initiative in Cite Soleil that enrolls 320 children annually. Core programs include Nutritional Services (food distribution at 14+ sites), Dreamline K-12 in-school and after-school mentoring, Conway Community Center (year-round sports, academic support, and senior programming on St. Paul's East Side), Free Community Camps (soccer, basketball, pickleball, golf), Human Development (paid internships and workforce training), Girls First (girls' sports and leadership), Senior Services, and Housing Initiative (affordable housing for entry-level staff).

The organization's business model is donation-funded rather than revenue-generating: programs are delivered free of charge to participants, with operating support drawn from individual donations, recurring giving, donor-advised funds, planned giving, IRA charitable distributions, corporate sponsorships (Cargill, Land O'Lakes, Fairview, Sleep Number, Huntington Bank, Delta Dental, BCBS Minnesota), grants, and three signature fundraising events (Gala 4 Goals, Golf 4 Goals, Bags 4 Goals). Distribution is hub-and-spoke: Conway Community Center is the physical anchor, supplemented by school-based Dreamline programming, food distribution sites, free community camps across Minneapolis-St. Paul suburbs, and international programming in Haiti.

The foundation reports minimal proprietary technology — its website is Squarespace-hosted and no AI, app, API, or SDK offerings are disclosed. Distribution capacity and brand equity (leveraging Tony Sanneh's profile as a 2002 FIFA World Cup veteran and 2026 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee) are the core operating assets. The organization employs 11-50 staff and is overseen by a board chaired by Brian Findlay. Strategic positioning in 2025-2026 includes expanded flagship programming, a new Minnesota Public Benefit Corporation (Operation Elevation SBC), and a hotel-based fundraising partnership in California.

Name

The Sanneh Foundation

Legal name

The Sanneh Foundation

Website

https://thesannehfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Sanneh Foundation is a Saint Paul, Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by former U.S. national team soccer player Tony Sanneh, delivering free youth development, mentoring, food security, and community programming to tens of thousands of youth and families across the Twin Cities metro area, with international programs in Haiti.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Community Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)

Keywords

• Youth development services
• Community nutrition programs
• Mentoring and education
• Sports-based youth programs
• Workforce development training

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The foundation relies on individual donations from supporters who contribute to empower youth and strengthen communities. Donors can give one-time or recurring gifts through the website, mail checks, or donate stock.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual sponsorships from corporate partners including Fairview Health, Cargill, Sleep Number, Land O'Lakes, Huntington Bank, Delta Dental, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota support programs and events.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual events including Gala 4 Goals, Golf 4 Goals, and Bags 4 Goals serve as significant revenue drivers for the organization, bringing together business leaders and community supporters.
4. Planned Giving: Charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and bequests allow supporters to sustain the foundation's work across generations.
5. Donor-Advised Funds: Supporters direct distributions from their Donor-Advised Funds to The Sanneh Foundation using Federal Tax ID 56-2332269.
6. IRA Charitable Distributions: Individuals 70½ or older can transfer up to $100,000 annually to nonprofits tax-free through qualified charitable distributions from IRAs.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Sanneh Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free, holistic youth development and community services to under-resourced populations in the Twin Cities metro area and Haiti. Core offerings include Nutritional Services (free food distribution), Dreamline Mentoring (K-12 in-school and after-school mentoring), Conway Community Center programming, Free Community Camps in soccer/basketball/pickleball/golf, Human Development (paid internships and workforce readiness), Girls First sports-based youth development for girls, and Senior Services. Programs are delivered free of charge to participants and funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

The Sanneh Foundation is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of youth development programs and community services. The core offerings include: Nutritional Services (food insecurity relief), Dreamline Mentoring (K-12 academic and social-emotional support), Conway Community Center (multi-purpose facility), Free Community Camps (soccer, basketball, pickleball, golf), Human Development (workforce training and internships), Girls First (cost-free girls sports program), Haitian Initiative (international youth development in Haiti), Senior Services, Summer Splash day camp, KidzTyme after-school care, Level Upward (discrimination response training), Housing Initiative, Kick It Back (equipment redistribution), and AmeriCorps VISTA. The organization also hosts fundraising events including Gala 4 Goals, Golf 4 Goals, and Bags 4 Goals. Additional initiatives include the March Campaign food drive and Operation Elevation SBC public benefit corporation. Programs are delivered through a hub-and-spoke model centered at the Conway Community Center in St. Paul, with satellite programming throughout the Twin Cities metro area and internationally in Haiti.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Haitian Initiative: A program that uses soccer to bring hope, opportunity, and support to youth in Port-au-Prince, Haiti through daily meals, education, and organized play
• Girls First (G1)
• Dreamline
• Conway Community Center
• Free Community Camps
• KidzTyme
• Summer Splash
• Senior Services
• Level Upward
• Kick It Back
• AmeriCorps VISTA Program

Products and services

• Nutritional Services Program Free program that fights food insecurity by distributing fresh produce, pantry staples, and culturally relevant foods to children, families, and community members year-round across multiple food distribution sites in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
• Dreamline Mentoring Program K-12 in-school and after-school mentoring that builds academic skills, social-emotional growth, and cultural confidence by pairing students with caring, culturally responsive mentors throughout the Twin Cities metro area.
• Conway Community Center Vibrant community hub offering year-round sports, academic support, mentoring, senior programs, KidzTyme after-school care, SilverSneakers fitness, and community events at 2090 Conway Street, St. Paul, MN 55119.
• Free Community Camps Free sports camps for kids teaching soccer, basketball, pickleball, and golf across Minneapolis, St. Paul, Mounds View, Richfield, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, and Mendota Heights, combining athletic training with teamwork and confidence building.
• Human Development Program Workforce development program providing paid internships, job readiness training, and mentorship to equip youth and young adults with real-world experience, confidence, and career pathway exploration.
• Girls First (G1) Program Cost-free sports-based youth development program empowering girls ages 7-18 through soccer, basketball, volleyball, and flag football combined with social-emotional skill-building, mentorship, and leadership training.
• Haitian Initiative International youth development program that uses soccer to bring hope, opportunity, daily meals, education support, and English language classes to 320 children annually in Cite Soleil and Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
• KidzTyme After-school enrichment program for youth ages 5-12 offering developmentally appropriate activities including physical fitness, social-emotional learning, developmental relationships, and academic homework help from 2:00pm-6:00pm.
• Summer Splash 10-week day camp for children ages 6-14 running 8:30am-5pm featuring science, play, arts and crafts, sports, and health activities that foster relationship-building and support social, emotional, and academic learning.
• Senior Services Free and inclusive programming helping older adults obtain resources and access to improve health and well-being, including SilverSneakers fitness, senior employment training, grocery delivery, and social programs at the Conway Community Center.
• Level Upward Initiative that empowers, educates, and prepares athletes and coaches to navigate and address discriminatory situations on and off the field, creating safe and inclusive environments.
• Housing Initiative Provides affordable, stable rental options for entry-level employees and AmeriCorps members by purchasing homes in St. Paul, supporting staff in building rental history and financial stability.
• Kick It Back Program that collects gently used soccer and athletic gear which is redistributed locally and internationally to provide equipment access to underserved communities.
• AmeriCorps VISTA Program Engages VISTA service members to build organizational capacity through roles in outreach, workforce development, and operations, expanding the foundation's impact by strengthening partnerships and increasing participation.
• March Campaign Annual food and fund drive partnership with Minnesota FoodShare, the state's largest grassroots food and fund drive supporting nearly 300 food shelves and distributing over $18.6 million through the FoodFund.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tens of thousands of youth served since 2003
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Anthem HotelcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 June 2026The Anthem Hotel in Inglewood, California debuted the Soccer Legends Suite featuring memorabilia from U.S. soccer Hall of Famers including Tony Sanneh. A portion of proceeds from suite bookings during the summer international soccer season will benefit The Sanneh Foundation. The hotel partnered with wellness brand Cymbiotika for welcome gifts.
• CymbiotikaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 June 2026Wellness brand providing welcome gifts to guests booking the Soccer Legends Suite at The Anthem Hotel as part of the partnership benefiting The Sanneh Foundation.
• Fairview HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of The Sanneh Foundation, supporting programs and events as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Sleep Number (SHH)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of The Sanneh Foundation supporting March Campaign and other programming.
• Land O'LakescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of The Sanneh Foundation through March Campaign partnership and general sponsorship.
• Delta DentalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of The Sanneh Foundation's programs and events.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of MinnesotacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of The Sanneh Foundation supporting health and wellness programming for youth and communities.
• Minnesota FoodSharecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual March Campaign partnership with Minnesota FoodShare, the state's largest grassroots food and fund drive supporting nearly 300 food shelves and distributing more than $18.6 million through the FoodFund.
• Black Radish Urban FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal food partner providing fresh, locally grown vegetables through the March Campaign. Rooted in equity, access, and community empowerment by growing fresh produce in urban spaces.
• Naima's FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal farmer providing fresh, sustainably grown produce through the March Campaign. Committed to culturally responsive growing practices ensuring distributed food reflects community tastes and traditions.
• Tree-Range FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEthically raised, pasture-based poultry and regenerative farming partner providing high-quality protein products for families facing food insecurity during the March Campaign.
• Feed My Starving ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinnesota-based organization providing vitamin-fortified hot meals for Haitian Initiative youth after every practice, six days per week. For most participants, this meal represents their only meal of the day.
• Motivation, Educating, and Training (MET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing seniors valuable work-based training and income-earning opportunities that build skills, support financial independence, and strengthen the community through the Senior Employment Program.
• North East Seniors for Better LivingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting Walk With Ease program at Conway Community Center, helping seniors stay active, healthy, and connected. All participants receive a free Sanneh Senior Membership.
• U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Sanneh Foundation is one of only nine organizations worldwide chosen by the U.S. Department of State's ECA to lead and implement an International Sports Programming Initiative (ISPI) reciprocal exchange program on behalf of the Department of State's SportsUnited program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thesannehfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/thesannehfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2780641/admin/dashboard
• Instagraminstagram.com/thesannehfoundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Sanneh Foundation