The Sanneh Foundation
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersSaint Paul, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
The Sanneh Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- 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
The Sanneh Foundation industry classification
Industry- 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
Where The Sanneh Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint Paul
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Sanneh Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Planned Giving: Charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and bequests allow supporters to sustain the foundation's work across generations.
- Donor-Advised Funds: Supporters direct distributions from their Donor-Advised Funds to The Sanneh Foundation using Federal Tax ID 56-2332269.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free programs for youth and families |
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
The Sanneh Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use The Sanneh Foundation
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Sanneh Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Sanneh Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Anthem HotelcoreThe 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.
- CymbiotikaminorWellness 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 HealthcoreCorporate sponsor of The Sanneh Foundation, supporting programs and events as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.
- Sleep Number (SHH)coreCorporate sponsor of The Sanneh Foundation supporting March Campaign and other programming.
- Land O'LakescoreCorporate sponsor of The Sanneh Foundation through March Campaign partnership and general sponsorship.
- Delta DentalcoreCorporate sponsor of The Sanneh Foundation's programs and events.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of MinnesotacoreCorporate sponsor of The Sanneh Foundation supporting health and wellness programming for youth and communities.
- Minnesota FoodSharecoreAnnual 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 FarmscoreLocal 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 FarmcoreLocal 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 FarmsminorEthically 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 ChildrencoreMinnesota-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)corePartnership 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 LivingminorPartner 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)coreThe 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
The Sanneh Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Sanneh Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe Sanneh Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
The Sanneh Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Sanneh Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
The Sanneh Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Sanneh Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Sanneh Foundation
What does The Sanneh Foundation do?
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.
Is The Sanneh Foundation a public or private company?
The Sanneh Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Sanneh Foundation founded?
The Sanneh Foundation was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Sanneh Foundation based?
The Sanneh Foundation is headquartered in Saint Paul, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Sanneh Foundation make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships, fundraising Events, planned Giving, donor-Advised Funds and IRA Charitable Distributions.
Does The Sanneh Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Sanneh Foundation.
What industry is The Sanneh Foundation in?
The Sanneh Foundation's product category is Youth Development and Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAJ, Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits, with a secondary code of BPAGADAD, Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.