Soccer Without Borders

What Soccer Without Borders does

Soccer Without Borders (SWB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, that delivers free youth development programming combining soccer, educational support, English language learning, and community-building activities for underserved newcomer, refugee, and immigrant youth ages 5–20. SWB operates six program hubs across four US states (California/Bay Area, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts) and two international locations (Granada, Nicaragua and Kampala, Uganda), serving 7,757 registered participants in FY2024 from 73+ countries of origin speaking 48 languages. Core product offerings include the TEAM Program (Trabajando En Equipo Aprendemos Más — year-round holistic programming), SWB Assist (capacity-building and inclusive coach training delivered to 700 coaches in 14 countries), and Meet Me on the Pitch (a coaching methodology being validated through a 5-year NIH clinical trial as a trauma-recovery intervention).

Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic and government channels rather than participant fees, with FY2024 total revenues of $6,533,723. The revenue mix is 45.0% foundation and corporate grants ($2,937,828, including a $1M unrestricted MacKenzie Scott / Yield Giving award), 37.8% government funding ($2,470,656), 10.9% individual donations from 500+ supporters ($715,094), 4.0% in-kind contributions ($258,240), and 2.3% earned revenue and special events ($151,904). Distribution is direct through hubs and school district partnerships (SFUSD, Oakland Unified, Denver Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools, and Massachusetts public schools). SWB is governed by a Board of Directors with National and Regional Advisory Boards, led by Executive Director Jennifer Tepper, and operates with 109 full and part-time staff and 286 volunteers across hubs.

Name

Soccer Without Borders

Legal name

Soccer Without Borders

Website

https://soccerwithoutborders.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Soccer Without Borders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that delivers free soccer, education, and community programming to underserved newcomer, refugee, and immigrant youth ages 5–20 across six hubs in the US (Bay Area, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts), Nicaragua, and Uganda.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Development & Sports Outreach Programs (EDAIAGAG), Recreational & Intramural Sports Programs (MPAKACAG), Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Soccer education services
• Refugee integration support
• Community-based coaching
• Inclusive sport training

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation & Corporate Grants: The largest revenue stream at 45% of total revenues ($2,937,828 in FY2024). Includes funding from foundations, corporations, and major donors like the $1M unrestricted investment from MacKenzie Scott through Yield Giving.
2. Government Funding: Second largest revenue stream at 37.8% of total revenues ($2,470,656 in FY2024). Includes federal, state, and local government grants and contracts.
3. Individual Donations: Individual donor contributions totaling $715,094 in FY2024 (10.9% of revenues). Raised from over 500 supporters contributing $500 or more.
4. Earned Revenue & Events: Special events and earned revenue totaling $151,904 (2.3% of revenues).
5. In-Kind Contributions: In-kind donations and services valued at $258,240 (4.0% of revenues). Includes equipment, professional services, and other non-cash contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Soccer Without Borders delivers free, holistic youth development programming that combines soccer play with educational support, English language instruction, and community-building activities for underserved youth ages 5-20, particularly newcomer refugees and immigrants. Programs are operated directly through six program hubs (four US, two international) year-round, supplemented by a capacity-building division (SWB Assist) that trains partner organizations globally and an evidence-based mental health coaching methodology (Meet Me on the Pitch) under NIH clinical trial validation.

Product overview

Soccer Without Borders operates as a direct-service nonprofit organization (501(c)(3), EIN 20-3786129) offering a portfolio of youth development programs centered on soccer as a vehicle for positive change. The core offering is its Direct Service Programs — including TEAM Programs (trabajando en equipo aprendemos más), camps, clinics, and leagues/tournaments — delivered free of charge across six geographic hubs in the US (Bay Area, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts), Nicaragua (Fútbol Sin Fronteras), and Uganda. Programs combine soccer play with educational support, English language learning, and community-building activities for underserved youth ages 5-20. SWB Assist extends this work globally by providing capacity-building and inclusive coach training to partner organizations. The Meet Me on the Pitch (MMOTP) methodology represents SWB's evidence-based approach to mental health support through soccer coaching, currently undergoing validation as a five-year NIH clinical trial.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TEAM Program: Trabajando En Equipo Aprendemos Más - comprehensive programs combining soccer, education, and community-building over 36+ weeks/year
• SWB Assist
• Meet Me on the Pitch
• Switch the Pitch

Products and services

• SWB Direct Service Programs (TEAM Programs) Holistic youth development programming combining soccer, education, and community-building activities delivered at six program hubs in the US (Bay Area, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts), Nicaragua (Fútbol Sin Fronteras), and Uganda. Includes TEAM programs, camps, clinics, and leagues/tournaments. Free to participants ages 5-20.
• SWB Assist (Capacity Building) Capacity-building division offering training, technical assistance, and best-practice resources to other nonprofits, clubs, and organizations working in sport-for-development to advance inclusion and equity through sport globally.
• Meet Me on the Pitch (MMOTP) An evidence-based coaching methodology equipping coaches working with newcomer youth to lead culturally rooted mental health conversations, validated through a five-year NIH clinical trial.
• Fútbol Sin Fronteras (FSF) Nicaragua Programs SWB's Nicaragua hub operating in Granada since 2008, using soccer to build leadership, improve educational outcomes, and strengthen social-emotional skills for girls ages 5-20.
• SWB Uganda Programs SWB's Uganda hub in Kampala serving urban refugee youth with daily out-of-school programs, community activities during school holidays, and youth-led soccer leagues including the Uganda Girls Leagues (UGL).

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% high school graduation rate for English Language Learners at SWB vs 61% nationwide
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

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

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership initiated by SFUSD to meet academic, social, and community support needs of English Language Learner students. SWB programs officially began at the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
• Bay FCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional women's soccer team partnered with SWB Bay Area. Players trained with SWB youth, youth were invited to home matches, and Lupe from SWB served as honorary captain.
• Common GoalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal football movement for social change. SWB is a member and leads initiatives including Switch the Pitch inclusive coach training and Global Goal 5 Accelerators in partnership with Common Goal.
• Up2Us Sports / AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational service partnership offering Coach-Mentor Fellow positions at US program sites. Includes annual living stipend and education award.
• Beyond SportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal organization that uses sport to drive positive social change. SWB is a member and has received the Collective Impact Award.
• Women WincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partner for gender equity in sport. Co-develops Global Goal 5 Accelerators with SWB and Common Goal.
• LaureusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal sports charity supporting sport for good programs worldwide.
• Sport for Refugees CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal movement of 140+ organizations committed to using sport to support displaced communities. SWB formally joined in 2024.
• Capelli SportminorOthersOfficial uniform provider for SWB.
• Senda AthleticsminorOthersOfficial game ball provider for SWB.
• Oakland Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership to serve newcomer youth across Alameda County with in-school and after-school programs.
• New England RevolutionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional soccer club that has recognized SWB Massachusetts coaches as 'Heroes of the Match' and hosted SWB participants at matches.
• Chicago Fire AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted Switch the Pitch inclusive coach training session led by SWB and Common Goal.
• FIFAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWB received FIFA Diversity Award and participates in FIFA initiatives. FIFA Foundation supports SWB Uganda programming.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Up2Us Sports: National nonprofit training and deploying coaches in sports-based youth development across the US, including via AmeriCorps (a direct partner of SWB). Comparable as a US sport-for-development intermediary with shared outcome-measurement frameworks and coach-training IP.
• PeacePlayers International: Nonprofit using basketball (and soccer) to unite divided communities, with deep work in Northern Ireland, Middle East, and South Africa. Comparable as a sport-for-social-change nonprofit with international programming, conflict-affected youth focus, and partnership-based delivery model.
• Women Win: Global nonprofit advancing gender equity through sport, co-developing Global Goal 5 Accelerators with SWB and Common Goal. Most directly comparable peer for SWB's Nicaragua and Uganda gender-equity programming and inclusive coaching IP.
• America SCORES: National nonprofit combining soccer with poetry, service-learning, and academic support for underserved urban youth. Most directly comparable peer given the soccer + education + community-building model serving similar demographics in US cities.
• Right to Play: Global nonprofit using sport and play to educate and empower children facing adversity, with strong presence in refugee and conflict-affected contexts. Closest international peer given shared focus on newcomer/refugee youth and sport-based SEL outcomes.
• Playworks: Largest US nonprofit leveraging sport for youth development in underserved schools, delivering structured play and social-emotional programming during/after school. Directly comparable to SWB's school-district-based free programming model and outcome-oriented youth development approach.

Broad incumbents

• Laureus Sport for Good: Global foundation using sport to address social challenges across 100+ programs worldwide. Comparable as a high-profile funder/umbrella for sport-for-development organizations including SWB, with overlapping mission and partnership-tier funder role.
• Beyond Sport: Global collective impact organization supporting and convening sport-for-development programs, which has recognized SWB with the Collective Impact Award. Comparable as ecosystem convener and capacity-builder for the sport-for-development sector.

Emerging players

• Common Goal: Global football-for-change movement of professional players and organizations pooling resources for sport-based social impact. Direct SWB partner co-developing Switch the Pitch and Global Goal 5 Accelerators; comparable as a peer movement/co-developer rather than direct service competitor.

Regional players

• Generation Amazing (Qatar Foundation): Sport-for-development initiative using football to empower youth, primarily operating across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Comparable mission and youth-development-via-football model, but geographically distinct from SWB's US/Nicaragua/Uganda footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/soccerwoborders
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=l6oqj2ansig&list=PL_438ecka5BvX0axMQOsu15zLmtp4cGTq
• Facebookfacebook.com/soccerwithoutborders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soccer-without-borders
• Instagraminstagram.com/soccerwoborders

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 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 Soccer Without Borders