Play Marin

What Play Marin does

Play Marin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 83-1737141) founded in 2008 by Paul Austin in Marin City, California, and headquartered in Sausalito. The organization provides free and low-cost sports, recreation, and enrichment programs to children and teenagers ages 6-18 in Marin County, with particular focus on youth from underserved communities, including Marin City. Core programming spans team sports (basketball, volleyball, track and field, soccer, football), after-school programs delivered in partnership with local schools, summer camps (including the 2024 launch of Camp Made4Me, a week-long sleepaway camp), and enrichment experiences such as swimming, tennis, sailing, rowing, mountain biking, surfing, golf, and lacrosse, plus events like Holiday Heroes, Snow Day, and college/professional sports outings. The organization removes participation barriers by providing coaches, covering league fees, supplying equipment, and arranging convenient practice locations.

The core technology stack is minimal and non-proprietary: a Wix-hosted marketing website (playmarin.org), the RecDesk platform (recdesk.com) for program registration, and standard social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok). The product portfolio is service-based, centered on programmatic delivery rather than software or technology development. There are no AI/ML components, patents, proprietary software, or API integrations disclosed in the source data.

Play Marin's revenue model is characteristic of a community nonprofit. Revenue streams comprise individual donations (including a recurring Sustainers Club program processed via the Kindest donation platform), corporate partnerships providing financial contributions, in-kind donations, and event underwriting, and institutional grants such as a $498,828 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency award received in October 2023. Programs are offered free or at low cost to participants, removing financial barriers to access. Customer segments include youth beneficiaries (the long-tail primary segment), working parents/families seeking affordable enrichment, and corporate partners seeking community impact. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors (Sumant Sridharan, Roxie Baker, Jed Richardson) and led day-to-day by Executive Director Paul Austin and Chief of Staff Cerella Hampton, supported by a team of 51-100 employees.

Name

Play Marin

Legal name

Play Marin

Website

https://playmarin.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Play Marin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008 that provides free and low-cost youth sports, after-school, summer camp, and enrichment programs to children ages 6-18 in Marin County, California, with a focus on underserved communities in Marin City. The organization serves 400+ youth annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA), Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

Keywords

• Youth sports programs
• Nonprofit youth services
• After-school programs
• Summer camp activities
• Community youth empowerment

Headquarters

HQ city

Sausalito

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute through the organization's website donation portal and Sustainers Club recurring giving program. Donations support program operations and ensure no child is left on the sidelines.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners provide financial support, in-kind donations (gear, supplies), strategic underwriting for events, and employee engagement opportunities in exchange for brand visibility and community goodwill.
3. 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Status: Registered nonprofit organization (EIN: 83-1737141) relying on charitable contributions. Donations are tax-deductible.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Play Marin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free or low-cost sports, recreation, and enrichment programs to children and teenagers ages 6–18 in Marin County, California. The organization removes financial barriers by supplying coaches, covering league fees, arranging convenient practice locations, and providing equipment such as jerseys and shoes, while intentionally forming cross-community teams to foster inclusion. Programs span team sports (basketball, volleyball, track and field, soccer), after-school programs, summer camps, mentorship, and special enrichment experiences.

Product overview

Play Marin is a nonprofit youth empowerment organization offering a portfolio of free and low-cost sports, recreation, and enrichment programs for children and teenagers ages 6 to 18 in Marin County. The core offering centers on Team Sports (basketball, volleyball, track and field, soccer) supplemented by Seasonal Programming including Summer Enrichment and After-School Sports Programs. The portfolio extends to Mentorship Programs integrated throughout all offerings, Enrichment Opportunities (Holiday Heroes, Snow Day, game outings), and Community Engagement initiatives. The organization removes financial barriers by providing coaches, covering league fees, arranging practices, and supplying equipment. Programs intentionally form inclusive, cross-community teams to foster diversity and inclusion through the universal language of play.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Team Sports Core sports programs covering basketball, volleyball, track and field, and soccer for youth ages 6-18 in Marin County. Play Marin provides coaching, covers league fees, supplies equipment, and arranges convenient practice locations to remove participation barriers. The CYO basketball program is run in partnership with St. Mary's Star of the Sea.
• After-School Programs Soccer, basketball, football, and other physical education programs led by experienced coaches delivered on-site at local schools after regular hours. Designed to develop teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship while promoting overall fitness among Marin County youth.
• Summer Camps Summer camp experiences for Marin County youth covering arts and crafts, sports, and nature exploration. Includes the debut Camp Made4Me sleepaway camp, a week-long program for Bay Area youth in 5th–9th grade delivered in partnership with State Bags and East Oakland Youth Development Center.
• Seasonal Programming Seasonal programs including the Summer Enrichment Program providing educational and recreational activities during summer break, and after-school sports programs promoting physical activity, teamwork, and sportsmanship among youth in Marin County.
• Enrichment Opportunities Special events and experiences including Holiday Heroes in San Francisco, movie outings, college and professional basketball game attendance, Snow Day with snowboarding and skiing lessons, and Black History Month musical performances. Designed to broaden horizons and celebrate diversity.
• Mentorship Programs Mentorship programs integrated throughout all Play Marin programs, connecting youth with experienced mentors who provide guidance, support, and life skills beyond sports. Qualified coaches serve as mentors providing guidance beyond sports skills.
• Community Engagement Community-building initiatives including various events that bring families together, creating a sense of belonging and community spirit, along with fundraising campaigns such as PLAYERS' NIGHT and walk-a-thons to sustain and expand programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Studies show positive extracurricular activities boost attendance and grades (NCES)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• State BagscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner for Camp Made4Me, a week-long sleepaway camp for Bay Area youth (5th-9th grade). State Bags collaboration brought camp magic to underfunded communities with nationwide volunteer staffing.
• East Oakland Youth Development CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Camp Made4Me sleepaway camp, expanding access to camp experiences for youth from underserved communities across the Bay Area.
• St. Mary's Star of the SeacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership delivering CYO basketball program for boys and girls. Play Marin and St. Mary's Star of the Sea team up each season, sponsoring hundreds of kids and nurturing teamwork, passion, and lifelong love for basketball.
• SOMA AquaticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides swimming lessons to Play Marin participants, expanding the variety of sports and activities available to youth.
• Tamalpais High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLacrosse lessons provided by the Tamalpais High School Coach and players, introducing youth to new sports and fostering cross-school connections.
• Marin MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia coverage partner featuring stories about Play Marin's impact on Marin City's youth, including 'Play Marin's Decade of Making a Difference' and other promotional articles.
• Marin BikeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for cycling programs including Cory's Ride and Play Marin partnership supporting a new generation of cyclists.
• Sports BasementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBasementeer Spotlight feature highlighting Play Marin as a nonprofit partner, providing community visibility and support.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Playworks: Nonprofit that uses play and physical activity to improve children's social and emotional development in low-income schools. Directly comparable to Play Marin in using sports/recreation as a vehicle for youth empowerment in underserved communities.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National nonprofit providing youth mentorship programs, often through sports- and activity-based relationships. Comparable to Play Marin's mentorship-integrated programming model serving youth ages 6–18.
• America SCORES: Nonprofit combining soccer with poetry and service-learning for youth in under-resourced urban communities. Closely comparable to Play Marin's integration of team sports with mentorship and educational enrichment.
• Police Athletic League: National nonprofit offering youth sports and recreational programs with a focus on underserved children in urban communities. Comparable to Play Marin's model of free/low-cost sports programming for youth facing pay-to-play barriers.
• City Parks Foundation: NYC-based nonprofit offering free sports, arts, and education programs for youth in public parks. Directly comparable to Play Marin in providing free youth sports and enrichment programs that dismantle pay-to-play barriers.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit offering sports, recreation, and enrichment programs to millions of youth. Compares to Play Marin as a broader incumbent in youth recreation and out-of-school programming funded by donations and corporate partners.
• YMCA of the USA: Large nonprofit federation providing youth sports, swimming, camps, and after-school programs nationwide. Shares Play Marin's free/low-cost youth recreation model and donation/corporate funding mix at a vastly larger scale.
• Babe Ruth League (now STRIDE): International youth baseball/softball and cal ripken league organization serving millions of children. Comparable to Play Marin as a long-standing youth-sports organization providing team-based recreational competition.

Others

• Positive Coaching Alliance (now PCA): Nonprofit that provides training and resources for coaches, parents, and youth sports organizations to build positive team cultures. Comparable to Play Marin as part of the broader youth-sports development ecosystem.
• Marin Community Foundation: Marin County-based philanthropic institution that funnels charitable capital to local nonprofits including youth-serving organizations. Comparable as a regional funder and stakeholder within Play Marin's donor ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@playmarin
• Facebookfacebook.com/playmarin.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/play.marin
• TikToktiktok.com/@playmarin
• Xx.com/playmarin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Play Marin