The Skills Center

What The Skills Center does

The Skills Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit sports-based youth development organization founded in 2007 in Tampa, Florida, by John Arroyo, Celeste Roberts, and Chris Ward. It serves youth ages 3-18 in the Tampa Bay area through a methodology that uses athletics as an intentional learning mechanism to teach transferable academic, behavioral, and life skills. Core programs include basketball and volleyball training, the Tampa Y.E.S. Girls Program, Academic Café tutoring, the Skills Lab esports program, and Brains for Sports. The centerpiece is The Collab, a collective impact platform that co-locates five nonprofit partners (CDC of Tampa, GEMS, G3 Life Applications, Men of Vision, and The Skills Center) to deliver free afterschool and Saturday programming covering field trips, college tours, visual arts, gaming/esports, coding, job development, and academic support.

The organization operates a single 3-gym facility at 5107 N 22nd Street in East Tampa, with additional rooms for esports/STEM, education support, a health and nutrition demonstration kitchen, and a rentable event space. Revenue mechanics are diversified across four streams: (1) recurring monthly fitness memberships (adult, family, senior 55+, and Silver Sneakers 65+) processed via Active Net, (2) one-time facility rental fees for galas, corporate events, and workshops, (3) the annual SNKR Ball fundraising gala (7th annual held March 7, 2026), and (4) grants and donations, including a $3 million federal grant from U.S. Representative Kathy Castor in April 2023 to construct the new Skills Center Collaborative facility. Most youth-facing programming is free or low-cost, making grant fundraising the financial backbone of operations. The organization also runs the TSC Adult Fitness Community and seasonal camps (Spring Break, Summer STEAM) as recurring program revenue.

Go-to-market is community-led: marketing and enrollment run through partner organization referrals, community events, social media, and direct enrollment forms on theskillscenter.org and tsccollab.org, with sponsorship support from Tampa Bay Lightning, NBA, Toronto Raptors/MLSE, Reliaquest, Bloomin' Brands, Florida Blue, and Suncoast. The team is small (1-10 employees) plus volunteers, and a 2023 federal grant is expected to enable service expansion to 3,500 youth annually and creation of 180 jobs at the new Collaborative facility.

Name

The Skills Center

Legal name

The Skills Center, Inc.

Website

https://theskillscenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Skills Center is a Tampa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses sports-based programming to deliver academic, life-skills, and workforce development services to youth ages 3-18 in East Tampa, supported by a five-organization collective impact partnership and grant-funded operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC), Group Fitness, Personal Training & Wellness Coaching (EDALAIAE)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Sports-based education
• Afterschool programs
• Community youth services
• Nonprofit youth fitness

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Enrollment Fees: Revenue generated from youth and family enrollment in various programs including The Collab, summer camps, sports training, and fitness memberships.
2. Facility Rentals: Revenue from hosting galas, company events, workshops, and other gatherings at the organization's versatile event space.
3. Grant Funding: Federal grant funding received from government representatives to support construction and operations of the Skills Center Collaborative facility.
4. Fitness Memberships: Adult, family, Silver Sneakers (65+), and senior memberships (55+) for the fitness community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Skills Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers sports-based youth development programs to children and families in the Tampa Bay area. Its core offering is The Collab, a free afterschool and Saturday enrichment program combining athletics (basketball, volleyball), academic support (tutoring, STEAM, coding, eSports/gaming), life-skills mentoring, career exposure, and girls' empowerment for youth ages 3-18. The organization also runs adult fitness memberships and rents its facility for community events.

Product overview

The Skills Center is a sports-based youth development nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs for youth ages 3-18. The core offerings include basketball and volleyball training, sports development, and fitness programs. The centerpiece is The Collab, a collaborative network of organizations providing afterschool and Saturday activities including field trips, college tours, arts, gaming/ESports (The Skills Lab), coding, and job development. Additional programs include academic support through Academic Café, the Tampa Y.E.S. Girls Program, STEAM Summer Camp, Spring Break Camp, and career exposure initiatives through the Future Forward Initiative. The organization also operates adult fitness community programs and hosts annual events including SNKR Ball and Beyond Barriers. Most programs are free or low-cost, supported by partnerships and donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Collab: A collaborative network of organizations providing diverse programs including afterschool and weekend activities, field trips, college tours, visual and creative arts, sports, gaming/ESports, coding, job development, and personal academic support.
• The Skills Lab
• Academic Café
• Tampa Y.E.S. Girls Program
• Brains for Sports
• SNKR Ball

Products and services

• The Collab A collaborative network of organizations providing diverse programs for youth, young adults, and families including free afterschool and Saturday activities: field trips, college tours, visual arts, sports, gaming/eSports, coding, job development, and academic support.
• The Skills Lab A gaming and eSports program that provides youth with gaming equipment and organized gaming activities including Super Smash Bros tournaments.
• Academic Café Academic support program designed to help youth with educational development and tutoring services.
• Tampa Y.E.S. Girls Program A girls-focused youth development program empowering young women through sports and mentorship.
• Brains for Sports A program combining academic development with athletic training for youth.
• Nurturing Rising Young Athletes (3-5 year olds) Early childhood development program introducing sports and physical activity to children ages 3-5.
• Basketball Programs Basketball training and league programs where students build athletic skills, teamwork, and confidence on and off the court.
• Sports Training Diverse sports training programs including volleyball, VertiMax training, and girl-focused athletic development with an intentional focus on supporting and empowering girls in sports.
• Volleyball Camp Volleyball training and camp programs for youth development.
• TSC Adult Fitness Community Adult fitness membership program including Adult, Family, Silver Sneakers (65+), and Senior Memberships (55+) with focus on health and wellness.
• The Collab Summer STEAM Camp Summer camp designed to engage youth in 6th-12th grade incorporating all disciplines of STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.
• Spring Break Camp Spring break camp program providing activities and supervision during school breaks.
• Future Forward Initiative Initiative focused on youth development and future planning, including vocational college and career exposure programs.
• Hoops & Habits Basketball training program combining athletic skills with life habits, meeting every Wednesday and Friday, 6:30PM-10:30PM at The Skills Center. Free open gym for high school boys and girls.
• The Collab After Hours Evening activities program for The Collab, providing extended hours of programming including after-hours gaming events and activities.
• SNKR Ball (Annual Gala) Annual fundraising gala event celebrating community, culture, and opportunity where supporters gather in formal attire with standout sneakers.
• Beyond Barriers Annual event celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Day, uniting and empowering women and girls through sports and raising awareness about gender equality.
• Facility Rental Event space rental for galas, company events, workshops, and other gatherings at the Tampa facility, with versatile space and amenities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,500 youth served annually by the Skills Center Collaborative facility
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CDC of TampacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Development Corporation of Tampa joins The Skills Center as one of five nonprofit partners in The Collab to create upward economic mobility for youth ages 11-24.
• GEMS (Girls Empowered Mentally for Success)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGEMS partners with The Skills Center in The Collab to provide mentorship and empowerment programs for girls in the Tampa community.
• G3 Life ApplicationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerG3 Life Applications collaborates with The Skills Center as part of the nonprofit collective impact model serving East Tampa youth.
• Men of VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMen of Vision focuses on developing young men into leaders through The Collab partnership with The Skills Center.
• Tampa Bay LightningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNHL team Tampa Bay Lightning sponsors The Skills Center, supporting youth sports development programs.
• NBAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Basketball Association partners with The Skills Center to support basketball programs and youth development initiatives.
• Toronto Raptors / MLSEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerToronto Raptors and MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment) support The Skills Center as sponsors.
• ReliaquestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReliaquest provides sponsorship support for The Skills Center youth development programs.
• Bloomin' BrandsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant parent company (Outback Steakhouse) sponsors The Skills Center initiatives.
• Florida BlueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlorida Blue health insurance company provides sponsorship support for youth health and wellness programming.
• SuncoastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSuncoast credit union sponsors The Skills Center community programs.
• Hillsborough County Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chamber partnership supports community engagement and economic development initiatives.
• Tampa Bay SunminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTampa Bay Sun women's soccer team leads interactive sports clinics at Beyond Barriers event for National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
• USF Women's LacrosseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of South Florida Women's Lacrosse team provides sports clinics and mentorship at The Skills Center events.
• Tampa General HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTampa General Hospital experts lead nutrition workshops and health education at The Skills Center events.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National nonprofit network providing comprehensive youth development programs including sports, education, and life skills for ages 6-18. Directly comparable mission and program structure to The Skills Center, but operating at national scale with thousands of clubs.
• Police Athletic League (National PAL): National nonprofit network using athletics and recreational activities to engage youth, with similar sport-based youth development methodology. Operates through local chapters with comparable programming to The Skills Center's model.
• After-School All-Stars: National nonprofit providing free comprehensive afterschool programs to youth in underserved communities. Directly comparable free-afterschool and academic enrichment model similar to The Collab.
• Girls Inc. National nonprofit inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy. Closely comparable to The Skills Center's Tampa Y.E.S. Girls Program with similar girls-empowerment focus through sports.
• Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation: Nonprofit providing sports and arts enrichment programs for underserved youth, particularly in urban areas. Closely mirrors The Skills Center's combined sports-and-education methodology for youth development.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: Large national nonprofit offering youth sports, afterschool programs, fitness memberships, and community services. Overlaps significantly with The Skills Center's programs but operates at much broader scale and includes broader adult wellness services.
• National Urban League: Historic civil rights organization providing direct services including youth achievement programs, economic empowerment, and community development. Comparable to The Skills Center's mission of upward economic mobility for underserved youth.

Regional players

• Easterseals: National nonprofit serving youth and adults with disabilities and special needs through community-based programs. Comparable to The Skills Center's community-empowerment approach though focused on a different population segment.

Others

• Florida Blue Foundation: Health-focused foundation sponsoring youth wellness programs in Florida. Already a partner of The Skills Center; comparable as a regional grantmaker for similar community health and youth development causes.
• Children's Board of Hillsborough County: Local funder supporting children and family services in Hillsborough County. Already a core financial partner of The Skills Center; comparable as a key local institutional funding source for youth programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheSkillsCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-skills-center
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheSkillsCenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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 The Skills Center