Girls in the Game

What Girls in the Game does

Girls in the Game is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1995 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, that delivers sports, health, and leadership programs to girls ages 7-18. The organization partners with Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, YMCA of Chicago, and other community-based organizations to deliver after-school programs, summer camps, teen leadership tracks, day-of-play events, and seasonal clinics in a non-competitive, girl-focused environment. Curriculum was comprehensively revised in 2021 to incorporate trauma-informed practices and is aligned with Search Institute Developmental Assets, National Health Education Standards, and Equity Literacy Abilities. The organization extended programming to Baltimore in September 2023 as a second operating market.

The business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than commercial. Revenue is sourced from individual donations, annual fundraising events (notably the Field of Dreams Gala at the Intercontinental Grand Ballroom with 500+ guests and the Chip in for Girls Golf Outing), foundation/corporate/government grants (approximately $500,000 annually managed by a dedicated Grants Manager), corporate sponsorships, and a Charity Race Team tied to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and international World Marathon Majors. The organization also operates an alumnae network, a Chicago Auxiliary Board of young professionals, and an After School Coach volunteer program paying $17 per hour. A curated curriculum package, 'All In for Girls,' is licensed externally to schools and organizations as a separate revenue/distribution line.

Operationally, Girls in the Game runs on a small staff of 11-50 employees, coordinates delivery through community partners rather than owned facilities, and maintains a primarily Chicago-based footprint with a Baltimore outpost. The organization markets through quarterly newsletters, organic social (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), earned media (WGN, NBC Chicago, Kelly Clarkson Show, Chicago Sun-Times), and event-based fundraising. It has served 65,000+ girls cumulatively since 1995.

Name

Girls in the Game

Legal name

Girls in the Game

Website

https://girlsinthegame.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Girls in the Game is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1995, that delivers sports, health, and leadership programs to girls ages 7-18 through school, park, and community center partnerships across Chicago and Baltimore.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Child and Youth Services (62411), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Intramural & Recreational Sports Programs (EDAJAJAB), Club Sports Programs (EDALAIAB), Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

Keywords

• Youth sports programs
• Girls leadership development
• Community youth services
• After school programs
• Nonprofit youth development

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting the mission to empower girls through sports, health, and leadership programming.
2. Annual Fundraising Events: Major events including the Field of Dreams Gala (attended by 500+ guests at Intercontinental Grand Ballroom) and Chip in for Girls Golf Outing. Events engage corporate, medical, and fitness sector professionals.
3. Foundation and Government Grants: Approximately $500,000 annually in foundation, corporate, and government grants managed by the Grants Manager position.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities for events and programs from corporate partners in professional, medical, and fitness sectors.
5. Charity Race Team Participation: Fundraising through charity race teams including Chicago Marathon and international World Marathon Majors events (Tokyo, Berlin, Venice, Prague, Athens).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Girls in the Game is a nonprofit organization that delivers sports, health, and leadership programming for girls ages 7-18 in Chicago (with expansion to Baltimore). Core offerings include year-round after school programs at partner schools, a four-week Sports & Leadership Summer Camp, Teen Squad leadership programming, and citywide events such as Day of Play, Regional Clinics, Spring Break Clinics, and the Leadership Institute. The organization also licenses its trauma-informed curriculum externally through the "All In for Girls" program for schools, organizations, and teams.

Product overview

Girls in the Game is a nonprofit organization providing sports, health, and leadership programs for girls ages 7-18 in Chicago. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including After School Programs, Sports & Leadership Summer Camp, Teen Squad, and various citywide events (Day of Play, Spring Break Clinics, Regional Clinics, Leadership Institute, Pool Parties). These programs share a common curriculum focused on building confidence, leadership skills, and physical wellness through non-competitive sports activities. The organization also offers All In for Girls as a licensed curriculum for external organizations, manages a Charity Race Team for fundraising, and hosts annual events (Chip in for Girls Golf Outing, Field of Dreams Gala). A companion Alumnae Network maintains engagement with program graduates, while the Chicago Auxiliary Board engages young professionals in supporting the mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• All In for Girls: Curriculum licensing program allowing schools, organizations, or teams to bring Girls in the Game's sports, health and leadership curriculum to their programs.

Products and services

• After School Programs Year-round after school sports, health, and leadership programs for elementary and middle school girls (grades 3-8), provided in partnership with schools, parks, and community centers throughout Chicago (and Baltimore as of 2023).
• Sports & Leadership Summer Camp Four-week summer day camp for ages 7-13 featuring daily sports activities, health education, leadership skill-building, swimming, guest coaches, and teen leader mentorship, with optional overnight camp experience at Camp Shaw.
• Teen Squad Teen leadership program for middle and high school participants featuring sports, health education, and leadership activities, including Teen Leader Week during spring break and Summer Squad summer programming.
• Day of Play Events

Quantifiable outcome

• 65,000+ girls served since 1995
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Baltimore ProgramsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2023Expansion of after school programming to Baltimore, with Sara Moore as Baltimore contact managing program delivery in partnership with local organizations.
• Chicago Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary educational partner providing access to school facilities and student populations for after school and summer programming. Programs operate during school hours and on non-attendance days.
• Chicago Park DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing access to park facilities for outdoor sports programming, summer camp activities, and community events.
• YMCA of ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with McCormick YMCA and Southside YMCA for pool activities, swimming lessons, and facility access for programming.
• Chicago Marathon / Bank of America Chicago MarathonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial charity partner for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Girls in the Game recruits runners to fundraise for the organization through this partnership.
• World Marathon MajorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational charity race team partnership allowing supporters to represent Girls in the Game in World Marathon Majors events including Tokyo, Berlin, Venice, Prague, and Athens.
• Chicago Stars FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional soccer team partnering for soccer instruction and programming at Girls in the Game events.
• Camp ShawminorOthersOvernight camp venue in Manteno, IL (6641 6000 West, Manteno, IL 60950) used for Sports & Leadership Summer Camp overnight camp experience.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Soccer in the Streets: Atlanta-based nonprofit building community through soccer programs for youth from underserved neighborhoods. Comparable community-led, sport-based youth development model in a different metro.
• Chicago Run: Chicago-focused nonprofit providing running and physical activity programs to youth, partnering with Chicago Public Schools. Highly comparable mission and Chicago geography, though narrower sport focus.

Emerging players

• Black Girls Do Bike: Community organization encouraging Black women and girls to participate in cycling. Comparable in mission to grow a demographic's participation in sport, though narrower in sport and national vs. local reach.
• GOALS (Greater Opportunities for Athletics, Learning, and Success): Youth development nonprofit combining soccer with education and mentorship for underserved youth. Similar model of pairing sport instruction with SEL and life-skill outcomes in a community-partner delivery setting.

Direct peers

• Playworks: Nonprofit that partners with elementary schools to provide structured recess, coaching, and after school sports programming. Comparable because it operates a partner-site delivery model through schools and emphasizes social-emotional outcomes alongside physical activity.
• Girls on the Run: National nonprofit delivering running-based empowerment programs for girls in grades 3-8, with a curriculum combining physical activity and life skills. Most direct analog: same target age, similar non-competitive, after school model, and similar mission framing.
• Kids in the Game: New York-based youth sports and enrichment provider offering after school programs, summer camps, and clinics for K-12. Comparable in product mix (after school, summer camp, clinics) and school/community-center based delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Right to Play: International nonprofit using sport and play to educate and empower children in disadvantaged communities. Comparable sport-based youth development model with curriculum and partner delivery, but at global scale.
• National Association of Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS): Professional association advancing girls' and women's sport participation through advocacy, research, and resources. Overlapping mission space but primarily an advocacy/membership body rather than a program operator.
• Women's Sports Foundation: National advocacy and grantmaking organization promoting girls' and women's participation in sports. Comparable mission (advancing girls in sports) but operates more as a funder/advocate than a direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/getgirlsinthegame
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/girls-in-the-game
• Instagraminstagram.com/girlsinthegame
• Xx.com/girlsinthegame

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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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 Girls in the Game