What MetroSquash does

MetroSquash is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 that operates a free, 12-year youth-development pathway program for under-resourced Chicagoland students from 5th grade through postsecondary completion. The organization delivers its model across two physical sites—the Hussain MetroSquash Center in Woodlawn (opened April 2015, Chicago's largest squash facility with 7 singles courts, 1 doubles court, and 4 classrooms) and an Evanston location launched in Fall 2018 at the McGaw YMCA—with reported reach of more than 400 students annually supported by 22 program staff. Its offering is organized around four pillars: Academics & Enrichment (tutoring, test prep, Saturday enrichment), Squash & Fitness (3+ hours/week of coaching and tournament play), Social Work & Supportive Services (counseling, socio-emotional learning, family engagement), and College & Careers (college access, scholarship support, career readiness, internships). The service is provided at no cost to students, with all equipment, travel, and supplies covered by the organization.

MetroSquash is funded through a diversified mix of individual donations, foundation grants (Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation, Polk Brothers Foundation, Chicago Community Foundation, Brinson, Baird, Backstop, among others), corporate contributions (Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, AbbVie, Allstate, CME Group, Constellation Brands, William Blair), and event revenue anchored by a 20-year charity partnership with the PSA World Tour's Windy City Open (over $750,000 contributed since 2006), the annual Gala, MetroSquash Cup, and Golfing for Graduates. Student recruitment runs through partner schools (Ariel Community Academy, Fiske Elementary, Gary Comer College Prep, Kenwood Academy, King College Prep, Kozminski Community Academy, Chute Middle School, Nichols Middle School) plus community referrals, supported by an Auxiliary Board, DEI Committee, and a volunteer/mentor network of 100+ adults. Reported outcomes include a 100% college acceptance rate, 98% college enrollment (2x the CPS rate), 88% college persistence (5x the CPS rate), and 85% alumni full-time employment, with the program recognized as a Gold Star organization by MENTOR Illinois.

Operationally, the technology stack is non-applicable—MetroSquash is a human-delivered service, with no proprietary software, APIs, SDKs, or AI/ML capabilities disclosed. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by CEO Janae Meyer (joined 2016, succeeded founder David Kay) and COO Jesus Ayala Jr., with a large alumni contingent in staff and coaching roles. Strategic direction under Meyer includes the 2018 launch of the Career Program and Evanston site, a publicly stated permanent-Evanston-home goal, and plans to extend services to Chicago's West Side.

Name

MetroSquash

Legal name

MetroSquash

Website

https://metrosquash.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MetroSquash is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a free 12-year youth-development pathway—academics, squash, social work, and college/career prep—for 400+ under-resourced Chicagoland students from 5th grade through postsecondary completion, funded by donations, grants, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: General donations from individuals made via the MetroSquash website, monthly giving program, or cash/check.
2. Foundation Grants: Financial support from foundations including Backstop Foundation, Baird Foundation, Brinson Foundation, Chicago Community Foundation, Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation, Polk Brothers Foundation, and others over the past three fiscal years.
3. Corporate Support: Financial contributions from corporations including AbbVie, Allstate, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, CME Group, Constellation Brands, and others in the past three fiscal years.
4. Event Revenue: Funds raised through events including the annual Gala (20th anniversary in 2025), MetroSquash Cup, Golfing for Graduates, and Windy City Open charity partnership. The Windy City Open has donated over $750,000 to MetroSquash since 2006.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Partners provide internship opportunities to post-secondary students. Organizations like After School Matters, William Blair, and LUV Institute offer structured internship programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MetroSquash delivers a free 12-year youth development pathway program (5th grade through post-secondary completion) combining academic tutoring and enrichment, competitive squash instruction, social-emotional support services, and college and career preparation for under-resourced Chicagoland students. The program is delivered at two physical facilities—the Hussain MetroSquash Center in Woodlawn and a satellite at McGaw YMCA in Evanston—and is supported by volunteer mentors, donor funding, and corporate and foundation grants.

Product overview

MetroSquash is a nonprofit youth development organization offering a holistic pathway program combining four core pillars: Academics & Enrichment, Squash & Fitness, Social Work & Supportive Services, and College & Careers. Operating since 2005, the program supports students from 5th grade through postsecondary completion at two locations (Woodlawn and Evanston). Supporting programs include a Mentor Program and Volunteer Program, while annual fundraising events include the Gala, MetroSquash Cup, and Golfing for Graduates. The organization also maintains a partnership with the Windy City Open/PSA World Championships as its official charity partner.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academics & Enrichment Academic support program providing tutoring, homework help, test preparation (SSAT/ISEE/SAT), high school placement services, and Saturday enrichment for middle and high school students three days per week, free of charge to Chicagoland students.
• Squash & Fitness Athletic program combining squash instruction with fitness training, providing students at least three hours of weekly squash instruction with professional coaching, cross-training fitness, and competitive tournament opportunities including the annual MetroSquash Cup.
• Social Work & Supportive Services Emotional health and wellness support including one-on-one and small group counseling, socio-emotional learning, family engagement workshops, and student support groups delivered by MetroSquash social workers.
• College & Careers Postsecondary access and success program supporting students from freshman year through college completion, including college visits, application assistance, scholarship support, career readiness workshops, and internship placement via partners such as After School Matters and William Blair.
• Mentor Program One-on-one youth mentoring program pairing MetroSquash students with civic-minded adult mentors for a minimum one-year commitment; recognized by MENTOR Illinois for meeting best practices across six program areas.
• Windy City Open Partnership Charity partnership with the PSA World Championships/Windy City Open since 2006, providing student exposure to professional squash, on-court experiences with top players, and over $750,000 in donations to MetroSquash.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% college enrollment rate (2x the Chicago Public Schools rate)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Squash and Education Alliance (SEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetroSquash is an enthusiastic participant of SEA events throughout the year. SEA provides national network for urban squash programs, summer camp opportunities, and the Liz Kutyla-Miner Achievement Scholarship administered at the Windy City Open.
• Northwestern UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides college access opportunities and campus resources for MetroSquash students. Former Squash Director Michael MacDonald connected Northwestern with MetroSquash.
• University of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetroSquash originated using University of Chicago squash courts in 2005. Ongoing partnership provides college access resources and program connections.
• After School MattersmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides internship opportunities to MetroSquash post-secondary students.标记 with asterisk indicating primary internship provider.
• LUV InstitutemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides internship opportunities to MetroSquash post-secondary students.标记 with asterisk indicating primary internship provider.
• McGaw YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvanston location operates from McGaw YMCA providing three squash courts and academic space. MetroSquash office is located adjacent at 1599 Maple Ave.
• MENTOR IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational mentor network organization. Recognized MetroSquash as Gold Star organization for meeting best practices across six program areas.
• University Club of ChicagomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChicagoland squash club providing significant support. Hosts Windy City Open and serves as venue for volunteer engagement. Auxiliary board members include club members.
• Onwentsia ClubmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChicagoland squash club providing court access and volunteer support for MetroSquash programs.
• Union League Club of ChicagomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChicagoland squash club providing significant support. Hosts volunteer activities and squash programming.
• Posse FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege access and success organization supporting MetroSquash students through post-secondary transitions.
• Chicago ScholarsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege access organization providing additional pathways and support for MetroSquash students.
• AmericorpsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational service program supporting MetroSquash programming and student engagement.
• Big Brothers, Big SistersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentoring organization supporting MetroSquash's one-on-one mentoring program for youth.
• YearUpmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkforce development organization providing career pathways and internship opportunities for MetroSquash post-secondary students.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• After School Matters: Chicago-based nonprofit providing out-of-school-time programming and paid internships to Chicago Public Schools teens. A current MetroSquash internship partner and a directly comparable youth-development peer operating in the same geography.
• Chicago Scholars: Chicago-based college access and success program supporting high-achieving, underrepresented CPS students through college selection, persistence support, and career networking. A current MetroSquash partner with directly overlapping program elements and geography.

Broad incumbents

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago: Chicago affiliate of the national youth mentoring organization and a MetroSquash mentoring partner. Operates a similar one-on-one mentoring model targeting the same Chicago youth population.
• Posse Foundation: National college access and success organization that recruits diverse public school student cohorts and places them at partner universities. A current MetroSquash college-access partner and a comparable peer in the postsecondary-pipeline space.
• OneGoal: National college persistence nonprofit supporting low-income students from junior year through college graduation. Operates a similar longitudinal, cohort-based college completion model and competes for the same institutional funders as MetroSquash.

Direct peers

• SquashBusters: Urban squash and education nonprofit founded in Boston in 1995, serving under-resourced youth through squash, academics, mentoring, and college access. Operates the same four-pillar model as MetroSquash and is one of the founding members of the urban squash movement.
• StreetSquash: New York City-based urban squash program combining athletic, academic, mentoring, and college placement support for public school students. Closely comparable operating model, target population, and longitudinal pathway structure.
• CitySquash: Bronx-based urban squash nonprofit serving public school students from middle school through college with academic tutoring, squash, mentoring, and college counseling. Directly comparable programmatic and demographic profile to MetroSquash.
• Squash Haven: New Haven-based urban squash program offering academic tutoring, squash instruction, and college access to local public school students. Operates the same public-school-recruitment, multi-year pathway model as MetroSquash.

Others

• National Urban Squash + Education Association (NUSEA): National umbrella association for the urban squash movement. MetroSquash is a member program; NUSEA coordinates summer camps, tournaments, and inter-program collaboration that augment MetroSquash's own offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/metrosquash
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC78PlPNe5Vy319fZp9NPr0w
• Facebookfacebook.com/MetroSquashChicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metrosquash
• Instagraminstagram.com/metrosquashchicago

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 MetroSquash