Beat the Streets Chicago

What Beat the Streets Chicago does

Beat the Streets Chicago (BTSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 and headquartered at 5985 S Archer Ave on Chicago's South Side (EIN 36-3962523). The organization delivers youth development through a dual programming model that combines wrestling instruction with academic and life-skills enrichment, serving approximately 1,831 active wrestlers and 4,500 total youth ages 5-18 across the Chicago metropolitan area. Programming is delivered at seven anchor locations (Midway, Avondale, Roseland, Near Southside/NTA, Tri-Taylor, Hyde Park, and Oak Park) plus over 20 Chicago Public Schools through the CPS SCORE! partnership. The portfolio includes year-round youth wrestling, IHSA-season high school wrestling preparation, the largest girls wrestling program in Illinois (450+ participants), the Life Champions Academy enrichment program, free after-school tutoring centers, summer wrestling and STEAM camps, the BTS National Duals trip, the preseason Fall Classic tournament, and a College Combine that connects athletes with coaches from over 16 NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA institutions. Over 85% of participants receive financial support or scholarships.

The organization's revenue model is philanthropy-driven rather than commercial. Program fees are nominal and largely offset by scholarships, with Life Champions Academy participants receiving waived fees, free gear, and a $250 Fargo stipend. The majority of funding comes from private individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships, with named partners including DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation (three-year Sports Matter Impact League recipient), Frontenac (2026 Gala presenting sponsor), Old National Bank (summer intern sponsor with six of seven 2025 interns as BTSC alumni), New York Life ($7,500 Community Impact Grant), and Blackstone (Gives Back Challenge grant). Annual Gala proceeds have scaled from $850k at Navy Pier in 2024 to $1.35M at Morgan MFG in 2026, and the NCAA Watch Party contributed an additional $27K in 2026. Distribution of programs runs through direct on-site delivery and online registration/donation portals (Neon CRM at btschicago.app.neoncrm.com); fundraising uses Givergy event ticketing and Double the Donation matching-gift tooling. Marketing channels are community-led, anchored by CPS school partnerships, neighborhood word-of-mouth, social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn), the bilingual website (English and Spanish), and recurring earned-media placements on NBC Chicago Today, CBS Chicago, ABC Eyewitness News, and WIN Magazine.

Strategic leadership is exercised by Executive Director Mike Powell, supported by a 16-member Governing Board (currently chaired by Jason Stroiman, with Paul Carbery as Director Emeritus) that operates through Audit, Board Development, Finance, and Fund Development committees; an Advisory Board of Life Champions that meets quarterly; and a Young Professionals Board focused on fundraising and community engagement. The coaching staff is a notable asset, including a 2016 Greco-Roman Olympian, two-time NCAA All-Americans, a Team USA Pan Am Coach, and Head Women's Coach Samantha Barrientos (2025 Laureus USA Sport for Good Chicago Coach of the Year, featured in WIN Magazine). Governance and child-protection compliance include USA Wrestling membership with SafeSport training and background checks for all coaches, and standard nonprofit policies (anti-abuse, anti-discrimination, code of ethics, whistleblower, conflict of interest), with IRS Form 990 for FY24 publicly disclosed.

Name

Beat the Streets Chicago

Legal name

Beat the Streets Chicago

Website

https://btschicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Beat the Streets Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing youth development through wrestling instruction combined with academic and life-skills enrichment, serving approximately 4,500 Chicago youth ages 5-18 across 7 locations and 20+ public schools, with 85%+ on scholarship.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Kids & Youth Martial Arts Programs (HSADADAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies) (EDAMALAB)

Keywords

• Youth wrestling programs
• After-school tutoring
• Life skills enrichment
• Youth sports nonprofit
• Summer camps

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Donations and Fundraising: The majority of BTSC funding comes from private donors. Over 85% of wrestlers require financial support and scholarships to participate. The organization runs an Annual Gala, NCAA Watch Party, corporate sponsorships, and a Young Professionals Board that organizes fundraising events. The 2024 Gala at Navy Pier raised $850k; the 2026 Gala raised $1.35 million.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: BTSC accepts corporate sponsorships and partners with companies for funding. Sponsors visible on the website include DICK'S Sporting Goods, Old National Bank, Frontenac, New York Life, and others.
3. Program Fees and Scholarships: While some program fees are charged, the organization is committed to accessibility — over 85% of wrestlers receive financial support or scholarships. Life Champions Academy participants who are accepted receive benefits including waived programming fees, free gear, and a $250 Fargo stipend.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

Beat the Streets Chicago combines wrestling instruction with academic and life-skills enrichment programming for Chicago youth ages 5-18. Core offerings include year-round youth, high school, and girls wrestling clubs, the Life Champions Academy enrichment program, after-school tutoring, summer wrestling and STEAM camps, and school-based CPS SCORE! programs at 20+ Chicago Public Schools. The organization also hosts signature community events including the Annual Gala, NCAA Watch Party, Fall Classic Tournament, and College Combine.

Product overview

Beat the Streets Chicago is a youth wrestling and enrichment organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs centered on wrestling instruction and character development. The core offerings include Youth Wrestling (co-ed ages 5-13 with IKWF winter club), High School Wrestling, and the Girls Wrestling Program (largest in Illinois). These are paired with enrichment programming including Life Champions Academy (a two-tiered life skills program for middle and high school), After-School Tutoring, and Summer Camps (wrestling and STEAM). The organization also operates CPS SCORE! at over 20 Chicago Public Schools, runs National Duals & Camp events, and hosts annual fundraising events including the Gala and NCAA Watch Party. Additional programs include the College Combine, Fall Classic Tournament, and scholarship/ internship opportunities. Programs are delivered at anchor locations (Midway, Avondale, Roseland) plus satellite sites across Chicagoland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Life Champions Academy: Signature 10-month enrichment program combining life skills with wrestling lessons
• CPS SCORE!
• Young Professionals Board (YPB)

Products and services

• Youth Wrestling Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of wrestlers report more grit, confidence and academic success
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chicago Public Schools (CPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBTSC operates the CPS SCORE! program at 20+ Chicago Public Schools, introducing youth to wrestling. Programs include free spring break camps and competitive team participation. CPS board member Corey Morrison serves on the BTSC Governing Board.
• PowerhomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEAM Camp wrestlers visited Powerhome as part of career exploration activities, learning about real-world career paths in business and skilled trades.
• Executive ConstructionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEAM Camp wrestlers visited Executive Construction as part of career exploration activities, learning about real-world career paths in the skilled trades.
• Old Dominion FreightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEAM Camp wrestlers visited Old Dominion Freight as part of career exploration activities, learning about real-world career paths in logistics. BTSC senior Leovardo Jaurez also attends Old Dominion Freight.
• Morgan MFGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMorgan MFG is the venue for the 2026 Annual BTSC Gala (June 6, 2026), described as 'the biggest and best party of the year.'
• Wintrust Sports Complex (Bedford Park, IL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for the annual BTSC Fall Classic tournament, one of the Midwest's top preseason folkstyle events drawing 600+ wrestlers.
• USA WrestlingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll BTSC coaches must have a USAW (USA Wrestling) membership card, requiring SafeSport training and background checks. BTSC operates under USAW's governance framework and sends wrestlers to national events like the US Marine Corps Junior and 16U National Championships in Fargo.
• College Coaches Network (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBTSC's annual College Combine connects wrestlers with coaches from over 16 colleges and universities across all NCAA divisions, NJCAA, and NAIA. The event creates pathways for youth to pursue higher education through wrestling. Girls session 9AM-12PM, boys session 1-4PM with meet-and-greet hours.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Beat the Streets Philadelphia: Sister Beat the Streets affiliate serving Philadelphia youth with wrestling and educational programming. Operates the same model as BTSC - combining wrestling instruction with academic support - for urban youth in an underserved major U.S. city.
• Beat the Streets NYC: The original Beat the Streets affiliate, founded in 2005 in New York City, serving underserved youth through wrestling combined with academic and mentoring support. Directly comparable to BTSC in mission, dual-program model, target demographic, and reliance on corporate and private fundraising.
• Beat the Streets Baltimore: Sister affiliate delivering wrestling-based youth development in Baltimore with the same organizational model as BTSC. Comparable in target demographic, program structure (wrestling + enrichment), and nonprofit funding approach.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago: Major Chicago youth development nonprofit serving similar demographics (underserved urban youth) with broader programming including sports, education, arts, and after-school care. Operates at significantly larger scale than BTSC and competes for the same donor pool and youth population.
• YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago: Major Chicago youth and family services organization offering sports leagues, enrichment, after-school programming, and summer camps across the metro. Broad scope overlaps with BTSC's wrestling, tutoring, and summer camp offerings in the same geography.
• After-School All-Stars: National nonprofit providing comprehensive after-school and summer programs for youth in underserved communities. Overlaps with BTSC's after-school tutoring, summer camp, and enrichment offerings but does not focus on wrestling or sport-specific programming.
• Beat the Streets National: National umbrella organization supporting the network of Beat the Streets affiliates across the U.S., including BTSC. Provides shared branding, governance, and national fundraising strategy that BTSC participates in as the Chicago affiliate.

Others

• USA Wrestling: National governing body for amateur wrestling in the United States. BTSC operates under USA Wrestling governance - all coaches must hold USAW membership with SafeSport certification - and BTSC sends athletes to USAW-sanctioned events including Fargo Nationals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/BeattheStreetsChicago
• Facebookfacebook.com/BeatTheStreetsChicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/beat-the-streets-wrestling-program-chicago
• Instagraminstagram.com/btschicago

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

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 Beat the Streets Chicago