What Palace For Life Foundation does

Palace For Life Foundation is the official charity of Crystal Palace Football Club, established in 1993 and headquartered at Selhurst Park in South London (Charity Number 1125878). The foundation uses football-based programming to deliver youth and community services across South London, reaching over 18,000 young people annually through 30 venues. It operates a portfolio of more than a dozen programmes spanning free weekly football sessions (Premier League Kicks, DS Eagles, Get Involved), targeted interventions for at-risk youth (Breaking the Cycle, Advantage Mentoring), employment pathways (GAME ON, DS GAME ON, Premier League Works), mental and physical health support (Ahead of the Game, Football for Health), and paid holiday courses (Soccer Schools).

The foundation is funded primarily through a mix of donations, Premier League Charitable Fund and PFA programme grants, corporate partnerships (including New York Jets and Harris Philanthropies), event-based fundraising (Marathon March, charity shirt sales, raffles), and modest fee income from Soccer Schools (starting at £29/day). Most programmes are free to participants, with the Premier League underwriting core delivery. The foundation operates with 58 full-time staff (doubled in size under outgoing Chair Ed Warner), is governed by a Board of Trustees (now chaired by Paul Cleal following the 2025 transition), and is structurally affiliated with Crystal Palace FC without being a subsidiary in the corporate sense.

Distribution is overwhelmingly community-based and direct: free sessions at 30 venues across South London, online booking for paid Soccer Schools via sportsfusion.uk, matchday presence at Selhurst Park, and digital fundraising via palaceforlife.org. The technology stack is modest — a content/donation website plus a third-party sports booking platform — with no proprietary AI, data platform, or software product. The operating model is a community-services non-profit, not a technology or product business.

Name

Palace For Life Foundation

Legal name

Palace For Life Foundation

Website

https://palaceforlife.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Palace For Life Foundation is the registered charity of Crystal Palace FC, delivering football-based youth, disability, employment, and mental health programmes to over 18,000 young people annually across 30 South London venues, funded by donations, Premier League grants, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Youth Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Community football programmes
• Youth development charity
• Disability sport services
• Mental health mentoring
• Employment skills training

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from supporters and fans, including direct online donations via the website
2. Fundraising campaigns: Campaign-based fundraising including Marathon March, Made in South London campaign targeting £1 million, charity shirt sales, raffles and auctions
3. Premier League and partner funding: Funding from Premier League Charitable Fund and Professional Footballers Association to support programmes like Premier League Kicks, Get Involved, and other community initiatives
4. Corporate partnerships: Partnerships with companies like New York Jets, Harris Philanthropies, and Vice President's Club for programme funding
5. Soccer Schools fees: Paid holiday football courses for children aged 5-14, with member discounts available

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Palace For Life Foundation is the official charity of Crystal Palace FC that delivers free and subsidised community-based programmes using football to support young people aged 5-25 in South London. Services include free weekly football sessions, disability sport (DS Eagles, DS GAME ON), youth employment and training programmes (GAME ON, Premier League Works), targeted crime-reduction interventions (Breaking the Cycle), mental health mentoring (Advantage Mentoring, Ahead of the Game), and paid holiday Soccer Schools camps for children aged 5-14.

Product overview

Palace For Life Foundation is the official charity of Crystal Palace FC, operating as a community organization rather than a technology product. The foundation delivers a portfolio of sport and community programmes targeting young people in South London, with the core offerings including Premier League Kicks (free football for ages 8-18), Soccer Schools (holiday camps for children 5-14), DS Eagles (Down's Syndrome football team), Get Involved (Asian community engagement programme), GAME ON and DS GAME ON (employment programmes), Breaking the Cycle and Advantage Mentoring (targeted interventions), Football for Health, and Ahead of the Game (mental health). These programmes are complemented by fundraising initiatives including the annual Marathon March and the 'Made in South London' campaign. The organization does not offer a technology product, API, or AI/ML capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Premier League Kicks Free weekly football and multi-sport sessions for young people aged 8-18, using football to divert them from crime and anti-social behaviour while developing their potential.
• DS Eagles Down's Syndrome football team providing weekly sessions and competitive opportunities for players with Down's Syndrome, fostering physical literacy, social skills, and team participation.
• Soccer Schools Holiday football camps for children aged 5-14, offering coaching by FA and UEFA licensed coaches in skills development, competitions, and team play at Crystal Palace Academy and Kent County Cricket Club. Prices start at £29 per day.
• Get Involved Weekly multi-sport programme specifically designed to increase physical activity for those from Asian backgrounds, addressing barriers to participation in grassroots football through inclusive, culturally-aware sessions.
• GAME ON Flagship employment and skills programme helping young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, training or employment to move into positive pathways including football coaching qualifications.
• DS GAME ON Employment and skills programme for young people with Down's Syndrome, combining the DS Eagles programme with employment workshops to build confidence, independence and work skills.
• Breaking the Cycle Targeted intervention programme aimed at reducing youth crime in South London by working with those aged 8-19 who are referred by schools, police, and agencies such as the Youth Offending Service.
• Football for Health Health programme using the power of Crystal Palace to tackle health inequalities, offering 1-to-1 support through community connectors and opportunities for physical activity for young patients in recovery.
• Advantage Mentoring Mental health mentoring programme for young people aged 14-21 referred to CAMHS, bringing together professional football club community organisations and the local NHS to re-establish aspirations and connection.
• Centre Forward Fund Flexible financial support fund rewarding young people progressing well, providing grants for activities, equipment, training courses, and interview clothing to support development and employability.
• Marathon March Annual 26.2-mile sponsored walk through South London, raising funds for young South Londoners with participants receiving t-shirts, meals, and finisher medals. Registration fee £25 with £300 minimum sponsorship pledge.
• Premier League Works Employability programme supporting young people with classroom activities, volunteering opportunities, and pathways into education and employment through sport.
• Ahead of the Game Youth mental health programme run in partnership with Movember, delivering interactive workshops in schools and community settings helping young people aged 12-18 learn mental wellbeing support.
• Made in South London £1 million fundraising campaign over three years to transform the lives of disadvantaged young South Londoners, funding expanded programmes to reduce violence and increase employment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40,000 children and young people supported in schools and community in last 3 years
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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.

• New York JetscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2026New partnership between Palace for Life and New York Jets to host the Championship Day of the 2026 Jets NFL Girls Flag league. The Jets will expand the league in South London in 2027, with Palace for Life identifying schools to join. Includes launch of Jets Flag Elite London, a new all-girls flag football travel team.
• University of Cincinnati Audiology programminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Kroger donated surplus hearing devices to University of Cincinnati which partnered with Palace Foundation in Cancun to serve over 350 patients internationally. UC audiology students gained hands-on experience while expanding hearing health education.
• Premier League Charitable Fund / Premier League KickscoreOthersLong-standing partnership providing funding for Premier League Kicks programme offering free sports activities diverting young people from anti-social behaviour. Premier League provides core funding enabling free community delivery.
• Oasis Charitable TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong partnership with Oasis working in many local schools and running sessions through Premier League Kicks and other programmes. Oasis founded by Steve Chalke in 1985, works across 10 countries delivering supported housing, education, healthcare and youth work.
• MovembercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivering Ahead of the Game, youth mental health programme teaching players, parents, coaches and volunteers to understand mental health. Movember announced £4.2 million investment in sport to improve mental health across UK.
• Gloves not GunzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity boxing initiative in partnership with Palace for Life, supported by Premier League and PFA investment. Runs in Norbury Park, Croydon providing free fitness classes and mentoring on gangs, weapons awareness and healthy relationships.
• BAFA (British American Football Association)minorOthersBAFA is working with the NFL to grow Flag Football in the UK, supporting the Jets NFL Girls Flag League expansion.
• DSActiveminorOthersDSActive sent letters about Palace for Life's weekly football sessions for children with Down Syndrome, referring families to the DS Eagles programme.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chelsea Foundation: Official charity of Chelsea FC, delivering community sport, education, employability, and inclusion programmes in London. Most directly comparable peer given overlapping London geography, Premier League status, and similar mission targeting young people and disadvantaged communities.
• Arsenal in the Community: Arsenal FC's community arm delivering Premier League Kicks-style programmes alongside education, employability, and disability sport initiatives. Highly comparable given shared PL Kicks funding stream and focus on young people across London.
• Fulham FC Foundation: Official charity of Fulham FC, delivering sport, education, and community programmes in South/West London. Closely comparable given overlapping South London geography and similar programme mix targeting young people.
• West Ham United Foundation: Official charity of West Ham United, delivering health, education, sport, and inclusion programmes across East London. Comparable due to London geography, similar target populations, and shared Premier League/PL Kicks funding.
• Liverpool FC Foundation: Official charity of Liverpool FC delivering community programmes across the Liverpool City Region. Comparable as a major PL club foundation with employment, education, and sport programmes, including dedicated disability inclusion work.
• Manchester City Foundation (City in the Community): Official charity of Manchester City delivering health, sport, and education programmes. Comparable as a PL club foundation with a similar portfolio of community sport and inclusion programmes at significant scale.
• Everton in the Community: Official charity of Everton FC delivering sport, education, health, and inclusion programmes across Merseyside. Comparable due to PL club foundation structure, PL Kicks participation, and similar target demographics in disadvantaged communities.
• Manchester United Foundation: Official charity of Manchester United, one of the largest PL club foundations, running sport, education, and employability programmes. Comparable on programme mix and scale, though operating at a much larger geographic and demographic footprint.
• Tottenham Hotspur Foundation: Official charity of Tottenham Hotspur, delivering sport, health, education, and employment programmes in North/East London. Directly comparable as a London-based Premier League club foundation with a similar portfolio of free community programmes.

Others

• Youth Sport Trust: UK charity focused on improving young people's lives through sport and PE, particularly in schools. Comparable as a youth-focused sport charity working on inclusion and wellbeing but operating nationally rather than through a club-anchored model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PalaceForLife
• Facebookfacebook.com/palaceforlife
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/palaceforlife
• Instagraminstagram.com/palaceforlife
• TikToktiktok.com/@palaceforlifefoundation

Compliance2 records

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 Palace For Life Foundation