The Center for Healing and Justice through Sport

What The Center for Healing and Justice through Sport does

The Center for Healing and Justice through Sport (CHJS) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax ID 84-5154306) founded in 2017 and rebranded from We Coach in August 2021. The organization delivers training, consulting, and collective-action services to coaches, youth-sport programs, professional sports teams, government agencies, and businesses, with the stated mission of making sport a healing-centered experience for young people. Its flagship intellectual property is the Neurosequential Model for Sport (NM-Sport), a 100+ hour, 12-module certification co-developed with Dr. Bruce Perry's Neurosequential Network and led by Perry, Steve Graner, and CHJS founder Megan Bartlett. CHJS also produces open-source resources (the Nothing Heals Like Sport playbook, Healing-Centered Sport Checklist, Trauma-Informed Sport White Paper), hosts the Coaching While Black podcast, and facilitates backbone infrastructure for the Coalitions for Sport Equity and the SBYD Funder Collaborative.

CHJS's revenue is generated through a mixed nonprofit model: (1) fee-based training including the $4,000 NM-Sport Certification, (2) paid consulting engagements for organizations and government agencies, (3) grants and foundation funding from entities such as the Carmel Hill Fund, the Parmenter Foundation, Susan Crowne Exchange (Million Coaches Challenge), and the SBYD Funder Collaborative's 20+ funders, and (4) individual and corporate donations. The organization distributes services through regional managers across the East Coast, NYC, West (LA), Midwest (Chicago/Minneapolis), and Pacific Northwest (Seattle), and through international partner networks in Canada, Australia/Oceania, and Central and Southern Africa (SHIFT). Nike serves as a founding partner, and additional major relationships include the NFL (Next Play Mentoring Initiative, Fall 2026), Amazin' Mets Foundation, Seattle Kraken/One Roof Foundation, Chicago Bulls Community, Milwaukee Bucks, Jr. NBA, Laureus USA, and Fight for Children.

The organization is led by co-founders Megan Bartlett and David Flynn (Executive Director), supported by a board that includes Jai Nanda (Urban Dove), Edniesha Curry (FIBA), and David Shapiro (MENTOR). CHJS operates with 11-50 employees across U.S. regional offices and was named a Chicago Innovation Awards Top 100 Finalist in 2023.

Name

The Center for Healing and Justice through Sport

Legal name

Center for Healing and Justice through Sport

Website

https://chjs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CHJS is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers training, consulting, and systems-change services to integrate trauma-informed, neuroscience-based coaching into youth sport, serving professional sports teams, nonprofits, government agencies, and coaches across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports-Based Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Coach Education, Certification & Clinics (HSADAEAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Media, Entertainment & Sports (EDABALAS), Sport-Specific Private Coaching & Instruction (1:1, Small Group) (MPAKAJAE), Team & Club Coaching (seasonal team coaching) (HSADAEAF)

Keywords

• Healing-centered coaching
• Trauma-informed sport training
• Sports-based youth development
• Nonprofit consulting services
• Coach certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 84-5154306), CHJS relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization hosts fundraising events like the Ultimate Thunderdome and maintains ongoing donation capabilities through their website.
2. Training and Certification Fees: Fee-based training programs including the NM-Sport Certification at $4,000 USD. The organization also offers free training programs supported by grants and subsidies for qualifying organizations.
3. Consulting Services: Top-to-bottom consulting services for programs, organizations, government agencies, and businesses including evaluation support, program and curriculum design, and organizational strategy. Services are tailored to client needs.
4. Grants and Foundation Funding: Funding from foundations including Carmel Hill Fund (NYC mental health cohorts), Parmenter Foundation (E-Motion program), and participation in collaborative funding initiatives like the SBYD Funder Collaborative.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CHJS delivers coaching training, organizational consulting, and systems change/collective action services to help youth sports organizations, professional sports teams, schools, and government agencies adopt trauma-informed, healing-centered sport practices. Its flagship paid offering is the NM-Sport Certification (100+ hour, 12-module program) co-developed with The Neurosequential Network, complemented by shorter training sessions, organizational strategy consulting, and movement-building infrastructure such as the Coalitions for Sport Equity.

Product overview

CHJS operates as a national nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include: Coach & Staff Training (practical, research-based training in healing-centered sport, social-emotional learning, and girls in sport); Consulting Services (evaluation, curriculum design, organizational strategy); Systems Change/Collective Action (Coalitions for Sport Equity, SBYD Funder's Collaborative); and the NM-Sport Certification (100+ hour certification with the Neurosequential Network). Supporting resources include the Nothing Heals Like Sport Playbook, Healing-Centered Sport Checklist, and Trauma-Informed Sport White Paper. The organization also produces the Coaching While Black podcast and manages international initiatives through its Innovative Hub (Canada, Australia/Oceania, SHIFT-Africa).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NM-Sport: A 100+ hour, 12-module, self-paced training certification program created in partnership with The Neurosequential Network, led by Dr. Bruce Perry, Steve Graner, and CHJS founder Megan Bartlett.
• CHJS in Canada
• CHJS Australia / Oceania
• SHIFT
• Next Play Mentoring Initiative

Products and services

• Coach & Staff Training Practical, research-based training engagements for coaches, sports organizations, government agencies, and businesses covering trauma-informed and healing-centered sport methodologies, social-emotional learning, and girls-in-sport programming.
• Consulting Services Top-to-bottom consulting engagements for programs, organizations, government agencies, and businesses including evaluation support, program and curriculum design, organizational strategy, playbook/culture manual development, site visits, and train-the-trainer programs.
• Systems Change / Collective Action Movement-building work addressing systems-level challenges in healing-centered sport, including backbone facilitation of Coalitions for Sport Equity and the SBYD Funder's Collaborative.
• NM-Sport Certification A 100+ hour, 12-module, self-paced online training certification developed in partnership with The Neurosequential Network, led by Dr. Bruce Perry. Participants become 'master coaches' able to support other coaches in implementation of healing-centered coaching strategies. Priced at $4,000 USD with limited subsidies for qualifying sports-based youth development non-profits.
• Innovative Hub (International Initiatives) Hub coordinating international and innovative projects including CHJS in Canada, CHJS Australia/Oceania (spelled Centre for Healing and Justice), and SHIFT network spanning Central and Southern Africa, delivering healing-centered sport training and capacity building locally.
• Free Quarterly Training Free 90-minute interactive virtual training sessions covering healing-centered sport and brain-based coaching fundamentals, offered quarterly for coaches and parents new to healing-centered sport.
• Million Coaches Challenge Free Training Free virtual coach trainings including SBYD 101, SBYD 201, How Sport Can Heal 101, and How Sport Can Heal 201, funded through the Susan Crowne Exchange Million Coaches Challenge initiative.
• Next Play Mentoring Initiative NFL partnership initiative equipping community coaches with mentorship training, leadership development, and community building skills. Launching in Atlanta and Washington D.C. in Fall 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free quarterly training sessions with no cost to attendees, subsidized NM-Sport certification for qualifying non-profits
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and minor.

• NikeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNike is a founding partner of CHJS. The partnership includes Made to Play initiative collaboration, video production showcasing healing-centered sport, and ongoing co-development of training content. Nike's purpose.nike.com platform features CHJS as a founding partner. Megan Bartlett has appeared on Nike's No Off-Season Podcast.
• The Neurosequential NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDynamic partnership to offer NM-Sport Certification, a 100+ hour training program led by Dr. Bruce Perry and Steve Graner alongside CHJS founder Megan Bartlett. This is a field-leading model in education adapted for sport contexts.
• Coalitions for Sport EquitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHJS serves as backbone facilitator and fiscal sponsor for Coalitions for Sport Equity, a group of city and region-based collectives representing sport, physical activity, and play-based organizations in communities nationwide. Meets monthly.
• Amazin' Mets FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoach Development Program for baseball and softball coaches in the Tri-state area, addressing lack of access as a foundational issue for kids. Joint initiative bringing CHJS healing-centered coaching to Mets-affiliated programs.
• Laureus USAmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFree training series powered by Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA. Topics include Sports-Based Youth Development and Healing-Centered Coaching. Partnership for COVID relief training program and ongoing Sport for Good Chicago initiatives.
• Seattle Kraken / One Roof FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealing-Centered Coaching and Inclusive Coaching Strategies training session with 60+ Kraken Youth Hockey coaches. Partnership through One Roof Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena.
• Jr. NBAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCOVID relief training program partnership providing training for youth basketball coaches during the pandemic recovery period.
• Pride House SFminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealing-centered coach training for San Francisco's LGBTQ+ sports community ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Partnership with Street Soccer to reach underserved populations.
• Fight for Children (FFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2020, FFC and CHJS have joined forces to revolutionize youth sports and programs in the DMV area (DC, Maryland, Virginia). FFC has impacted over 400,000 youth over 30 years. Partnership includes collaborative leadership team and regional youth development initiatives.
• Chicago Bulls CommunitymajorGTM or Marketing Partner3-year partnership creating more girls-centered programming throughout Chicago. Community leaders trained as coaches through Girls Coaching Development Program.
• Positive Coaching AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCA partnered with We Coach to expand coach education in sports-based youth development and trauma-informed practices.
• National Summer Learning Association (NSLA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership hosting webinar on sports' role in healing young people's bodies and brains. Professional Summer Learning Community collaboration with ongoing summer learning cohort.
• Australian Football LeaguemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHJS Australia has collaborated with the Australian Football League on healing-centred sports training and programs.
• The Australian Olympic CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHJS Australia partnered with the Australian Olympic Committee for the 2023 Equality Summit during FIFA Women's World Cup and serves as training partner for Australian Olympic Indigenous Coaching Scholarship Programme (BOICSP).
• Hoops4HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHJS Australia collaborates with Hoops4Health, a First Nations-led organization with 21 years of experience in Northern Australia. Partnership blends brain-based coaching, healing-centred sports training, and First Nations wisdom.
• The Australian Sports CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHJS Australia is leading development of an Intersectionality Framework for Governance and Leadership in Australian Sport, working with the Australian Sports Commission and broader sporting sector.
• Myriad Kofkin GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHJS Australia is an Associate partner leading development of Intersectionality Framework for Governance and Leadership in Australian Sport with Australian Sports Commission.
• Equal Playing FieldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizers of 2023 Equality Summit during FIFA Women's World Cup, promoting equality in sport globally.
• Women OnsideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizers of 2023 Equality Summit promoting equality in women's football/soccer.
• Women in SoccerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizers of 2023 Equality Summit and signatories on joint statement advocating for end of abuse and sexism in sport.
• Institute for Sport and Social JusticeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizers of 2023 Equality Summit promoting equality in sport and signatory on joint statement.
• NFLmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNext Play Mentoring Initiative coming to Atlanta and Washington D.C. in Fall 2026. Community coaches equipped to use their influence to strengthen young people, families, and communities.
• Urban DoveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounder Jai Nanda's organization; urban youth development through sport. Board member connection.
• Community Safety Coordination Center (CSCC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership to equip Chicago neighborhood stakeholders with trauma-informed mental health skills, enhancing community support during high-violence summer months.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MENTOR (National Mentoring Partnership): MENTOR is the national convener for youth mentoring and a CHJS board-member affiliation (David Shapiro). Its emphasis on mentor training, SEL, and movement-building infrastructure is a close functional analog to CHJS's coach training and coalition work.
• National Summer Learning Association (NSLA): NSLA is a national nonprofit focused on summer learning and youth development and is a current CHJS partner (webinars, summer learning cohort). Operates in adjacent workforce/ecosystem space with similar funder-collaborative and training-program models.
• Up2Us Sports: Up2Us Sports is a national SBYD coalition that trains coaches and places them in under-resourced communities. CHJS director Adrienne Moore previously worked there, and Up2Us is also a founding partner under Jai Nanda's board links — making it a closely aligned peer.
• America SCORES: America SCORES is an SBYD nonprofit that uses soccer to deliver SEL and literacy programming. CHJS trainer Armond Richards came from America Scores LA; both organizations operate at the intersection of youth sport coaching and social-emotional development.
• Girls on the Run International: Girls on the Run is a national nonprofit combining running with SEL and life skills for girls. Strongly comparable to CHJS's 'Girls in Sport' content area and shared 'sport as healing/development' thesis, especially for younger cohorts.
• Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA): PCA is the largest US nonprofit focused on coach education and positive youth sports culture. It directly overlaps with CHJS in trauma-informed and social-emotional coach training, and is even listed as a former collaborator ('We Coach' partnered with PCA).
• Laureus USA / Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: Laureus is a global funder and convener in the 'Sport for Good' movement and is also a current CHJS partner (free training series, COVID relief). Operates in the same coach-training and youth-sport-equity space with comparable mission framing.

Broad incumbents

• Athletes for Hope: Athletes for Hope mobilizes professional athletes around social causes including youth development. Less focused on coach certification specifically, but operates in the same professional-sport-meets-youth-impact space and overlaps with CHJS's league partnerships.
• Beyond Sport: Beyond Sport is a global nonprofit that convenes and funds organizations using sport for social impact. It operates at a higher altitude (coalition, funding, recognition) than CHJS but competes for the same funder mindshare and partnerships in the sport-for-good space.
• The Aspen Institute's Project Play: Project Play is the leading US research and policy initiative on youth sports, producing the influential 'State of Play' reports. Operates as a thought-leadership and policy counterpart to CHJS's training and consulting work, shaping the same funder and league ecosystems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CHJSorg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@chjsorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/CHJSorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/weallcoach
• Instagraminstagram.com/chjsorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 The Center for Healing and Justice through Sport