Naismith International Basketball Foundation

What Naismith International Basketball Foundation does

Naismith International Basketball Foundation (NIBF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Apopka, Florida, that operates as a custodian of Dr. James Naismith's basketball legacy and naming rights. The organization runs award programs (notably featuring figures such as Shaquille O'Neal, Caitlin Clark, and Coach Mike Krzyzewski), youth development initiatives, and community engagement activities spanning the U.S. Southeast and the Caribbean (KNA). The Naismith Nation community is anchored around the $1 membership challenge as a low-friction acquisition mechanism.

NIBF's product surface is built on a WooCommerce-based merchandise storefront (Naismith Throwback High Tops, 250th Anniversary commemorative items priced $7-$61), the NIBF Locker Room membership platform with an embedded NIBF AI Chatbot (Delphi-powered) and SpeakAndPlay AI integration, digital products, and youth programs. Strategic events include the Naismith Good Sportsmanship Tour 2025 and the new Naismith Esports Basketballlympics Extravaganza. Brand reach is anchored by 12M+ verified Google views and UN recognition for 2025-2026.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: merchandise sales, $1 memberships, donations, NIBF Impact Consulting services, affiliate partnerships, entertainment events (via Friend Entertainment USA), and co-branded initiatives. The operating model is lean (1-10 employees) and depends on third-party AI vendors rather than proprietary technology, with no disclosed financials in the input data.

Name

Naismith International Basketball Foundation

Legal name

Naismith International Basketball Foundation

Website

https://naismithfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1891

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Naismith International Basketball Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit preserving Dr. James Naismith's basketball legacy through awards, youth programs, merchandise, and a $1 Naismith Nation membership, serving basketball stakeholders across the U.S. and Caribbean.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Charitable Foundation — Youth Basketball and Mentorship

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers (4591), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support (EDALAIAN), Youth & Amateur Sports Tournaments (MPAGAMAF), Basketball Footwear & Apparel Retail (CRAMACAB)

Keywords

• Youth basketball programs
• Nonprofit charitable foundation
• Basketball legacy preservation
• Commemorative sports merchandise
• Youth mentorship services

Headquarters

HQ city

Apopka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of apparel, accessories, and commemorative items through WooCommerce storefront and third-party platforms. Products include t-shirts, hoodies, caps, bags, mugs, and specialty items like Naismith Throwback High Tops.
2. Membership Dues: $1 Membership Challenge and supporter membership programs providing recurring revenue to fund youth programs and operations.
3. Donations: Voluntary contributions from donors supporting the mission of empowering at-risk youth through basketball, mentorship, and character-building programs.
4. NIBF Impact Consulting: President Perdomo provides consulting services to businesses; consulting fees are donated back to the Foundation, turning strategy budgets into youth impact investments.
5. Affiliate Partnerships: Partner platforms (SpeakAndPlay AI, Pxch, Join The Cleanup, Kindness Offer) generate referral revenue; 100% of earnings from partnerships go back into NIBF programs.
6. Entertainment Events: Friend Entertainment USA produces live concerts; after covering entertainer costs, remaining proceeds are donated to NIBF.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

NIBF preserves Dr. James Naismith's basketball legacy and funds at-risk youth programs through direct sales of commemorative apparel, footwear, and digital products (e.g., The Soul of the Game Blueprint ebook), a $1 recurring membership program, voluntary donations, partner-platform affiliate revenue, and youth-development programs such as the Caribbean Kids Coalition and the Good Sportsmanship Award.

Product overview

Naismith International Basketball Foundation (NIBF) operates as a nonprofit organization preserving Dr. James Naismith's basketball legacy through a portfolio of merchandise products and youth programs. The core offering is the Naismith Nation Shop, a WooCommerce-based merchandise store selling apparel, accessories, and commemorative items. Key products include the Naismith Throwback High Tops footwear, 250th Commemorative T-Shirts, and Thank You Towels celebrating basketball's 250th anniversary. Digital offerings include The Soul of the Game Blueprint ebook. The foundation operates the NIBF Locker Room membership platform providing AI tools, training resources, and community features. Youth initiatives include the Caribbean Kids Coalition program and the Good Sportsmanship Award. The $1 Naismith Nation Membership Challenge serves as the entry point for supporter engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Naismith Nation Shop

Quantifiable outcome

• 12M+ verified Google views for President Perdomo's Google Guide activity providing permanent, verified presence.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SpeakAndPlay AIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAI-powered tools supporting language learning, speech, and confidence building for youth, families, and coaches. When users explore SpeakAndPlay AI through the NIBF link, it helps fund youth programs.
• PxchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebinar and meeting platform tools for everyday people to build income streams. When used through NIBF network, helps fund youth programs and community impact.
• Join The CleanupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental and sustainability initiative that reduces plastic waste and connects youth programs to global impact, teaching kids to take care of the planet.
• Kindness OfferminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDaily encouragement and mental wellness content for young people who struggle silently. Supports the foundation's mental health and emotional wellbeing initiatives.
• Friend Entertainment USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLive concerts and entertainment events produced by Norman and Friend Entertainment USA. After covering entertainer costs, all remaining proceeds are donated to NIBF, turning every show into a fundraiser for youth programs.
• Share The CreditminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMerchant services led by Mr. William Black helping nonprofits and businesses save money on credit card processing for over 20 years. Includes a Tax Credit Program for companies joining the network.
• ZeffycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDonation and ticketing platform used for the $1 Membership Challenge, enabling supporters to join Naismith Nation with a low-friction $1 entry point.
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing platform enabling secure online payments for donations, merchandise purchases, and membership fees.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Project Play (Aspen Institute): Initiative working to increase youth sports participation for all children regardless of zip code or income. Comparable advocacy, research, and coalition-building role to NIBF's character/sportsmanship work in basketball.

Broad incumbents

• Special Olympics: Global nonprofit providing year-round sports training and competition for children/adults with intellectual disabilities, with basketball as a flagship sport. Shares NIBF's mission-driven youth sports model and global footprint claim, with established UN relationships.
• National Basketball Players Association Foundation: The NBPA's charitable arm, run by and for current/former NBA players, focused on youth education and development. Comparable donor-funded nonprofit structure with elite-basketball-athlete recognition and youth-program delivery.
• Jr. NBA / NBA Foundation: The NBA's youth basketball participation program that runs leagues, clinics, and parent/coach resources globally. Competes with NIBF for grassroots basketball mindshare, youth participation, and youth-development narrative.
• USA Basketball: The official governing body for amateur basketball in the US. Overlaps with NIBF on grassroots youth basketball development, awards to elite athletes and coaches, and national heritage programming. Significantly larger resource base and institutional authority.
• YMCA of the USA: Where Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891; runs youth sports, character-building, and community programs nationally. Shares NIBF's audience of at-risk youth and community-based delivery model, but at vastly larger scale.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth-development nonprofit serving at-risk and inner-city youth with sports, mentorship, and character-building programs — directly comparable mission, audience, and partner ecosystem (including NIBF-cited schools, YMCAs, and Boys & Girls Clubs).
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: The most direct heritage peer: a globally recognized institution that also preserves Dr. James Naismith's legacy, curates basketball memorabilia, and honors athletes/coaches. Overlaps with NIBF on Good Sportsmanship Award positioning and heritage storytelling, but operates a physical museum and much larger donor base.

Direct peers

• Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation: Athlete-led youth sports nonprofit honoring Kobe Bryant, focused on underserved youth through sport. Comparable in using a basketball icon's legacy, merchandise/donation model, and at-risk youth programming to drive impact.
• Positive Coaching Alliance: Nonprofit focused on developing 'better athletes, better people' through coach and parent training in youth sports, including basketball. Closely aligned with NIBF's sportsmanship, character, and coach-segment value proposition, though PCA's strength is structured coaching content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Naismith1221
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@naismith1891
• Facebookfacebook.com/naismithfoundation.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naismith-international-basketball-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/naismithfoundation
• TikToktiktok.com/@naismithnation1891

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Naismith International Basketball Foundation