FC HARLEM

What FC HARLEM does

FC Harlem is a nonprofit sport and entertainment platform headquartered in New York City that uses soccer as a vehicle for youth development, community engagement, and cultural branding. The organization serves underserved youth ages 6-18 across Harlem, the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Washington Heights, with programming anchored at a training pitch in West Harlem at 145th and Riverside Drive. Its audience includes both recreational community participants and elite youth athletes competing in the MLS Next league (ages 13-19), with pathways toward college and professional soccer opportunities.

The platform's product surface spans multiple program lines: the Developmental Program for community-based recreational play (small-sided leagues, pickup games), the Sunday Pickup Program, the Girls Only Allowed League, and Seasonal Skills and Drills. The MLS NEXT Program provides a competitive pipeline into the top youth league in the United States. The FCH Foundation operates as the charitable arm supporting coaching, equipment, scholarships, mentorship, and educational experiences. TOMA HARLEM extends the platform into cultural programming, and ONE45TH SHOP operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront for branded merchandise (hoodies, t-shirts). The underlying technology is minimal: a Squarespace-hosted website, Stripe payment processing for donations, and Instagram-driven social presence. No proprietary technology platform, mobile application, or AI/ML system is disclosed.

FC Harlem's revenue model is hybrid. Direct-to-consumer merchandise sales generate transactional revenue at unit prices of $20-$75 per item. The FC Harlem Foundation accepts voluntary donations processed via Stripe, supporting youth programming operations. Brand activations, tournaments, and cultural events in partnership with global brands (Nike, Delta Air Lines, historically Chelsea FC through a decade-long 2012-2022 strategic partnership) generate sponsorship and partnership revenue. The operating footprint is domestic (USA), with brand partnership activations positioned as global in reach. Headcount is approximately 8 employees, and the entity is structured under HarlemFootballHoldings. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and no institutional funding rounds have been recorded.

Name

FC HARLEM

Legal name

HarlemFootballHoldings

Website

https://fcharlem.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FC Harlem is a nonprofit sport and entertainment platform that delivers youth soccer development, community programming, brand activations, and merchandise sales for underserved youth ages 6-18 across Harlem, the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Washington Heights.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Soccer Development

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recreational & Intramural Sports Programs (MPAKACAG), Youth & Amateur Sports Tournaments (MPAGAMAF), Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK), Youth Development & Sports Outreach Programs (EDAIAGAG)

Keywords

• Youth soccer programs
• Community sports development
• Grassroots football
• Nonprofit youth athletics
• Youth mentorship services

Headquarters

HQ city

New York City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Merchandise Sales: FC Harlem generates revenue through the sale of branded merchandise including hoodies, t-shirts, and other apparel through their e-commerce storefront. Products are sold directly to consumers at price points ranging from $20-$75.
2. Donations and Philanthropic Support: The FC Harlem Foundation accepts donations to support youth development programming, coaching, equipment, scholarships, mentorship, and educational experiences for underserved youth.
3. Brand Activations and Events: FC Harlem hosts football activations, tournaments, and cultural events in partnership with global brands such as Nike and Delta Air Lines, generating revenue through brand partnerships and collaborative activations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FC Harlem provides free and accessible youth soccer development programming for underserved youth ages 6-19 across Harlem, the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Washington Heights, including recreational leagues, pickup programs, seasonal skills training, and competitive MLS NEXT participation. The organization complements its programming with branded merchandise sales through the ONE45TH SHOP and brand-activation events with partners such as Nike, Chelsea FC, and Delta Air Lines.

Product overview

FC Harlem is a sport and entertainment platform built around soccer that operates as a multi-faceted offering. The core platform encompasses youth development through the Developmental Program, MLS NEXT competitive league participation, Sunday Pickup Program, Girls Only Allowed League, and Seasonal Skills and Drills Program, all serving youth ages 6-19 from underserved communities. The FC Harlem Foundation provides the charitable mission and youth support services. TOMA HARLEM represents cultural programming and events. The ONE45TH SHOP offers merchandise including the FC Harlem Wordmark Hoodie and FC Harlem Short-sleeve T-Shirt. Events and Activations programming brings together sport, fashion, music, and community through partnerships with global brands. Together, these products position FC Harlem as a comprehensive football culture brand inspired by Harlem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FCH Foundation: Committed to using soccer as a platform for youth development, education, and community impact through free and accessible programs for young people.

Products and services

• FC Harlem Developmental Program Community-based recreational soccer programming for youth ages 6-18, including small-sided leagues and pickup programs, creating safe and inclusive spaces for underserved young people in Harlem, the Bronx, Upper Manhattan, and Washington Heights.
• MLS NEXT Program Competitive youth soccer program through MLS NEXT for players ages 13-19, preparing talented youth from underserved communities for future college or professional opportunities.
• Sunday Pickup Program Weekly pickup soccer program providing accessible recreational play opportunities for youth in the Harlem community.
• Girls Only Allowed League Dedicated girls' soccer league providing inclusive programming for female youth participants in the community.
• Seasonal Skills and Drills Program Seasonal training program focused on developing soccer skills and techniques for youth participants.
• Events and Activations Football activations, tournaments, and cultural events hosted by FC Harlem in partnership with community organizations and global brands, bringing together sport, fashion, music, and community.
• ONE45TH SHOP Merchandise FC Harlem's official merchandise storefront offering branded apparel including hoodies and t-shirts featuring FC Harlem logos and wordmarks, sold direct-to-consumer at price points of $20-$75.
• TOMA HARLEM A distinct cultural programming and events brand under the FC Harlem umbrella, representing events rooted in Harlem's identity, fashion, music, and community.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• NikeflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2012Nike is a brand partner of FC Harlem, with their logo visible on the website. Nike has collaborated with FC Harlem on merchandise and media campaigns including 'Nike Just Do It' featuring Corey Pierce and Kebra.
• Chelsea FCflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012A decade-long strategic partnership (2012-2022) with Chelsea FC was the first of its kind in US inner cities. The partnership included year-round coaching from Chelsea Foundation coaches in Harlem, access to Stamford Bridge, the Academy, and the Chelsea Board Room for FC Harlem leadership members.
• Delta Air LinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDelta Air Lines is a brand partner that has collaborated with FC Harlem on football activations and cultural events through the power of the game.
• MLS NextcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFC Harlem participates in MLS Next, regarded as the top competitive league for young men ages 13-19. Through the MLS Next platform, FC Harlem prepares talented youth from underserved communities for future college or professional opportunities.
• We Run Uptown (WRU)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWe Run Uptown (WRU) is a community partner with a visible logo on the FC Harlem website, representing local running/fitness culture connections.
• Uninterrupted (LeBron James Media)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partnership for content creation and storytelling featuring FC Harlem athletes and community impact through the 'Becoming More: FC Harlem' documentary.
• Umbr AtmospminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative party/event partnership creating merchandise collaborations between FC Harlem and Umbro Atmosp.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• US Soccer Foundation: National nonprofit funding and supporting underserved-community soccer programs across the U.S., including grants and field-building. Sets the broader category in which FC Harlem operates and competes for grants.
• AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization): Largest U.S. youth soccer organization delivering community-based recreational and competitive programming ages 4–18. Represents the incumbent baseline against which FC Harlem differentiates on cultural branding.

Direct peers

• America SCORES: National nonprofit combining soccer, poetry, and service-learning for youth in under-resourced urban communities. Comparable youth-development-through-soccer model and donor-base profile.
• Street Soccer USA: National nonprofit using soccer as a platform for youth development, life skills, and social impact in underserved communities. Closest functional analogue to FC Harlem's mission and community-led delivery model.
• Soccer in the Streets (formerly SAY Soccer): Atlanta-based nonprofit operating community soccer programs (including Sunday pickup leagues and developmental training) for underserved youth, structurally analogous to FC Harlem's Sunday Pickup and Developmental programs.

Regional players

• NYCFC Foundation: The community arm of New York City FC, operating in overlapping NYC neighborhoods with youth soccer access, MLS pathway messaging, and corporate partner activations. Comparable geography and MLS NEXT ecosystem positioning.

Others

• Umbro Atmosp: Global football apparel brand partner collaborating on merchandise drops and events with FC Harlem. Comparable as an ecosystem participant and brand-licensing counterpart rather than a competitor.

Emerging players

• InnerCity Soccer League / Chicago FC United: Regional nonprofit in Chicago combining soccer with youth development and college-readiness programming for underserved youth. Comparable mission structure with a similar small-staff nonprofit model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/wagyu.jp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fcharlem

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 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 FC HARLEM