King County Play Equity Coalition

What King County Play Equity Coalition does

King County Play Equity Coalition is a Seattle-based nonprofit coalition founded in 2019 that convenes organizations, institutions, and community leaders to advance play equity for youth in King County, Washington. Its mission is to ensure every youth has access to play, sports, and physical activity, with a particular focus on youth of color, underserved communities, and high school girls and non-binary athletes. The coalition operates through five Action Teams (Swim Equity, Soccer Equity, Shared Learning, Outdoor Recreation, and Advocacy) engaging 200+ community leaders, and delivers programming including the free Our Space in Sport conference, the THRIVE Outside Day event, and the Youth Action Team youth-led research initiative on park safety and accessibility in South King County.

The organization's core products and outputs include youth-led research (State of Play, Youth Action Team findings), legislative advocacy (the Recess Bill, which passed for Washington State grades K-5), and shared sector infrastructure such as the Youth Sports & Physical Activity Legislation Tracker (co-developed with The Sports Institute at UW Medicine, UW Center for Leadership in Athletics, LiFEsports at Ohio State, and Susan Crown Exchange), and three systems change white papers produced with Ashoka Sport for Changemaking. The coalition has no proprietary technology platform; its core infrastructure is relational — a 140+ member organization network spanning nonprofits, schools, cities, and businesses.

The revenue model relies on a mix of individual donations, corporate sponsorships, organizational membership dues, and in-kind gear donations, with no public fee structures or paid programming. The Our Space in Sport conference is offered free to participants. No funding rounds, anchor grants, or financial-scale metrics are publicly disclosed. The organization is led by a small staff of 6 with board governance, and the coalition model means most programmatic delivery is executed by member organizations rather than direct employees.

Name

King County Play Equity Coalition

Legal name

King County Play Equity Coalition

Website

https://kcplayequity.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

King County Play Equity Coalition is a Seattle-based nonprofit coalition of 140+ organizations advancing play equity for youth in King County, Washington, through action teams, youth-led research, and legislative advocacy including the Recess Bill.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Nonprofit Coalition

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Social Advocacy Organizations (81331), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Health & Health Equity Organizations (BPAGACAL), K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB), Civil Liberties & Constitutional Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAA), Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

Keywords

• Youth play equity
• Youth physical activity
• Community sports coalition
• Legislative policy advocacy
• Nonprofit action teams

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Monetary donations from individuals supporting play equity mission
2. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships to fund events, organizational transition, and ongoing initiatives. Sponsors recognized at all upcoming events.
3. Membership Dues: Network of organizations paying membership dues to join the coalition movement
4. Gear Donations: In-kind gear donations accepted for youth programs

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

King County Play Equity Coalition is a nonprofit coalition of 140+ member organizations that drives play equity for youth in King County, WA by coordinating action teams, youth-led research, legislative advocacy (including the passed Recess Bill), and community events. It sells no commercial products; its core offerings are coalition membership, action team participation, free community events, and shared advocacy and research resources.

Product overview

King County Play Equity Coalition is a network of organizations working to make physical activity a cornerstone of youth development and community health. The coalition operates through action teams focused on specific areas (Swim Equity, Soccer Equity, Shared Learning, Outdoor Recreation, Advocacy), youth-led research initiatives, and advocacy for play equity legislation. Key offerings include the Recess Bill advocacy campaign, the Youth Action Team (YAT) youth-led research program, the State of Play research initiative, the Youth Sports & Physical Activity Legislation Tracker developed with The Sports Institute, and annual events like THRIVE Outside Day and the Equity and Inclusion Sports Star Award.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Action Teams Coalition working groups including Swim Equity, Soccer Equity, Shared Learning, Outdoor Recreation, and Advocacy teams engaging 200+ community leaders and partners in action initiatives to advance play equity in King County.
• Youth Action Team (YAT) Youth-led research initiative where students build research skills, gather community data, and present policy recommendations on increasing park safety, welcomeness, and accessibility for youth of color living in South King County.
• Our Space in Sport Conference FREE annual conference focused on empowering and educating high school girls and non-binary athletes, featuring workshops on Mental Health, Nutrition, Leadership, Physiology, and Mental Strength. Includes free lunch. Held at Federal Way High School.
• THRIVE Outside Day Annual outdoor recreation event facilitated by the Outdoor Recreation Action Team to connect youth with nature and outdoor activities in King County.
• Recess Bill / Recess for Washington Legislative advocacy campaign resulting in passage of the Recess Bill to ensure mandatory recess time for grades K-5 in Washington State schools.
• State of Play Research Comprehensive research initiative documenting the state of play equity and physical activity access for youth in King County.
• Youth Sports & Physical Activity Legislation Tracker Educational resource developed in partnership with The Sports Institute (UW Medicine) and UW Center for Leadership in Athletics, mapping legislation related to youth sports and physical activity at state and federal levels with 700+ bills compiled.
• Systems Change Frameworks Three white papers developed in collaboration with Ashoka Sport for Changemaking, providing shared language for systems change in youth sport including root problems, distinction between direct service and systems actions, and implementation strategies.
• Equity and Inclusion Sports Star Award Annual award presented in partnership with Seattle Sports Commission and Bank of America, honoring individuals or organizations driving systemic change in youth sports and creating equitable opportunities for historically marginalized youth.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23% of King County youth currently meet CDC physical activity guidelines - coalition works to increase this rate
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• The Sports Institute (UW Medicine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped the Youth Sports & Physical Activity Legislation Tracker in partnership, compiling 700+ bills at state and federal levels related to youth sports and physical activity legislation.
• University of Washington Center for Leadership in Athletics (UWCLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed the Youth Sports & Physical Activity Legislation Tracker and provides research methods training for Youth Action Team.
• LiFEsports at The Ohio State UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed to the Youth Sports & Physical Activity Legislation Tracker development.
• Susan Crown ExchangesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdditional contributor to the Youth Sports & Physical Activity Legislation Tracker.
• Seattle Sports CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-present the Equity and Inclusion Sports Star Award with Bank of America, recognizing individuals driving systemic change in youth sports.
• Bank of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-present the Equity and Inclusion Sports Star Award with Seattle Sports Commission.
• Ashoka Sport for ChangemakingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on developing systems change white papers to establish shared language for systems change in youth sport, through an Action Team of funders, practitioners, and community leaders.
• RISEsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided workshops for Youth Action Team on power, privilege, and race.
• America Scores SeattlecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition member organization led by Alexandra Foster, facilitating Soccer Equity Action Team with upcoming World Cup collaboration.
• Wakulima USAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization led by Maura Kizito championing food justice and land access in the Puget Sound region.
• Coalitions for Sport EquitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner providing CSEq Insights data; coalition is part of this national network.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RISE: National nonprofit leveraging sport to advance racial equity and social justice; provides KCPEC's Youth Action Team workshops on power, privilege, and race. Direct peer on sport-as-equity-advocacy work.
• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA: Global foundation funding sport-for-development programs targeting disadvantaged youth. Operates a similar grant-making + convening model and shares the sport-equity framing KCPEC uses.
• Up2Us Sports: National nonprofit focused on sports-based youth development and training coaches to deliver positive outcomes for underserved youth. Highly comparable mission and constituency (under-resourced youth, systems-change orientation).
• Coalitions for Sport Equity: National network of which KCPEC is an explicit member; provides the CSEq Insights data platform. Directly comparable as a coalition model pursuing play and sport equity across multiple geographies.
• America Scores (National): National youth development nonprofit combining soccer, poetry, and service-learning for underserved youth; the Seattle chapter is a KCPEC coalition member. Closely comparable on programmatic model and target population.

Broad incumbents

• Aspen Institute Project Play: National thought leader and convener on youth sport; produces the Project Play framework that KCPEC references. Overlaps in mission (equitable youth sport access) but operates nationally rather than at a county level.
• LA84 Foundation: Major legacy youth-sport foundation funding sport, play, and physical-activity programs in Southern California with national influence. Comparable mission and foundation model, larger scale.
• SHAPE America: National professional association for health and physical education, including advocacy for school-based physical activity — directly aligned with KCPEC's Recess Bill policy work.
• Positive Coaching Alliance: National nonprofit building healthier youth sport cultures through coach and parent training. Overlaps with KCPEC on youth-sport culture change, though its lever is training rather than policy advocacy.

Others

• The Sports Institute (UW Medicine): University-based research and policy partner that co-developed the Youth Sports & Physical Activity Legislation Tracker with KCPEC. Adjacent as an enabling research/policy partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/kcplayequity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kcplayequity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about King County Play Equity Coalition