Northampton Saints Foundation

What Northampton Saints Foundation does

Northampton Saints Foundation is a UK registered charity (Charity number: 1176345; Company number: 11007826) that delivers education, employability, social inclusion, heritage, and specialist community programmes using the brand, values, and infrastructure of the Northampton Saints professional rugby club. Formally established in 2018 and tracing its mission to the club's 1880 founding ethos of channeling young people's energy into rugby, the Foundation operates across five regional hubs — Northampton (Franklin's Gardens), Milton Keynes, Corby, Kettering, and Wellingborough — and embeds programmes in schools and community settings throughout Northamptonshire and surrounding counties.

The Foundation's programme portfolio is organised into five verticals: In-School Programmes (Champions, Heritage Learning Days, Tackling Heritage, PE Curriculum Delivery), School Interventions (Values, Foundations of Writing, Sensory Boost, Rugby Reading Champions), Employability for 16–19-year-olds (Engage+, Aspire, Tresham Partnership delivering City & Guilds qualifications), Social Inclusion for ages 7–16 (Engage, Holiday Activities), and Specialist Services (Saints Inside prison programme, Memory Café, Care Home Activities). Heritage preservation — including oral histories, the Lions Project, the Mobbs' Own Project, and the National Lottery-funded Black, Green & Golden Age Project — operates as a distinct grant-funded vertical. The Foundation partners with Premiership Rugby (HITZ franchise), Northampton College, Tresham College (Bedford College Group), and over 15 Founder15 corporate partners.

The business model is a not-for-profit donation-and-grant model. Beneficiaries receive all services free; revenue is generated through individual giving (Friend of the Foundation from £5/month, text donations, matchday collections), corporate partnerships (Founder15 at £5,000/year for three years; Sponsor a Student at £1,000/year), grants (notably The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Northamptonshire Community Foundation/Compton Fund), and matchday fundraising at Franklin's Gardens. The Foundation states it needs to raise over £500,000 annually to sustain programmes. Technology is limited to standard digital-charity tooling: the Enthuse online fundraising platform, digital impact reporting, and virtual engagement channels, with no proprietary platform or AI/ML capability disclosed.

Name

Northampton Saints Foundation

Legal name

Northampton Saints Foundation

Website

https://northamptonsaintsfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Northampton Saints Foundation is a UK registered charity using the Northampton Saints rugby brand to deliver education, employability, social inclusion, heritage, and specialist programmes for young people and vulnerable adults across Northamptonshire, funded by donations, grants, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community charity and youth education services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB), Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL)

Keywords

• Community education programmes
• Youth employability services
• Social inclusion programmes
• Heritage archive services
• Corporate charity partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Northampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations & Grants: Individual donations, corporate partnerships, and grants from lottery/heritage funds. Approximately one-third of income generated through fundraising activities.
2. Corporate Partnership Fees: Founder15 three-year partnerships at £5,000 per year, student sponsorship at £1,000 per year, and various corporate engagement packages.
3. Matchday Fundraising: Raffle ticket sales, merchandise sales, collection tins, and text donations during home matches at Franklin's Gardens.
4. Individual Recurring Donations: Monthly 'Friend of the Foundation' subscriptions starting from £5 per month, plus one-off donations via text, online, and Amazon Wish List.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Northampton Saints Foundation is the charitable arm of Northampton Saints RFC, delivering free community programmes that use rugby values to educate, support, and empower young people and vulnerable adults. Offerings span in-school programmes, school interventions, employability programmes for 16-19 year olds, social inclusion programmes for 7-16 year olds, specialist services (including prison rehabilitation and memory care), and heritage projects. Programmes are funded primarily through donations, corporate partnerships, and grants.

Product overview

Northampton Saints Foundation is a charitable organization that operates as a unified set of community programmes rather than a commercial product platform. The Foundation delivers its mission through distinct programme categories: In School Programmes (Champions Programmes, Heritage Learning Days, Tackling Heritage, PE Curriculum Delivery) providing curriculum-aligned education for all age groups; School Interventions (Values, Foundations of Writing, Sensory Boost, Rugby Reading Champions) offering targeted support for specific learning needs; Employability Programmes (Engage+, Aspire, Tresham Partnership) for 16-19 year olds; Social Inclusion Programmes (Engage, Holiday Activities) for 7-16 year olds; Specialist Services (Saints Inside, Memory Cafe, Care Home Activities); and Heritage Programmes documenting the Club's history. The Foundation also offers corporate partnership opportunities through Founder15 and Sponsor a Student, and individual giving via the Friend programme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Champions Programmes Five-week curriculum-based series combining classroom learning and TAG Rugby activities. Includes Tackling Reading, Tackling Health, Tackling Character, Tackling Heritage, and Tackling Numeracy programmes designed to support academic achievement and personal development for primary school students.
• Heritage Learning Days Immersive learning experiences for KS1, KS2, and KS3 students featuring assemblies, hands-on activities, expert presentations, and stadium tours exploring the history of Northampton Saints and local heritage.
• PE Curriculum Delivery Fully adaptable PE lessons for EYFS through KS4 and SEND settings, supporting National Curriculum requirements while offering inclusive sports such as boccia, seated volleyball, and new-age kurling.
• Values Programme Holistic well-being programme focusing on rugby core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship, and Understanding to develop character, communication skills, and positive social behaviours.
• Foundations of Writing Targeted five-week intervention using creative, multi-sport and rugby-themed activities to develop motor skills underpinning fine motor control, stamina, and fluency in writing for children working below age-related expectations.
• Sensory Boost Programme combining active trampoline sessions at Flip Out Rushden Lakes with calming sensory exploration to help pupils regulate emotions, improve concentration, and develop motor coordination.
• Rugby Reading Champions Ten-week reading programme for Key Stage 2 students using rugby-themed texts and rugby values to develop reading skills including retrieval, inference, text marking, and group discussions.
• Engage+ Partnership with Northampton College supporting 16-19 year old learners requiring additional support, offering City and Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Employability and Functional Skills qualifications at Franklin's Gardens.
• Aspire Programme for 16-19 year olds in partnership with Northampton College, offering City & Guilds Level 1 and 2 Award in Employability Skills alongside Maths and English GCSEs through the 'Journey to Work' model.
• Tresham Partnership Programme Partnership with Tresham College (Bedford College Group) offering learners at Corby and Wellingborough campuses City and Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Employability alongside Maths and English accreditation.
• Engage Personal development programme using rugby values for young people aged 7-16 who are disengaged from education, offering up to 15 hours per week of social, emotional, and mental health development opportunities across hubs in Northampton, Corby, Kettering, and Milton Keynes.
• Holiday Activities Holiday programmes for young people aged 7-16 eligible for free school meals, offering enrichment opportunities such as cooking, farm visits, trampoline parks, and activities to reduce anti-social behaviour during school holidays.
• Saints Inside 12-week prison rehabilitation programme integrating rugby values with classroom learning and physical activities, offering Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification, CV writing, interview skills, and nutrition guidance to address reoffending.
• Memory Cafe Reminiscence service bringing together older people to share stories of days gone by, providing social connection and memory support activities.
• Care Home Activity Sessions Activity sessions delivered in care home settings supporting residents' wellbeing through rugby-themed engagement and reminiscence activities.
• Black, Green & Golden Age Project Two-year heritage project (2023-2025) funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund exploring the Club's golden era of the 1950s and 1960s through oral histories, community events, and digitised archives.
• Lions Project Heritage initiative honouring the 30 Saintsmen who have represented the British & Irish Lions, featuring exhibitions and community research to celebrate their contribution to the Club and global game.
• Mobbs' Own Project Heritage project uncovering stories of Saints players and local men who served during World War One, with volunteers researching and documenting the lives of the Mobbs' Own battalion.
• Founder15 Corporate Partnership Three-year corporate partnership programme requiring £5,000 annual donation to support the Foundation's social inclusion and education programmes working with young people aged 3-104.
• Sponsor a Student Corporate sponsorship programme enabling businesses to sponsor a student for £1,000 for 12 months of learning and support through the Foundation's programmes.
• Become a Friend (Individual Giving) Monthly giving programme starting from £5 per month supporting the Foundation's work to inspire, support, and educate people through rugby values.
• HITZ Programme (Delivery Partner) Programme delivered in partnership with Premiership Rugby since 2012, using rugby values to get NEET youth back into education, training, apprenticeships and employment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 120 participants through Saints Inside prison programme
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Northampton CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Engage+ programme supporting 16-19 year olds requiring additional learning support or at risk of NEET. Learners work towards City and Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Employability and Functional Skills qualifications at Franklin's Gardens and Lower Mounts campus.
• Tresham College (Part of The Bedford College Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtended partnership to reduce NEET in North Northamptonshire. Two tailored programmes at Corby and Wellingborough campuses helping learners gain City and Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Employability plus Maths and English accreditation.
• Premiership RugbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery partner for award-winning HITZ programme using rugby values to get NEET youth back into education, training, apprenticeships and employment since 2012.
• Bella BaristaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning Northamptonshire coffee roaster supporting HITZ students to gain Barista qualifications and developing Foundation's own coffee blend 'Marching In' with proceeds donated.
• Butterwick BakeryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYoung people on Foundation programmes designed a doughnut sold in Butterwick stores with profit donated. Included launch event with ambassadors Lewis Ludlam and James Grayson.
• Lawrence Cleaning ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivered workshops building skills and knowledge of work environment for students on Employability programmes.
• Olney Pancake ParlourminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched special-edition pancake in March 2025 with 50% of profits donated to the Foundation.
• Marvel PadelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial charity partner of Marvel Padel (announced June 2026).
• VMS LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to inspire the next generation through Foundation programmes (announced April 2026).
• GinettaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMotorsport partnership with Foundation logo featured on Ginetta G40 race car (announced June 2026).
• Approved Business FinancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. One of UK's fastest growing finance brokerages specialising in securing funding for numerous sectors.
• Avery HealthcarecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Leading UK provider of high-quality senior living with over 100 care homes across the country.
• Bearward Engineering (Wabtec UK)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Premier supplier of cooling systems for power generation industry collaborating with major OEMs globally.
• Hut3minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Global award-winning B2B specialist in strategic marketing, ABM, and Demand Generation.
• Ironstone Wellbeing CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Northamptonshire's first purpose-built wellbeing centre offering yoga, Pilates and fitness for all abilities.
• KeepmoatminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Top 10 UK partnership homebuilder delivering quality homes across the country.
• MPA (Michael Price Associates)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Business support services covering accounts, logistics, recruitment, payroll and HMRC.
• Ocee & Four DesignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Creates workspace furniture to increase wellbeing, productivity and thriving culture.
• QLM SearchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. International executive search partner across Food & Beverage, Ingredients & Flavours and Packaging.
• The HawthornsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. All-inclusive retirement living covering accommodation, social activities and property maintenance.
• SepsolsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Family company at forefront of technology development in sports nutrition, infant formula, biotech and sustainable food processing.
• Suez Recycling and Recovery UKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Employs over 6,200 people, operating hundreds of sites, handling approximately 11 million tonnes of waste annually.
• Titan P&I (Pensions & Investments)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Chartered Financial Planners and Discretionary Investment Management with offices in Northampton, Corby and Peterborough.
• TMI FoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Bacon producer at dedicated plant in Northampton, developing cooked bacon products.
• WHP CreativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder15 partner. Drum Recommended Agency based in Milton Keynes & London with over 15 years in design & digital projects.
• Saints Supporters ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor a Student partner supporting Foundation programmes through supporter engagement.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• StreetGames: UK-wide charity using sport to engage disadvantaged young people - comparable mission and beneficiary base to the Foundation's social inclusion and school programmes, though not rugby-specific.
• Youth Sport Trust: National charity using PE and sport to improve young people's wellbeing and education - operates in adjacent space to the Foundation's Champions Programmes and PE Curriculum Delivery.
• Premiership Rugby (HITZ programme): Network-level sponsor of the HITZ programme which the Foundation delivers. Operates as the umbrella body coordinating the same NEET youth programme across multiple club foundations, making it the closest overarching peer.

Emerging players

• Access Sport: UK charity using sport to drive inclusion for disadvantaged young people including those at risk of exclusion - overlapping mission and beneficiary cohort with the Foundation's Engage programme.

Regional players

• Northamptonshire Community Foundation: Regional grantmaking foundation operating in the same Northamptonshire geography; the Foundation partners with the Compton Fund within NCF, and both compete for the same local donors and CSR funds.

Direct peers

• Leicester Tigers Foundation: Direct peer as another Premiership rugby club charitable foundation operating in the East Midlands with comparable HITZ-style youth employability programmes, school delivery, and corporate partnership fundraising model.
• Gloucester Rugby Foundation: Direct peer as Premiership club foundation delivering education, employability and inclusion programmes in a defined UK region using rugby values and brand.
• Bath Rugby Foundation: Direct peer as Premiership-aligned charity foundation using rugby to deliver education, employability, and inclusion programmes to young people in a defined regional geography.
• Saracens Foundation: Direct peer as Premiership club foundation delivering sport-based education, social inclusion, and health programmes using rugby values; structurally comparable with school-based delivery and corporate partnerships.
• Harlequins Foundation: Direct peer as Premiership club community foundation with comparable HITZ-linked delivery, school programmes, and corporate partnership fundraising structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SaintsFdation
• Facebookfacebook.com/SaintsFdation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northampton-saints-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/saintsfdation
• TikToktiktok.com/@saintsfdation

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 Northampton Saints Foundation