The Pars Foundation

What The Pars Foundation does

The Pars Foundation is a registered Scottish charity (SCO43970) and the official community arm of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, headquartered at East End Park, Halbeath Road, Dunfermline, United Kingdom. It operates a portfolio of community programmes across three core pillars: Football for All (spanning ages 18 months through adults, including walking football, para/ASN football, and holiday camps), Wellbeing and Community (Walk and Talk mental health groups, FFIT, Pars BEAT, Changing Room, Football Memories for dementia, Golden Pars for over-55s, and East End Eats community meals), and Education & Employability (school workshops, Early Kick Off breakfast clubs, and Ready & Renewed school uniform support). The Foundation employs 12 staff and is governed by a board of trustees chaired by Gordon Milne, with General Manager Kelly Armstrong (19 years tenure) leading day-to-day operations. The Foundation serves residents of Dunfermline and West Fife, with named segments including children aged 0-16, adults, seniors aged 55+, people with disabilities, schools, and families experiencing food insecurity or financial hardship.

The Foundation operates without a proprietary technology platform. Its technology stack is limited to third-party SaaS tools: Class for Kids handles membership administration, session booking, and payment processing (via https://the-pars-foundation.classforkids.io), and Spond manages secure communications and event invitations for the Young Pars and Sammy's Gang membership programmes. The website is fully compliant with WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility standards, with monthly accessibility audits. There is no proprietary data model, mobile application, or platform architecture — all digital infrastructure is delivered through vendor relationships. The Foundation's distribution relies on physical venues, principally East End Park stadium and Pitreavie Sport & Soccer Centre, supplemented by multiple leisure centres, community halls, and school sites across the region.

The Foundation's revenue model is multi-stream and characteristic of a UK community charity. Income is generated through: charitable donations and fundraising appeals; grant funding from lottery organisations (Postcode Lottery £80,000), Fife Council, NHS Fife, Scottish Government, Bank of Scotland Foundation, Heart Research UK, and university partners; recurring annual membership fees for the Young Pars (£22) and Sammy's Gang (£42.50) youth supporters clubs; per-session and per-program fees (Walking Football £5/session, holiday camps £65/week, Soccer Stars Match Edition £28/month); corporate sponsorship from local and national partners including McDonald's Fun Football and The Soccer Shop Direct; and revenue from community events including the Black and White Ball. Many programmes — FFIT, Golden Pars, East End Eats, Changing Room, and Early Kick Off — are delivered free of charge to maximise accessibility, and the Foundation supplements delivery with over 25 named partnerships across healthcare, education, local government, and football governing bodies.

Name

The Pars Foundation

Legal name

The Pars Foundation

Website

https://parsfoundation.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Pars Foundation is a registered Scottish charity and the community arm of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, delivering football, wellbeing, and education programmes across Dunfermline and West Fife for children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities through grants, donations, and program fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Community Sports and Wellbeing Programmes

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Cause, Community & CSR-Linked Sports Partnerships (Foundations, Youth Programs) (MPAKALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

Keywords

• Community football programs
• Youth football development
• Health wellbeing programs
• Community charity services
• Education employability initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Dunfermline

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals and organizations supporting community programs. Regular donation appeals and one-off contributions.
2. Grant Funding: Funding from charitable trusts and lottery organizations including Postcode Lottery (£80,000 received). Also funding from Fife Council, Bank of Scotland Foundation, and other institutional funders.
3. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees for youth supporters clubs: Sammy's Gang (0-7 years) at £22 annually, The Young Pars (7-16 years) at £42.50 annually.
4. Session and Program Fees: Fees for various programs including Walking Football (£5 per session), holiday camps (£65 for Creative Camp), and Soccer Stars Match Edition (£28 per month).
5. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship from local businesses and national organizations supporting specific programs and events.
6. Events: Revenue from community events including the Black and White Ball, Festive Friends, and fundraising activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Pars Foundation is a registered Scottish charity that delivers community programmes in football, wellbeing, and education across Dunfermline and West Fife. It operates programmes spanning early years football (from 18 months) through to adult and senior community activities, including health and wellbeing initiatives, mental health support, education workshops, and food security programmes. The Foundation leverages its affiliation with Dunfermline Athletic Football Club to deliver services through community venues, schools, leisure centres, and stadium facilities.

Product overview

The Pars Foundation operates as a community charity organisation offering a portfolio of programmes focused on football, wellbeing, and education. The core offerings include Football for All (spanning early years football from 18 months through adult and para football), Wellbeing and Community programmes (including Walk and Talk, FFIT, Pars BEAT, Changing Room, and Football Memories), and Education & Employability initiatives (school engagement workshops, Back to School Support, and Early Kick Off). These programmes are complemented by holiday camps, youth membership clubs (The Young Pars & Sammy’s Gang), and specific initiatives like Autism Sensory Packs and East End Eats community meals. The Foundation uses Class for Kids for membership administration and booking, and Spond for event communications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Young Pars: A fun and inclusive supporters club for children aged 0-16, run by the Pars Foundation, bringing young fans closer to Dunfermline Athletic through football fun, exclusive events, and matchday experiences.
• Sammy's Gang
• Football for All
• Walk and Talk
• East End Eats
• Golden Pars
• Pars BEAT
• Football Fans in Training (FFIT)
• The Changing Room
• Creative Player Academy
• Caroline Weir Soccer Centre

Products and services

• Football for All Comprehensive football programme offering activities for all ages and abilities, from early years (18 months) through to adults, including inclusive para and ASN football, walking football, and holiday camps.
• Wellbeing and Community Health and wellbeing initiatives including Walk and Talk, Football Fans in Training (FFIT), Pars BEAT, Changing Room, Football Memories, and autism support programmes.
• Education & Employability School engagement programmes including Pars Tackle Health, Count on the Pars, Pars Stars in the Media, Business Management workshops, Back to School Support (Ready & Renewed), and Early Kick Off breakfast programme.
• Holiday Camps Action-packed football camps for ages 5-16 during school holidays, including Holiday Camps, Advanced Player Camps, Creative Camps, Mini Kickers Camps, Girls Only Camps, and Summer Camps at £65 per camp.
• The Young Pars & Sammy's Gang Junior supporters club for children aged 0-16 with membership benefits including YP membership card, birthday messages from players, vouchers, matchday mascot opportunities, and discounts on camps. Sammy's Gang (0-7 years) at £22/year, Young Pars (7-16 years) at £42.50/year.
• Walking Football (40+) Low-impact football sessions for adults aged 40+ held at multiple venues including Duloch Leisure Centre, Dunfermline Learning Campus, Pitreavie Sports, and Dalgety Bay Leisure Centre at £5 per session.
• Football Memories Monthly group for individuals living with dementia or Alzheimer's and their carers, using football memorabilia to encourage reminiscence and social engagement.
• Autism Sensory Packs Sensory support packs for fans with autism or neurodiverse needs, including noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, stress balls, and activity sheets to make matchday accessible.
• East End Eats Weekly community meal initiative providing free hot meals in a welcoming environment to combat isolation and food insecurity, prepared by LUCA's Kitchen at East End Park.
• Pars BEAT Follow-on health and wellbeing programme to FFIT, welcoming men and women to continue growing in confidence, fitness, and personal development.
• The Changing Room Free 12-week programme bringing men aged 30-65 together for mental health support using football-based activities including stadium tours, walking football, and guest speakers.
• Golden Pars Fortnightly social club for adults aged 55+ featuring chair-based exercises, arts and crafts, newspapers, and free refreshments at Pitreavie Soccer and Sport Centre.
• Creative Player Academy Advanced training programme for young footballers aged 7-14 offering structured coaching, education, and competitive opportunities for skill development.
• Skill Centre Programme High-quality training for motivated players aged 7-14 competing in Tier 1 Club Football or above, with tailored Junior, Intermediate & Advanced sessions.
• Team United Partnership programme providing inclusive football sessions for children aged 10-16 with autism in a safe, structured, and supportive environment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 688 children participated across 16 camps in Summer 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SPFL TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivering Football Fans in Training (FFIT) program and Festive Friends events. SPFL Trust provides program framework, funding support, and national reach for health and wellbeing initiatives.
• NHS FifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership supporting community health programs and wellbeing initiatives. NHS Fife likely provides health expertise and referral pathways for FFIT and other health-focused programs.
• Fife CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner providing funding, facilities access, and support for community programs. Fife Council funding supports Ready and Renewed back-to-school initiative.
• Team UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivering Team United football program for autistic children aged 10-16. Provides safe, inclusive environment for structured play and skill development.
• Fairway FifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing adult para football sessions for people with disabilities. Enables inclusive football opportunities.
• Pitreavie Sport & Soccer CentrecoreOthersPrimary venue partner hosting numerous programs including soccer centres, skill centres, holiday camps, walking football, and women's recreational football.
• Active Schools FifecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool sports partnership enabling delivery of programs in educational settings and access to school facilities.
• Link ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivering Ready and Renewed back-to-school support initiative, providing school uniform, supplies, and haircuts for families in need.
• St Leonard's ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partnership supporting community initiatives and Early Kick Off breakfast program.
• Scottish FAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational football governing body partnership supporting coaching qualifications and football development programs.
• Scottish Youth Football AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth football partnership supporting grassroots development and participation programs.
• Scottish Women's FootballcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's football partnership supporting girls' football development and Caroline Weir Soccer Centre programs.
• The Soccer Shop DirectminorOthersRetail sponsorship providing football equipment and merchandise support.
• McDonald's Fun FootballminorOthersNational sponsor supporting football programs and initiatives.
• LUCA's KitchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatering partner preparing weekly community meals for East End Eats initiative at East End Park.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rangers Charity Foundation: Charity arm of Rangers FC delivering health, education, and inclusion programs. Similar operating model — leveraging a professional football club's brand and stadium — and operates in the same Scottish regulatory environment as The Pars Foundation.
• Aberdeen FC Community Trust: Community trust of Aberdeen FC delivering football, health, and education programs in the North-East of Scotland. Directly comparable in offering mix and beneficiary segments to The Pars Foundation's programs.
• Dundee FC Community Trust: Charitable arm of Dundee FC delivering community outreach and football development in Tayside. Directly comparable Scottish lower-tier football club foundation serving a regional population.
• Partick Thistle Charitable Trust: Charitable arm of Partick Thistle FC delivering community and football programs in Glasgow. Another Scottish football club foundation of broadly comparable scale and program mix to The Pars Foundation.
• Foundation of Hearts: Charitable foundation tied to Heart of Midlothian FC, focused on community health and wellbeing programs in the Edinburgh/Lothian area. Closely comparable in scope (community health, inclusion, sports participation) and in regional Scottish context.
• St Mirren Charitable Foundation: Charity of St Mirren FC (Paisley, Renfrewshire) delivering community programs in health, education, and inclusion. Similar size, regional Scottish scope, and demographic focus to The Pars Foundation.
• Celtic Foundation: Charitable foundation of Celtic FC delivering community programs across Glasgow and Scotland, including health, education, and football development. The most prominent Scottish football club foundation and the closest direct comparator in scale and mission to The Pars Foundation.
• Motherwell FC Community Trust: Community trust of Motherwell FC operating across North Lanarkshire with football, health, and education programming. Highly comparable in mission, operational scale, and target beneficiaries.
• Kilmarnock Community Football Trust: Community trust of Kilmarnock FC operating in Ayrshire with similar sport-plus-health-plus-education remit. Likely comparable in operational scale, staffing, and funding mix to The Pars Foundation.

Broad incumbents

• SPFL Trust: Umbrella charity of the Scottish Professional Football League coordinating and funding community programs across all SPFL clubs including The Pars Foundation. A partner and sector-level peer that defines the operating framework for all Scottish football community foundations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/parsfoundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheParsFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/parsfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/parsfoundation/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@theparsfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-pars-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Pars Foundation