What Play Forever does

The Play Forever Project, operating as Play Forever, is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in July 2022 by cast members of the 1990s sports film The Sandlot. The organization eliminates financial, safety, community, and social barriers that prevent young athletes from participating in sports, delivering value through equipment donations, league-fee coverage, field-repair grants, family sponsorships, and disaster-relief support directed at underserved youth athletes and the community sports organizations that serve them. It operates as a remote, distributed team of five with a Townsend, Delaware mailing address and no proprietary technology platform; outputs are operational and charitable rather than software-based.

The go-to-market model is event-driven: ticketed fundraisers bundle entertainment value (movie screenings, cast meet-and-greets, Wiffle Ball tournaments, Minor League Baseball game packages) with charitable contributions, with proceeds channeled to specific youth sports beneficiaries. Donations are accepted through the Zeffy online platform. Documented activities span the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City (July 2022 equipment giveaway), Rose Park Baseball in Salt Lake City, East Nashville Athletics in Nashville, Keystone College Women's Softball in Pennsylvania, and Bolder Options in Minnesota, with a flagship recurring fundraiser at First Horizon Park with the Nashville Sounds. Segmented beneficiary targets include youth in under-resourced communities, athletes needing adaptive equipment, and young athletes facing gender-, orientation-, racial-, ethnic-, or linguistic-based barriers.

Leadership blends entertainment and nonprofit executives: co-founders Grant Gelt (Co-Chairman), Victor DiMattia, and Shane Obedzinski (all Sandlot cast members); CEO Jacque Williamson; COO Ivan Carter; CMO Melissa Perez Gelt; and CCO Ben Sosenko. Core strategic partners are Masscult (creative agency co-founded by Gelt) and SRK Strategies (communications firm led by Sosenko). The organization is independent, not venture-backed, and has not disclosed any traditional funding rounds; revenue is generated entirely through donations and event-based giving.

Name

Play Forever

Legal name

The Play Forever Project

Website

https://playforever.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Play Forever is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2022 by cast members of The Sandlot film that removes financial and social barriers to youth sports through equipment donations, league-fee grants, family sponsorships, and event-based fundraising benefiting underserved athletes across multiple U.S. regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Other Spectator Sports (711219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Youth sports philanthropy
• Charitable fundraising events
• Sports equipment donations
• Youth athletic scholarships
• Nonprofit community programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Townsend

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Play Forever operates as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (FEIN: 88-2318489) relying primarily on public donations and event-based fundraising. Donations are accepted via Zeffy (online donation platform) and through ticketed event packages such as the Nashville Sounds: The Sandlot Night, which bundles game tickets, watch party access, and cast meet-and-greets with a charitable contribution.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Play Forever is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that eliminates financial, safety, community, and social barriers to youth sports participation. It does this by providing equipment donations, grants and scholarships, free youth baseball clinics, and event-based fundraising (such as the Spring Training event) delivered in partnership with community youth sports organizations. The organization is co-founded by cast members of the film The Sandlot and operates from Townsend, Delaware.

Product overview

Play Forever is a non-profit charitable organization (registered 501(c)(3)) that provides youth sports access through equipment donations, athletic scholarships, grants, special events, and custom donations. The organization connects young athletes with resources to overcome financial, community, and social barriers to sports participation, serving as a direct service provider rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Free Youth Baseball Clinics
• Equipment Donations Program
• Youth Sports Grants and Scholarships
• Spring Training Fundraising Event

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% higher test scores among youth who participate in sports regularly
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MasscultcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMasscult is the creative agency co-founded by Play Forever co-founder Grant Gelt. It designed and maintains the Play Forever website (Squarespace-based) and provides ongoing creative services, branding, and brand strategy support to the organization.
• SRK StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRK Strategies, led by Play Forever Board member Ben Sosenko, provides strategic communications, PR, and reputation management services. Sosenko's firm operates at the intersection of sports, media, and technology and advises the organization on narrative strategy.
• Nashville SoundscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Nashville Sounds (Minor League Baseball team, Triple-A affiliate) has partnered with Play Forever for multiple fundraising events, including The Sandlot Night at First Horizon Park (July 5, 2026) and Legends of The Sandlot events. The Nashville Sounds Foundation is also a named partner, co-hosting events and providing venue access.
• Waterfront ParkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWaterfront Park in Louisville, KY partnered with Play Forever to host The Sandlot movie screening events, providing venue access for fundraising screenings.
• Slugger Museum and Bat FactoryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Slugger Museum and Bat Factory (Louisville, KY) co-hosted a Sandlot 30th Anniversary Fundraiser event with Play Forever, providing venue and promotional support for the charity event.
• Boys of Summer / Elite InkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerElite Ink designed event merchandise for the Bolder Options Fundraiser hosted by Play Forever at Shakopee Bowl. Boys of Summer is also listed as a partner organization.
• The Philadelphia ConnectionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Philadelphia Connection is listed as a partner on the Play Forever website and supported the Bolder Options Fundraiser event, contributing to event logistics and community outreach.
• East Nashville AthleticscoreOthersEast Nashville Athletics is a nonprofit youth sports training organization. Play Forever partnered with Nashville Sounds to raise funds benefiting ENA's 2026 season, enabling equipment purchases and seven family sponsorships. The relationship is grant-driven: Play Forever provides financial support to East Nashville Athletics' youth programming.
• Rose Park BaseballcoreOthersRose Park Baseball is a volunteer-run community baseball league in Salt Lake City, UT. Play Forever board members met with young athletes and families and made a contribution covering league fees and equipment costs. Rose Park is referenced as the fictional 'Sandlot' field location.
• Keystone College Women's SoftballminorOthersKeystone College DIII women's softball team in La Plume, PA received financial hardship assistance from Play Forever following a September 2023 storm that destroyed their home field. Board members visited the team to deliver the grant.
• Bolder OptionsminorOthersBolder Options is a nonprofit providing wellness-based mentoring for middle school youth. Play Forever hosted a fundraiser at Shakopee Bowl benefitting Bolder Options and Play Forever, featuring a Wiffle Ball tournament and Sandlot cast meet-and-greet.
• Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic CitycoreOthersThe Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City received Play Forever's first equipment giveaway (July 2022), including basketballs, soccer balls, t-shirts, and hats for the Teen Center. Cast members participated in a Q&A session with youth at the center.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA): Nonprofit developing better youth athletes and people through positive sports coaching. Comparable mission targeting youth sports development, though operating through coach education rather than direct equipment/fee grants.
• Good Sports: Nonprofit that donates sports equipment, footwear, and apparel to youth in need. Most directly comparable to Play Forever in mission (removing financial barriers to youth sports participation) and model (equipment grants to community organizations).
• Up2Us Sports: National nonprofit focused on sports-based youth development and access for underserved communities. Directly comparable mission of removing barriers to youth sports participation with measurable outcome frameworks.
• The BASE: Urban youth baseball academy providing free access to baseball and softball for inner-city youth. Comparable youth sports access mission with similar equipment/fee barrier-removal model and focus on historically underserved communities.
• Pitch In For Baseball: Nonprofit that collects and distributes new and gently-used baseball equipment to underserved youth. Directly comparable mission and beneficiary population to Play Forever's baseball-focused programming.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: Large national youth development organization operating youth sports programming as part of broader offerings. Comparable beneficiary population (underserved youth) and sports access mission, with vastly greater scale and infrastructure.
• National Youth Sports (NYS): Established nonprofit advocating for safe, quality youth sports access. Comparable mission around youth sports accessibility, though operating at advocacy and policy level rather than direct equipment/grant distribution.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Large national youth development nonprofit offering sports programming among broader services. Play Forever's first equipment giveaway was at the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, illustrating the partnership and peer relationship.

Others

• Project Play (Aspen Institute): Aspen Institute initiative focused on elevating youth sports access and quality. Adjacent peer in that it addresses the same youth sports access ecosystem Play Forever operates in, though operating as research/advocacy rather than direct service.

Emerging players

• Kids in the Game: NYC-based nonprofit expanding access to youth sports through school and community programs. Comparable mission of youth sports access for underserved communities, operating at smaller geographic scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/play-forever-project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Play Forever