Michigan Youth Sports Initiative

What Michigan Youth Sports Initiative does

Michigan Youth Sports Initiative (MYSI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in March 2022 by University of Michigan student Lucas Solomon and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Its mission is to remove financial barriers preventing underserved youth from participating in organized sports. The organization delivers three core programs: the Local Leagues Program (fully sponsors youth teams by covering league fees, equipment, and uniforms), Enhancing School Programming (donates equipment and provides assistant coaches to school-based athletic teams such as Ypsilanti Community Schools), and Community Events (free sports clinics and equipment drives in underserved neighborhoods). Four sports are currently supported — flag football, soccer, basketball, and wrestling — and the organization reports 300+ youth served, 13 teams funded, and 8 formal partnerships as of the input period.

MYSI has no proprietary technology platform; operations are coordinated through volunteer committees (Partnerships & Finance, Creative Strategy, Community Outreach) staffed by University of Michigan students studying disciplines such as Sport Management, Kinesiology, UX Design, and Psychology. Standard tools are used for coordination: Google Forms for student and partner applications, Clover for donation processing, and social media (Instagram, Facebook) for outreach. The organization owns no patents, software, or data assets, and no AI/ML capabilities are referenced.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions — individual and corporate donations, in-kind donations of equipment and facilities, event sponsorships, and grants (Arnold Ventures is identified as a core financial partner). Since inception, approximately $70,000 has been raised. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven: youth participants are referred through partner schools and leagues, student volunteers apply via dedicated forms, and free sports clinics serve as outreach touchpoints. The primary beneficiary segment is underserved youth in Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit, served at no cost; secondary stakeholders include school athletic programs, University of Michigan student volunteers, and donor partners.

Name

Michigan Youth Sports Initiative

Legal name

Michigan Youth Sports Initiative

Website

https://themysi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Michigan Youth Sports Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2022 that removes financial barriers to organized youth sports in Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit by fully sponsoring teams, donating equipment, providing volunteer coaches, and running free community sports clinics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF), Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE), Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support (EDALAIAN)

Keywords

• Youth sports programs
• Nonprofit community services
• Athletic scholarships youth
• Pay-to-play assistance
• Community sports outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor, Michigan

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 Charitable Contributions: MYSI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN # 88-3317712) that raises funds through individual and corporate donations. Donors receive tax benefits for charitable contributions. The organization also pursues grant funding from partners such as Arnold Ventures.
2. In-Kind Donations: Partners and community members contribute in-kind donations of sports equipment and facilities, supplementing cash contributions to support programs.
3. Event Sponsorship: Corporate and local business partners sponsor community events and sports clinics, providing financial support in exchange for brand visibility.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MYSI is a nonprofit organization that removes financial barriers preventing underserved children from participating in organized youth sports. The organization fully sponsors youth teams by covering league fees, equipment, and uniforms, while providing volunteer coaches and mentors across flag football, soccer, basketball, and wrestling. It also supports school-based athletic programs and runs free community sports clinics and equipment drives in Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit, Michigan.

Product overview

MYSI is a nonprofit organization offering three interconnected youth sports programs: the Local Leagues Program sponsors youth teams in local leagues with full support including equipment, coaching, and fees; Enhancing School Programming supports school-based teams with equipment and coaching assistance; and Community Events organizes free sports clinics and equipment drives. The organization is led by student committees (Community Outreach, Creative Strategy, Partnerships & Finance) who execute the programs, supported by a network of community partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Local Leagues Program A youth sports sponsorship program that fully funds local league teams by covering league fees, equipment, and uniforms, and supplies volunteer coaches and mentors so that every child can participate regardless of financial barriers. Targets underserved youth athletes in Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit.
• Enhancing School Programming
• Community Events
• Flag Football Team Sponsorship Fully sponsored flag football teams for youth athletes, with league fees, equipment, and uniforms covered by MYSI.
• Soccer Team Sponsorship Fully sponsored soccer teams for youth athletes, with league fees, equipment, and uniforms covered by MYSI.
• Basketball Team Sponsorship Fully sponsored basketball teams for youth athletes, with league fees, equipment, and uniforms covered by MYSI.
• Wrestling Team Sponsorship Fully sponsored wrestling teams for youth athletes, with league fees, equipment, and uniforms covered by MYSI.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ youth athletes supported with free sports access
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Scorekeepers Bar and GrillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Ann Arbor bar and restaurant that supports MYSI's mission through community partnership and likely provides event sponsorship and brand visibility opportunities.
• Dudes for DadsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA community organization focused on fatherhood and family support. Partners with MYSI to provide resources and community engagement for youth sports accessibility.
• Ypsilanti Community SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey school district partner where MYSI supports school-based sports teams with equipment, coaching, and student involvement. Serves as a primary channel for reaching youth athletes in the Ypsilanti area.
• DMUMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization that collaborates with MYSI on youth sports initiatives and community outreach programs.
• U-M School of KinesiologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner at the University of Michigan providing educational alignment, student recruitment for volunteer programs, and research/knowledge support for MYSI's youth sports initiatives.
• Underground NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization that partners with MYSI to support youth sports accessibility and community engagement initiatives.
• Alpha Epsilon PiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Michigan fraternity that collaborates with MYSI, likely providing student volunteers and fundraising support for youth sports programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Right To Play: International nonprofit using sport to advance education and protect children's wellbeing in disadvantaged communities. Similar sport-for-access philosophy to MYSI, but at global scale and broader program scope.
• Police Athletic League (PAL): National network of youth centers offering free or low-cost athletic programs to underserved kids. Comparable free-access youth sports mission, though delivered via a different organizational chassis (police-affiliated).
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit offering organized sports among many other programs. Comparable as a community-rooted nonprofit serving under-resourced youth through structured athletics, though much broader in scope than MYSI.
• Up2Us Sports: National nonprofit focused on sports-based youth development, training coaches and deploying them to under-resourced communities. Overlaps with MYSI on youth sports access but operates through a broader development/coaching model.

Direct peers

• USA Sports (formerly Sports Matter): National nonprofit (originally launched by ESPN) that funds youth sports programs and infrastructure for kids who can't afford to play. Directly comparable mission to MYSI at a national scale.
• KIDSPORTS: Oregon-based nonprofit youth sports league offering scholarships and financial aid so any child can play regardless of ability to pay. Highly comparable pay-to-play elimination model, although serving a different region.
• Good Sports: National 501(c)(3) nonprofit that donates sports equipment, footwear, and apparel to youth in need. Closest direct peer to MYSI in removing financial barriers to youth sports participation, though Good Sports focuses on equipment rather than full league sponsorship.
• Leveling the Playing Field: Nonprofit that collects and redistributes used sports equipment to under-resourced youth programs, and runs its own youth sports leagues. Comparable to MYSI's mission of removing pay-to-play barriers for underserved kids.

Others

• Laureus Sport for Good: Global foundation funding sport-for-development programs for underprivileged youth. Comparable philosophy and funder profile to MYSI, but operates as a grantmaker rather than a direct program provider.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/michigan-youth-sports-initiative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Michigan Youth Sports Initiative