Foundation of Light

What Foundation of Light does

Foundation of Light is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1089333), founded in 2001 as the official charity of Sunderland AFC. It delivers community programmes across the North East of England, operating from the purpose-built Beacon of Light facility at Stadium Park in Sunderland and extending outreach to South Tyneside and County Durham. The organization's mission is to use the power of football to inspire, educate and improve lives across all age groups.

The charity's programme portfolio spans five core verticals: Football & Sport (Holiday Courses, Evening and Weekend Football, Walking Football, Little Dribblers/Little Lionesses, 1:1 Coaching, Matchday Experience); Employability & Mentoring (Adult Learning accredited and non-accredited courses, Study Programme BTECs); Schools (Premier League Primary Stars, Premier League Kicks); Health & Wellbeing (Ha'way and Weigh, Game of II Halves mental health, Kick the Habit smoking cessation, Wear Together for over-55s); and Youth Work including the YOLO violence prevention programme. Underlying technology is limited to third-party SaaS tools — Abler for online booking, JustGiving for donations, Mailchimp for newsletters, Google Analytics for web analytics — with no proprietary platform or public API.

The business model is a hybrid non-profit funding mix: individual and corporate donations, corporate memberships (from £375/year), modest programme fees (e.g., Holiday Courses at £10, Walking Football at £1/session, Mini Dribblers at £25/month, 1:1 Coaching at £30), the Ha'way and Play Lottery (£2 per ticket), merchandise sales (£5-£11), Shirt Tiles and Boot Wall sponsorships, legacy giving, and grants from the National Lottery Community Fund, Veterans Foundation, Armed Forces Covenant Trust and National Lottery Heritage Fund. Two wholly-owned subsidiaries (Beacon of Light Limited and Altruism Limited) house facilities and charitable operations. Annual engagement reaches approximately 20,000 individuals across 100+ corporate member businesses with nearly 100 active volunteers.

Name

Foundation of Light

Legal name

Foundation of Light

Website

https://foundationoflight.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Foundation of Light is the official charity of Sunderland AFC, delivering community programmes in sport, education, health, and employability across North East England from its Beacon of Light facility, serving approximately 20,000 individuals annually across Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Community Sport and Education Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support (EDALAIAN), Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH)

Keywords

• Community sports programmes
• Youth football coaching
• Adult learning courses
• Health wellbeing programmes
• Charitable community foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Sunderland

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Primary funding source from individual donors and corporate members. Corporate membership packages provide recurring revenue from businesses engaged with the charity.
2. Ha'way and Play Lottery: Internal lottery program generating ongoing revenue from regular participants and community members.
3. Programme Fees: Fees charged for various programs including Holiday Courses (£10), Evening and Weekend Football (£3/session), Walking Football (£1/session), Mini Dribblers (£25/month), and 1:1 Coaching (£30).
4. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with businesses including Aspire Technology Solutions (IT services, Business Breakfasts sponsor), corporate membership packages, and event sponsorship.
5. Merchandise Sales: Official merchandise sales ranging from £5-11 including clothing and accessories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Foundation of Light delivers community-based sports, education, health and inclusion programmes using football as the engagement vehicle, operating primarily from the Beacon of Light facility in Sunderland with outreach across South Tyneside and County Durham. Offerings include youth football coaching, holiday courses, adult learning, health and wellbeing programmes, veteran support, disability-inclusive sport and youth intervention, funded through donations, grants, programme fees, corporate partnerships, lottery and merchandise.

Product overview

Foundation of Light is Sunderland AFC's official charity operating as a multi-programme community organization rather than a single product. The portfolio encompasses sports programmes (football coaching, walking football, holiday courses), health and wellbeing initiatives (mental health, healthy lifestyle), education and skills development (accredited and non-accredited adult learning, study programmes), youth work (Premier League Kicks, YOLO, Premier League Primary Stars), and community engagement (fundraising events, corporate partnerships, legacy giving). Key programme brands include Game of II Halves, Ha'way and Weigh, Wear Together, Study Programme, and the early years Little Dribblers/Little Lionesses series. Revenue streams include programme fees, donations, lottery, corporate memberships, merchandise, and sponsorship (Shirt Tiles, Boot Tiles). The organization is registered as a charity in England and Wales (No. 1089333) and operates from the Beacon of Light facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Holiday Courses Multi-activity holiday clubs delivered during school holidays for children aged 5-14, combining football coaching with arts, crafts, baking and SEND-specific sessions, available across Sunderland, Washington, South Tyneside and County Durham.
• Evening and Weekend Football Weekly term-time football sessions for children aged 1-16 across multiple venues including Beacon of Light, delivered through Little Dribblers, Mini Dribblers, disability football and 1:1 coaching at £3 per session.
• Ha'way and Weigh Healthy lifestyle programme focused on long-term physical and mental wellbeing, weight loss and diet, delivered via 45-minute physical activity sessions followed by weigh-ins and instructor consultations at £3 per session.
• Adult Learning Accredited Courses Free vocational courses for jobseekers aged 19+ including Level 1 Home Cooking Skills and Level 1 Customer Service, designed to raise skills and confidence for employment.
• Adult Learning Non-accredited Courses Free non-accredited courses including 'Communicate' English language courses for County Durham residents and 'Cooking on a Budget' tasters, designed to build awareness, confidence and life skills.
• Game of II Halves Mental health and suicide prevention programme funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, training men aged 16+ as ambassadors to promote positive mental health messages in partnership with Samaritans of Sunderland.
• Walking Football Low-impact football sessions for adults aged 55+ held at Beacon of Light and Seaham Youth and Community Centre, priced at £1 per session.
• Walking Football (Neurological) Walking football sessions specifically designed for people living with Parkinson's and neurological conditions, with participants welcome to bring a friend or carer free of charge.
• Veterans Football Weekly football sessions for military veterans in partnership with Military Veteran Football CIC, held on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings at Beacon of Light.
• Study Programme Education programme for 16-18 year olds (up to 24 with EHCP) offering BTEC qualifications in Health and Social Care, Child Care, Sport, Hospitality, and Esports, with weekly incentives and SAFC experiences.
• Premier League Kicks Free programme for 8-18 year olds offering sports, coaching, music, educational and personal development sessions across Sunderland, South Tyneside, and County Durham.
• Premier League Primary Stars National curriculum-linked education programme for children aged 4-11 using football club appeal to inspire learning, physical activity and life skills development, with teacher CPD and school interventions.
• YOLO Free 20-week early intervention programme funded by Northumbria Police Violence Reduction Unit for 10-16 year olds at risk of involvement in serious violence, offering 1:1 mentoring and targeted intervention sessions.
• Wear Together Activities programme for adults aged 55+ including seated chair exercise, walking football, table tennis, quizzes, bingo and coffee mornings at Beacon of Light and community venues.
• 1:1 Coaching Bespoke coaching sessions delivered by UEFA and FA qualified coaches for children aged 5-16, emphasising fun and engagement with age-appropriate technical development at £30 per session.
• Mini Dribblers Early years football programme for children aged 18 months to 3 years delivered with parent participation, focusing on dribbling, movement skills and coordination through storytelling, with monthly subscription at £25/month.
• Little Dribblers Early years football programme for children aged 3-5 years designed to develop dribbling, movement skills, coordination, problem-solving and spatial awareness.
• Little Lionesses Girls-only early years football sessions for ages 3-5 delivered by FA-qualified coaches, focusing on dribbling, movement skills and coordination in a fun environment.
• Matchday Experience Matchday packages for teams, schools and community groups including coaching sessions at Beacon of Light, lunch, and Stadium of Light match tickets with upgrades available, starting from £32.
• Coals to Goals Heritage project funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund bringing local mining and Sunderland AFC heritage to life through school education programmes, heritage walks, and reminiscence sessions for adults including those with dementia.
• Activities funded by GOGA Get Out Get Active (GOGA) funded inclusive sports sessions supporting disabled and non-disabled people together, including walking football, pickleball and exercise classes.
• Together Through Sport Regional collaboration campaign with Newcastle United Foundation, Durham Cricket Foundation, Eagles Community Foundation and Newcastle Rugby Foundation to provide free sports sessions and holiday places for children in poverty.
• Ha'way and Play Lottery Matchday lottery running at every Sunderland AFC home game at Stadium of Light, with tickets costing £2 and prizes including £1,000 cash or a signed SAFC ball.
• Great North Run Annual fundraising challenge in which participants run the Great North Run half-marathon in September 2026 to raise funds for the Foundation, with registration cost and minimum fundraising pledge.
• Golf Day 2026 Annual fundraising golf event in Summer 2026 held at Ramside Golf Course with 18 holes, BBQ and prize presentation, open to partners and supporters.
• Gift in Your Will Legacy giving programme allowing supporters to leave a charitable gift in their Will to support future generations across the North East.
• Corporate Membership Business membership programme starting from £375 per year, including Stadium of Light tours, Business Breakfasts, sponsorship opportunities, and networking events for corporate partners.
• Shirt Tiles Sponsorship opportunity displaying business logos on shirt-shaped tiles in the Beacon of Light main foyer, priced at £1,000 with payment options available.
• Official Merchandise Branded merchandise including bobble hats (£11), water bottles (£6), scarves (£8), drawstring bags (£6), autograph books (£5), and signed prints.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~20,000 individuals supported annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Sunderland AFCflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial charity of Sunderland AFC. The club's official charity relationship provides the Foundation with brand association, matchday access, and a powerful platform for community engagement. The partnership enables delivery of football-related programmes leveraging the club's identity and reach.
• Aspire Technology SolutionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIT services partner providing technology support. Serves as Business Breakfasts sponsor, facilitating corporate networking events for Foundation of Light supporters and corporate members.
• Samaritans of SunderlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for Game of II Halves programme, providing mental health support and wellbeing resources for veterans participating in football activities.
• Sunderland Law SocietycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDesignated as Sunderland Law Society's Charity of the Year for 2026, providing recognition, volunteer support, and fundraising opportunities.
• Hay & KilnerminorOthersProvides will writing service partnership, offering supporters a free will writing service in exchange for legacy giving consideration.
• Military Veterans Football CICcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans football partnership providing expertise and connections for delivery of football activities for military veterans in the region.
• Bright FuturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGOGA (Get Out and Get Active) partner providing inclusive leisure opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Grace HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGOGA partner providing accessible leisure activities and support services for young people with disabilities.
• Tailored LeisurecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGOGA partner delivering adapted physical activities and leisure opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• North East Housing PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTogether Through Sport partner working to increase access to sport and physical activity for housing association residents across the North East.
• Newcastle United FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTogether Through Sport partner collaborating with other North East football foundations to deliver cross-regional sports programmes.
• Durham Cricket FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTogether Through Sport partner providing cricket-related activities and promoting diverse sports engagement across County Durham.
• Eagles Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTogether Through Sport partner delivering basketball and other sports programmes as part of the collaborative North East sports initiative.
• Newcastle Rugby FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTogether Through Sport partner contributing rugby activities and expanding sports access across the North East region.
• Sunderland Specialist Stop Smoking ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for Kick the Habit smoking cessation programme, providing clinical expertise and support services.
• Sunderland City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner supporting Kick the Habit programme and broader community health initiatives.
• Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner's Violence Reduction UnitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYOLO programme partner addressing youth violence prevention through sports-based intervention and engagement.
• North East SportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTogether Through Sport initiative partner coordinating sports delivery across the North East region.
• Beacon of Light SchoolcoreOthersIntegrated education facility within the Beacon of Light complex, providing alternative education provision for young people.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Access Sport: UK charity focused on widening access to inclusive sport for disadvantaged and disabled young people. Comparable to Foundation of Light's GOGA-funded disability and SEND activities, though Access Sport operates a broader national remit.
• Greenhouse Sports: UK charity using sport (particularly tennis and football) to improve educational and life outcomes for young people in disadvantaged communities. Operates a sport-for-development model with school delivery comparable to Foundation of Light's Premier League Primary Stars and Kicks programmes.

Direct peers

• Manchester United Foundation: Official charity of Manchester United, running sport, education, and health programmes for young people across Greater Manchester. Directly comparable Premier League foundation model with extensive school delivery and youth-focused programmes.
• Tottenham Hotspur Foundation: Official charity of Tottenham Hotspur delivering sport, education, employability, and health programmes in North London. Similar Premier League foundation model with strong school delivery and corporate partnership structures.
• Chelsea Foundation: Official charity of Chelsea FC, delivering sport, education, employability, and inclusion programmes. Comparable scale and Premier League foundation model, though primarily operating in London and internationally.
• Everton in the Community: Official charity of Everton FC, delivering sport-based community programmes in education, health, and social inclusion. Highly comparable as a Premier League club foundation using football for community impact, though operating in Merseyside rather than the North East.
• Newcastle United Foundation: Official charity of Newcastle United FC, delivering sport, education, and health programmes across the North East of England. It is the closest direct peer given its identical operating model, overlapping geographic footprint, and explicit Together Through Sport partnership with Foundation of Light.
• Liverpool FC Foundation: Official charity of Liverpool FC delivering sport, education, and health programmes across Merseyside. Operates a comparable Premier League foundation model with strong corporate partnership, school delivery, and youth-focused community programmes.
• Durham Cricket Foundation: Official charity of Durham Cricket, delivering sport, education, and community programmes across the North East. Explicit Together Through Sport partner of Foundation of Light, operating a near-identical regional sport-for-development model in the same geography.
• Arsenal in the Community: Arsenal FC's community arm, delivering sport, education, and social inclusion programmes across North London. Comparable Premier League-driven community delivery model with school-based Premier League Primary Stars programmes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SAFCFoL
• Facebookfacebook.com/SAFCFoL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safcfol

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Foundation of Light