What Big Yard does

Big Yard Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Portland, Oregon, that delivers youth development programming in education, creative arts, wellness, and sports. Founded in 2018 by former NFL linebacker Brennan Scarlett, the foundation focuses on Black and Brown communities in Portland's North and Northeast neighborhoods and operates a portfolio of five distinct programs: Big Yard Academy (a two-week summer S.T.E.A.M. plus flag football program for ages 11-14, with an inaugural 2024 cohort of 30 student-athletes), Big Yard Creators (an eight-week workshop covering strategy, storytelling, photo/video production, content development and brand execution), Big Yard Studio (an annual art-show fundraiser), an annual one-day Football Camp hosted at the University of Portland with Central Catholic coaching staff, and the Juneteenth 5K Run on the Bluff. Programs are delivered through partner venues (University of Portland, Central Catholic, PDX Contemporary Art) and supported by a content alliance with JuiceBox Creative; the foundation itself holds only a Portland PO box. Cohort-level reported outcomes include 87% participant return intent, 65% curiosity in S.T.E.A.M. careers, 85% general S.T.E.A.M. interest, 40% self-reported confidence gain in math and science, and 100% provision of apparel kits, backpacks, learning tools, and twice-daily meals.

The underlying operational layer is non-technological — there is no proprietary software, mobile application, API, or AI/ML component; the foundation's "platform" is a curated set of in-person programs, volunteer mentors, partner institutions, and donor-funded resources coordinated by Executive Director Susan Scarlett, founder/Ex Officio Brennan Scarlett, and a six-member board of directors chaired by Emi Lawson. No headcount, salary data, or audited financials are disclosed in the source material, and there are no external institutional investors or parent-company relationships.

The revenue model is philanthropic: 100% of contributions, donation-based event fees (suggested $50 for football camp registration, donation-based 5K registration), corporate sponsorships, and fundraiser ticket sales underwrite free or subsidized programming. There are no disclosed revenue or contribution totals, no funding rounds, and no donor concentration data. Marketing and outreach rely on a website, email newsletter, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Eventbrite ticket pages, and in-person community events, with no paid acquisition channels identified.

Name

Big Yard

Legal name

Big Yard Foundation

Website

https://bigyardfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Big Yard Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Portland, Oregon that delivers S.T.E.A.M. education, creative-arts, and athletic programs to youth aged 11-14 and broader Black and Brown communities in N/NE Portland via five coordinated programs funded by donations and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Community Development & Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA), STEM & Science Camps (Biology, Chemistry, Space, Lab Science) (EDAMALAC), Outdoor Fitness & Park Bootcamps (HSADABAC)

Keywords

• Youth education programs
• Community nonprofit services
• S.T.E.A.M. learning
• Flag football camps
• Creative arts workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that generates revenue primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and community supporters. 100% of contributions go toward supporting children in disadvantaged communities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Big Yard Foundation runs a portfolio of youth-focused nonprofit programs combining education (S.T.E.A.M. learning), athletics (flag football and football camps), and creative arts (storytelling, film, design workshops) for youth aged roughly 11-18 in N/NE Portland. Programs include Big Yard Academy, Big Yard Creators, Big Yard Studio art show, Big Yard Football Camp, and the Juneteenth 5K Run on the Bluff, all delivered free or at donation-based rates to participants.

Product overview

Big Yard Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that operates multiple youth empowerment programs centered on education, creativity, and wellness. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs including Big Yard Academy (a S.T.E.A.M. and flag football summer program), Big Yard Creators (creative skills workshop), Big Yard Studio (annual art show exhibition), Big Yard Football Camp, and the Juneteenth 5K Run on the Bluff. These programs work together to provide holistic development opportunities for youth in underrepresented communities, particularly in Portland's N/NE neighborhoods.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Big Yard Academy A two-week summer program combining S.T.E.A.M. learning with flag football for middle school student-athletes aged 11-14, designed to build resilience and equip participants to overcome social adversity in communities with limited resources.
• Big Yard Creators An 8-week workshop designed to help young creatives build real creative skills in strategy, storytelling, photo and video production, content development, and brand execution.
• Big Yard Studio: Creators Art Show Fundraiser An annual art show fundraiser presenting The Community Collection, featuring original work from the Big Yard Creators cohort across film, storytelling, and design developed through an 8-week workshop.
• Big Yard Football Camp Annual one-day football camp led by former NFL linebacker Brennan Scarlett, designed for incoming 6th-9th graders, featuring instruction from collegiate and professional football players and the Central Catholic football coaching staff.
• Juneteenth 5K Run on the Bluff Annual Juneteenth celebration community 5K run/walk along the scenic North Portland bluff, open to all ages and abilities, with proceeds supporting Big Yard Academy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of Student-Athletes said they would return to Academy next summer
• +4 more outcomes

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

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Central CatholiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral Catholic football coaching staff collaborates with Big Yard Foundation for the annual football camp, providing coaching expertise and facilities for middle school to rising freshmen participants.
• University of PortlandcoreOthersUniversity of Portland serves as the host location for Big Yard Foundation's annual football camp, providing facilities for the 9AM-12PM camp sessions.
• JuiceBox CreativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJuiceBox Creative collaborates with Big Yard Foundation on mini-series content featuring the Big Yard Academy cohort, producing visual documentation of the program's impact.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: Historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization with youth-education and workforce programs serving Black communities — comparable in target population and empowerment mission, though operating at national scale.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National nonprofit network providing youth development programs across education, sports, and creative enrichment — directly comparable to Big Yard's holistic youth-development model, though operating at vastly greater scale and geographic breadth.
• NFL Foundation: The NFL's charitable arm funding youth health, wellness, and football programs nationwide — comparable given Big Yard's NFL-founder lineage and football-centered programming model.

Direct peers

• 100 Black Men of America: National nonprofit of Black professionals mentoring youth in underserved communities across education, health, and economic empowerment — directly comparable in mission, mentorship model, and target demographic.
• After-School All-Stars: National nonprofit providing comprehensive after-school programs including academic support, sports, and enrichment for underserved youth — directly comparable in combining academic and athletic programming for low-income communities.
• My Brother's Keeper Alliance: Obama Foundation initiative focused on educational and opportunity outcomes for boys and young men of color — shares Big Yard's mission of building resilience and pathways in Black and Brown communities.
• Positive Coaching Alliance: Nonprofit developing 'better athletes, better people' through sports-based youth development — shares Big Yard's emphasis on character and life-skill development through athletic participation.
• Police Athletic League (PAL): Nonprofit delivering sports, education, and mentorship programs to youth in underserved urban communities — shares Big Yard's athletic-plus-academic approach and target demographic of at-risk youth in specific metro areas.

Regional players

• Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC): Portland-based nonprofit providing education, workforce training, and youth services to underserved communities — directly comparable in serving the same N/NE Portland demographic through holistic community programming.
• Self Enhancement, Inc. Portland-based nonprofit serving African American youth and families through education, leadership, and community programs — directly comparable in mission, geography, and target population to Big Yard Foundation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bigyardfdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-big-yard-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/bigyardfdn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Big Yard