Bedford Blues Foundation

Name

Bedford Blues Foundation

Legal name

Bedford Blues Foundation

Website

https://bluesfoundation.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Sports & Youth Development

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Youth Development & Sports Outreach Programs (EDAIAGAG)

Keywords

• Community sports programmes
• Youth intervention services
• School rugby coaching
• Inclusive disability sport
• Charitable community fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Bedford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Strategic partnerships with local businesses including programme sponsorships, Starting XV initiative members, and Charity of the Year partnerships providing ongoing revenue and brand visibility
2. Charitable Donations: Individual donations through Enthuse platform, Champion monthly giving scheme (£5/month), and one-time donations
3. Grant Funding: Funding from National Lottery Awards for All, Bedfordshire Police and Crimes Commissioner, Harpur Trust, St James Place Charitable Trust, and other charitable foundations
4. Programme Delivery Fees: Fees for holiday camps, after-school clubs, and SEND programmes including HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) provision
5. Fundraising Events: Annual events including Foundation Ball, Charity Golf Day, Race Night, Fashion Show, London Marathon, Blues Banger Rally
6. Sponsor a Student: Corporate sponsorship programme at £100/month per student (£1,200 annually) providing qualifications, training and resources

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bedford Blues Foundation is a registered charity that delivers community sports, education, and wellbeing programmes using the values of rugby (Passion, Adaptability, Unity, Sustainability, Enjoyment). Offerings include school delivery (curriculum tag rugby, after-school clubs, Tackle LIFE mentoring), holiday rugby and multisport camps, inclusive sports sessions (ABILITY Blues for disabled young people), matchday experiences at Goldington Road, Walking Rugby for older adults, and a Memory Café. Programmes are funded through charitable donations, grant funding, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events across Bedfordshire.

Product overview

Bedford Blues Foundation is a charitable community organisation offering a portfolio of sports, education, and wellbeing programmes centred around rugby values. The core offering spans holiday camps (Rugby Camps, Multisport Camps), school delivery (Schools Programme including curriculum tag rugby, Tackle LIFE mentoring, after school clubs), inclusive sports (ABILITY Blues for disabled young people), matchday experiences, and community support initiatives (Memory Café, Walking Rugby). Fundraising mechanisms include the Champion monthly giving scheme, Sponsor a Student programme, and Charity of the Year partnerships. All programmes align with Bedford Blues values of Passion, Adaptability, Unity, Sustainability, and Enjoyment to inspire the community and promote positive lifestyle choices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tackle LIFE: Programme using rugby values to promote discipline, resilience and teamwork whilst developing skills and employability support for young people disengaged from mainstream education.
• ABILITY Blues
• Project 500
• TRY to Change
• Memory Cafe
• Starting XV
• CHAMPION Scheme

Products and services

• ABILITY Blues An inclusive multisport programme for disabled young people aged 10-18 with learning difficulties and mild physical disabilities, using a variety of sports and activities to develop fundamental movements, social skills, and healthy lifestyles in a safe, fun environment. Sessions run on Saturdays at Bunyan Sports Centre and through SEND schools.
• Rugby Camps Holiday rugby camps delivered across Bedfordshire for children aged U7s to U16s, offering coaching from qualified community rugby coaches and professional Bedford Blues players at Goldington Road and partner community clubs.
• Matchday Experiences Matchday packages at Bedford Blues home matches including Guard of Honour, flag bearing, pre-game coaching sessions, player meet-and-greets, and mascot opportunities for schools, clubs, and organisations.
• Schools Programme Comprehensive school delivery including curriculum tag rugby, Tackle LIFE mentoring, after school clubs, and matchday experiences. Designed around Bedford Blues values of Passion, Adaptability, Unity, Sustainability, and Enjoyment for primary and secondary schools across Bedfordshire.
• Tackle LIFE An intervention programme using rugby's core values to promote discipline, resilience, and teamwork while developing skills and employability support for young people disengaged from mainstream education. Available for primary, secondary, and FE settings, supporting more than 250 children and young people across Bedfordshire.
• Memory Café A monthly Memory Café at Goldington Road providing a welcoming space for people experiencing memory loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, along with their caregivers. Features inclusive activities, games, music, and creative workshops.
• Champion Scheme Monthly donation programme starting from £5 per month, allowing supporters to directly fund Blues Foundation's work with vulnerable young people, with quarterly newsletters and thank you events.
• Walking Rugby Part of Bedford Borough Council's Live Longer Better programme, enabling people to continue playing rugby in a walking format for those looking to stay active at a gentler pace.
• Sponsor a Student Corporate sponsorship programme at £100 per month (£1,200 annually) per student, providing qualifications, learning, workshops, and resources for young people on intervention programmes.
• Primary School Roadshow A free primary school roadshow bringing energy, inspiration, and teamwork into schools through whole-school assemblies and rugby taster sessions delivered by the Bedford Blues Foundation team, launching in the 2026/2027 academic year.
• Multisport Camps Multisport holiday camps offering a range of sports activities for children during school holidays across Bedfordshire venues, including HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) provision that is free for children on Free School Meals.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 250 children and young people supported by Tackle LIFE programme
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• MDGsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 November 2025Renewed commitment to supporting young people on Sponsor a Student programme
• Building TransformationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2025Supporting the flagship Tackle LIFE programme which uses rugby values to promote positive life choices among young people
• NeuroFXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2025Supports the ABILITY Blues programme for disabled young people, providing sponsorship and expertise for inclusive sports delivery
• SycalsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 June 2025Joined Sponsor a Student initiative ensuring students have access to academic resources
• Biggleswade Rugby ClubsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2024Partnership to promote youth rugby and support community engagement in Biggleswade
• Mulberry HomessupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2024First Bedfordshire business to join the Sponsor a Student campaign, providing donation to support young people on intervention programmes
• Maddy's MarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Partnership to deliver Project 500, a targeted girls' rugby programme aiming to introduce 500 girls to rugby across the 2025/2026 season, using the Women's Rugby World Cup to inspire the next generation
• University of BedfordshirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for programme delivery and research projects; foundation took over university rugby delivery following Blues Community merger
• Bedford Borough Council (Sportzone)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for ABILITY Blues sessions and Walking Rugby as part of Live Longer Better programme
• Autism BedfordshirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide bespoke sessions for service users and support ABILITY Blues programme delivery
• Central Bedfordshire CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme partnership providing free and subsidized holiday provision for disadvantaged children
• RFU (England Rugby)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool Rugby Manager programme and Families Fund project partnership
• Chiltern Learning TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for rugby hub delivery at Cedars Upper School and school night events
• Bellway HomessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for matchday activation and Rugby and Reading programme
• Oliver Landpower LtdsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMulti-year partnership providing vehicle support for foundation activities
• Harris Carpentry ContractorssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerStarting XV initiative member committing three-year support
• PTA EventssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for after-school clubs programme
• Lucky 14 DesignsupportingTechnology or IntegrationDigital partner providing branding, website, and marketing services
• HJ Travel LtdsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel partnership for 2025 activities
• The KingfishersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity of the Year partnership with ongoing fundraising events including cake sales and fashion shows
• Club TowerssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity of the Year partnership with member-driven fundraising events
• Digital Tax MatterssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerJoined Sponsor a Student scheme at start of 2026
• Cambria Wealth ManagementsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal sponsor supporting Sponsor a Student programme
• Premier SolicitorssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor on Sponsor a Student programme
• Bedford Charities ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration bringing together charities and agencies to share stories, share good practice, and generate partnership opportunities. Hosted by Tom Harwood. Founding members include Bedford Giving, Bedford Foodbank, Bedfordshire Open Door, CVS, Link 2 Change, Fun4YoungPeople, FACES

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves1 record

Others

• Sport England: National body distributing public and Lottery funding into community sport. Functions as a key potential funder and policy shaper for community sports charities like Bedford Blues Foundation rather than a direct competitor; relevant for understanding the funding ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Premiership Rugby: Governing body and commercial operator of England's top-flight rugby league, including the Hit Work Tackle programme for schools and community engagement. A broader incumbent that sits above individual club foundations and shapes the funding and policy environment in which Bedford Blues Foundation operates.

Direct peers

• Harlequins Foundation: Official foundation of Harlequins Rugby Club, focused on sport for social change, schools delivery, and disability inclusion across the South West London community. Closely matches the Bedford Blues Foundation model of combining schools programmes, disability sport, and youth intervention under a club-affiliated charity.
• Bath Rugby Foundation: Charitable arm of Bath Rugby delivering disability, mental health, and youth sport programmes in the South West. Comparable model emphasising sport for social outcomes under a professional rugby club banner.
• Leicester Tigers Foundation: Charitable arm of Leicester Tigers Rugby Club delivering community sport, education, and health programmes in the East Midlands. Highly comparable structure as a professional rugby club foundation running Tackle-style intervention and inclusive sports programmes.
• Saracens Foundation: Official charity of Saracens Rugby Club, delivering community rugby programmes, schools engagement, and inclusion initiatives across North London and Hertfordshire. Directly comparable rugby club foundation model with similar schools, disability, and youth intervention programmes.
• Newcastle Falcons Foundation: Charitable arm of Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club delivering community rugby, schools coaching, and disability programmes in the North East. Notably, foundation staff have prior Newcastle Falcons playing backgrounds, mirroring the Bedford Blues playing-alumni-to-coach pathway.
• Exeter Chiefs Foundation: Official charity of Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club delivering community engagement, education, and health programmes in Devon. Closely comparable professional rugby club foundation model with schools and community focus.
• Sale Sharks Foundation: Community foundation of Sale Sharks Rugby Club delivering disability, girls, and youth programmes across Greater Manchester. Comparable rugby-club-affiliated charity with similar programme mix including inclusive sport and school engagement.
• Northampton Saints Foundation: Charitable arm of Northampton Saints Rugby Club delivering community sport, education, and wellbeing programmes across Northamptonshire. Directly comparable rugby club foundation serving a regional UK geography with schools and inclusion focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bluesfoundatio1
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/bluesfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/BedfordBluesFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bedford-blues-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/bluesfoundation

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 Bedford Blues Foundation