Friars Club, Inc.

What Friars Club, Inc. does

Friars Club, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization headquartered at 4300 Vine Street in Cincinnati, Ohio, operating continuously since its founding in 1860 in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. It serves boys and girls ages 4-17 across the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southern Indiana region through year-round sports programs (basketball, volleyball, baseball), academic enrichment (Summer Day Camp, tutoring), and a distinctive peer mentorship model in which high school student-coaches mentor younger athletes. The organization runs the CISE Catholic Inner-City Schools Education program at six partner Catholic schools, serving 286+ students with tutoring, mentorship, and athletics, supported by the Dater Foundation, and operates as a Sponsored Ministry of the Franciscan Friars, Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The organization delivers its core product through a single physical facility plus on-site programs at partner schools. Its technology layer is intentionally minimal and consists of third-party SaaS tools: ACTIVE Network for program registration and payment, Zeffy for donation processing, GiveSmart for event ticketing, and a Kroger Community Rewards affiliate integration for passive fundraising. No proprietary technology, mobile app, or AI-driven systems are disclosed. The platform's primary differentiator is operational rather than technological: a volunteer-driven coaching pipeline of 70-100+ high school and adult mentors that feeds a self-reinforcing cycle of leadership development.

Revenue is generated through a mix of small-dollar program registration fees (with need-based scholarships available), individual donations processed via Zeffy, three annual fundraising events (Annual Community Dinner at $100/ticket, Annual Golf Outing at $125-$500, Rendezvous on the River at $275/couple), planned giving and bequests under the Legacy of Love program, and passive affiliate revenue from Kroger Community Rewards. An active $3.5 million endowment campaign is building on an existing $1.5 million endowment toward a $5 million total goal. Distribution is direct-to-consumer at the Vine Street facility and via school partnerships; marketing runs through the website, email, organic social channels, and community events.

Name

Friars Club, Inc.

Legal name

Friars Club, Inc.

Website

https://friarsclubinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1860

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Friars Club is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1860, that delivers year-round youth basketball, volleyball, and baseball programs alongside tutoring and peer mentorship for ages 4-17, including 286+ Catholic inner-city students through school partnerships, funded by donations, program fees, and annual fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAJ

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYMPAKACAF

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Collegiate & Amateur Sports Organizations (NCAA, Federations, Clubs)

SECONDARYEDAJALAM

After-School Academic Support Programs (Centers & Clubs)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Educational Support Services (Tutoring & Counseling)

Keywords

• Youth sports programs
• After-school mentoring
• Academic tutoring services
• Youth leadership development
• Community nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

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: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting youth programming, equipment, uniforms, scholarships, and facility maintenance. One-time and monthly recurring options available.
2. Program Registration Fees: Registration fees for youth sports programs including basketball, volleyball, and baseball camps and leagues. Need-based scholarships available based on proof of current services (food stamps, disability, social security, medicaid).
3. Special Events: Revenue from events including Annual Community Dinner ($100/ticket, $2,000 corporate sponsor), Rendezvous on the River, and Annual Golf Outing ($125 individual, $500 foursome).
4. Planned Giving / Endowment: Legacy gifts through wills, insurance policies, retirement accounts, estate plans, or stock donations. Current endowment campaign targeting $3.5 million to add to existing $1.5 million.
5. Kroger Community Rewards: Affiliate program where Kroger donates a portion of purchases when customers link their Plus Card to Friars Club.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Friars Club delivers youth sports programs (basketball, volleyball, baseball) for ages 4-17, academic tutoring and mentorship through its CISE Catholic inner-city schools program, and a Summer Day Camp, all anchored by a peer mentorship model where high school student-coaches mentor younger athletes. Programs are offered at the Friars Club facility in Cincinnati and through partner Catholic schools, with scholarships available based on financial need.

Product overview

Friars Club is a nonprofit youth development organization offering a unified portfolio of youth sports programs and educational services. The core offerings center on basketball, volleyball, and baseball programs for boys and girls ages 4-17, supplemented by the CISE (Catholic Inner-city Schools Education) program providing tutoring and mentorship. The organization operates through a peer mentorship model utilizing volunteer coaches including high school students. Supporting infrastructure includes fundraising initiatives (endowment campaign, planned giving, Kroger rewards), special events (Annual Community Dinner, Golf Outing, Rendezvous on the River), and school-based programs at partner institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ron Walker Youth Sports Program: The youth sports program renamed in 1999 to honor Ronald F. Walker, a former Friars Club participant who became Vice Chairman of Great American Insurance Company and gave back significantly to the organization.

Products and services

• Youth Basketball Programs Year-round basketball programming for boys and girls including Basketball Camp K-3rd, Basketball Camp 4th-7th, Jr. High/High School Boys League (7th-12th grade), Jr. Dribblers Academy (ages 4-7), Winter Basketball (2nd-8th grade), and Summer Basketball League (4th-9th grade). Designed for youth ages 4-17 in the Greater Cincinnati area.
• Youth Volleyball Programs Volleyball programming for 3rd-8th grade youth including a Free Volleyball Clinic for beginners and Co-Ed Volleyball leagues in fall and spring seasons, plus school-specific volleyball programs at partner Catholic schools.
• Friars Baseball Baseball program for 7-11 year olds running March through June with practices on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and traveling to different fields.
• CISE Schools Program (Catholic Inner-City Schools Education) School-based program providing tutoring, mentorship, and athletic opportunities to 286+ Catholic inner-city students through partnerships with St. Clement, St. Boniface, St. Francis DeSales, Corryville Catholic, and St. Francis Seraph schools.
• Jr. Dribblers Academy Introductory basketball program for 4-7 year olds focusing on basketball fundamentals, with Leadership Academy teen coaches visiting schools throughout Cincinnati.
• Summer Day Camp 8-week summer program for 6-11 year olds including academics, athletics, enrichment activities, swim lessons, golf, chess, and field trips, with breakfast, snack, and hot lunch provided.
• Rendezvous on the River Annual fundraising event featuring Montgomery Inn BBQ dinner, drinks, live music by Rusty Griswolds, and fireworks at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse (925 Riverside Dr). Tickets at $275 per person or $500 per couple.
• Annual Community Dinner Annual recognition event celebrating community partners, coaches, and volunteers with $100/ticket pricing and corporate sponsorship options up to $5,000.
• Annual Golf Outing Annual fundraising golf event at Glenview Golf Course with $125 individual or $500 foursome options, benefiting youth sports, tutoring, and mentoring programs.
• Volunteer Program Peer mentorship program with volunteer coaches, mentors, and tutors including high school students earning service hours while developing leadership skills. Includes Coach, Assist, and After-School Tutor volunteer opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ youth served annually through sports and education programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger Community Rewards program allows customers to link their Kroger Plus Card to Friars Club, with a portion of purchases donated to support youth programs. No cost to customer.
• St. Clement ElementarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for CISE after-school program serving students at St. Clement. Friars Club provides tutoring, mentorship, and athletic opportunities.
• St. BonifacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school offering Jr. Dribblers and volleyball programs for K-8th grade students. Practices held at school; games at Friars Club.
• St. Francis DeSalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school with Jr. Dribblers and volleyball programs. Friars Club provides transportation from school to Friars Club facility.
• Corryville CatholiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school offering Jr. Dribblers and volleyball programs for K-8th grade students.
• St. Francis SeraphcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school with Jr. Dribblers and volleyball programs. Friars Club provides transportation to Friars Club facility.
• Annunciation (Romero Academy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school offering Jr. Dribblers program. Practice at Annunciation, games at Friars Club.
• Franciscan Friars, Province of Our Lady of GuadalupecoreOthersFriars Club is a Sponsored Ministry of the Franciscan Friars, Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Provides spiritual guidance and organizational support.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/friarsclubcincy
• Facebookfacebook.com/CincinnatiFriarsClub
• Instagraminstagram.com/friars_club_cincy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Friars Club, Inc.