What Noah's Arc Foundation does

Noah's Arc Foundation is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 by former NBA player Joakim Noah and his mother Cecilia Rodhe, a sculptor and certified expressive art therapist. The foundation delivers trauma-informed youth development programming for young people ages 6 to 24 from historically under-resourced Chicago communities, as well as peer-support services for mothers who have lost children to gun violence. Core offerings include the ONE CITY Basketball League (relaunched in 2023 with 28 participating violence interruption groups), the "Expression from the Inside" trauma-informed expressive arts workshop series, the Ladies of the Arc peer support collective, and various community basketball clinics and peace tournaments delivered through partner venues such as Chicago Public Schools, St. Sabina Church, Major Adams Community Center, and the Firehouse Community Art Center. All participants, coaches, and coordinators are financially compensated.

The foundation's revenue model is a three-part nonprofit blend. The largest stream is donations and charitable contributions from individual donors and a curated Champion corporate partner program (flagship sponsors include Goldman Sachs, adidas, @properties, NBPA Foundation, and Morgan Stanley, with pro-bono support from partners such as Connor Sports Cares and Joe Montgomery). A secondary revenue stream is merchandise sales through the foundation's own e-commerce shop selling the trademarked Drop of Consciousness pendant line in four material variants priced from $40 (rhodium) to $99 (sterling silver). A third stream consists of in-kind contributions (legal services, sports equipment, design) from pro-bono supporters. The foundation operates with a lean staff of 1–10 employees and relies heavily on its partner ecosystem to deliver programming at scale across Chicago, with additional programmatic activity in New York and West Africa (Cameroon).

Geographically, the foundation is rooted in Chicago — specifically the west and south side neighborhoods most affected by community violence — but has expanded to New York through the Stick Man Tournament and Riverside Church partnerships, and has signaled further African expansion via Joakim Noah's 2022 ambassadorship with the Basketball Africa League. The organization holds registered trademarks on the Drop of Consciousness peace movement and the Expression from the Inside for Kids art program, both proprietary to co-founder Cecilia Rodhe. Marketing is community-led through the #RockYourDrop social campaign, the foundation website, email newsletter, Champion partner co-branding, and in-person events.

Name

Noah's Arc Foundation

Legal name

Noah's Arc Foundation

Website

https://noahsarcfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Noah's Arc Foundation is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 by NBA legend Joakim Noah and expressive art therapist Cecilia Rodhe, delivering trauma-informed basketball leagues, expressive arts workshops, and peer support for youth ages 6–24 and mothers affected by gun violence in under-invested communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Trauma-informed services
• Expressive arts therapy
• Community violence intervention
• Nonprofit charitable services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Merchandise Sales (Drop of Consciousness Pendants): The foundation sells Drop of Consciousness pendants in various materials (rhodium, gold-plated, rose gold-plated, sterling silver) ranging from $40-$99. Proceeds support the mission of the Noah's Arc Foundation.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation relies on donations from individuals and organizations. As a 501(c)3 organization, contributions are tax-deductible. Support comes from Champions (corporate partners), individual donors, and pro-bono supporters.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Noah's Arc Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers trauma-informed youth development programs combining sports leagues, expressive art workshops, and peer support collectives. Its flagship offerings include the One City Basketball League (launched in partnership with 28 violence interruption groups), Expression from the Inside art therapy workshops, The Ladies of the Arc support collective for mothers affected by gun violence, and the Drop of Consciousness movement paired with pendant merchandise. Programs primarily serve youth aged 6-24 from under-invested Chicago communities, with all participants, coaches, and coordinators financially compensated.

Product overview

Noah's Arc Foundation operates as a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of youth development programs centered on trauma-informed sports and expressive arts. The core offerings include the One City Basketball League—a competitive basketball initiative launched in 2023 with 28 violence interruption groups—and Expression from the Inside, a trauma-informed art therapy program. The foundation also runs The Ladies of the Arc, a peer support collective for mothers who have lost children to gun violence, and promotes the Drop of Consciousness™ Movement for peace and non-violence awareness. Revenue-generating merchandise includes Drop of Consciousness™ pendant jewelry sold through the organization's shop in four material variants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One City Basketball League A basketball league initiative launched in partnership with 28 violence interruption groups that uses basketball to provide conflict mediation, job training, financial literacy, creative workshops, and family services for youth from under-invested Chicago communities. All participants, coaches, and coordinators are financially compensated.
• Expression from the Inside Trauma-informed expressive art workshops providing youth, families, and mothers with opportunities for personal and emotional exploration through art. Group sessions are limited to 20 participants and led by certified art instructors as part of a 10-part series designed around selected themes to teach techniques and coping mechanisms.
• The Ladies of the Arc

Quantifiable outcome

• ONE CITY Basketball League restarted in 2023 with 28 violence interruption groups participating

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Coaches of America (formerly Up2Us Sports)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010For the past decade, collaboration with Coaches of America to bring trauma-informed coaching to the Major Adams Community Center and the Marillac St. Vincent Home, ensuring youth receive guidance that nurtures both mind and body.
• After School MatterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner providing after-school programming opportunities for Chicago youth, integrated with NAF's sports and arts initiatives.
• Chicago Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner connecting NAF programming with schools throughout Chicago to reach youth in educational settings.
• The Faith Community at St. SabinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner hosting St. Sabina Peace Tournaments as part of NAF's community peace initiatives using basketball as a bridge toward understanding and healing.
• Major Adams Community CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner hosting Midnight Basketball programs at Major Adams Community Center in Chicago, providing evening summer clinics as safe and constructive outlets.
• Marillac HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner location for trauma-informed coaching programs in conjunction with Coaches of America.
• The Firehouse Community Art CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner providing art-based healing programs and creative workshops for NAF participants.
• Perspectives Charter SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharter school partner providing programming access for NAF's youth development initiatives.
• Long Island City YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on the Stick Man Tournament hosted for two consecutive years, celebrating community and competition through sport.
• Riverside Church NYCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York-based partner expanding NAF's reach beyond Chicago.
• Goldman SachsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion partner providing financial support, signage opportunities, promotional integration, digital and social reach, community amplification, and employee engagement programs.
• adidasflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion partner providing sports equipment, signage opportunities, promotional integration, digital and social reach, community amplification, and employee engagement programs.
• @propertiesflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion partner providing real estate expertise, signage opportunities, promotional integration, digital and social reach, community amplification, and employee engagement programs.
• LinkedIn For GoodcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology platform providing professional networking support and matching grants for nonprofit causes.
• Lycee Francais de ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench international school supporter providing educational support for NAF programs.
• Strides for PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting peace initiatives and violence prevention efforts in Chicago.
• Purple SharkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreative supporter providing design and marketing assistance for NAF initiatives.
• Connor Sports CarescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPro-bono supporter providing sports equipment and basketball court-related support for NAF programs.
• Joe Montgomery (Montgomery Law LLC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPro-bono legal supporter providing attorney services for NAF's organizational needs.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation: Founded by the late Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant, this nonprofit uses sport to create positive impact for underserved youth, mirroring NAF's sports-based youth development model and celebrity-founder structure.
• Up2Us Sports (Coaches of America): National nonprofit training coaches in trauma-informed youth sports practices - the direct partner on NAF's coaching model for Major Adams and Marillac St. Vincent programs.
• After School Matters: Chicago-based youth development nonprofit offering after-school arts, sports, and STEM programs - an existing NAF program partner operating in the same funding and program space.
• LeBron James Family Foundation: NBA-star-founded foundation delivering education, sports, and wraparound support to at-risk youth. Operates comparable programming (leagues, school-based initiatives) and shares NAF's profile-leveraged fundraising model.
• Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation: Stephen Curry's nonprofit focused on ending childhood hunger, supporting education, and providing safe play spaces - parallel athlete-led, cause-driven structure with sports programming at its core.
• Strides for Peace: Chicago peace-and-violence-prevention nonprofit and existing NAF community partner, focused on uniting communities through shared activities - directly comparable in mission and geography.
• Chicago CRED: Chicago-based violence-reduction organization employing 'credible messengers' to mediate conflicts and connect at-risk youth to opportunity - the most direct operational peer to NAF's 28-group violence interruption partnership.

Broad incumbents

• Cure Violence (The Chicago Project for Violence Prevention): Pioneering public-health-approach violence interruption organization. Operates at a broader national/global scale and shares NAF's violence-interruption thesis, but uses a different delivery model.
• NBPA Foundation: Foundation of the National Basketball Players Association; a current NAF Flagship Champion that funds player-led youth programs across the country, providing comparable athlete-network-backed funding infrastructure.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago: Large incumbent youth development network offering sports leagues and arts programming to Chicago youth. Provides comparable programming surface area, with greater scale and infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Noah's Arc Foundation