design fc

What design fc does

Design FC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 87-3617461) founded in 2018 by Omri Gal while a student at Swarthmore College. Headquartered in Chester, PA, the organization delivers free design and creative education to youth ages 9-12 using sports jersey design as the primary engagement vehicle. It operates programs in 20+ cities across the US and UK, partnering with professional sports teams, athletes, and consumer brands including adidas, New Balance, EA Sports, Bay FC, Philadelphia 76ers, LAFC, Bayern Munich, Liverpool FC, Hummel, VISA, and KITH. Core programs include After School (a 12-week curriculum for ages 9-12), The Jersey Project (collaborative jersey design reaching 500+ youth across 11 cities), Youth Creative Collective (a global initiative tied to the 2026 World Cup), Youth Design & Sport Summit, Academy (an advanced program for long-term participants), and Chester Programs serving the home base. Beneficiary partners include Title 1 school districts such as Chester Upland School District and Stetser Elementary.

The organization does not operate a technology product. Its core methodology is a design-thinking curriculum delivered through in-person workshops, school partnerships, and experiential learning trips, paired with mentorship from professional athletes, designers, and industry figures. Programs are provided at no cost to students or schools, with all jerseys produced by manufacturing partner Stimulus Athletic and adidas — including collaborative pieces in the adidas House of Tiro World Cup collection produced with South Bronx United. The technology footprint is limited to standard collaboration and program-management tools, with no proprietary platform, AI/ML components, or data products disclosed.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. Design FC is donor-dependent with no fee-for-service revenue, no product revenue beyond gifted apparel, and no publicly disclosed financials. Its stakeholder base is bifurcated: beneficiary participants are youth and Title 1 school districts, while institutional partners are the sports franchises, athletes, and brands that provide funding, venues, amplification, and athlete access. The organization operates with 1-10 employees and a small leadership team that includes founder Omri Gal and COO Oliver Steinglass.

Name

design fc

Legal name

Design FC

Website

https://designfc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Design FC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free design and creative education to youth ages 9-12 through sports jersey design projects, school partnerships, and collaborations with professional teams, athletes, and brands across 20+ cities in the US and UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Education Services

akta.pro primary industry

Arts & Design Camps (Visual Arts, Crafts, Design Thinking) (EDAMALAH)

Keywords

• Youth design education
• Creative arts programs
• Nonprofit youth services
• Sports jersey design
• Design education curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

Chester

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. Donations and Grants: Design FC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 87-3617461) that operates primarily through charitable donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. The organization accepts donations through platforms like Donorbox and encourages support from the creative community.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Design FC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free design education to youth (ages 9-18) through sport jersey design projects. The organization partners with professional sports teams, athletes, and global brands (such as adidas, New Balance, EA Sports) to deliver creative programs including after-school classes, collaborative jersey design workshops, summits, and long-term mentorship that builds creative skills and exposes youth to creative careers.

Product overview

Design FC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit design organization that operates as a platform of interconnected youth creative programs. The core offerings include After School (design education for ages 9-12), The Jersey Project (collaborative jersey design with professional teams), Youth Creative Collective (global design initiative including the 2026 World Cup Project), Youth Design & Sport Summit (industry immersion), and Academy (advanced program for long-term participants). The Chester Programs serve as the organization's home base, while Prosperity in Abundance is a student-launched apparel brand the organization fully funds and supports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• After School Free design programming for youth ages 9-12 where students learn creative skills through sport jersey and apparel design using a specialized 12-week curriculum. Delivered as after-school sessions at partner schools and community organizations.
• The Jersey Project A collaborative jersey design program where youth work with professional sports teams, athletes, and brands to design custom jerseys representing their identity and community. Reached 500+ youth players in 11 cities.
• Youth Creative Collective A global design initiative providing youth teams the opportunity to design their own jerseys representing their identities and origins, with a flagship 2026 World Cup Project celebrating the upcoming tournament through adidas-produced apparel.
• Youth Design & Sport Summit A one-day immersive, hands-on experience where 5-7th graders learn about careers across sport, design, and tech through workshops led by industry leaders.
• Academy A specialized program providing students with 3+ years in Design FC with resources, access, mentorship, and exposure to pursue creative careers through guidance from industry professionals.
• Chester Programs Design FC's home base programs in Chester, PA serving students from Grades 4 through 12, encompassing after school, Academy, and experiential learning trip offerings. Over 1,000 students served since 2018.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of students reported feeling more confident in their creative skills after completing one year of Design FC programming
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bay FC & Players of Tomorrow LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Bay FC partnered with Design FC and Players of Tomorrow League for jersey design projects. Players designed jerseys representing their identity and community with Bay FC star Racheal Kundananji.
• Philadelphia 76erscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Philadelphia 76ers partnered with Design FC on projects including a collaboration with Adem Bona. The partnership connects Chester students with one of the biggest franchises in professional sports.
• DC UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026DC United partnered with Design FC for jersey design projects with youth from DC Scores and Amidon Bowen Elementary School, including workshops at Audi Field.
• 4ATX Foundation & Austin FCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Austin FC and its 4ATX Foundation partner with Design FC to provide creative programming opportunities for Austin-area youth.
• Hearts of PineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Hearts of Pine, a professional soccer club, partners with Design FC for youth design and creative initiatives.
• adidascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025adidas is a key brand partner working with Design FC on the Jersey Project and World Cup initiatives. Youth-designed jerseys are produced by adidas as part of their global collections, including the World Cup House of Tiro apparel line.
• adidas x Common GoalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration between adidas, Common Goal, and Design FC to work with South Bronx United youth on World Cup themed jersey designs. Jerseys produced by adidas for their global World Cup House of Tiro collection.
• Bay FCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Bay FC, a professional women's soccer team, collaborated with Design FC on jersey design projects involving youth from Soccer Without Borders Bay Area.
• Eze FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Arsenal and England star Eberechi Eze's foundation partnered with Design FC to expand Jersey Project to schools in South East London, including the Eze family's primary school Fossdene.
• New Heights YouthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Brooklyn basketball nonprofit New Heights partnered with Design FC and JDS Sports for jersey design with 3rd-6th grade students for their in-house youth league.
• New BalancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024New Balance partnered with Design FC for jersey design workshops with athletes like Tim Weah. Students from New York City and Chester Academy collaborated with professional athletes on custom jersey designs.
• New Balance x Tim WeahcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Design FC collaborated with US Men's National Team star Tim Weah and New Balance for jersey design workshops. Students from South Bronx United, Brooklyn FC, and Chester Academy participated.
• Georgia Stanway x Bayern MunichcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024England & Bayern Munich star Georgia Stanway worked with Design FC and Triboro United's U17 girls team at Bayern Munich HQ to design unique jerseys representing their team.
• Sporting KCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sporting Kansas City collaborated with Design FC for jersey design workshops with community partners KCK United and Ryogoku Academy at Children's Mercy Park.
• KITH Kinnect FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024KITH Kinnect partnered with Design FC to support Kevin Stanford, Design FC's first student, launch his own apparel brand 'Prosperity in Abundance.' Provided creative mentorship and photoshoot at KITH HQ.
• St. Louis CITYcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023St. Louis CITY SC partnered with Design FC for a one-day design intensive with St. Louis youth to create a special edition tee for the first team.
• MNUFC / Minnesota UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Minnesota United partnered with Design FC for MLS All-Star 2022. Students from Mt. Airy Boys + Girls Club created artwork for windscreens at a new mini-pitch.
• EA SportscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021EA Sports has partnered with Design FC for jersey design projects, including the EA Sports FIFA 21 collaboration. Design FC students have had opportunities to engage with video game design and brand activation teams.
• LAFCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Los Angeles Football Club partnered with Design FC for MLS All-Star 2021. Students from Watts designed over 200 linear feet of art permanently displayed at a mini pitch at Banc of California Stadium.
• VISAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVISA partners with Design FC as a brand supporter of the organization's youth design programs and mission.
• Durant Family Foundation / KD FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKevin Durant's foundation supports Design FC programs, particularly in Chester, PA where the organization has deep roots.
• US Soccer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership with US Soccer Foundation for Unity Cup events where youth-designed jerseys were worn by over 1,000 players in Los Angeles and New York.
• Common GoalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommon Goal partnered with Design FC for the 'Create the Space' mental health initiative. Youth from Football for Her (LA) and South Bronx United designed merchandise worn across the NWSL.
• Liverpool FCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiverpool FC supports Design FC as a brand partner in the organization's global sports and design initiatives.
• DC ScorescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDC Scores partnered with Design FC for jersey projects including the 'We Got That Sauce' Poetry Inspired Jersey celebrating DC Scores Middle School Poetry Slam winners.
• Soccer in the StreetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoccer in the Streets, Atlanta's youth soccer organization, partnered with Design FC for jersey design workshops at the Kensington Station mini-pitch.
• HummelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHummel partners with Design FC as a brand supporter of youth design programs and initiatives.
• Chester Upland School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term educational partnership with Chester Upland School District providing creative programming to students from Grades 4-12 since 2018.
• South Bronx UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Bronx United collaborated with Design FC on World Cup themed jersey designs through the adidas x Common Goal partnership.
• MLScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLS WORKS partnered with Design FC for multiple MLS All-Star community projects including mini pitch designs in Watts (2021), Minnesota (2022), and DC (2023).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• America SCORES: National nonprofit that pairs soccer with poetry and creative writing for underserved elementary students. Operates after-school programs in multiple US cities and is the closest structural analog to Design FC's sport + creative education model.
• Inner-City Arts: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing arts education to underserved elementary and middle school students through direct programming and partnerships. Comparable Title 1 focus and donor-funded delivery.
• Free Arts NYC: Nonprofit providing free arts education and mentorship to underserved NYC youth through volunteer-driven programming. Comparable target demographic (Title 1 youth) and free, donor-funded delivery model.
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AileyCamp): Founded the AileyCamp summer program providing free arts immersion to underserved middle schoolers in multiple US cities. Comparable youth-arts-education mission and donor-funded delivery to a comparable demographic.
• ProjectArt: Nonprofit delivering free arts education to youth in public libraries and schools, focused on under-resourced communities. Comparable in combining youth creative education with public-institution partnerships.
• Turnaround Arts (Kennedy Center): Kennedy Center initiative that brings arts education to high-need, low-performing public schools. Comparable in delivering arts programming to Title 1 schools at no cost, though anchored by a major cultural institution.
• Soccer Without Borders: Nonprofit using soccer as a vehicle for educational and social inclusion outcomes for newcomer and underserved youth. Comparable in combining sport with broader youth development programming.
• MLS WORKS: Charitable arm of Major League Soccer focused on youth and community programming. Several MLS clubs are already Design FC partners, making MLS WORKS the league-level counterpart to Design FC's per-club collaborations.

Emerging players

• City Year: AmeriCorps-affiliated nonprofit placing young adults in schools to support student engagement and graduation outcomes. Comparable in working inside Title 1 schools but with a broader academic rather than creative-arts focus.

Broad incumbents

• Right to Play: International nonprofit using sport and play to educate and empower children in underserved communities. Larger and more established than Design FC, but pursues the same sport-for-development thesis.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/design-fc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 design fc