We recently received this email:

“Hi Jon, I’m the treasurer of a local community-based soccer club. We primarily serve younger kids (under 10), who then transition to the bigger clubs. We do okay with fees and a yearly fundraiser, but I want to know what some ways are to help grow our players while keeping costs down to a minimum. What type of financial model should we look at?”

Hi, and thank you for the thoughtful question.

First, let me say this: what you’re describing is incredibly common.

You’re running a local, community-based soccer club for kids under 10. You cover most costs through registration fees and one annual fundraiser. It works… but just barely. And you’re wondering:

• How do we grow?
• How do we improve the experience for kids?
• How do we keep costs low for families?
• What kind of financial model actually fits us?

Let’s unpack this carefully.

Step 1: What Kind of Nonprofit Are You, Really?

Based on your description, your club most closely resembles what William Foster and colleagues would call a Member Motivator organization.

🟢 Member Motivator Model

This model includes organizations that are:

• Community-centered
• Identity-based
• Driven by shared values
• Funded largely by members

Think:

• Local churches
• Hobby clubs
• Youth sports leagues

Your members are families. They pay fees not just for a service, but because they believe in:

• Community
• Child development
• Local identity
• Affordable access to sport

That’s powerful. But here’s the catch.

The Member Motivator model only scales if membership engagement deepens over time.

And that’s where many youth clubs struggle.

The Core Financial Tension in Youth Soccer

You face three structural realities:

1. Families are price-sensitive.
2. Kids age out at 10.
3. Your “best” players leave for larger clubs.

This means:

• You don’t build long-term alumni giving.
• You don’t retain players for a decade.
• You can’t rely solely on increasing fees.

So simply “charging more” is not the answer. Instead, you likely need a hybrid funding model.

The Smart Hybrid Model for Small Youth Soccer Clubs

Here’s what I would recommend:

1️⃣ Primary Model: Member Motivator (Strengthen It)

Instead of just charging fees, lean into membership identity.

Ways to strengthen this model:

• Offer optional “supporter memberships” for grandparents or alumni families.
• Create a “Founders Circle” at $250–$500 annually.
• Build visible recognition (website, banners, social media).
• Send impact updates: how many kids served, scholarships provided, coach training completed.

Most small clubs underutilize storytelling. Parents will pay more when they feel part of something bigger.

2️⃣ Add a Layer of: Beneficiary Builder (But Localized)

Even though kids age out, parents don’t disappear from the community. You can:

• Track alumni families.
• Invite them back as volunteer coaches.
• Host an annual alumni jamboree.
• Build a small annual “Alumni Support the Next Generation” campaign.

You don’t need Harvard-scale alumni giving. You just need 20–30 former families giving $100 per year.

That’s $2,000–$3,000 you’re currently leaving on the table.

3️⃣ Add Corporate Micro-Sponsorship (Local Big Bettor Lite)

You’re not a full “Big Bettor” organization. But you can adopt a light version of it. Look for:

• Local realtors
• Dentists
• Pediatricians
• HVAC companies
• Insurance agents

Instead of one big sponsor, build 10 small ones at $500 each. Offer:

• Logo on website
• Banner at fields
• Sponsor spotlight post
• End-of-season thank-you plaque

Small businesses LOVE hyper-local visibility. This diversifies risk and lowers pressure on fees.

4️⃣ Consider Becoming a “Public Provider Adjacent” Organization

Here’s an underexplored opportunity. Many municipalities have:

• Recreation grants
• Community youth development funds
• Health promotion mini-grants
• Violence prevention or after-school grants

Frame your club not just as “soccer.” Frame it as:

• Physical activity promotion
• Social-emotional development
• Community connection
• Affordable youth engagement

Now you qualify for different funding pools. That shifts you partially into a Public Provider model without losing independence.

Cost Control Matters Too

Growth isn’t just about revenue. It’s about expense structure. Here are high-leverage strategies:

⚽ Shared Equipment Library

Families return outgrown cleats and shin guards.

⚽ Volunteer Incentives

Offer small fee reductions for parents who:

• Line fields
• Manage team communication
• Organize events

⚽ Coach Development Partnerships

Partner with larger clubs for occasional training support instead of paying for certifications alone.

⚽ Shared Field Agreements

Negotiate long-term agreements with schools or municipalities for predictable costs.

What Model Should You Choose?

Realistically, you should not choose just one. Your optimal model is:

Primary: Member Motivator
Secondary: Local Beneficiary Builder
Supplemental: Micro Big Bettor + Public Provider grants

That blend:

• Keeps fees stable
• Reduces reliance on one fundraiser
• Builds community identity
• Diversifies revenue

The Bigger Question: What Is Your Club’s Identity?

If you position yourself as:

“Affordable, community-first soccer that prepares kids for the next stage while keeping sport joyful and accessible”

You can fundraise around that.

If you position yourself as:

“Just the place before bigger clubs”

Then your ceiling stays low.

Funding models follow identity clarity.

What This Means for Your Players

A diversified funding approach allows you to:

• Offer scholarships quietly and respectfully
• Invest in coach training
• Improve equipment
• Host more inclusive events
• Reduce burnout on one annual fundraiser

Most importantly, it keeps soccer accessible. And that matters.

Because youth sports costs are rising nationally. If small community clubs disappear, access narrows to families who can afford elite pathways. You are doing equity work, whether you call it that or not.

Final Advice

Don’t chase every dollar. Define:

• Who you are.
• Who you serve.
• What makes you different?

Then build a funding model that reinforces that identity.

And if you’d like, I’m happy to help you sketch out a one-page funding architecture for your specific club.

Community soccer is worth protecting.

— Jon