Final Third Foundation

THE FINAL THIRD FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE, ENGAGE, AND EDUCATE THROUGH SOCCER-BASED YOUTH-FOCUSED PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. THE FOUNDATION STRIVES TO PROMOTE HEALTH, WELLNESS, ACHIEVEMENT, LEADERSHIP AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD. ITS OVERALL OBJECTIVE IS TO UNITE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND EMPOWER THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

DURING THE SUMMER /FALL 2023 - SPRING 2024 RECREATIONAL SEASONS FINAL THIRD FOUNDATION PROVIDED FOR OVER 1300 PARTICIPANTS AGES 3 - 18 YEARS OLD. OUT OF THOSE PARTICIPANTS MANY F3 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING GALACTICOS (SERVES THE LATINX COMMUNITY), OHIO YOUTH ACADEMY (SERVES THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY), COLUMBUS EAGLES (SERVES MOSTLY THE WEST AFRICAN COMMUNITY), AND MORE, RECEIVED SUBSIDIZED PLAYER RATES OF OVER 50%. FINAL THIRD FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTED EACH ORGANIZATION WITH REGISTRATION AND ONGOING MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS PROVIDING A HOME AT PATHWAYS PARK AT HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED TO NO-COST RATES FOR REGULAR AND CONTINUOUS USE. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PLAYERS RECEIVING SUBSIDIZED PRICING FOR RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING, SUPPORT WITH MANAGEMENT AND USE OF THE PARK WAS OVER 325 PLAYERS THROUGH THESE PARTNER PROGRAMS. THE ESTIMATED SCHOLARSHIP TOTAL WITH THESE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS USE OF THE PARK IS ~$66,350.FINAL THIRD FOUNDATION TOOK OVER OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT IN THE FALL OF 2020 OF EASTON SPORTS PARK, NOW KNOWN AS PATHWAYS PARK, 4475 SUNBURY ROAD, COLUMBUS OHIO 43219. F3 CONTINUED THE CONVERSION PROCESS FROM THE FACILITY INTO A PARK BY FOCUSING ON MEADOW RECLAMATION, PLANTING WILDFLOWERS, BUILDING A LEARNING GARDEN AND TRYING TO MAKE IT MORE OF A HOME FOR THE PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES F3 NOW SERVES. DURING THE SPRING OF 2024 FINAL THIRD FOUNDATION SPROUTS PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH TOOK PLACE IN THE LEARNING GARDEN AT PATHWAYS PARK FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, SPECIFICALLY FOR OHIO YOUTH ACADEMY, AN ORGANIZATION THAT MOSTLY SUPPORTS THE LOCAL SOMALI COMMUNITY. THE SPROUTS PROGRAM ALSO EXPANDED INTO SCHOOLS FOR THE FIRST TIME. MORE THAN 115 KIDS PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMMING, ENGAGING IN PLANTING SEEDS AND DRAWING THE PROGRESSION OF THE PLANT GROWTH, TRYING MORE THAN 25 DIFFERENT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, AND MORE. F3 EXPANDED ITS SOCCER AND LITERACY PROGRAMMING INTO MANY MORE SCHOOLS IN CENTRAL OHIO. F3 PROVIDED A 10-WEEK/1X OR 2X PER WEEK SOCCER AND LITERACY IN-SCHOOL AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO 17 SCHOOLS AND ~ 830 STUDENTS. F3 CONTINUED TO EXPAND ITS PROGRAMMING INTO THE CENTRAL, NORTH, EAST, WEST, AND SOUTH SIDES OF COLUMBUS REACHING EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS LIKE SPROUTFIVE AND HIGH SCHOOL ESL CLASSROOM AT COLUMBUS GLOBAL ACADEMY.THE TOTAL BUDGET FOR THE PROGRAM IS $5,000 FOR A 10-WEEK, 1X PER WEEK PROGRAM AND $7,500 FOR A 10-WEEK, 2X PER WEEK PROGRAM. THE BUDGET INCLUDES THE PAYMENT FOR THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO MANAGE THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDE MONITORING AND EVALUATION. FINAL THIRD FOUNDATION ALSO SET UP ITS FIRST VOLUNTEER TRIP TO KENYA IN DECEMBER 2023 TO VISIT ITS PARTNER ORGANIZATION, LIKONI COMMUNITY FOOTBALL LEAGUE. F3 BOARD MEMBER, JOE MACKLIN, F3 EDUCATION SPECIALIST, JESSICA BENNETT, AND A VOLUNTEER VISITED WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BENJAMIN LEVEY.