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Forging Players. Forging Leaders.
Forging Community.

Partner Investment Prospectus  ·  Fox Valley, Illinois  ·  2026

The Opportunity

Why Now

Youth Soccer is Growing

1 in 4 children play soccer at least one season per year. Participation is stable and rising across the Midwest.

World Cup Momentum

The 2026 World Cup on home soil creates unprecedented visibility and youth participation interest in soccer.

US Soccer Shake-Up

Historic shift from birth-year to grade-year team structure opens the market for community-aligned clubs.

Suburban Investment

Fox Valley families spend $45M+ annually on youth sports. A growing market seeking trustworthy, local organizations.

"Yet access, stability, and leadership development remain inconsistent."
That is the gap we were built to close.

The Market Gap

Where We Stand

Community Rec

No Structure.
No Pathway.

Fun and accessible, but limited development, no college pathway, no leadership focus. Lacks ambition.

→
Fox Valley Forge SC

The Trusted Bridge

Professional development. Player-first. Non-profit. Bridging excellence and accessibility — for every Fox Valley family.

←
Elite Platforms

High Cost.
Heavy Travel.

ECNL, MLS Next, GA — premium access, national travel, $3K–$8K+ annually. Low access for most families.

The Impact Model

The Forge Model — Three Pillars

Access

  • Scholarship & Financial Aid
  • Flexible Payment Plans
  • Inclusion Initiatives
  • Multi-Sport Support
  • School Alignment

Development

  • Licensed Coaching Staff
  • Age-Based Curriculum
  • Position-Specific Training
  • Leadership & Character Education
  • College Pathway Support

Community

  • Two Permanent Local Facilities
  • School & Academic Alignment
  • Multi-Sport Respect
  • Family-Centered Programming
  • Manageable Regional Travel
Our Differentiators

What Makes Forge Different

01

Professionalism

Unified brand, communication standards, and operational rigor that rivals organizations twice our size.

02

Transparent Player Pathway

Every family sees a clear, honest map from first kick to college. No surprises. No inflated promises.

03

Coaching Continuity

We build long-term coach-player relationships. No revolving door. One curriculum. One culture.

04

Competitive Placement

Honest, face-to-face evaluations ensure every player is at the right level — not cut, but placed.

05

Financial Discipline

Non-profit structure with full financial oversight. Every dollar invested returns to player development.

06

Fox Valley's Largest Club

Formed by the merger of two historic organizations. The most experienced, most resourced club in the region.

Growth Roadmap

Vision: Years 1–5

Athlete Growth

Grow from 600 to 3,000+ registered athletes over five years

Scholarship Fund

Grow scholarship fund from $15K to $75,000 annually, serving 20+ athletes

Coaching Education

100% licensed staff. Annual professional development program launched.

Facilities

Expand outdoor fields, upgrade indoor space, and add SAQ & recovery infrastructure — a professional performance center

Forge Cup Tournament

Grow the Forge Cup to 400+ teams — a premier regional tournament for Fox Valley

Year 1  ·  Year 2  ·  Year 3  ·  Year 4  ·  Year 5

The Invitation
"We are inviting community leaders to invest in long-term youth development infrastructure."

This is a formation moment. The partners who join now don't just fund a club — they shape its culture, its name, and its legacy.

Formation Stage — Now is the Moment
Founding Partners Shape the Future
Non-Profit — 100% Mission-Aligned
Partnership Opportunities

Four Ways to Invest

Founders Circle

High net worth & business leaders. Naming rights, leadership role, and legacy recognition.

Corporate Impact

Community leadership partners. Brand visibility, family access, and scholarship recognition.

Scholarship Naming

Fund an athlete's development. Named recognition, annual impact story, appreciation event.

Legacy & Estate

Forge Legacy Society. Long-term giving through estate planning, donor-advised funds, and stock donations.

Founding Partner Tier

Founders Circle

$250K — $10M+
Investment Range  ·  Truly Foundational  ·  Legend of the Game

Naming Rights — Fields & Fieldhouse

Annual Leadership Role & Dinner

Annual Impact Reports

Recognition on Website, Socials & All Media

Early Access to Tournament & Event Opportunities

Seat at Annual Investor Summit

You're not just writing a check. You're changing the game.
Community Leadership Partners

Corporate Impact Partnership

What's Included

  • Digital visibility across all club channels
  • Fieldhouse banners & on-site branding
  • Social media features & spotlights
  • Tournament naming rights opportunities
  • Access to club families — 400+ households and growing
  • Employee volunteer opportunities
  • Scholarship sponsorship recognition

Community Credibility

Align your brand with Fox Valley's most trusted youth development organization.

Affluent Family Access

Direct connection to suburban Fox Valley families — high engagement, high trust.

Brand Goodwill

Genuine, mission-aligned community impact — not a logo on a banner, a relationship.

Investment tiers: $5,000 — $25,000 annually

Emotional Investment

Scholarship Naming Program

Annual Gift
$10K
↓
Funds 4+ athletes
↓
Who otherwise couldn't play.

Named Recognition

Your name — or a loved one's — on the scholarship. On the wall. On the website. In the story.

Annual Impact Story

Each year, receive a personal story of the athletes your scholarship supported. Real names. Real impact.

Annual Appreciation Event

Meet the athletes. See the impact. Be recognized by the community.

This is more than a donation. It's a child's season. Their confidence. Their future.

Long-Term Giving

Forge Legacy Society

For alumni, long-term supporters, and families who want their commitment to Fox Valley's youth to outlast them. Giving that compounds across generations.

Estate Planning

Include Fox Valley Forge SC in your estate or will. Your legacy shapes the next generation of the Fox Valley community.

Donor-Advised Funds

Recommend grants from your DAF to Fox Valley Forge SC. Tax-efficient, flexible, and impactful.

Appreciated Stock

Donate appreciated securities directly. Avoid capital gains. Maximize your gift. Minimize tax burden.

Presenting Sponsorship
The Forge Cup
Presented by "[Sponsor Name]"
Annual Regional Tournament  ·  Fox Valley, Illinois  ·  200 Teams & Growing — Vision: 400+ Teams

Hospitality Tent Access

VIP Viewing & Parking

Networking Breakfast

Recognition During Finals

Trophy Presentation

Proof of Impact

Momentum & Impact

600+
Athletes Currently Registered
$15K
Annual Scholarship Fund — 10+ Athletes Supported
312+
College Commitments (Estimated)
6–8
Community Events Hosted Annually
100%
Non-Profit — All Funds to Mission

Financial Transparency: Fox Valley Forge SC is a registered nonprofit. Audited financial summaries are available to all partners. Detailed financials and 990s available upon request.

Annual Partner Event

Annual Investor Summit

You are part of the process. Every partner receives an annual seat at the table.

Meet Leadership

Direct access to club directors, coaches, and board members

Hear from Athletes

Real stories from the players your investment supports

Vision & Strategy

First access to growth plans, new programs, and partnership opportunities

Network

Connect with fellow community leaders and Fox Valley business partners

Next Summit: December 2026 — Fox Valley, Illinois

The Team

Meet Our Leadership

Mike Weyant

Mike Weyant

President

An experienced business and sales leader, Mike brings strategic leadership and a community-first mindset to the club's long-term vision.

Jeff Dunaway

Jeff Dunaway

Vice President

CEO of Dunaway Brothers, Inc., Jeff brings operational leadership, deep local relationships, and a strong commitment to community impact.

Kathy Heitkemper

Kathy Heitkemper

Secretary

An attorney and law firm partner, Kathy brings structure, professionalism, and trusted governance oversight to the leadership team.

Talia Jensen

Talia Jensen

Treasurer

A CPA and accounting advisory professional, Talia ensures Fox Valley Forge SC is built on strong financial stewardship and accountability.

Robert Kuhn

Robert Kuhn

Director of Partnership

A financial advisory and investment leader, Robert brings strategic relationship-building and long-term growth expertise to support the club's mission.

Chad Ransom

Chad Ransom

Board Member

A Senior Account Executive at RingCentral, Chad brings a relationship-driven, growth mindset and expertise in enterprise solutions to support the club's mission.

Trevor Bauer

Trevor Bauer

Board Member

Lead Operations Director at DemandWorks Media, Trevor brings operational leadership and deep local Fox Valley ties to the board.

Trae Manny

Trae Manny

Board Member

A sales leader at Stryker whose journey began in coaching, Trae brings a coach's perspective and strong community connection from Geneva to the board.

A youth leadership organization that uses soccer as the vehicle.

We don't just develop players.
We develop the next generation
of Fox Valley's community.

Contact: Robert Kuhn  ·  robert.kuhn@forgesoccerclub.com  ·  469‑525‑3366