Team First Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Team First Foundation identifies and delivers educational programs and sports related activity opportunities for area community members.
- Income
- $630,000
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- -0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 3
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 170% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 85% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $159,797 spent. UCLA HOOPS - In 2023, UCLA Hoops participated in a number of programs including Basketball Fantasy Experience 67 participants attended this exclusive basketball experience for local under resourced youth (3rd-6th grade) hosted by the current UCLA mens basketball team. Camp consisted of basketball drills, games, team building activities/life skills, lunch with the team, autographs and team photo opportunities. Each participant received an event t-shirt, reversible jersey, shorts, and a sling bag all branded with Jordan Brand. Attendees were sourced with local nonprofit organizations including LA Boys & Girls Club, JVS SoCal, Salesian Family Youth Center, United Heroes League and a few others. A social media campaign promoting the event, and the mission was shared by all members of the UCLA Mens basketball team who participated. Best Buddies Mentorship 10 participants sourced through Best Buddies attended this exclusive mentorship program via zoom hosted by current UCLA mens basketball players. Motivational messaging and topics around facing adversity and being a team were covered during this program. A social media campaign promoting the event, and the mission was shared by all members of the UCLA Mens basketball team who participated. Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club Afternoon JAMS Branch 52 attendees from 3rd-8th grade attended this team building program hosted by the current UCLA Mens basketball team. The players engaged in handful of team-building activities and games inside the clubhouse of the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club as well as conducted a short basketball clinic on the premises. UCLA Players hosted a Q&A with topics discussing career aspirations and good habits in academics/school. Spain Youth Basketball Clinics/Camp Across Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia, members of the UCLA Mens Basketball team conducted 3 clinics across these cities reach a total of 90 middle school aged youth as attendees. Camp consisted of basketball drills, games, team building activities/life skills, autographs and team photo opportunities. A short Q&A took place at the end of each camp where attendees could ask the players questions about being a student athlete and teamwork.
- $53,748 spent. CINCINNATI FOOTBALL- In 2023, football players from University of Cincinnati participated in a number of programs including Super Bowl Sunday Youth Football Camp 235 participants attended this free youth football camp for local under resourced youth (1st -6th grade) hosted by the current UC Football team in their practice facility (the Bubble). Camp consisted of football drills, games, team building activities/life skills, lunch, autographs and team photo opportunities. Each participant received an event t-shirt as well. Attendees were sourced with local nonprofit organizations including Cincinnati Rec Centers, United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of Cincinnati, & the Brighton Center. Read Across America Day with Queen City Book Bank 2 UC Football players joined Queen City Book Bank, a Cincinnati-based organization promoting literacy throughout the tri-state area, at their annual Read Across America Day celebration. The players accompanied QCBB staff on a visit to St. Francis School, during which they visited 4 classes (approx. 60 participants) to read a story, do a short Q&A, and take photos with the students. In addition, the players helped recognize a St. Francis student who won QCBBs mascot-design contest by delivering Pizza to her class for a pizza party during story time! Oyler School Mentorship Sessions (10 sessions) Cincinnati Football players attended 10 mentorship sessions as part of the Oyler Schools Alfred Hampton Mentoring Program. During each visit (lasting between 1 & 2 hours), each player was matched up 1:1 or 1:2 with children from grades K-8 for individual 30-min mentoring sessions. The students were able to select the activity that they did with their player mentors, including reading stories, playing educational games, working on classwork from core classes, word games (crosswords, word searches, etc.), puzzles, or group games such as Uno & Headbands. Throughout the years programming, UC Football players mentored over 100 Oyler School students. Reading Camp in partnership with Queen City Book Bank Cincinnati Football & Basketball players attended a 4-day reading camp at the Queen City Book Bank designed to help 20 youth & adult participants learn to read. Players assisted with vocabulary / spelling exercises, read to the group, & practiced reading comprehension with the participants using activity workbooks provided by QCBB. July Youth Football Camp 150 participants attended this free youth football camp for local under resourced youth (1st -6th grade) hosted by the current UC Football team on their home field at Nippert Stadium. Camp consisted of football drills, games, team building activities/life skills, lunch, autographs and team photo opportunities. Each participant received an event t-shirt as well. Attendees were sourced with local nonprofit organizations including St. Stephens, local youth football leagues, Cincinnati Rec Centers, United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of Cincinnati, & Big Brothers Big Sisters.
- $520,547 spent. CINCINNATI BASKETBALL In 2023, basketball players from University of Cincinnati participated in a number of programs including Oyler School Mentorship Sessions (3 sessions) Cincinnati Basketball players attended 3 mentorship sessions as part of the Oyler Schools Alfred Hampton Mentoring Program. During each visit (lasting between 1 & 2 hours), each player was matched up 1:1 or 1:2 with children from grades K-8 for individual 30-min mentoring sessions. The students were able to select the activity that they did with their player mentors, including reading stories, playing educational games, working on classwork from core classes, word games (crosswords, word searches, etc.), puzzles, or group games such as Uno & Headbands. Throughout the years programming, UC Basketball players mentored over 30 Oyler School students. Reading Camp in partnership with Queen City Book Bank Cincinnati Football & Basketball players attended a 4-day reading camp at the Queen City Book Bank designed to help 20 youth & adult participants learn to read. Players assisted with vocabulary / spelling exercises, read to the group, & practiced reading comprehension with the participants using activity workbooks provided by QCBB. Tri-State Impact Camp 655 participants attended this youth basketball camp for local youth (1st -8th grade) hosted by the current UC Basketball team, who were also joined by players from Xavier, Northern Kentucky, Miami OH & Dayton. Camp consisted of basketball drills, games, team building activities/life skills, lunch, and team photo opportunities. Each participant also received an event t-shirt. Connor Kids Academy Cincinnati Basketball players served as coaches / counselors during a 3-day program for 55 boys in grades 5-7, hosted on their home court at Fifth Third Arena. Throughout the event, UC players led on-court basketball activities & team-building exercises in addition to assisting with educational programs in a classroom setting. Classroom lessons included personal hygiene, healthy habits, making good choices, etc. Colins Summer Slam Cincinnati Basketball players served as guest coaches for Colins Summer Slam, a 2-day summer basketball camp for 40 children & adults with mental disabilities. Hosted at Colins Lodge in Dayton, the UC players led on-court basketball activities & team-building exercises for the participants. In addition, players helped judge the participant Dance Contest, played in a cornhole tournament, and took photos with award winners! Queen City Book Bank 2-Year Anniversary Celebration Cincinnati Basketball players attended a celebratory gala for Queen City Book Bank to celebrate their 2-year anniversary in their current building. Players mingled with attendees (children & adults) & partners of QCBB, in addition to helping work stations such as: story- telling, t-shirt handouts, & book giveaways. Ody Oguama (UC player) also delivered remarks to the group sharing his positive experience of working with QCBB throughout his college career. The event was attended by 200+ adult and children. Crosstown Collaborative Youth Basketball Holiday Camp 120 participants attended this free youth basketball camp for local under resourced youth (1st -6th grade) hosted by the current UC Basketball team. Camp consisted of basketball drills, games, team building activities/life skills, lunch, and team photo opportunities. Each participant received an event t-shirt as well. Attendees were sourced with local nonprofit organizations including Cincinnati Rec Centers, Friars Club, United Heroes League, Most Valuable Kids, & Make A Wish. International Community Ambassador Program (Simas Lukosius) Simas Lukosius, an international player from Lithuania currently playing at UC, participated in a number of mission-based TFF events & activations. Because international student-athletes are not able to do active work within the US, the majority of Simas events were virtual. - Production Session: recorded 5 videos of Motivational Messaging for children to be used during future TFF events with UC players over the course of several different virtual production sessions. - Virtual Oyler School Visits: Simas joined 2 different Zoom calls with ~10 total students from the Oyler Schools mentorship program and did a virtual Q&A session with the kids. Similar to his teammates, he talked with them about the importance of school & literacy even while playing college basketball at a high level. - In-Person Basketball Camp: while overseas in The Bahamas, Simas attended 2 different local youth basketball camp for 50+ participants EACH operated by the Bahamian governments sports / recreation department. During camp, Simas interacted with the campers and assisted in teaching basketball skills and drills in addition to a Q&A with campers.
- $926,358 spent. Other work consists of similar programs as noted above put on with additional college sports programs.
- Other work consists of similar programs as noted above 926358. 48653. 0.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Firstday Foundation (San Antonio, TX), EIN 74-2874382. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.