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GEK IN THE GAME

Buffalo, NY · EIN 991097543 · Form 990EZ · FY2023 · NTEE N99 · Recreation & Sports · Micro (<$100K) · gekinthegame.org
revenue
$13K
expenses
$7K
net assets
$6K
employees
mission · from form 990

To receive donations and grants to create accessible and affordable youth sports programs to underserved youth in Buffalo NY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Youth sports organization based in Buffalo, NY, providing accessible and affordable programs for children ages 6–16. Offers flag football, soccer, basketball, and multi-sport sampling activities with an emphasis on inclusivity, social-emotional learning, and community engagement. Programs are designed to serve underserved youth regardless of financial background, with free and low-cost options available.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Bite Size Sports
Free multi-sport sampling program for Buffalo residents ages 6–12, rotating through flag football, soccer, and basketball; sponsored by Project Play.
Day Play
Child care and play program offering structured, non-competitive play hours at Tabernacle Church Gym, including seasonal events and holiday parties.
Flag Football
Youth flag football league for ages 6–16, part of an NFL Flag program held at Houghton Park and indoor locations in Buffalo.
MLS GO Soccer
Youth soccer program offered in partnership with MLS GO, providing accessible soccer instruction for children in Buffalo.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Youth Sports Community Events 1 activity
    • Organized youth sports leagues and seasonal programs
      Organizes structured youth sports leagues and seasonal programs, including a spring flag football league beginning April 25, 2026, and a spring youth sports program starting May 6, 2026, at St. Teresa's Parish Center in Buffalo, NY.
  • Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 1 activity
    • Park maintenance volunteer efforts
      Engages volunteers in maintaining Houghton Park in Buffalo, NY, as part of community service and youth engagement initiatives.
  • Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
    • Seasonal youth events and childcare
      Hosts seasonal events such as Easter parties with egg hunts, crafts, photos, and meet-and-greets for children, and provides short-term childcare programs for homeschooled and general youth populations in Buffalo, NY, with age-specific programming for children ages 3–16.
  • Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
    • Youth sports equipment sales
      Sells sports-related apparel and equipment to youth athletes, including NFL flag jerseys, reversible performance shorts, athletic sleeves, receiver gloves, socks, and headbands.
  • Youth Soccer Development Programs 1 activity
    • Youth sports programs with financial assistance
      Creates accessible and affordable youth sports programs for underserved youth in Buffalo, NY, including financial assistance to ensure participation across economic backgrounds. Programs include flag football, soccer, and basketball, and incorporate sport fundamentals and social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$13K
Contributions & grants$10K72%
Program service revenue$4K28%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$7K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits$2K
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$6K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$6K
1 years on record · 2023–2023
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Jason Quinones Director 9 $2K
relationships · 5

Who they work with

  • MLS GO Partner — Collaboration to provide soccer programs for children.
  • NFL Partner — Partnership to offer flag football programs for youth.
  • NFL Flag Partner — Partners with NFL Flag to offer official flag football programming.
  • Project Play Partner — Sponsors the Bite Size Sports program.
  • Tabernacle Church Partner — Hosts youth sports and childcare programs at its gym facility.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Inclusive Youth Sports Model
    methodology: inclusive_youth_sports
    By offering affordable, high-quality sports programs designed to counteract exclusion based on income, zip code, gender, or diagnosis, we promote equitable participation and break down systemic barriers, because integrated environments foster belonging and equal opportunity.
  • Non-Competitive, All-Inclusive Play
    methodology: non-competitive play
    By prioritizing non-competitive play, we increase accessibility and engagement for children of all skill levels, because removing performance pressure fosters participation, joy, and long-term involvement in physical activity.
  • Social-Emotional Learning Through Sports
    methodology: sel_in_sports
    By integrating social-emotional learning into athletic programming, we develop communication, self-confidence, and empathy in youth, because structured sports provide a dynamic environment for practicing emotional regulation and interpersonal skills.
  • Sports Sampling for Broad Engagement
    methodology: sports_sampling
    By exposing children to multiple sports through a sampling curriculum, we increase the likelihood of sustained participation, because early variety helps youth discover personal interests and build diverse motor skills.