Why Soccer Clubs Need to Invest in Philanthropy to Succeed as a Business | Noah Toumert, Cleveland Pro Soccer

How can investing in the local community develop talent, increase trust, and build revenue for a brand new soccer club? In Episode 104 of the Because Football Podcast, we talk with Noah Toumert, Director of Foundation for the newly announced Cleveland Pro Soccer of MLS Next Pro. As a community organizer, nonprofit leader, and strategist, Noah is driven to building equitable access to soccer in Cleveland by a desire to see the US men’s national team lift the World Cup one day.Noah's path to this role started with refugee youth soccer. He was working at a nonprofit in Cleveland when he met families who loved the game but had completely fallen through the cracks of the pay-to-play system. He helped turn informal pickup into organized teams, watched those kids grow into young adults, and saw firsthand what accessible youth sports can do. That experience shaped everything he's building now.In this conversation, Noah explains why Cleveland Pro Soccer has prioritized their community foundation - launching before even announcing a team name or badge. He also calls philanthropy "the highest ROI marketing we can do." He breaks down how a $1,500 street soccer tournament generated over a million dollars in social media impressions, why the US lacks soccer infrastructure compared to basketball courts, and what solidarity payments could change about American youth development.He shares why hosting events and building mini pitches across Cleveland is a priority for the fledgling club, and how they seek to convince sponsors that doing good is good business.A potent mix of social research, community engagement, sports marketing, and business strategy, this episode will help anyone trying to build community around a club, run events on a shoestring budget, or understand why American soccer development works the way it does.Connect with Noah here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-toumert/https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleveland-professional-soccer/Connect with Because Football here:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/⁠Need help with your content strategy and production? We can help.To get in contact with us, email becausefootballmedia [at] ⁠gmail.com⁠