SAFC Foundation, the registered charity of Sunderland AFC, was set up in November 2001 by former club Chairman Sir Bob Murray CBE.
Set up with an initial staff of just three working from within a part-time office, we now have a staff of more than 100 professional teachers, health workers, coaches, family learning officers, youth workers and support staff headed up by a Chief Executive based at purpose built classrooms and offices within the Stadium of Light and at outreach centres across the region.
We use the power of football to involve, inspire and educate young people and their families through a broad range of innovative programmes which last year helped improve the lives of more than 40,000 people across Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham.
We are pro-active in addressing issues within our region, working on our own initiative and with strategic partners to ensure the continuing improvement of quality of life for all in the North East.
Structurally and financially independent of Sunderland AFC, SAFC Foundation is accountable to a Board of Trustees and the Charity Commission. We have a royal patron in The Countess of Wessex, an Education Board, a Development Board and various grass roots operational groups that assist in project development.
