MFC Foundation is the independent charitable arm of Middlesbrough FC, working across Teesside to raise aspirations and change lives for the better.  We work with over 35,000 disadvantaged people every year to help make Teesside a better place to live, learn, work and play.

We rely heavily on the generous support of our local business community to help us achieve our mission. In response to corporate feedback we have introduced our Friends of the Foundation scheme. Friends of the Foundation donate a minimum of £500 a year and help us in a number of ways, including:

• Increasing the funding available to support disadvantaged people in Teesside
• Assisting us to spread the word about the work we do
• Helping us plan for the future growth of the charity

As a member of the network, you will receive a number of benefits, including:

The funds raised through Friends of the Foundation membership in 2020 year will be used to:

• Help us grow our ‘Roary’s Class Acts’ programme which raises the attendance of children in Primary School and supports better attainment.
• Develop our programmes that support those struggling with poor mental health to overcome their barriers and give them hope for the future.
• Continue our ‘ClubTogether’ project that brings communities together and educates them in order to promote cohesion and build stronger communities.

In recognition of the Riverside celebrating its 25^th birthday, the club have commissioned a commemorative shirt and the Foundation’s logo will be proudly displayed on it.

Unlike last season where we were shirt sponsor for one game against QPR, the name of MFC Foundation will be on Boro’s third shirt every time it is worn this season. It will be seen for the first time when Boro take on Cardiff City on Saturday.

The shirt is worn here by participants of some of the programmes we run. Kevin lost 28 pounds during a course of male FIT BORO sessions, Nusrat’s physical and mental well-being improved during the female FIT BORO sessions. Hazel represents Football Welcomes, a programme that brings together multiple nationalities, Abdullah’s journey through that programme has moved on through volunteering and is now in a Traineeship programme, while Nick has been with us as long as the stadium itself, we thank him for 25 years sterling service as a volunteer.

“It is an honour for the Foundation to be on a very special shirt,” says Helena Bowman, head of the Foundation. “This is an historic season for the club and the Riverside and for us to be part of that history is humbling.

“We must thank the Kindred Group for donating their sponsorship space to us and allowing the Foundation logo, a badge of honour for us, to be on a unique shirt and help raise our profile. This means so much to us.”

Boro’s commemorative shirt launched on Friday October 23 2020

Helena continues: “To think it is already 25 years since the club moved into a new home. They have faced many challenges in that time. We too face challenges like we have never faced before.

“We are living in difficult and demanding times, but we are doing all we can to reach out to those in need, to provide help, to inspire confidence in communities and provide hope for individuals.

“Our mission is simple, by harnessing the passion and power of the club brand, we work to raise aspirations and improve the life chances of young people and adults across Teesside.

“We work in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Teesside. We engage with those who need our support through the delivery of inspiring sport, education, health and inclusion projects.

“We’re very proud of what we do as a Foundation and we hope Teesside is proud of us.”

Middlesbrough Football Club and MFC Foundation working together at the very heart of YOUR community.