Final Third Foundation Receives $300K State Capital Budget Grant to Begin Development of Office and Shelter at Pathways Park
F3 Hub @ Pathways Park
We are thrilled to announce that F3 has received a $300,000 grant from the State Capital Budget. This grant represents a significant milestone in our journey to create an inclusive space for community engagement and youth development at Pathways Park, located at 4475 Sunbury Road—a 25-acre sports park in Columbus, Ohio. The funding will be instrumental in building out our office and an outdoor shelter, moving us closer to establishing a true home for our programs. This is a big step in the right direction toward creating a space where everyone is welcome.
Proposed $4.85 Million Vision for Pathways Park
While this grant is a major step, it is part of a larger vision for the development of Pathways Park, transforming it into the F3 HUB—a vibrant center for community enrichment. Our ultimate goal is a $4.85 million investment that will enable us to create a comprehensive facility that embodies F3’s mission to unify communities through soccer, wellness, and education.
F3’s vision includes:
- Construction of two full-size, lit 11v11 soccer turfs
- Repavement of the main parking lot
- Construction of an office
- Building an outdoor learning center and shelter
- Installing bathrooms
- Developing an urban farm alongside one of the turf fields
F3’s Mission and Community Impact
Final Third Foundation (F3), a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Columbus, Ohio, champions the transformative power of soccer, wellness, and education. We believe in soccer's potential to unify communities and inspire positive change, striving to create equitable opportunities on and off the pitch. Serving youth ages 3 to 18, F3 promotes holistic development, enhanced educational outcomes, social cohesion, health, nutrition, and environmental consciousness.
In alignment with our mission, F3 has built partnerships with schools and organizations dedicated to supporting East and West African, Latino/a, Nepali, and Black communities. Recognizing the limited infrastructure often facing our partners, F3 alleviates these constraints by providing field access, equipment, and business infrastructure. With support from grants, sponsorships, and donations, we help ease the financial burden on our partners so they can focus on impactful programming.
Our approach goes beyond soccer to include referee and coaching education, empowering participants with skills and pathways to sustainable careers. Through these initiatives, F3 creates safe, rewarding employment opportunities, such as referee roles for youth starting at age 14, fostering meaningful community engagement.
Building the F3 HUB: A Space for Community Growth and Youth Development
The F3 HUB at Pathways Park is designed as a welcoming, multifunctional facility for community engagement, youth development, recreational activities, and cultural events. More than just physical infrastructure, it will be a beacon of inclusivity, empowerment, and positive change, serving as a home for all who seek to build a brighter future.