A new impact report has highlighted significant differences in how Premier League club foundations measure and deliver social changes for their local communities, highlighting a gap between their ambitions and the evidence provided.

The Football Foundation Impact Report 2024/25, examined how the 20 Premier League club community organisations (CCOs) are influencing their local areas beyond the pitch. Clubs frequently promote their positive social impact, though far fewer are able to demonstrate this through meaningful evaluation.

The research confirmed the unique position that football has as a cultural force, capable of transcending class, faith and politics. However, this potential is often underused. Many of the programmes rely on surface-level indications of success such as participation numbers, rather than focussing on what has genuinely changed for those involved.

According to the report, the most effective foundations use football as a starting point rather than an end goal. Creating safe spaces for dialogue, co-design and long-term engagement. These organisations focus on building trust and sustained relationships with their communities.

Using a framework developed around eight key impact areas, the report ranked Saints Foundation as the strongest performer. This is due to the transparency and accountability of the foundation, described as rare in the industry. Liverpool Foundation placed second, praised for combining strategic delivery with a strong sense of compassion. Fulham FC Foundation , Everton in the Community and Brentford FC Community Sports Trust rounded out the top five.

Despite widespread commitment across the league the report identified several key challenges, including limited reporting on missed targets, short-term funding cycles and a weak alignment with wider social impact frameworks. Without this transparency social impact risks becoming more performative rather than transformative.

The report concludes that foundation are making the greatest difference when they focus on “football doing more”, embedding evidence, reflection and collaboration at the heart of their work. The report argues football has the potential to move beyond outreach programmes and contribute to lasting social change within communities.

The full Football Foundation Impact Report 2024/25 from The Sports Effect is available here