About Us
I’m Andrew Urban and I started this nonprofit to enable supporter group leaders with the tools and training that I’ve seen work for volunteer organizations everywhere across my 25+ year in the nonprofit sector.
This nonprofit will mirror the numerous resource centers out there in our communities across the country that support your nonprofits with technology, tools, and best practices to lead their unique missions.
It’s my mission to create the space here for our supporters groups communities to have the same resources.
Who am I and how does my experience relate to help supporters groups?
I was a soccer supporter for long before I knew what it meant to be one. In my early days I was at NASL Dallas Tornado games in the ‘70s, at MISL Wichita Wings games in ‘80s, at the 1994 World Cup at the Cotton Bowl, and at Austin Aztex games in the 2000’s.
A decade plus ago I was part of the organizing work with MLS2ATX and a part of the founding team that brought the Los Verdes supporters group to life,
I’m thankful for soccer showing me positive communities and amazing experiences in action at every step.
I have professionally worked in the nonprofit tech sector for 25 years. Community organizing, fundraising, volunteer and board management, are all items that I’ve worked on from a best practice side and a tech tool side. I’m a twice published author on nonprofit best practices regarding mission-based procurement around Return on Mission. Here is my work profile on LinkedIn.
As I was helping bring our supporters group to life there were many people at different supporters groups around the league who helped with advice and support along the way. I hope this work is a way to pay that forward.
Why is The Supporters Hub needed?
Because being a member of a supporter group means we are the most passionate and emotionally invested fans a club has. We live for the emotions of the game, the players, and our fellow supporters behind the goal.
Fact is that Supporters groups are run by all volunteers. They are orgs that revolve around heightened passions, potentially a good amount of alcohol and that’s a mix that can cause weird shit can happen. I’ve seen it. We’ve alil seen it. But thankfully the most beautiful things can happen. Having built and led a supporters group I know how much time it can take to run all of the details needed and how much care I put into it because I wanted it to be right for the players, fans, and our members. To handle the weird shit and beautiful things we all need to learn from each other, use ready made tools to make our lives simpler, and receive professional training where applicable. This is what the Hub is about.
The Supporters Hub is my way to pay it forward because of how many good people in different supporters groups around the country helped with advice, support, plus their knowledge and time. It was invaluable to help us build the supporters culture for Austin FC fans. I can’t thank them all enough. I believe every clubs supporters groups are full of amazing people who can bring incredible atmosphere, their passion, and full voice to their teams. This site is to make the job of organizing that atmosphere, that passion, and that voice easier for leaders and better for your members.