Midwest United FC
EIN: 61-1404870 · Tax status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit (legal name: Grand Valley Premier Soccer Club, dba Midwest United FC)
Overview
Founded 1990 as GRASA (Grand Rapids Area Soccer Association); rebranded to Midwest United FC in June 2015. Based in Kentwood, MI (Grand Rapids metro). Executive Director: Lewis Robinson. Approximately 1,200 players (MEDIUM). Columbus Crew Academy Affiliate. Legal entity remains “Grand Valley Premier Soccer Club” for IRS purposes.
League Affiliations
- ECNL Girls
- ECNL-RL Girls
- MLS NEXT
- Girls Academy (returning)
- Columbus Crew Academy Affiliate
- USL League Two (men’s semi-pro)
- USL W League (women’s semi-pro)
Facilities
- Midwest United FC Soccer Complex (Kentwood): 3 full-sized fields (2 turf, 1 with lights)
- Indoor practice facility (Kentwood): 20,000 sqft warehouse conversion (2024) — practice-only, not a competition venue
Tournaments
- Hosts United Spring Classic (16th annual in 2025)
- Hosts Grand Rapids Futsal Cup (January; $525/team; U8-U19)
- Hosts Midwest United FC Spring Classic (April; pre-State Cup warm-up)
Financials
Form 990 filings via ProPublica (EIN 61-1404870, legal name Grand Valley Premier Soccer Club):
| Year | Total Revenue | Total Expenses | Net Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024 | $3,787,044 | $3,086,615 | $2,336,814 |
| FY2023 | $3,584,336 | $3,006,422 | $1,738,565 |
- ~$700K operating surplus in FY2024, growing net assets to $2.34M
- Salaries & wages ~$1.30M (~42% of expenses, FY2024)
- Volunteer board structure — recent filings show all officers compensated at $0 (Rob Blitchok President, Nick Gorbach, Ashleigh Albert, Tom Welch, Jordan Gougeon)
- Historical executive comp existed (e.g., Josh Sheldon, ED, $73,300 FY2018) but disappeared from filings ~FY2021 onward — suggests transition to volunteer / contracted structure or that the senior soccer director is paid via the wage line rather than as a 990-disclosed officer
Source: ProPublica (HIGH).
Leadership
- Lewis Robinson — Executive Director (per club website). Likely the senior compensated employee, paid via the wage line rather than as a disclosed officer.
- Rob Blitchok — President (board, $0 comp)
- Nick Gorbach, Ashleigh Albert, Tom Welch, Jordan Gougeon — Board / officers ($0 comp, FY2024)
- Prior named ED: Josh Sheldon (compensated $73K FY2018; not on recent filings)
(HIGH) — board roster sourced from FY2024 990; (MEDIUM) on Robinson’s exact 2026 title.
Competitive Position
Most established elite club in West Michigan with the broadest pathway coverage (ECNL Girls + MLS NEXT + Girls Academy + semi-pro). The Michigan Rangers FC academy partnership extends geographic reach to Muskegon and surrounding areas — likely a defensive move against AC Grand Rapids expansion. Holds the only ECNL Girls credential in West Michigan, a moat that MFA (boys MLS NEXT focus) does not currently threaten.
Investment Thesis
Holds the ECNL Girls pathway that MFA lacks. Semi-pro teams (USL League Two, USL W League) provide additional development runway. $3.8M revenue with $2.3M net assets puts the club in the credible standalone-target band — meaningfully larger than Michigan Jaguars (per available data), with cleaner financials and a real owned facility footprint. However, facility assets are modest compared to MFA’s access to the DeVos-owned MSA network. The Crew affiliate relationship may evolve as AC Grand Rapids (independent MLS NEXT Pro) launches in 2027. Top independent target in West Michigan for any Michigan platform play.
Open Questions
- Current Lewis Robinson compensation (paid via wage line, not officer disclosure)
- How does the Crew affiliate relationship coexist with AC Grand Rapids in the same market?
- Expansion plans beyond the 20K sqft indoor facility?
- Real-estate ownership vs lease at Kentwood complex