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cedar-stars-academy

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Cedar Stars Academy

Overview

Cedar Stars Academy (CSA) is a multi-branch youth soccer organization operating primarily in the Tri-State area with a strong New Jersey presence. The club is committed to fostering a passion for soccer among players ages 5-18 through comprehensive training, competitions, and player development.

CSA operates under the legal entity “Cedar Stars Academy USA Corp” and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN: 47-4503685.

Branches / Locations

  • CSA Bergen — South Hackensack / Carlstadt, NJ. Boys U8-U19, Girls U8-U19. Serves Secaucus, Kearny, East Rutherford, Union City, Lodi, Hasbrouck Heights, Paterson, Hoboken, Fort Lee.
  • CSA Newark — Acts as the club team for St. Benedict’s Prep High School players after their HS season. Hackensack, NJ area.
  • CSA North — Additional NJ location.
  • CSA Monmouth — Monmouth County. Boys U8-U19, Girls U13-U19. MLS NEXT member (Freehold/Red Bank area).

Financials

  • Revenue: $2,520,135 (FY2022, 990 filing) (HIGH)
  • EIN: 47-4503685
  • 990 filings: Filed Sept 2024, Nov 2023, Nov 2022
  • Charity Navigator: 1-star rating (overall score 54%). Flagged for lack of independent board members and governance concerns. “Struggles significantly with financial management and governance policies” (HIGH, Charity Navigator).

Cedar Stars has a 1-star Charity Navigator rating citing governance and accountability issues. This is a significant due diligence flag.

Teams & Players

Multiple branches with teams across age groups. Total player count not publicly disclosed but estimated at 1,500-2,000+ across all branches (LOW).

League Affiliations

  • MLS NEXT — Founding member (Bergen). Also Monmouth branch.
  • Girls Academy — Bergen branch
  • National Academy League (NAL) — Member
  • USYS Elite 64 — Member
  • EDP — Additional teams

Note: CSA does NOT participate in the ECNL.

Facilities

Bergen County operations based in South Hackensack / Carlstadt area. Specific facility details not identified.

Leadership

Specific leadership names not identified in web research. Governance concerns noted by Charity Navigator suggest a small/insider-controlled board.

College Placement

Details not found in research.

Competitive Position

CSA’s multi-branch model is one of the most expansive in NJ, covering Bergen County (northern NJ), Newark area, and Monmouth County (central shore). The MLS NEXT founding membership and Girls Academy membership provide elite competitive platforms.

Strengths:

  • Multi-branch geographic reach
  • MLS NEXT founding member status
  • St. Benedict’s Prep connection (one of the top HS soccer programs in the US)

Weaknesses:

  • 1-star Charity Navigator rating is a significant red flag
  • No ECNL membership limits competitive pathway options
  • Governance concerns could indicate management issues

SYNRGY Relevance

Cedar Stars represents an interesting case study in multi-branch expansion within NJ but the governance/accountability issues flagged by Charity Navigator are a major concern. The $2.5M revenue at a 1-star governance rating could indicate either mismanagement or simply poor reporting practices. Requires deeper diligence before any engagement.

The St. Benedict’s Prep connection is unique and valuable — it bridges the high school and club soccer worlds in a way few other clubs do.

Open Questions

  • Who are the board members and key leaders?
  • What drove the low Charity Navigator rating — actual governance issues or documentation problems?
  • What is the relationship between CSA Bergen, CSA Newark, CSA North, and CSA Monmouth legally?
  • What are the tuition/fee structures?
  • What are the detailed 990 financials (expenses breakdown, compensation)?

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