Our final roundup of 2018 is here! We’re so proud of the major strides made in the world of sports philanthropy this year. There are so many great opportunities to make an impact in 2019 and beyond. We’ll be back in 2019 to share more of our favorite initiatives and tips with you!
NBA
Kobe Bryant Now Has A Massive ‘Mamba Sports Academy’ In Los Angeles
Kobe Bryant has launched Mamba Sports Academy in LA to educate and empower the next generation of kids through sports. The facility is more than 100,000 sq ft and has 5 basketball courts, 5 volleyball courts, 2 beach volleyball courts, an artificial turf field, an esports training ground, batting cages, pitching mounds and even a jiu jitsu school.
9-year-old Girl Prompts Steph Curry and Under Armour to Rebrand Curry 5 shoe
9 year old Riley Morrison wrote Steph Curry because she couldn’t find his new Curry 5 shoe in girls sizes on the Under Armour website. Her letter received a reply from Curry himself, assuring her he’d fix the problem. Sure enough, within a couple days the shoe could be found listed under the girls selections as well as the boys. Way to go Riley!
Bam Adebayo Plays Active Role in His New Miami Community
Adebayo and his foundation, the BAM Foundation hosted a Thanksgiving giveaway at Samuel K. Johnson Youth Center in Miami with Liberty City Optimist. They also hosted their inaugural youth basketball clinic in Miami this August, with proceeds benefitting the foundation’s work. The BAM Foundation provides support and expands opportunities for single mothers and their children.
Spencer Dinwiddie Traded in Swooshes and Stripes for Drawings of Harriet Tubman and Bruce Lee
Spencer Dinwiddie has made the news in the NBA this season for designing his own sneakers- a different design for every game. The designs have shined a spotlight on black icons, like Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Muhammed Ali, Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman, Colin Kaepernick, Jesse Owens and Langston Hughes. He tries to pay homage to the city he plays in during away games, while for home games he takes people “on a tour through his mind”.
NFL
Ravens Announce Donation to Baltimore City Public Schools
The Baltimore Ravens and their players have contributed approximately $200,000 to Baltimore City Public Schools to cover the cost of upgrading heat and A/C units at Lakewood Elementary School- a school with nearly 40% special needs and more than 65% low income students. This is the first funding from the players pledge through the team’s social justice fund.
Hard Rock Stadium Announces Creation Of Sensory And Nursing Rooms
The Miami Dolphins have created a Sensory Room for families and children with autism to use as a quiet space. Equipment and sensory supplies were donated by The Dan Marino Foundation in partnership with InBloom Autism Services. The team also added a Nursing Room for mothers to feed their children in private.
Los Angeles Chargers Running Back Melvin Gordon and Rally Health Host Their Third-Annual “Holiday Bike Build” for L.A.-area Youth
Melvin Gordon partnered with Rally Health to provide 100 children from Falcons Youth and Family Services brand new bicycles and the opportunity to participate in fitness activities at the third annual Rally Health Holiday Bike Build. The event aimed to inspire children ages 5-12 to adopt healthy habits and focus on their education. Gordon is a Rally Health Ambassador.
NFL Announces 32 Nominees for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award Presented by Nationwide
Each year the NFL announces their Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominees from each of the 32 teams. These players have gone above and beyond to make an impact in the community. The nominees will be recognized as finalists the weekend before Super Bowl LIII. $500,000 is donated in the name of the winner- $250k will be donated in his name to the NFL’s Character Playbook program and $250k will go to the charity of his choice. All other nominees will receive a $50,000 donation for each.
Detroit Lions Linebacker Devon Kennard Is Thinking Beyond His Playing Career
Devon Kennard gives back regularly in the community. He’s actively involved with the local Detroit nonprofit Midnight Golf Program that provides mentorship and business tools through the sport. He also started the Reading with DK Challenge, a virtual book club that asks social media followers to read a specific book, then engage with discussions.
Top 10 Featuring Carlos Dunlap
Carlos Dunlap spoke to The Sport of Philanthropy about his foundation, The Carlos Dunlap Foundation, that works in schools combatting bullying and with women fighting Breast Cancer. Great work Carlos!
Ravens Make $100,000 Donation to Job Opportunities Task Force
The Baltimore Ravens are donating $100,000 to the Job Opportunities Task Force and Project JumpStart- a construction training program that assists low income Baltimore City residents find a skilled job in the construction industry.
Saints Players Surprise 25 Families with Holiday Shopping Spree
New Orleans Saints players Benjamin Watson, Drew Brees, Cam Jordan, Thomas Morstead and more surprised 25 families with a holiday shopping spree.
Ravens and Safeway partner to donate 1,000 holiday hams for Christmas
The Baltimore Ravens and Safeway donated over 1,000 holiday hams to the Maryland Food Bank for families in need!
Patriots’ Julian Edelman Remembers Tree of Life Synagogue
Julian Edelman, who is Jewish, wore cleats in memory of the Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue victims and the greater message of “Stronger Than Hate” in the Patriots game against Pittsburgh.
Malcolm Jenkins Foundation Donates Holiday Baskets to 140 Families in New Orleans
The Foundation tweeted: “Today was a reminder of what the holidays are all about. Providing holiday baskets to deserving families is one of our favorite ways to spend a Saturday! 140 #NOLA families received food and treats today, as part of our annual #HolidayDinnerBasketSurprise”
Ravens’ Brandon Carr and his Carr Cares Foundation Teaches Healthy Lifestyles to Young Students
Brandon Carr and the Carr Cares Foundation presented his Healthier Me – Wellness Fundamentals program to students at Glenmount Elementary School. Brandon taught the students about healthy lifestyles and ended the morning presenting them with Ravens Build-A-Bears.
MLB
Robinson Cano Trade Signals Return of His Foundation’s Efforts to New York City Communities
Robinson Cano’s Foundation, the RC24 Foundation, has a mission to positively impact the lives of underserved children and communities both locally and globally. Their RC22 Dream School built in Cano’s hometown in the Dominican Republic, has educated over 200 children since 2015 and offers education opportunities for adults. Cano is very active in his local community as well- giving back to many youth organizations while he played in Seattle and plans to continue to do so in NYC.
Cubs Pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. Articulates the Christmas Spirit
Earlier this month, Chicago Cubs pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. partnered with the Theresa Siaw Foundation to host a meet and greet in Humboldt Park and collect items for Cradles to Crayons, an organization benefitting underprivileged children.
Corporate Partnerships
Omaze Fills Sports Industry Niche For Consumers Craving Unique Authentic Experiences
Omaze is an online fundraising platform that offers experiences and merchandise to support critical causes. The company has raised more than $100 million for over 200 charities. They specialize in experience creation with celebrities from all parts of the entertainment industry and encourage interested buyers to donate to receive entries for a chance to win that experience. A great fit for socially-minded Millennial and Gen Z consumers.
9-year-old Girl Prompts Steph Curry and Under Armour to Rebrand Curry 5 shoe
9 year old Riley Morrison wrote Steph Curry because she couldn’t find his new Curry 5 shoe in girls sizes on the Under Armour website. Her letter received a reply from Curry himself, assuring her he’d fix the problem. Sure enough, within a couple days the shoe could be found listed under the girls selections as well as the boys. Way to go Riley!
Adidas Kicks Off Initiative to Break Down Barriers Faced by Women and Girls in Sport
Adidas has partnered with multiple organizations, celebrities and influencers to launch their She Breaks Barriers initiative to remove barriers for women in sport. With influencers and partners like Pharell Williams, Candace Parker, Jen Welter and the Global Sports Institute on board, the initiative aims to inspire, enable and support the next generation of female athletes, creators and leaders.
The sports philanthropists transforming lives
Sports philanthropy comes in many guises, from supporting would-be Olympic medallists to transforming the lives of disadvantaged teenagers and giving sick children a day they will never forget. The Financial Times put together a great piece celebrating those sports philanthropists making an impact.
Citi Announces Global, Mission-Led Partnership with the International Paralympic Committee
Citi has partnered with the International Paralympic Committee through 2020 and support National Paralympic Committees from 18 countries as they prep for World Championships as well as Tokyo 2020. Citi will help support the day to day needs of individual NPCs.
Autism break rooms at sports events: A place to go when sensory overload hits
The Washington Post wrote a great piece on the importance of Autism break rooms for people who may get overwhelmed by all the action.
Youth Sports
CCM Inspires Youth Hockey Players to Do Good This Holiday Season
The 2018 CCM Assists campaign is inspiring minor hockey teams across North America to have an active role in their communities. To enter, participating teams across North America are asked to share images & videos with a short description of their “assists” via Twitter or Instagram using the hashtags #CCMAssists #Entry. The brand will reward select teams with CCM hockey sticks.
Calgary Inferno Host Charity Hockey Clinic for Women and Girls in Canada
The Canadian Women’s Hockey League and the Calgary Inferno partnered with the Grindstone Award Foundation, a charity that helps young girls overcome any financial obstacles to play hockey. The Inferno hosted a charity hockey clinic to help raise over $10,000 for the organization. The CWHL is committed to growing the game of women’s hockey, both at the youth and pro levels.
$2M sports facility investment announced for Danny Thomas Park
Toledo awarded a $2million investment to Danny Thomas Park to create a community sports facility. In partnership with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, the park will be a Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation Youth Development Park and feature a 75,000-square-foot multi-sport synthetic turf field used for football, soccer, and baseball/softball and provide local youth with a safe outdoor place to play. The park will serve as the central location for the YMCA of Greater Toledo and The Believe Center programs.
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