It’s a new year and that means new philanthropic initiatives in the world of sports. This month we saw a number of different initiatives start up in the US pro sports space as well as internationally. From events to grassroots programming, check out some of the initiatives below and let us know your favorites!
NBA
Sacramento Kings Host Spotlight on Sustainability Night to Support Local Nonprofit, Showcasing Their Work in Sacramento Region
On January 10, the Sacramento Kings will host the first “Spotlight Night” of the 2018-19 season at Golden 1 Center, in a continued effort to support regional nonprofits using basketball as an agent of change in the community. As the team takes on the Detroit Pistons, the Kings will salute the mission of ReCreate, a local nonprofit committed to reducing waste in the community and promoting recycling through art, education and imagination.
Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker to donate $2.5 million to Suns Charities
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker announced Friday that he will donate a total of $2.5 million to Suns Charities over the next five years. Booker said he will donate $500,000 per year for each of the next five years to various charities. Each year, he will connect with Suns Charities Board of Directors to pick what he calls the Starting Five in order to determine how to allocate those funds.
Steph Curry will donate auction proceeds to STEM education initiatives via Donors Choose
In a video announcement of his decision to auction the game-worn Curry 6 “moon landing” shoes, Stephen Curry said he would donate the proceeds to education initiatives benefiting STEM education. The auction closed yesterday and Curry now has $58,100 to help teachers in their efforts to provide the best education to their students as possible. Through Donors Choose, Curry is able to target a part of the country (Bay Area, for him) as well as specific academic disciplines to which to direct his dollars.
3 Ways NBA Cares Is Promoting Social Good This New Year
The new year can be a time of change for many people — gym resolutions, learning new skills or finally reading that book you promised to finish this time last year. The NBA, however, is staying the course in 2019 with its ongoing mission to support positive youth development and other social good initiatives in communities across the globe.
Jamaal Magloire Still Transforming Lives of Toronto Youth Nearly 20 Years Later
For nearly two decades, former NBA star Jamaal Magloire has been quietly transforming the lives of youth in his native Toronto community. The first Canadian to play for the Toronto Raptors, Magloire signed with the team in 2011, returning home for his final season in the NBA after stints with several other teams during his 12-year career. Magloire never really left his beloved community though, particularly the Scarborough neighborhood where he spent his childhood. From his Jamaal Magloire Basketball Association (JAMBA) youth summer camp to Toronto’s world-famous Caribana festival, Magloire always stayed committed to his roots even during his years away.
Jay-Z and Meek Mill Launch Prison-Reform Alliance, Pledge $50 Million
Pats Owner Robert Kraft, 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin and Nets co-owner Clara Wu Tsai have joined forces with Meek Mill and Jay-Z to launch the Reform Alliance. The initiative will focus on overhauling the probation and parole system to free at least 1 million people in the next 5 years. They’ve pledged $50 million and hired Van Jones as their CEO.
In all too frivolous world of sports, KD is making a real difference with The Durant Center
In a sports world that is all too frivolous, Kevin Durant is using his platform (and funds) to make a real difference in the community. After announcing a 10-year, $10 million pledge to College Track — a program that empowers students from underserved communities to graduate from college — last spring, the Warriors star opened The Durant Center, in his hometown of Prince George’s County, Maryland on Wednesday.
NFL
Google & 49ers Invest $2.35M in Juvenile Justice Reform
Google and the San Francisco 49ers announced a joint grant of $2.35 million to support the National Center for Youth Law’s (NCYL) California Youth Justice Initiative, a juvenile justice reform effort in Santa Clara County, California that offers youth an alternative to arrest and incarceration. The grant, which includes $2.1 million from Google and $250,000 from the 49ers, will help the NCYL provide therapeutic, educational and occupational support to 1,000 young people.
Pryor Foundation hosting charity event tonight at Waterworks
On January 8th, NFL free agent Terrelle Pryor and the Terrelle Pryor Family Foundation hosted a “Rock and Shop” event for children in the Pittsburgh Boys & Girls Clubs at Walmart. The event included food, shopping and T-shirts for around 200 children.
Hall of Fame to do sign language tours for hearing impaired
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will begin offering American sign language tours for deaf or hard of hearing people. As a part of the hall’s effort to be more inclusive, an ASL interpreter will be on hand for tours on the first and third Saturday of each month beginning Jan. 19.
Souper Bowl of Caring is Back
The Souper Bowl of Caring initiative works to mobilize youth and their families looking to fight hunger and poverty in their own communities around the time of the NFL’s Super Bowl. Since 1990, the program has donated $130+ million. Learn more: https://souperbowl.org/.
Israel awards Patriots’ owner Kraft the ‘Jewish Nobel’ prize
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been awarded Israel’s 2019 Genesis Prize in recognition of his philanthropy and commitment to combatting anti-Semitism. The $1 million award, widely known as the “Jewish Nobel” prize, is granted each year to a person recognized as an inspiration to the next generation of Jews through professional achievement and commitment to Jewish values. Kraft, who grew up in an observant Jewish home, has been an outspoken supporter of Israel and has arranged trips for NFL Hall of Famers to the Holy Land. His prize money will be donated to initiatives combatting anti-Semitism, other forms of prejudices and what some portray as attempts to delegitimize Israel.
Eagles vs. Saints charity matchup: How the NFC rivals give back
Legions of fans will watch the Eagles spar with the Saints on Sunday in the playoffs’ NFC divisional round. Win or lose, there’s a case to be made for cheering both teams — OFF the field, that is. Social activism has become a core practice on modern NFL rosters. Players have the cash — on average, they make more than $2 million per year — and many of them put it to good use.
Ellis Wyms Believes Athletes Can Inspire Students to Learn Computer Science
Believing that athletes with social capital can use their influence to inspire kids age eight to 12 to both set and achieve lofty life goals, Wyms, now 39, launched Athletes for Computer Science. Supported by the Wyms Foundation, AFCS is a program that aims to teach children in underprivileged districts about computer science, technology and coding. It deploys athlete ambassadors who share their stories about life, education, and success. In its first year, the program has worked with nine elementary schools in four states, reaching more than 500 kids who have written more than 100,000 lines of code.
Cameron Heyward Supports Safe Drinking Water for Children in Kenya
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman and 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee Cameron Heyward is partnering with Underdogs United to aid children in rural Kenya without access to safe drinking water. By joining forces with the Pittsburgh-based organization, Heyward is now becoming part of the solution to the Kenyan water crisis.
NFL announces launch of “Inspire Change” initiative
The National Football League today announced the launch of the Inspire Change platform, showcasing the collaborative efforts of players, owners and the league to create positive change in communities across the country. Working together with the Players Coalition, NFL teams and the league office continue to support programs and initiatives that reduce barriers to opportunity, with a focus on three priority areas: Education and economic advancement, Police and community relations, Criminal justice reform.
Travis Scott Required NFL to Contribute to Charity for Super Bowl Halftime Deal
The latest: Travis Scott required the NFL to donate to a social justice cause as a stipulation for his performance at this year’s #SBLIII halftime show. Scott and the NFL will donate over $500,000 to Dream Corps, a social justice accelerator working towards prison reform.
Skittles will stage a Broadway musical on Super Bowl Sunday | Marketing Dive
Mars-owned Skittles brand is staging its Super Bowl commercial as a Broadway musical, instead of running a 30-second spot during the game, according to a press release shared with Marketing Dive. Skittles plans to unveil more details about the show in the coming weeks. Tickets — which go for between $30 and $205 apiece — are available at Ticketmaster.com, and sales will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a nonprofit awarding grants to help people receive lifesaving medications and health care. Skittles will match the donation raised from the ticket sales.
WATCH: Browns QB Baker Mayfield gets extra-base hit, scores run in charity softball game
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield took to a different kind of athletic field in the name of charity over the weekend. When the opportunity came about to help his former training partner, National League Most Valuable Player Christian Yelich, Mayfield played in the California Strong Celebrity Softball Game to benefit the victims of the California wildfires.
Legends for Charity® will honor Bill Cowher, studio analyst for “THE NFL TODAY ON CBS,” with the prestigious Pat Summerall Award during Super Bowl LIII Week
Bill Cowher, the coach who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XL and current studio analyst for “THE NFL TODAY ON CBS,” will be honored with the coveted Pat Summerall Award at the Legends for Charity® Dinner on Thursday, January 31, 2019, in Atlanta. The dinner, benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, will be held at The Marriott Marquis, Downtown Atlanta, the NFL’s weekend headquarters.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: A Look at Super Bowl Sustainability Efforts
Twenty-five years ago, the NFL Environmental Program started its Super Bowl sustainability efforts in Atlanta prior to Super Bowl XXVIII with recycling bins around the Georgia Dome. Now, the program returns to Atlanta prior to Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The bins were meant to help offset the massive amount of waste the annual event produces. Since then, the NFL Environmental program has grown tremendously with multiple green initiatives.
Larry Fitzgerald Named 2018 Walter Camp Alumni Award Honoree
As voting concludes for the 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year this coming weekend, 2016 awardee and Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will be in New Haven, CT, accepting an award named after another Walter. On January 12, the Minneapolis native will receive the Walter Camp Alumni Award for his continued good works on and off the field. A recipient of the 2003 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award while a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, the Walter Camp Football Foundation will once again honor Fitzgerald at its 52nd national awards banquet for his ongoing sportsmanship and athletic excellence as well as his demonstrated commitment to his community and compassion for others.
Super Bowl Experience’s VR ‘Call the Play’ giving young fans lessons in decision making
Through virtual reality (VR), United Way, Atlanta-based Futurus and Georgia State University’s Creative Media Industries Institute are transporting visitors of the NFL’s Super Bowl Experience Driven by Hyundai into the middle of Mercedes-Benz Stadium Jan. 26 through Feb. 3. The “Call the Play” VR experience will use curriculum from the Character Playbook and immerse players in scenarios where they will make difficult choices about how to handle challenging social situations like bullying.’
College Debt Still Sucks, Natty’s Here to Help
As Natural Light showed last year, college loans get you in the door, but college debt can ruin the party. So, Natty Light is not only bringing back its College Debt Relief Program in 2019 but has also pledged to give away $10,000,000 over the next 10 years to help pay down student loans. The brand will air an ad raising awareness for the college debt crisis and give out $53,000 to 151 lucky fans during #SBLIII.
Verizon Will Thank First Responders for Saving 12 NFL Stars in Its Super Bowl Spot
After sitting out the Super Bowl since 2011, Verizon rejoined the game last year with an emotional campaign thanking first responders. The brand will once again tap that theme, showcasing the stories of NFL players and first responders in its “The Team That Wouldn’t be Here” campaign.
The Legends Party, Hosted by Global Sports Management, Celebrates the Big Game and Supports The Team Type 1 Foundation
The Legends Party will give a portion of the proceeds directly to The Team Type 1 Foundation. Global Sports is proud to name The Team Type 1 Foundation as their strategic partner for this event to help them raise funds and spread awareness. The Team Type 1 Foundation educates and promotes wellness among those with Type 1 diabetes along with providing athletic scholarships and global outreach.
Cam Newton, Von Miller among 5 finalists for Alan Page Award
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller are among five finalists for the NFL Players Association’s Alan Page Community Award. Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins, New York Jets left tackle Kelvin Beachum and Los Angeles Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth are also finalists for the award, which annually recognizes players for exceptional community service in their team cities and hometowns. Each of the finalists will receive an additional $10,000 for his foundation or charity of choice, with the winner determined through a vote by their NFL peers. The recipient will be announced on Jan. 31 at the NFLPA’s Super Bowl press conference in Atlanta and will get a $100,000 donation.
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee Kyle Rudolph wins Nationwide’s Charity Challenge
The company Nationwide announced Sunday that Minnesota Vikings tight end and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominee Kyle Rudolph has won the fourth annual Charity Challenge. Nationwide will contribute $25,000 to Kyle’s foundation, Kyle Rudolph’s End Zone. Nationwide, the presenting sponsor of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, launched the Charity Challenge on Dec. 6, 2018, to further recognize and promote the 32 nominees for this year’s award. The month-long social media promotion gave NFL fans the opportunity to show support for their favorite nominee and offered players a chance to secure a $25,000 contribution to their charity of choice, courtesy of Nationwide.
Out former Falcon Esera Tuaolo hosts Super Bowl Inclusion Party
Former Atlanta Falcon Esera Tuaolo is hosting a Super Bowl Inclusion Panel and Party on January 29th during #SBLIII week in Atlanta. The focus is to raise awareness and support for LGBTQ Institute at the Center for Civil & Human Rights. Funds will be directed toward anti-bullying efforts in Georgia. Tuaolo is openly gay and through his nonprofit, Hate is Wrong, he hopes to show the power sport has to advance equity.
“Big Game Big Give” Super Bowl Party Turns Out Stars at Goldstein’s
For the 10th year, the pre-Super Bowl charity event has a goal of raising $2 million for The Giving Back Fund, a national nonprofit that creates and manages charitable foundations and projects for high net worth individuals, celebrities, athletes, business entrepreneurs and corporations.
49ers STEM Leadership Institute Kick-Off Philanthropy Coursework
The 49ers STEM Leadership Institute launched the first ever classes for high schoolers in the business of philanthropy. The classes are in partnership with Learning by Giving (LxG) Foundation. Both organizations will donate $20,000 collectively to give back to the Bay Area community.
Atlanta teacher wins Super Bowl ticket for social justice work
RISE is giving 4 #SBLIII tickets away to a local Atlanta teacher, high school senior, college senior and police officer to highlight social justice issues. The organization wants to celebrate local residents who are working to advance social justice issues.
WNBA
Skylar Diggins-Smith Celebrated for Her Efforts to Empower Local Youth
As third overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, Skylar Diggins-Smith has certainly made her mark in her five-year professional basketball career. Consistently described as a ‘winner’ by coaches and fellow players, the four-time All-Star is known for her work ethic, competitive nature and dedication to perfecting her craft. Also an accomplished business woman and Puma model unafraid to speak out against the pervasive gender pay gap and other social justice issues, Diggins-Smith knows the value of creating opportunities off the court, which includes taking an active role in her community and giving back to the sport that has given her so much.
MLS
San Jose Earthquakes players and staff visit San Quentin State Prison for pickup games with inmates
Eric Calvillo, Paul Marie and members of the San Jose Quakes staff spent a day at San Quentin State Prison meeting and playing soccer with inmates. The day included warm ups and drills followed by a pick up game between the Quakes and the San Quentin soccer program.
MLB
Royals’ Kauffman Stadium hosts enormous game of Mario Kart on video board
A aerial shot of Mario Kart being played on the CrownVision board of Kauffman stadium went viral on twitter. The Royals’ Charities replied and shared that it was a part of a fundraiser. They are considering auctioning a video game party on the CrownVision board in 2019.
Nats allow season-ticket holders affected by the shutdown to postpone monthly payments
As the partial shutdown of the federal government dragged into its third week, the Washington Nationals offered a reprieve to season-ticket holders affected by the furlough. In an email to Nats Plus members on Monday, the Nationals announced that employees or the spouses of employees of federal agencies affected by the shutdown may postpone their monthly ticket payments beginning this month.
John Angelos: Orioles want to drive ‘a lot of tourism impact’ by opening stadium to concerts
The Orioles are opening up Camden Yards to concerts for the first time, starting with Billy Joel on July 26. The Orioles want to grow their tourism impact on Baltimore and will donate a portion of concert proceeds to music and arts education programs in the city.
White Sox Announcer Jason Benetti Uses Humor to Shed Light on Cerebral Palsy
When it comes to attaining success in the sports industry — and in life — Jason Benetti has created his own blueprint. The ESPN and Chicago White Sox play-by-play announcer has cerebral palsy, but his ability to laugh at himself has allowed him to build a career in a field that hasn’t always been accessible to those with disabilities.
Major League Baseball Pitcher Donates $9.4 Million Estate So It Can Bring Joy to Special Needs Kids
This Major League Baseball player is being hailed for hitting a philanthropic home run after he donated a $9.4 million property to help special needs children. Cole Hamels, who has served as a pitcher for the Philadelphia Philles and the Texas Rangers prior to his current position with the Chicago Cubs, recently donated the estate to Camp Barnabas, a nonprofit that facilitates summer camps and exciting experiences for special needs children and kids with chronic illnesses, as well as their siblings.
MLB Partners With Discovery Education on Baseball-Themed STEM
Major League Baseball is teaming up with Discovery Education, a digital curriculum hub, on a multiyear partnership to incorporate baseball content in Discovery’s Science Techbooks and STEM education. Discovery provides online tools and professional development for teachers and students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The science materials will now include MLB-themed content. Statcast data on a batted ball’s trajectory, for instance, could be used in a physics class. Some other sample topics include how humidity affects the number of home runs and how a batter’s nervous system helps him know when he should swing the bat.
Washington Nationals Dream Foundation Donation – Capital Area Food Bank
The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation has donated $100,000 to the Capital Area Food Bank to meet rising demand in the D.C. region from government workers, contractors, and social services recipients not able to afford adequate food at this time. These funds will allow the CAFB to continue and expand its “pop up” markets around the region and deliver additional food to its network of 450 community-based food pantries in the metro area.
NHL
NHL All-Stars to Wear Adidas Parley Jerseys Made of Recycled Ocean Plastic
Players participating in the 2019 NHL All-Star Game and Skills Competition will wear Adidas jerseys made of recycled marine plastic materials in partnership with Parley for the Oceans. Fans can purchase the special edition All-Star jerseys for $200 at adidas.com and NHLShop.com, and in NHL team stores.
Bruins partnership with NWHL’s Boston Pride a big stride forward
The Bruins have joined the Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild and New Jersey Devils to become the 4th NHL team to support a women’s team. Their partnership with the Boston Pride team is committed to growing the game of hockey and growing the women’s game of hockey. The Bruins will be assisting in ice time at the Warrior Ice Arena (Bruins practice arena and home for the Boston Pride) as a part of the financial commitment of the partnership.
WBZ-F (98.5 The Sports Hub)/Boston And Boston Bruins Play Ping Pong For Charity
Beasley Sports WBZ-F (98.5 THE SPORTS HUB) and Boston Bruin star Patrice Bergeron will hold the Pucks & Paddles event at Royale Boston on Thursday, February 7th. The ping pong tournament will feature current Boston Bruins players, WBZ-F on-air personalities, and patients from Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center. All proceeds from the event will benefit The Boston Bruins Foundation and the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center.
NCAA
Here’s how you can become part of Tyler Trent’s cancer-fighting legacy Purdue Superfan Tyler Trent unfortunately passed at the age of 20. His inspiring battle with bone cancer has made an impact on cancer research around the country. During his life, he raised thousands for cancer research. Here’s how you can keep his legacy alive.
Hilinksi’s Hope announces merger with NCAA Sports Science Institute to promote mental health awareness
The foundation started by the family of former Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski announced a major partnership on Monday as it continues to put a lens on mental health awareness and destigimatizing mental illness. “Hilinski’s Hope,” the nonprofit foundation launched by Mark and Kym Hilinski, has struck a partnership with the NCAA’s Sport Science Institute, the organization revealed Monday in a news release. The announcement comes two days before the one-year anniversary of Tyler Hilinski’s suicide.
Syracuse fan gives $175K to Boys & Girls Club for upset of No. 1 Duke
Adam Weitsman was having lunch with Jim Boeheim hours before Syracuse’s upset of the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils on Monday when he looked at the veteran coach and made a prophetic declaration. “I think you’re going to win tonight,” Weitsman said he told Boeheim. “He seemed pretty confident.” And, the philanthropist and business owner told the coach, he had made a promise on social media to donate $150,000 to the Boys & Girls Club if the Orange pulled off the upset.
Tennis
Australian Open 2019 Announces Fortnite Tournament During Slam
The 2019 Australian Open will feature a Fortnite Tournament at the same time as the tennis stars compete on the court. The ProAm Fortnite tournament will feature 100 personalities from sports, entertainment and the gaming world competing for prizes adding to a total of £45,000 to different charities.
Olympics / Paralympics
Simone Biles nominated for international sports award
Simone Biles is among the nine U.S. nominees for the 2019 Laureus Awards. They are included with some of the greatest names in sports globally, as selected by the worlds’ media. Biles, U.S. Olympic gymnastics champion, is considered a favorite, along with Olympic slalom Champion Mikaela Shiffrin, for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.
Olympic champion runs free pop-up gym to support the Starr Trust
Double Olympic decathlon champion Daley Thompson gave shoppers a free circuit training session to support the Starr Trust. He set up a pop-up gym at the Mercedes-Benz shop in Churchill Square, Brighton, at the weekend and ran workouts for people of all fitness levels. The Starr Trust supports young people aged 10-18 in the local area to fulfil their potential through sports, arts and education, by giving financial grants of up to £5,000.
Double Amputee and Paralympian Driver Finds Unique Way to Overcome Obstacles
Alex Zanardi designed hand controls to be able to continue racing and will pilot a BMW for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the upcoming race. The date was September 15, 2001, and Zanardi was competing at EuroSpeedway Lausitz in Germany. A violent crash resulted in having both of his legs amputated. Following the crash, Zanardi worked to recover and not only continued racing, but took up hand cycling. In the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, he won a combined six medals – four gold medals and two silver medals.
6th Anniversary “Gold Meets Golden” Event Shines Bright And Raises $50,000 For Angel City Games Charity, Helping Foster Future Paralympians
With the recent announcement of the Games’ triumphant return to Los Angeles in 2028, Hollywood has been handed a fresh dose of Olympic Fever. While last year’s ‘GMG’ celebrated the past, the 2019 event looked at the future by celebrating Youth in Sports, benefiting Angel City Sports, A $50,000 check was presented by “The Points Guy”, Brian Kelly, who surprised the crowd by doubling the donation on stage. Gold Meets Golden 6 also spotlighted The Foundation for Global Sports Development, a leader in the sports community that delivers and supports initiatives that promote fair play, education, and the physical and developmental benefits of sports for youth around the world.
International
Coaches Across Continents Uplifts Rohingya Refugees Through Soccer
Coaches Across Continents (CAC) recently launched a six-month pilot program to unite the fractured, grief-stricken society of Rohingya refugees who fled from the Rakhine state of Myanmar in response to attacks by Rohingya militants. Over the six-month pilot program, CAC has trained 75 local Rohingya refugees to become soccer coaches in 25 different camps within Cox’s Bazar. The AFC and BFF have provided equipment for the 500,000 children under the age of 17 living in the camps. The program will conclude with a Football Fun Festival in May 2019 with hopes of continuing and expanding with additional funding.
Footballer travelled from Kenya to Sunderland to teach brain injury survivors the sport he loves
Semi-pro footballer John Mbandi has been working with a group of between 15 and 20 spinal and brain injury patients from the charity Headway, taking them to the gym, teaching them basketball and playing football with them.
Nonprofit helps amputees with prosthetics for athletic achievement
The Challenged Athlete Foundation is a nonprofit in California that serves people with disabilities around the world. They pay for running prosthetics, cycling legs, etc. anywhere from $15,000 to $35,000 out of pocket. CAF has been around for 25 years and has raised over $50 million to help amputees and other disabled individuals move to a healthier lifestyle.
Vatican’s first official sports association includes migrant members
The Vatican announced Thursday the start of the first official sports association inside of the small city-state, including among its membership two young African migrants living in Italy, to show how sport can aid integration.
Nottinghamshire mental health charity receive funding for sports scheme
The central Notts Mind network, based on John Street, Mansfield, will support people experiencing mental health problems build their confidence to join sports clubs, go to the gym or take up a new sport such as pilates, football, walking, cycling, jogging or swimming. The funding, from Sports England and National Lottery will be used to continue the ‘Get Set to Go’ programme.
Rat Race charity project builds playground for children in India
The charity project, just completed, is the brainchild of Rat Race Adventure Sports, headquartered in Shipton-by-Beningbrough, which runs outdoor events across the world. Back in 2016, the firm’s staff hosted a race in Brisbane, Australia, and found themselves with £25,000 worth of leftover gear, held in shipping containers. Rather than see it go to waste, they shipped the gear, which included cargo nets, scaffolding and tyres, to Malur, Karnakata Province.
Burnley FC Partners with Inspire Indonesia
Burnley FC in the Community (FCitC), the official charity of Burnley FC, announced a partnership with Inspire Indonesia, an organization dedicated to impacting Indonesia through soccer, to promote social and gender equality through a soccer-based initiative called “Pledge United”. Developed to educate boys on the impact that violence against women has on women, society and men themselves, the program will be funded by the Premier League International Development Fund to provide soccer coaching and education around gender equality.
UK New Year Honours Goes to Box Up Crime Founder
Box Up Crime founder Stephen Addison was recognized by the UK New Year Honours for his organization’s community work with youth in the London borough Barking and Dagenham. Awarded at New Year for almost 130 years, the New Year Honours acknowledges and rewards individuals’ outstanding achievements and service to the United Kingdom. The 28-year-old Dagenham native has been awarded the British Empire Medal for teaching non-contact boxing skills to more than 600 youth per week in schools, pupil referral units and community centers. As a former London gang member, Addison created the Box Up initiative to draw young people away from the life that had previously misguided him.
UEFA Launches WePlayStrong YouTube Channel to Grow Interest in Women’s Soccer
UEFA has launched a YouTube channel as part of its #WePlayStrong campaign dedicated to growing girls’ and women’s soccer across the 55 member associations. Several top players in women’s soccer will help create content for the channel.
Jordan’s Generations For Peace and Laureus Sport for Good announce first ever partnership
Generations For Peace and Laureus Sport for Good have announced a new partnership designed to engage Syrian refugee and Jordanian youth in local host communities. The partnership includes a generous grant from Laureus Sport for Good, which Generations For Peace will use over the course of one year to implement its renowned Sport For Peace programming in 36 selected schools across Jordan. The specially-designed sport-based games and activities aim to foster social cohesion, resilience, and youth leadership among Jordanian and Syrian refugee youth, reflecting Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence shared by Generations For Peace and Laureus.
Soccer: Woman coach scores wins for Syrian men’s team
On the soccer pitch, Maha Jannoud barks out instructions to the players just like any other coach, but with one difference: she is a woman in what has been very much a man’s world. Jannoud, 32, who previously played for the Syrian national women’s team, believes she is the first woman in the Middle East to coach a professional men’s side. Dressed in a tracksuit, with her hair tied back in a ponytail, she takes the job as assistant coach at her Damascus club in her stride.
Sports Philanthropy Insight
Companies Having Philanthropic Responsibilities
It’s no secret that there is value in a company having philanthropic responsibilities. Whether the impact is local or more widespread, showcasing your corporate team’s compassion is always a powerful way to rally your troops. As we head into the new year wide-eyed and bushy tailed, ideas and brainstorming tidbits are flying around rapidly. “Let’s donate to this group.” “No, let’s volunteer here.” Before your team gets ahead of itself, let’s revisit some reasons as to why your company should tote a charitable mission in the first place.
What to expect in 2019 at the intersection of purpose and sport
“I predicted at the end of 2017 that the business of sport would make progress during 2018 in its move to purpose. 12 months on, it’s time to revisit these predictions to see how I did and highlight what to expect in 2019.”
Sport for preventing violent extremism
Sport as a tool for preventing violent extremism may seem like a strange topic to many, however for a number of organisations it is becoming an increasingly relevant one. In December 2018, the UNODC and UNESCO jointly organised an Expert Group Meeting in Vienna to discuss how sport and sport-based learning could be used to prevent violent extremism. Below are a few thoughts on key questions related to the prospect of implementing sport for preventing violent extremism (PVE) programmes.
Philanthropy Playmakers Board of Directors Overview
It’s important for athlete foundations, team foundations, and sports nonprofits alike to realize their Boards of Directors are more than just a legal requirement. BODs play a crucial role in the establishment, growth, and sustainability of any nonprofit, so we want to provide an overview of how to build and groom an outstanding Board of Directors for your organization.
Groundbreaking Research Links Youth Sports and Career Success
San Antonio Sports is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming the community through the power of sport. In an effort to demonstrate the benefits of youth sports participation, San Antonio Sports has launched the “Power of Sport” campaign, which includes groundbreaking research that illustrates the influence of sports on a child’s development and future career success.
Tackle What Matters 