NFL
Maroon 5 Follow Travis Scott’s Lead, Donate $500,000 to Charity Ahead of Super Bowl
Maroon 5 has followed Travis Scott’s lead and partnered with the NFL and Interscope Records to donate $500,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in advance of their #SBLIII halftime performance.
Carrie Bradshaw, ‘The Dude’ to star in Super Bowl commercial
Sarah Jessica Parker and Jeff Bridges are bringing back their iconic Carrie Bradshaw and “The Dude” characters in a Stella Artois commercial that will raise money to combat water shortage. The Pour it Forward campaign is a partnership between Stella Artois and Water.org. Both orgs will donate 1-12 months of clean water to someone in an underdeveloped country based on the amount of Stella Artois packs purchased.
Players Coalition gives 6 grants totaling $2 million
The Players Coalition has announced the recipients of grants totaling $2 million given to six national nonprofit organizations. National Juvenile Defender Center, Communities In Schools, The Justice Collaborative, Year Up, Center for Policing Equity and Advancement Project National Office received the grants.
Carson Wentz announces tickets for second charity softball game
Carson Wentz’s charity softball game is back for year 2 on May 31st 2019 at Citizens Bank Park. The event will feature a home run derby and a softball game with Eagles players competing on opposing teams. The funds raised will benefit the AO1 Foundation and their Haiti Sports Complex, Thy Kingdom Crumb Food Truck and the foundation’s Outdoor Program. Tickets go on sale today at 10am EST.
Baker Mayfield: I don’t want credit for charity work, just want kids to live normal lives
Baker Mayfield is using his influence for good. He auctioned off a dinner for two that raised $40,000 for Providence House to help at-risk families in Cleveland. The Browns also raised more than $100,000 for Providence House in just 10 minutes at their “Deck the House” event with Mayfield’s help.
Julius Peppers participates in Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee charity event ahead of Super Bowl LIII
Just hours after announcing his retirement, Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers participated in a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee event with the Boys and Girls Clubs of metro Atlanta. They partnered with NFL Play 60 to play games, build projects and create a community garden.
Edwin Jackson’s foundation to award scholarships one year after his death
A year after his life was taken by a drunk driver, the Edwin Jackson 53 Foundation awarded 53 scholarships to students who showcase dedication to community service. The announcement took place one day before the Super Bowl at Saturday’s Big Game Big Give Gala in Atlanta, put on by the Giving Back Fund and hosted by rapper Ludacris.
Von Miller heads right to Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta to host free football camp
Von Miller got to Atlanta for Super Bowl 53 festivities and his Walter Payton Man of the Year award nomination and went straight to the local Boys & Girls Club to host a free football camp for kids in the area.
Governors make unusual Super Bowl bet on hometown teams
Republican Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom made a bet about their state’s NFL Super Bowl matchup. They and their staffs would volunteer time at a local charity if their home team lost.
Kenny Stills giving NFL money to Colin Kaepernick’s charity
Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills is donating the money he receives from the NFL from being a Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp. The organization is a free campaign for youth to raise awareness on higher education, self empowerment and instruction to properly interact with law enforcement in various scenarios.
Hulu teams with world record Instagram egg on a mental health ad
The world-record Instagram egg, now with 10 million followers and liked over 52 million times, has used its fame for good. After teaming with Hulu, it appeared in a Super Bowl ad promoting mental health awareness, particularly when it comes to (yep) social media. “Recently I’ve started to crack… the pressure of social media is getting to me,” the caption reads as the egg breaks apart. “If you’re struggling, talk to someone.” The egg is then made whole again, with a link to Mental Health America’s website.
Adidas Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Football Coach Dr. Jen Welter
Today adidas and Coach Welter kicked off the first girls’ flag football camp in Atlanta, as part of a series that adidas will co-host with Jen to serve underprivileged kids across the U.S. in 2019, including Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles , Boston , Miami and Dallas. As part of the partnership, adidas and Dr. Welter will explore new ways to increase access to the sport for young girls, including utilizing the camps to secure digital data from female athletes to help inform the future creation of adidas women’s products. In addition to coaching, mentoring, and teaching life skills at the flag football camps, Dr. Welter will play an integral role in brand initiatives and marketing campaigns.
Chicago Nonprofit Tackles Human Trafficking in Atlanta During The Big Game
Rahab’s Daughters is an anti-trafficking organization founded by a trafficking survivor; they specialize in the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of survivors. As a suburban Chicago based organization, each year, they lead a mission trip to the Super Bowl city to raise awareness, prevent trafficking, and rescue survivors.
Chegg’s ‘Catches For The Community’ Featuring Zach Ertz Raises $65,488 For Education
Chegg’s partnership with Zach Ertz has raised a total of $65,448 torwards the Ertz Family Foundation’s education initiatives. The company pledged $860 for each first down (66) Zach earned this season and $1,086 for every touchdown (8).
Saving Lives at Super Bowl LIII: A Social Justice Re-Cap of The Gaudiest Weekend in Atlanta
Much of the charity work in and around Atlanta during the Superbowl had to do with the Player’s Coalition, a group which has been polarizing to some players and NFL fans alike. For the uninitiated or the boycotting, the Player’s Coalition split in 2018 over some fundamental issues. Think of it like a Malcolm X vs. Martin Luther King Jr, type of moment, maybe Professor X vs. Magneto if that’s more your style.
Chris Long Wins Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
According to the NFL and the Chris Long Foundation, his primary service initiative is rooted through the Chris Long Foundation, which aims to fulfill three philanthropic causes: clean water, military appreciation and youth education. Long’s main initiative is Waterboys, which according to its site is “a program that puts professional athletes and sports fans on the same team in pursuit of bringing life-sustaining drinking water to communities in need.” Long had a goal of building 32 clean water wells, one for each NFL team. By February of 2018, that goal was met. Now, Long has set a goal of providing clean water to one million people. To date, Waterboys has raised more than $3 million and has funded 55 wells that will provide water to 211,000 people according to the league offices.
Josh Norman, Takeo Spikes and Darius Philon Honored for Philanthropy During Super Bowl Week
Founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs Alycia Powell and Michelle Mays to help professional athletes further their philanthropic endeavors and social responsibility, Champions for Philanthropy hosted its first annual Most Valuable Philanthropist Super Bowl Awards Brunch on Thursday, January 31, during Super Bowl week at The Estate in Atlanta’s Buckhead area.
Six-Time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady Joined Gillette for a Victory Shave to Benefit Local Boston Charities
Tom Brady shaved his playoff beard for charity to benefit three organizations- the Boys & Girls Club of South Boston, Best Buddies and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Each organization received $35k in recognition of the work they do in the Boston community and beyond. Brady also signed 3 Gillette On Demand Boxes with New England Patriots branded razors to auction off to further benefit the organizations.
Patriots still buzzing about parade while at Andover charity event
Several Patriots players showed up the day after their Super Bowl parade to a fundraiser for those affected by a gas explosion in the fall. The players signed helmets, jerseys, photos and footballs that would be raffled off to benefit victims of the explosion.
How Inclusion, Jen Welter and Quavo Propelled Adidas’ Super Bowl Activations
Adidas helped support two panels surrounding inclusion and other important topics. They partnered with the first female NFL Coach Jen Welter to create a program to explore new ways to increase access to football for girls. They hosted football camps for young girls and will utilize the camps to secure digital data from female athletes to help inform the future creation of Adidas women’s products.
The Caw: Stadium Performance by Baltimore’s Famous Drummers Featured on ‘The Ellen Show’
Timothy Fletcher and Malik Perry have turned their 15 minutes of fame into more like an hour, and they’re using it to do good for others. The now famous drummers of A1 Chops first caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres when their Level Up Challenge video went viral. That led to an invite to “The Ellen Show” last September, where they really stole DeGeneres’ heart. “The Ellen Show” doubled down on the cousins and their story and decided to feature them in an episode of “The Build Up.” Timothy and Malik have always given back to their Baltimore community, and now they could do even more.
Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman went on ‘Ellen’ and she shaved his beard for charity
Edelman taped an interview with Ellen Degeneres on “The Ellen Show” that aired on Friday. She of course brought up his beard and how long he planned to keep it. Degeneres made Edelman an offer: I’ll donate $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston if you let me shave the beard right now. Edelman took her up on the offer, and said he’d match the $10,000.
Boycott Bowl donates $57K to charity
The city of New Orleans hosted the Boycott Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday to boycott the fact that the Saints were denied a chance to play for the world championship. Organizers of the Boycott Bowl donated $57,404.36 to the New Orleans Recreational Development Foundation.
For new Dolphins coach Brian Flores, charity event hits close to home
While finalizing his coaching staff and getting to know his new players are among his top priorities, attending Friday’s fourth annual Dolphins Cancer Challenge Celebrity Golf Tournament at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort was important for another reason close to home. The event, which raises money for the University of Miami’s Health System and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, raises awareness for people like Flores’ mother, Maria, who is battling breast cancer.
We Wish Our Homework Was to Read Comic Books: NFL All-Pro Pushes to Make Education Fun
NFL alum Ovie Mughelli is actively working to make green education fun, engaging and accessible. He launched Gridiron Green, a sustainability comic book developed with UNICEF to emphasize STEM technology to solve problems. The comic was developed around the UN SDGs.
Inside Giants rookie Grant Haley’s surreal football journey that might just save his mother’s life
Grant Haley’s mother was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a rare and fatal liver disease that is only curable by liver transplant. Haley has already begun using his platform as an NFL player to raise awareness of his mother’s disease and help find a donor. He hopes to continue to increase awareness and support to fight the disease.
GAC grad Darius Slayton’s NFL Combine performance to raise funds for charity
Greater Atlanta Christian’s Darius Slayton has launched a Pledge It campaign for the Alabama Area Agency on Aging around his participation at the NFL Combine. Fans can pledge a donation for every inch Slayton reaches in the combine’s vertical leap testing. He chose the organization in honor of his grandparents.
Hall of Famer Ed Reed Is Building a Park in His Former Neighborhood
Ed Reed is building a park in his old New Orleans neighborhood. Reed says going to the neighborhood park helped him stay on the right path when he was young and he wants to help today’s youth do the same. He’s asking for “$20 for 20” (his old Ravens jersey number) from fans and supporters. Several current and former Ravens have already donated including Eric Weddle, Bobby Wagner and Benjamin Watson. To donate: https://www.edreedfoundation.org/20
Eagles’ Chris Long named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
Eagles defensive lineman Chris Long has been accorded one of the highest honors available to pro football players. Long on Saturday night was named 2018 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year at the NFL Honors banquet at the FOX Theatre in Atlanta. The Chris Long Foundation receives a $250,000 donation from the NFL’s charity foundation, and another $250,000 will be donated in Long’s name to the United Way.
Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman is raising money for charity in a very bizarre way
Edelman is auctioning off the beard trimmings that were cut on The Ellen Show to raise more money for the Boys and Girls Club. Bidding is already over $2,000.
Pre-’93 NFL pension benefits group receives $100K donation
The Pro Football Retired Players Association, a nonprofit chaired by Hall of Famer Jim Brown, donated $100,000 to Fairness for Athletes in Retirement, a nonprofit advocating for pension parity in the upcoming negotiations over the league’s next collective bargaining agreement. The donation follows a pledge of NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith to prioritize retiree benefits in the next labor accord in 2021.
Tony Romo receives sponsor’s exemption to play in AT&T Byron Nelson
Tony Romo will compete in the AT&T Byron Nelson golf tournament as an amateur. Any winnings will be donated to charity.
Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin visit patients at Peyton Manning’s Children’s Hospital
Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin may be in their football offseason, but they never take time off from giving back and making a difference. This week, the pair of Seahawks players visited none other than Peyton Manning’s Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis to hang out with patients.
NHL
Many Leafs find charity is a place where assisting is the goal, and a rewarding one at that
When Mitch Marner was a teenage hockey phenom with the London Knights, he quickly learned what it meant to be a famous hockey player. And how to harness that power for good. […] It was only a matter of time before Marner and some of the other young stars with the Toronto Maple Leafs started flexing their muscles to drive the charitable causes that mean the most to them.
Monumental Sports Partners with the NHL to Renovate Fort Dupont Ice Arena
Monumental Sports & Entertainment has launched a GoFundMe page with the NHL to support needed renovations at Ft. Dupont Ice Arena, which has a huge place in the DC community. MSE, the NHL and Ted Leonsis each donated $100k.
Hockey Scores For Diplomacy…In Central Park
The American Special Hockey Association joined forces with the United Arab Emirates Women’s National Hockey Team and former Rangers great Tom Laidlaw to host a safe and inclusive hockey event and donate hundreds of pieces of equipment to the ASHA kids and raise awareness of the two groups.
Greater Victoria firefighters teaming up against former NHL players for charity
The Greater Victoria firefighters teamed up in a hockey match against former NHL players today for charity. The money raised will go to the Umbrella Society, supporting people struggling with addiction.
The Good Sport: Members of Special Olympics Calgary pump up Flames before game
The Calgary Flames invited Special Olympics Calgary to pump them up before the game. The young athletes got to read the starting lineup and the Flames donated $30,000 to Special Olympics Calgary to cover the cost of uniforms for the Special Olympics Alberta World Games.
NBC Sports celebrates Hockey Day in America
NBC Sports celebrated Hockey Day in America on February 17th. They shined a light on various stories that showcase the impact that hockey has had in the US, including Shelley Looney, Charlie and Will Capalbo, Detroit Ice Dreams, the Quincy Bald Eagles, the Hughes Brothers and the ASU Sun Devils. Check out more about the stories featured here: https://sports.yahoo.com/nbc-sports-celebrates-hockey-day-140039909.html
Kings help senior dogs get adopted at senior living center
The L.A. Kings brought dogs from the Pasadena Humane Society to the Belmont Senior Living Community in Los Angeles with the hopes of helping them find a permanent home. That’s exactly what happened for four of them! For the cherry on top, the Kings covered all of the adoption fees.
Torrey Smith to hold 8th annual charity basketball game in Baltimore
Torrey Smith is hosting his 8th annual basketball charity game back to Baltimore in March to raise money for the Torrey Smith Family Fund. The Torrey Smith Family Fund works to create an equitable and compassionate society through assisting in communities where they live and work.
NBA
Spurs and Silver & Black Give Back to host a Classic Collectible Auction
The San Antonio Spurs are hosting a Classic Collectible Auction this week that benefits local youth. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the official Spurs nonprofit Silver & Black Give Back.
PUMA’s #REFORM Campaign for Criminal Justice
Multinational sports brand PUMA recently announced the release of its new Clyde Court #REFORM basketball shoe, which was inspired by Olympian Tommie Smith’s activism for universal equality and award-winning hip-hop artist Meek Mill’s advocacy to reform the U.S. criminal justice system. The shoe released with the launch of the REFORM Alliance, a foundation led by Mill that is dedicated to improving criminal justice reform and eliminating laws and policies that maintain injustice in the U.S. As the exclusive brand partner of the REFORM Alliance, PUMA is donating 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of the Clyde Court #REFORM to the organization and donating $5,000 in the name of each professional athlete who supports the movement by wearing the shoe starting on January 24th.
Hawks will donate $250 per assist to Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Atlanta Hawks partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to start a campaign to educate and raise awareness of the disease, specifically in the African-American community. African-American men are 76% more likely to be diagnosed with the disease and twice as likely to die from it. In honor of Black History Month, the partnership kicked off the Black History Month Assist Challenge for the month of February. For each assist registered by the Hawks this month, $250 will be donated by the Hawks Foundation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Celtics Owner Draws A Crowd; Donates $20K To Fund For Sandwich
The Boston Celtics owner Wycliffe Grousbeck attended The Fund for Sandwich event hosted by the Cape Cod Foundation. The fundraiser encourages community philanthropy and collaboration to support the educational, cultural and human needs of residents. Mr. Grousbeck pledged $20,000 in support of the foundation’s work.
Effingham’s Josh Reddick gets his shot, and makes it at Houston Rockets game
Reddick, a South Effingham High School graduate, participated Monday night in the “first shot” — like a ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game — before the Houston Rockets’ NBA home contest against the Dallas Mavericks. He nailed it. The shot raised $5000 for charity.” Reddick commented later on his Twitter account: “Made this shot with ease! Rockets win! Harden keeps his streak, and $5,000 to charity. Wins all around tonight! Thanks @houstonrockets !”
NBA, FIBA launching 12-team league in Africa; Barack Obama to have hands-on role
The NBA and FIBA plan to launch a professional basketball league in Africa called the Basketball Africa League featuring 12 teams from the continent. The league is scheduled for launch in January of 2020 and will be the NBA’s first collaboration to run a pro sports league outside of North America, and former President Barack Obama, an avid basketball fan, is expected to have a hands-on role.
Michael Jordan’s philanthropic activities
Michael Jordan has donated millions of dollars to philanthropy initiatives both personally and in his leadership role with the Charlotte Hornets. While he’s not as unapologetically outspoken on causes he cares about like some of today’s big star NBA players, MJ has made a huge impact in his home state of NC, the city of Chicago and beyond. https://www.nba.com/article/2019/02/15/jordan-week-michael-jordan-philanthropy
Autotrader Donates Vehicle in Collaboration with Turner Sports During NBA All-Star
Autotrader has teamed up with Turner Sports and the National Basketball Association for the thirteenth consecutive year to alter the lives of a deserving family with the donation of a new vehicle, presented this year to a recipient of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
Under Armour Funds Charlotte Rec Center Renovation
After what was reported to be a “seven-figure commitment” from the Stephen and Ayesha Curry Family Foundation, Under Armour and Chase Bank, the Carole Hoefener Center now features Curry’s number, 30, in the center on the brand new “Curry Court.” “The multi-purpose space features a new Under Armour scoreboard as well as new computers to furnish the “Chase Education Space” and a new “Curry Kitchen” area. With the inspiration coming from Ayesha’s businesses, the kitchen will teach youth and adults about healthy eating habits and the proper cooking fundamentals.
Charity event at All-Star weekend crossed paths between Bradley Beal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Wizards guard Bradley Beal was packing boxes with canned goods on Friday at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, North Carolina when one of the greatest players in basketball history ducked through the door and made his way down the warehouse aisles, shaking hands and taking pictures. Beal is an NBA All-Star and was one of the headliners of an All-Star weekend charity event. And he had found himself in the presence of a legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. As Abdul-Jabbar passed Beal’s table, the Wizards guard imitated his famous sky-hook with a big smile on his face.
How the NBA learned to let its players mix politics and sports
Many NBA teams including the Suns donned “I Can’t Breathe” shirts to honor the life of Garner and raise awareness about police brutality in several pre-game warmups during the 2014-15 season. None of the teams were reprimanded or fined by the NBA. It was a sign of the NBA’s pivot from Commissioner David Stern to his successor, Adam Silver in 2014, in allowing players to voice their political views.
How the Atlanta Hawks Are Growing a Winning Fanbase Through Love
The Atlanta Hawks were the latest NBA team to celebrate the many shades of love with its Love Wins event on Valentine’s Day with a focus on the LGBTQ community. While the team faced some challenges on social media, the Hawks’ Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Nzinga Shaw said the event was successful and the community has been generally positive with its reception. Shaw believes sports organizations are primed to be drivers of social change, and events such as Love Wins helps continue the mission.
Staff from Charlotte charity has epic reaction to $350,000 donation via Team LeBron’s win
To bring on your weekend tears of joy, check out this awesome, fitting reaction by the staff of RightMovesForYouth when Team LeBron won the NBA All-Star Game, earning the foundation a $350,000 donation. The Charlotte organization “provides resources and guidance to help students graduate with a plan for future success.”
PHOTOS: Denver Nuggets play ping pong with fans at Ace Eat Serve for charity
Jamal Murray, Torrey Craig, Paul Milsap and more members of the Denver Nuggets participated in the Denver Nuggest Social earlier this week to support Kroenke Sports Charities. Fans got a chance to play ping pong alongside the stars and meet them. Kroenke Sports Charities is committed to improving lives through the spirit and power of sports.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar auctioning four NBA championship rings among other memorabilia for his charity
NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is auctioning off his 4 NBA championship rings and other memorabilia to support his Skyhook Foundation organization. The org teaches kids about STEM skills. When it comes to choosing between storing a championship ring or trophy in a room, or providing kids with an opportunity to change their lives, the choice is pretty simple. Sell it all,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote about the decision.
MLB
C.C. Sabathia celebrates Jackie Robinson’s 100th birthday at New York’s Jackie Robinson school
Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabathia celebrated Jackie Robinson’s 100th birthday at P.S. 375, the Jackie Robinson School, an elementary school in Brooklyn. Sabathia joined students in wishing the man who broke baseball’s color barrier a happy birthday.
Yankees Appoint First Environmental Science Advisor in Pro Sports
The New York Yankees have announced the creation of an environmental science advisor position, appointing Dr. Allen Hershkowitz to that new role. According to a press release from the Yankees, the new position is the first of its kind in professional sports. In his new job, Hershkowitz will lead environmental initiatives for the Yankees and at Yankee Stadium, with a focus on areas such as energy use, waste management, water conservation, and food services.
MLB, MLBPA to Donate $500,000 to Nonprofits to Help Combat Human Trafficking
Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association announced on Tuesday that the organizations will donate $500,000 through 2021 to nonprofits to help stop human trafficking. Their contributions will aid nonprofits that highlight education and programming to stop human trafficking. The grantees include Strike Out Slavery, which Angels star Albert Pujols and his wife Deidre created in 2017 to raise awareness about the existence of modern slavery.
Major League Baseball to rename disabled list as ‘injured list’
Advocacy groups suggested the MLB change the name of the “Disabled List” to the “Injured List”. They were concerned that the DL could perpetuate the false idea that disabilities would prevent someone from participating in sport.
Yard Goats go peanut-free for all Dunkin’ Donuts Park games; perhaps only ballpark in nation to do so
“Peanuts and Cracker Jack” are now history at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, as the Hartford Yard Goats minor league baseball team has announced plans to go peanut-free at all 2019 home games. The organization has decided to eliminate peanuts and peanut-related items from concession stands in response to a growing number of severe allergies, particularly among children. Yard Goats President Tim Restall said the team and minor league baseball did some research and found no other ballparks that have gone peanut-free for an entire season.
Pirates sign country music legend Garth Brooks to week-long contract for spring training
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed country music legend Garth Brooks to a week long contract during spring training to support his Teammates for Kids charity. It’s the organization’s 20th anniversary, and centers around athletes donating funds based on performance levels in their sport (like strikes, saves, assists, first downs, free throws, etc) The Foundation’s Board then triples the amount donated by each athlete. With overhead privately funded, 100% of the money raised goes to those kids the organization supports.
Washington Nationals’ Sean Doolittle Speaks Out About New Era Job Cuts
Washington Nationals’ Sean Doolittle has spoken out via Twitter against the planned cuts of 200 jobs from New Era’s NY factory. He mentions the issues that the MLB had with the garment industry in 2017 when they saved 600 textile jobs in PA. “As players continue to stand together it’s important that we also continue to stand in solidarity with the union labor that has helped make our game what it is today”.
Effingham’s Josh Reddick gets his shot, and makes it at Houston Rockets game
Reddick, a South Effingham High School graduate, participated Monday night in the “first shot” — like a ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game — before the Houston Rockets’ NBA home contest against the Dallas Mavericks. He nailed it. The shot raised $5000 for charity.” Reddick commented later on his Twitter account: “Made this shot with ease! Rockets win! Harden keeps his streak, and $5,000 to charity. Wins all around tonight! Thanks @houstonrockets !”
MLS
MLS clubs are accelerating construction of community fields over next four years
More than 175 have been built nationwide during last four years with the support of the league’s charitable arm, MLS WORKS, and national foundations and local groups, and 200 more will be constructed by 2023, pushing the number of new soccer spaces in MLS markets in the United States and Canada to almost 500. As part of MLS’s 20th season in 2015, one mini-pitch was built in each MLS market in partnership with adidas, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Canada Soccer, and Southern New Hampshire University.College Sports
Corporate Partnerships
Under Armour Has Unique Ability to Connect With Kids, Says CEO
Kevin Plank shares that they are outfitting athletes at every Baltimore City Public School at their own cost. The company requires that their team members donate 32 hours of their time every year and the company implements 30 Armour Days each year where their staff puts in 12,000 hours of man and woman power together across 33 cities, spanning 22 countries to make an impact.
Indianapolis Area Schools Win “Teacher Champion Challenge” from DonorsChoose.org and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation
While Indianapolis wasn’t playing in last Sunday’s “big game”, Indianapolis area teachers won big in the Teacher Champion Challenge, hosted by DonorsChoose.org and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation. DonorsChoose.org, the nonprofit funding platform for public school teachers seeking school supplies, tracked donations to classrooms and calculated dollars raised per student in the cities with teams playing in the pro football playoffs between January 3 and February 3, 2019. As of the end of the challenge, donors gave over $65,000 (approximately $395 per student) to support classroom projects in Marion County, Indiana.
JUST IN: A look at Nike’s “Dream Crazier” spot that will debut during the Oscars
Narrated by Serena Williams, the spot shines a spotlight on female athletes who have broken barriers, brought people together through the power of sport, and inspired generations.
New Balance opens a pub, where you can exchange your miles run for pints
New Balance have opened the doors to its first ever Pub, ‘The Runaway’, where the currency used is miles run and logged on Strava. New Balance and Strava have teamed up to launch four challenges, focused around marathon training milestones for runners taking on a Spring marathon. When runners join the Strava challenge, they’ll receive a Runaway Card, which they can add to the wallet on their phone. The card will automatically fill up with the miles they’ve run, and can be used to exchange miles for pints in the pub.
International
Bridging the divide
sportanddev and the Japan Sport Council, along with partners, are launching a project to develop a guidebook on how to incorporate sport as a development tool for project managers and policy makers worldwide.
The once in a lifetime chance to build a new sport the right way
What esports means for sport though, cannot be understated. We are looking at the rise of the first sport that has the ability to create a 100% level playing field where women can compete equally against men, and those of mixed ability can compete as equals. We are looking at the first sport with an undeniable female world champion after she has bested her male counterpart. We are looking at playing arenas that obliterate obstacles to inclusion and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to take advantage of.
Liverpool FC establishes autism-friendly hours at team stores
Liverpool FC established hours in all their stores in the UK and Ireland where no music or videos will be played and lights will be dimmed when possible from 3-5:30pm on the last Thursday of every month to allow patrons with autism to feel more comfortable shopping there.
Football clubs to tackle reoffending through prison programme
Thirty-two Premier League and English Football League (EFL) clubs have agreed to be part of the Twinning Project programme, through which they will work with local prisons to help tackle the high UK reoffending rate. The Twinning Project launched on October 31 with the aim of bringing together football clubs and UK prisons to use the sport as a catalyst for change to provide opportunities to better prepare prisoners for release, find employment and reduce reoffending.
FIFA, UNESCO and the World Food Programme agree innovative partnership
FIFA, UNESCO and the World Food Programme have signed a letter of intent to enhance children’s access to sport and promote important life skills. Through this initiative, 11 million footballs will be distributed to schools in territories of FIFA’s 211 member associations, reaching more than 700 million children, and an online platform will be created to inform teachers on how to incorporate football into education.
Netball Fiji to receive financial boost from Australia to prepare for World Cup as part of Pacific Sports Partnership
The Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Fijan Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama recently released a joint statement reaffirming the friendship between Australia and Fiji. Included in this was the announcement that the Pacific Sports Partnership, Australia’s flagship sport for development programme in the Pacific, will now extend to the Fijian national netball team. This will see Netball Fiji receive financial support to help them prepare for the Netball World Cup, scheduled for July 12 to 21 in Liverpool.
The Hong Kong Rugby Union Community Foundation
Since its inception, the Hong Kong Rugby Union Community Foundation has had education as one of its key pillars alongside health and building an inclusive society. Two of the main areas we have focused on are using rugby as a medium to help local youngsters build confidence in communication in English, and also promoting key values and life skills for Hong Kong students.
The power of sports in promoting quality education
Sport plays a bonding role and helps students learn important skills to function socially; it has both physical and psychological benefits to learners hence contributing towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4; Quality education. Those who participate in sports have higher school grades and record better school attendance.
Blog: “Clear signs of progress – but beware empty promises”
Professor Rosie Meek, an Alliance of Sport Trustee, released her landmark ‘Review of Sport in Youth and Adult Prisons’ in August 2018. Six months on, Edward Argar MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Justice, joined stakeholders in Petty France, London, to review the impact of the report’s recommendations so far. Here, Prof. Meek reflects on the event.
World Sports Alliance Intergovernmental Organization Announces the Launch of Lightstar Solar
In keeping with the private-public partnership model of the World Sports Alliance IGO, and its Private Equity firm, VO2 Global, WSA has announced its entrance into the solar space with the launch of Lightstar Solar Inc, which incorporates the WSA’s iGObit & iGOchain Blockchain technology.
Sky Sports’ David Jones to Host Sunderland AFC Charity Dinner
Sky Sports’ David Jones will host a gala dinner celebrating the work of Foundation of Light, Sunderland AFC’s charity. The foundation’s mission is to improve lives through the power of football. They support sport, health, community and education programs. The gala will recognize the achievements of those who have overcome adversity through the Foundation of Light programming.
Athletes and activism: The long, defiant history of sports protests
So taking a knee during the national anthem isn’t exactly unprecedented, or nearly as calamitous. Athletes in modern times have often been moved to protest conditions, to demonstrate that they are citizens of conscience by speaking truth to power. The following timeline of sports protests begins in 1883 and ends with the crescendo of events leading up to Colin Kaepernick taking a knee in 2016.
In soccer-mad Argentina, women fight sexism and inequality
Almost 90 years after men’s soccer turned professional in Argentina, the women’s game is still being played by amateur athletes who get little to no money for their work on the field. Macarena Sanchez wants to change that — now. The 27-year-old Sanchez is taking legal action against her club and the Argentine soccer association in an effort to gain professional status. The case could set a precedent in a nation that is home to Lionel Messi and some of the world’s greatest players, but where soccer is still largely seen as a men’s only game.
Kylian Mbappe Is A Great Player On The Pitch And A Great Person Off It
Mbappe made headlines at the World Cup this summer for his gestures away from the field. He donated his tournament earnings plus bonus’ to a charity that helps hospitalised children in sport. It was around $550,000. The 20-year-old doesn’t feel he should earn money to represent his country, and thus gives his earnings away, an incredibly mature train of thought for a man who plays beyond his years on the pitch.
James Marsden to host prestigious sports awards
Hollywood actor James Marsden is heading to Monaco to present the 2019 Laureus World Sports Awards. The Westworld star will co-host the awards with British sports broadcaster Amanda Davies. First staged in 2000, the Laureus World Sports Awards celebrate the greatest achievements of individuals and teams, across all sports.
BWF President claims joint project with United Nations has helped empower nine developing countries
Badminton World Federation (BWF) President Poul-Erik Høyer has claimed their “Badminton For All” project has helped to empower nine developing countries in Africa. The project is a joint initiative between the BWF and the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP). Over the past two years, the programme has sought to develop badminton in Benin, Ethiopia, Togo, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe through the BWF’s Shuttle Time programme.
Qatar Charity marks National Sport Day with special activities
Qatar Charity, through its headquarters in Qatar and many field offices worldwide, participated in Qatar National Sport Day events with a number of special activities and focused on the importance of linking the practice of sports to humanitarian work. In collaboration with Qatar University (QU), Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), Planning and Statistics Authority, and others, Qatar Charity has contributed to a number of activities, including walking, in which several employees of Qatar Charity and other organizations participated, conveying a message that says “everyone has the right to education”.
Joe Root widely praised for response to Shannon Gabriel
England captain Joe Root has been praised by Stonewall, the UK’s leading LGBT equality charity, for challenging Windies bowler Shannon Gabriel during the third Test in St Lucia. After an exchange between the pair on Monday, Root appeared to tell Gabriel: “Don’t use it as an insult. There’s nothing wrong with being gay.” Root’s comments could be heard on television having been picked up via the stump microphone, but Gabriel’s part of the conversation was not audible.
Missy Franklin Opens Up About Retirement and Life After Swimming
“Philanthropy is going to be a huge branch for me,” said Franklin at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco. “I want to do more field work for Laureus; I want to see what different kinds of opportunities pop up.” One of the opportunities she’s most excited about is being able to do more public speaking. Having been able to speak at a few places while she was swimming, Franklin is planning to take advantage of a schedule that won’t see her in the pool in the middle of January.
CAC’s Purposeful Play creates education outside the classroom
Last month CAC launched the world’s first Organisational Accreditation Programme in Purposeful Play and Education Outside the Classroom. Our rigorous standards of accreditation and 28 year-round strategic resources empower local organisations to use Purposeful Play as an effective educational tool in their communities to create sustainable change based on the UN SDGs.
The Good Sport: Boxer donates all of his winnings to the homeless
British boxer Tyson Fury has battled addiction and mental health issues throughout his life. Fury promised to donate his entire purse (about $9 million) from a fight in December to help house those battling alcoholism and addiction.
The Good Sport: Boxer donates all of his winnings to the homeless
British boxer Tyson Fury has battled addiction and mental health issues throughout his life. Fury promised to donate his entire purse (about $9 million) from a fight in December to help house those battling alcoholism and addiction.
New Resources: Developed in Partnership by Athlete Ally & Out In Athletics
Out in Athletics recently partnered with Athlete Ally to create two timely resources for athletic administrators: 1) FAQ: LGBTQA+ / Transgender & Gender Expansive Policies, and 2) Model Policies: Transgender and Nonbinary Athlete Inclusion. These resources have been made available as open access resources by both Out in Athletics and Athlete Ally.
How Celebrating Women in Sports Bolsters Women’s Leadership
The Women’s Sports Foundation partners with the National Women’s Law Center, George Washington University, Girls Inc. and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition in promoting the nationwide day dedicated to women’s athletics. NGWSD began in 1987 to bring national attention to the promise of girls and women in sports, and has since evolved into an event to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, the positive influence of sports participation, and the continuing struggle for equality for women in sports.
Diversity in Sports Nonprofits
Every February, we take time to celebrate Black History Month and recognize the many black men and women who have overcome adversity and contributed immeasurably socially, politically, and economically. In sports, the achievements are no less important. From Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens, to Althea Gibson and Muhammad Ali, all the way to Serena Williams and Colin Kaepernick, black athletes have quite literally changed the world. Yet, Black History Month is more than just celebrating the progress that’s been made; it is an opportunity to reflect on the work that still needs to be done towards achieving true equality in our communities. One such area of extreme disparity is in nonprofit leadership.
No reason why India can’t swim: Missy Franklin
Missy Franklin could not control her tears when she spoke about how moved she was by the inspiring tale of the girls from ‘Yuwa’ – the Jharkhand-based NGO run by an American couple that won the Laureus Sport for Good award. “In America, every kid is taught to swim. That’s what India needs to do if it wants to do well in swimming,” said Franklin, who is fascinated by the country and Hinduism. “There is no reason why India couldn’t do well in swimming. But children need to be taught when they are very young. It has to be a cultural thing, as it is in the United States.”
Indian girls’ sports programme wins Laureus Sport for Good Award
Yuwa (which is Hindi for ‘youth’) is the name of the programme which is receiving the Sport for Good Award at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco. This decision honours an initiative which gives girls in the northern Indian state of Jharkhand the tools to take their future into their own hands. German carmaker Mercedes-Benz has been supporting Laureus Sport for Good since 2000.
ICC name Lord’s Taverners as official World Cup ‘Cricket 4 Good Partner’
The ICC have named Lord’s Taverners as the ‘Cricket 4 Good Partner’ for the 2019 World Cup hosted in England this summer. The relationship aims to celebrate the reach and diversity of the Lord’s Taverners national cricket programmes and showcase the commitment of the ICC to deliver a positive cricketing and social legacy through the World Cup.
Lionel Messi’s charity donates EUR 200,000 to project in Kenya with aim of helping thousands
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi isn’t just a global football superstar but also a generous man who looks after the welfare of those in need through his charitable organisation. It has been learnt that Messi’s charitable foundation has made a whopping donation of 200,000 euros towards a UNICEF project in Kenya, with hopes of helping thousands. Messi was among a host of other footballers who funded a private search for Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala after the Argentine’s plane crashed in the English Channel en route from France to Wales last month. Continuing his generosity away from the football field, Messi donated an incredible sum for building a water pump and supplying food through his charitable organisation.
Wembley to provide mental health charity Mind with vital platform
The mental health charity Mind has already forged a two-year partnership with the Football League that started at the beginning of this season. As part of its collaboration with the EFL and Carabao Cup, Mind will run a host of activities related to mental health before and during Sunday afternoon’s clash in order to raise awareness and highlight the support the charity provides. Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “Bringing mental health to Wembley, the home of football, is a landmark moment in the visibility of mental health in football.
Youth/Community Sports
CPD, CFD square off in charity hockey game
The Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department played their annual charity hockey game on January 19. This year, the CPD won 3-2. Proceeds were donated to the 100 Club that provides for families of first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The World’s First-Ever Middle School E-sports League Mixes Physical and Virtual Play
A new e-sports league for New York City middle school students is aiming to strike the right balance between screen time and the actual sort of play time children had long before video games came into the picture. Four New York City schools in Upper Manhattan now have what is believed to be the first-ever middle school e-sports league in the city and perhaps in the United States. While the gamers hone their techniques in a classroom, they also spend the second part of their practice outside putting what they learned in the virtual world to the test in the physical world. On Thursday, the pre-teen gamers practiced how to pick and roll, an offensive play in basketball, in the video game NBA 2K. They then went to an actual basketball court, where they practiced the play—and got some exercise. The e-sports league is being run by Kids In the Game and the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation’s Innovation Grant.
Race to benefit organization that helps settle refugees
More than 3,000 runners are expected in New Haven for the annual Run for Refugees. The annual race benefits the nonprofit Integrated Refugees and Immigrant Services, an organization that helps resettle refugees in Connecticut. Sunday’s race comes on the second anniversary of President Donald Trump’s ban on refugees from seven majority-Muslim countries.
Fans of costly winter sports try to level the playing field
Through Cool Meets Cause, Twin Cities pro athletes are stepping up to diversify winter activities and make them more accessible to people who wouldn’t normally try them. The organization works to bring sports like snowboarding and cross country skiing to more women and girls, people of color and families who may not be able to afford the hundreds of dollars in gear and lift tickets. Cool Meets Cause is gathering donated snowboarding gear to let participants borrow clothing and equipment for free. (Donations will be accepted at Urban Outfitters at the Mall of America through the end of February.) The classes and access to the snowboard park are free, too.
The Good Sport: Blind basketball player nails shot in high school game
North Polk High School Senior Clay Warner is legally blind and has cerebral palsy, but still loved basketball. He never got into a game until his team’s senior night, where he received a pass and made a basket. The crowd erupted and it’s safe to say that Clay had a day he will never forget.
The Good Sport: Athlete with cerebral palsy lifts twice his weight, gets love from NFL star
Miles Taylor has cerebral palsy and weighs about 99 pounds. He deadlifted 200 pounds and the video went viral, getting accolades from ESPN, CNN, Sports Illustrated and more. JJ Watt also shared the video, commenting on how inspirational it was.
Battling ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’: Colorado Nonprofit Gets Urban Students Outdoors
In an effort to expose students to Colorado’s nature, nonprofit Environmental Learning for Kids, or ELK, made it their mission to take urban middle and high school students out on field trips around the state. ELK takes students from northeast Denver and northern Aurora on trips in to nature.
Nonprofit connects with at-risk students through sports
Founded in 2010, PeppNation provides sports leadership and mentoring programs to youth throughout the school days and summer. Through tutoring, recess aid and nontraditional sports, the organization aims to form well-rounded students and citizens. “We are creating a pipeline of success for youth in Milwaukee,” Culpepper said. Since its Milwaukee debut in 2012, PeppNation has given more than 14,000 Milwaukee youth exposure to unique experiences, such as rugby, the citywide bike ride, scholarship opportunities and college advising, he said. PeppNation youth development mentors are energetic college-aged or older coaches, many of whom are from Milwaukee.
Fort Myers nonprofit helps people with disabilities heal through sports
The Game Day Bunch is a Fort Myers based nonprofit that helps those suffering from a disability heal through sports. Last week, the organization brought 50+ participants to the Red Sox’s Jet Blue Park for a spring training game. They hope to help every team and ball park in Spring Training host a disabilities day.
Police vs Fire in a charity basketball game where the winner is… Bright Futures Joplin
The Joplin Police Department and Joplin Fire Department played a charity basketball game to benefit Bright Futures Joplin, an organization that supports the situational and social needs of kids and families from low income communities so their students can focus on education. The organization has 7,000 students that are enrolled in Joplin Schools. The game ended in a tie.
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