Jason Anderson Foundation for Youth Sports reaches 8-year milestone
The Jason Anderson Foundation for Youth Sports is one of the only 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in Delaware focused on paying youth sports registration fees for young athletes in financial need. Its goal is to ensure all kids get an opportunity to play.
Now marking eight years of fulfilling its mission, the foundation has been offering grants and scholarships to youth sports organizations and families so kids in need are not left off the playing field due to financial constraints.
Since its inception in 2016, the foundation has awarded more than $72,000 in grants and scholarships in local Delaware communities for youth participation in basketball, soccer, flag football, swimming, baseball and gymnastics. Over the past two years, it has provided individual scholarships in excess of $13,000 and worked closely with organizations such Delaware Destroyers Baseball, Delmarva Rush Soccer, Sussex Family YMCA, Olympiad Gymnastics, KidStrong of Middletown, and Factory Sports in Frankford and Lewes to ensure all kids have an opportunity to participate.
Kathy Newcomb, a foundation board member since 2017, said, “I have seen firsthand athletes who may have been at risk of being left behind, instead succeed and advance to earn sports-related college scholarships. These same children may not have had the opportunity to attend college without their continued participation in sports. Being a part of a team not only advances their physical skills, but is proven to sharpen mental focus, increase self-esteem and provide a much-needed alliance of adult role models in the coaches that provide support when needed on and off the field.”
Pat Woods of Factory Sports said, “The Jason Anderson Foundation has allowed many young players and athletes to participate in our sports programs over the years. From basketball to summer camp to travel teams, those families who want to experience the benefits of youth sports but have trouble finding the money to pay the fees have found support and encouragement from the foundation. We believe, with the Jason Anderson Foundation, that all kids should have an opportunity to participate in sports. Our partnership with the foundation has enabled us to provide the service of coaching, while also covering the costs associated with the purchase of equipment, uniforms, tournament fees and rental costs. We only wish that more families took advantage of the good work that they are doing.”
A recent coordination with the Delaware Office of the Child Advocate’s Court Appointed Child Advocate volunteers has been especially rewarding. Under this program, the foundation provides support to foster families and their foster children who will benefit from participating in structured youth sports activities. Working with these families and program volunteers reflects the cornerstone of the foundation’s efforts to serve a community of those truly in need.
Any coach, team manager, sports facility administrator, school counselor or parent who knows of a local sports team or child in need of financial assistance is encouraged to contact the foundation. Its board of directors considers all applications based on need, and makes grant and scholarship awards accordingly. The goal is to help all kids have the opportunity to play and learn the valuable life lessons of teamwork, leadership and friendship.
The Jason Anderson Foundation for Youth Sports is an all-volunteer organization, so 100% of the donations received go back into the community. Learn more at jasonandersonfoundation.org.
