Month-long giving campaign includes more than $1M in matching funds to boost access to youth sports
DENVER, Sept. 4, 2024 -- Today, the Daniels Fund and Project Play Colorado, in collaboration with hundreds of youth sports nonprofits across the state, proudly announced the inaugural Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day. Sept. 4 marks the beginning of a month-long campaign to raise essential funds to help more kids statewide participate in sports.
Throughout September, individuals, businesses and community groups are encouraged to contribute to youth sports nonprofits in Colorado. Donations can be made online at www.youthsportsgivingday.org utilizing the Colorado Gives platform, which offers a safe, flexible and convenient way to give. Donors can choose from a list of participating nonprofit youth sports organizations, with funds going toward expenses such as equipment, uniforms, coaching and facility rentals. These contributions will help ensure more kids can participate in sports, regardless of their economic background.
Led by the Daniels Fund, Colorado Health Foundation, The Weld Trust, Denver Broncos Foundation, Alpine Bank, Rose Community Foundation, Strohm Link Family Foundation, Anschutz Foundation and other sponsors, the giving campaign includes a dollar-for-dollar match of more than $1 million for all online donations made starting Sept. 4, 2024. Donations will be matched until matching funds are utilized.
Helping to facilitate the effort is the Aspen Institute's Sports & Society Program, the signature initiative of which, Project Play, has helped leaders across the nation get and keep children playing sports. Last week, the Aspen Institute and leading organizations announced Project Play Colorado, a collective impact effort to lift youth sports participation rates from 54.5% to 63% by the end of the decade.
"Sports are a fun way for kids to learn valuable skills like teamwork, hard work, setting goals and staying active," said Governor Jared Polis. "With Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day, more Colorado kids can experience the joy and passion that comes from participating in sports. It's truly a win for all of us."
Link to Governor Polis' full video message about Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day.
Research highlights the significant benefits of youth sports: improved academic and career achievements, enhanced self-esteem, better mental and physical health and stronger life skills and leadership abilities. Kids who stay active in sports are also likely to earn higher incomes later in life.
"Every child deserves the lifetime benefits of being physically active and playing sports," said Hanna Skandera, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund. "Organized sports are essential for young people's development, teaching them valuable life skills and promoting a healthy lifestyle. As a cornerstone of the American experience, youth sports should be accessible to all. Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day is our opportunity to invest in every child's future and ensure that all have the chance to participate and thrive."
With rising childhood obesity rates, declining physical activity levels and a mounting mental health crisis for young people, the role of sports in youth development is more critical than ever. In fact, one study found a direct correlation between sports participation as a youth and greater self-esteem and happiness in adulthood.
Financial barriers often prevent children, particularly those in low-income communities and communities of color, from participating in organized sports. The average cost of a child to participate in a sport in 2022 was $883 per year, a budget-busting sum for many families. The average age when kids drop out of sports is 11, with even earlier dropout rates among financially vulnerable populations and girls.
"Youth sports participation is lower than it should be, especially for kids in low-income families and communities of color," said Tom Farrey, executive director, Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program. "We want Colorado to be a model for other states, to show them how to fill gaps and improve access to quality sport activities. Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day is a key activation and will make a difference in children's lives across our state."
Today's launch event at Ball Arena featured professional sports ambassadors and political leaders united in the campaign's mission to Support our State of Play. Speakers included:
- Vic Lombardi, Altitude Sports & Entertainment
- Hanna Skandera, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund
- Denver Mayor Mike Johnston
- Ryan Harris, Super Bowl Champion and award-winning broadcaster
- Kara Winger, four-time Olympian (javelin throw)
- Mike Neary, executive vice president, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
- Jennifer Brown Lerner, deputy director, Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program
For more information about Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day, and to Support our State of Play, visit www.youthsportsgivingday.org.
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