About Us 

Mission

Athletes for Charity is a BIPOC grassroots nonprofit organization with a mission is to serve as a charitable initiative dedicated towards encouraging the giving of time, financial resources, and information; to improve the collective lives of disadvantaged youth, advance the common good and support the nonprofit sectors that benefit the underprivileged children.

Since our founding in 2004, Athletes for Charity has achieved its mission by teaming up with 200+ professional athletes, sports leagues and teams, various sports professionals, schools, other nonprofit organizations, the corporate sector, as well as volunteers, to empower and support the development of disadvantaged youth. Athletes for Charity’s work range from the coordination and implementation of youth mentoring sessions; youth literacy initiatives; STEM education programs; the planning of camps for youth that encompass an educational engagement component; holiday toy drives for underprivileged children; coordination of athlete appearances; and planning special events which include youth and athlete participation i.e., “Bowl with an Athlete,” “Back to School / Sports Day,” and “Principal for a Day” events.

In 2010, Athletes for Charity launched a series of youth literacy initiatives, which enlisted local professional athletes to serve as “Principal for a Day” and promote youth literacy through the donation of books and educational product. Our overall objective has been to motivate children to read more, excel academically and expose them to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) literacy and careers. To date, we have distributed over 250,000 books to students attending Title I schools across the country.

 

Throughout the years, our work has expanded to include STEM education and the need to assist in the process of rendering more diversity in the sector by motivating and encouraging youth toward developing an interest in STEM/STEAM. In 2014, Athletes for Charity joined forces with the Detroit Lions and Tata Technologies to create an innovative STEM Youth literacy Program at two DPS schools. The programs aimed to improve learning outcomes and student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math, while creating pathways to success in post-secondary education and 21st century careers. We also developed partnerships with various departments at Wayne State University (WSU) where faculty, staff and students are invited to participate as special guests hosts, mentors and lecturers for Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. In 2015, the STEM Youth Literacy Initiative was expanded to Tampa, FL with the support of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in partnership with Ford Motor Company.

United Charitable Programs

Athletes for Charity is a project of United Charitable Programs, Inc. (UCP) – a registered 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1) public charity (EIN# 20-4286082). For UCP Policies & Procedures please visit: www.unitedcharitableprograms.org. All funds raised by the Athletes for Charity are received by United Charitable Programs and become the sole property of UCP which, for internal operating purposes, allocates the funds to the Project. The Program Manager makes recommendations for disbursements which are reviewed by UCP for approval.

Get In Touch

Cathlee@athletesforcharity.com

Let’s Build Together

If you are inspired by our mission and want to be part of the change, we welcome you to get in touch. Connect with us to explore opportunities for collaboration, learn more about our initiatives, or find out how you can contribute to building a brighter future.