Sports and Charities: Legit?
Julianne Shenk
April 3, 2017
JBS Nonprofit Consulting
Chances are if you have been to a sporting event lately you
have been asked to donate to the home team’s charity. Some folks know about the
organization, but many wonder what it is about, where does the money go, and if
it is legit. Does the money go to the
team? Who does it help? There are a lot of questions.
I donate regularly to our local NHL and AHL team foundations
as well as those in my hometown. Plenty of sports teams and athletes
participate in charitable giving. My advice to you is to google your favorite
team/athlete with the word charity to get started. For example, Google “Mario
Lemieux Charity”. The first two results are for the Mario Lemieux Foundation.
It is a very comprehensive website. Most of these sites will state somewhere in
the text that they are a 501 (c)(3) organization. If you cannot find that specific information,
email the organization directly. If legitimate, they will answer you and
provide the information to you. Research is your best tool. Research where the
money goes. Again, if legitimate, there will be plenty of press, and perhaps
testimonials from those that have been helped. Research, research, research.
I worked with the Texas Stars Foundation. I know exactly
where the money goes. The team began operations in 2009 in Cedar Park, Texas.
The foundation was formed in the summer of 2010 before the start of the second
season. The organization has distributed over $800,000 during the 2010-16 seasons in cash
donations to more than 500 different local nonprofits. The players, some as
young as 18 or 19 years old, get very involved by making appearances at local
school and hospitals. I have seen firsthand the dedication and support these
players provide.
The NHL participates
in Hockey Fights Cancer and has raised more than $20 million. P.K. Subban,
formerly of the Montreal Canadiens and currently the Nashville Predators
donated $10 million dollars to the local hospital in Montreal and continues his
support despite being traded to a different team, in a different country. He has
also become involved in local charities in Nashville.
Your favorite player may not have their own individual charity,
but is most likely partnered with or acts as the face of an organization. Take
the time to research and find the right fit. Any valid organization will
provide you the details of the organization and the answers to your questions.
Also, keep in mind, many organizations are looking for
volunteers, so check out that option!
I have listed some of my personal favorites below.
Texas Stars Foundation: http://www.texasstars.com/foundation
Dallas Stars Foundation: https://www.nhl.com/stars/community
Mario Lemieux Foundation: https://www.mariolemieux.org/
Andy Roddick Foundation: http://www.arfoundation.org/
Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation: http://pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org/
Michael Phelps Foundation: http://michaelphelpsfoundation.org/
NHL Hockey Fights Cancer: https://www.nhl.com/community/hockey-fights-cancer
P.K. Subban Philanthropy: http://www.pksubban.com/philanthropy/
Pittsburgh Pirates Charities: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/pit/community/charities.jsp
Jerome Bettis Foundation: http://thebusstopsherefoundation.org/
