Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day Achieves Remarkable $7.2 Million Fundraising Milestone

Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day Sets New Record

The third annual Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day has taken fundraising to new heights, raising an impressive $7.2 million to improve access to youth sports throughout Colorado. This marks a significant increase of 38% from last year’s total, underscoring the commitment of Coloradans to support their young athletes.

From September 1 to 15, 4,400 donations came together to empower 349 nonprofit organizations dedicated to enhancing youth sports opportunities. This campaign, spearheaded by the Daniels Fund in collaboration with Project Play Colorado, illustrates the community's strong belief in the importance of sports for youth development.

Hanna Skandera Grady, the CEO and President of the Daniels Fund, expressed gratitude towards the thousands of donors for their instrumental role in helping more children engage in sports. She remarked, “For the third year, Coloradans showed up in a big way to get more kids off the sidelines and into the game.”

An added benefit to this year’s campaign was over $2 million in matching and incentive funds, which included a one-to-one match for the initial $1 million raised online on the campaign's launch day, September 1. Additionally, the new America250 Fund introduced a dedicated dollar-for-dollar match up to $250,000 for contributions made through donor-advised funds, IRA rollovers, and wire transfers.

Support from several community partners—such as the Alpine Bank, Bank of Colorado, and UCHealth—helped fuel these efforts. Moreover, the online giving component was facilitated by the ColoradoGives.org platform, which helped ensure a smooth donation process.

Since its inception in 2024, Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day has successfully raised a total of $16.1 million, aiding nonprofit organizations in acquiring necessary sports equipment, uniforms, and program expansions, while also offering financial assistance to families in need. The success of this initiative directly impacts youth participation, with Colorado now boasting a youth sports participation rate of 64.5%, exceeding the national Healthy People 2030 goal.

Addressing Participation Disparities

Despite these successes, significant disparities still persist in participation rates among different demographics. For instance, while girls engage in sports at a rate of 61.2%, boys participate more at 67.5%. Furthermore, youth of color participate at a rate of 55%, contrasted with 72% of their white counterparts. The participation rate for children from low-income families is concerningly low at 46.5%, compared to 76.8% for those from more affluent backgrounds.

Tom Farrey, executive director of the Aspen Institute's Project Play, emphasized the importance of addressing these gaps in access to sports: “The biggest challenge is making sure those opportunities reach every child. We need to keep building a state of play where every young person feels included, supported and able to participate.”

Positive experiences in sports promote crucial life skills such as confidence, resilience, and social connections—attributes that are vital for success in both school and life. Additionally, increasing access to athletics is a key step in combatting youth mental health challenges, physical inactivity, and rising childhood obesity rates.

The Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day celebrated its campaign launch at a Colorado Rockies game, utilizing this public platform to further promote its mission. The initiative has also inspired similar campaigns in other states, including a new Youth Sports Giving Day in Utah.

Looking Ahead

The Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day’s commitment to ensuring every child experiences the benefits of sports remains steadfast. With millions raised and many organizations engaged, the vision for a more inclusive sports landscape for youth throughout Colorado is closer than ever.

For those interested in supporting or learning more about the initiative, visit YouthSportsGivingDay.org for more information. Media inquiries can be directed to Caitlin Jenney at GroundFloor Media via email at [contact information].