Two-week giving campaign includes more than $1.5M in matching funds to boost access to youth sports
DENVER, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — All Colorado kids deserve a chance to play sports – and the Daniels Fund and Project Play Colorado are making it possible. In collaboration with hundreds of youth sports nonprofits across the state, the Daniels Fund and Project Play Colorado will launch the second annual Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 6 p.m. MDT. The two-week giving campaign aims to raise critical funds to break down barriers and expand access to organized sports for Colorado’s youth.
Last year’s inaugural event was a game-changer, raising an incredible $3.7 million for 175 nonprofits dedicated to empowering kids ages 18 and younger to experience the joy and benefits of sports. The 2024 participants used donations in a variety of ways to get more kids in the game, including purchasing equipment and uniforms, growing programming, expanding to new communities and even funding new sports facilities.
A Community United for Youth Sports
From Sept. 3-17, individuals, businesses and community groups are invited to rally behind youth sports nonprofits. Donations will be made through the Colorado Gives platform at www.youthsportsgivingday.org, ensuring simple, flexible and secure giving. Contributions will help ensure every child in Colorado has a chance to play, grow and thrive.
“Giving every Colorado kid the chance to play sports isn’t just about the game. It’s about building grit, confidence and character,” said Hanna Skandera, President and CEO of the Daniels Fund. “Youth Sports Giving Day fuels opportunities for kids to learn teamwork, bounce back from setbacks and grow into strong, resilient leaders on and off the field.”
$1.5M Matching Fund Unlocks Opportunity
This year, thanks to tremendous support from sponsors, the campaign features a matching fund of more than $1.5 million. The first $1 million donated will be matched dollar-for-dollar, effectively doubling the impact of every early gift. Remaining matching funds will be awarded based on the overall totals raised by participating organizations throughout the campaign.
“Too many kids still face barriers to playing sports, especially those from low-income families and communities of color,” said Tom Farrey, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program. “We’re committed to changing that. Our goal is to make Colorado a leader in equitable youth sports access, showing what’s possible when communities come together. Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day is a powerful driver of that change, helping more kids leave the sidelines for play and experience the lifelong benefits of sports.”
Building Skills That Last a Lifetime
Research underscores the tremendous benefits of youth sports on long-term personal and professional development. Kids who play sports enjoy higher self-esteem, improved mental and physical health, stronger academic performance and better leadership skills. They’re not just more confident today – they’re more likely to have greater career earnings as adults.
Yet, financial barriers often keep kids, especially those in low-income households, from participating. According to Project Play Colorado, only 38% of children in households earning 0–99% of the federal poverty Level participate in sports, compared to 72% of children in households earning 400% or more of the federal poverty level. Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day aims to close this gap and make sports accessible to every child.
“Imagine this: 72% of higher-income kids have the chance to play sports, but only 38% of kids from low-income backgrounds get that same chance,” added Farrey. “Your support can help change this reality and give every child the opportunity to run onto the field, join a team and grow.”
At a time when childhood obesity rates are climbing, physical activity is declining and youth mental health challenges are on the rise, youth sports have never been more essential. The lessons of teamwork, discipline and belonging don’t stay on the field – they shape the leaders and contributors of tomorrow.
Sponsors of this year’s Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day include the Daniels Fund, Alpine Bank, The Anschutz Foundation, Bank of Colorado, Boettcher Foundation, El Pomar Foundation, Gary Community Ventures, Colorado Rockies, Google, Rose Community Foundation, Strohm Link Family Foundation, Telluray Foundation, UCHealth, The Weld Trust, Wold Foundation and Mike and Nancy Zoellner.
Support Our State of Play!
Every gift fuels opportunity, transforms communities and changes lives. Join in fostering a brighter, healthier future for Colorado’s youth. To learn more, to register as a participating nonprofit or to make a donation and support our State of Play, visit www.youthsportsgivingday.org.
Members of youth sports organizations from around the state will be at Coors Field on Sept. 3 to officially kick off the campaign during the Colorado Rockies home game. Baseball fans can join the fun, and $5 from each ticket sale will be added to the matching fund. Tickets can be purchased here.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs will celebrate this year’s Youth Sports Giving Day on Saturday, Sept. 6 by offering free admission. Families are invited to explore the museum’s world-class exhibits, meet Team USA athletes and connect with local youth sports organizations supporting efforts to increase youth participation in sports across the state. While walk-up tickets are available, guests are encouraged to reserve free admission tickets online.
About Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day
Launched in 2024, Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day is a collaborative effort between Project Play Colorado, Daniels Fund and hundreds of local nonprofit organizations supporting youth sports across Colorado. Through this campaign, nonprofits offering organized sports for Colorado youth ages 18 and younger raise essential funds to get more kids playing sports. Each year, Coloradans will be asked to give generously to ensure all children in our state can enjoy the many benefits of athletics. To learn more, visit www.youthsportsgivingday.org.
About the Daniels Fund
The Daniels Fund, a private charitable foundation established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, provides grants to highly effective nonprofits and college scholarships to the next generation of America’s leaders. Through its Big Bets, it invests in solutions tackling some of the most complex challenges with innovations that have the power to scale. The Daniels Fund is making a Big Bet in youth sports, aiming to give one million youth the opportunity to compete in sports by 2030 and build the core life skills that increase achievement, leadership, teamwork, confidence and resilience. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.
About Project Play Colorado
Project Play Colorado is a collective impact initiative comprised of state-level entities and community organizations aiming to increase opportunities for youth of all ages to participate in sports. It is the first statewide initiative of Project Play, an Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program-led effort that develops insights, ideas and opportunities to build healthy children and communities through sports. Since 2013, the award-winning initiative has convened leaders, identified gaps in access to quality sport activity and mobilized organizations for action. To learn more, visit www.projectplay.org.
Media Contact:
Caitlin Jenney, GFM|CenterTable
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www.youthsportsgivingday.org
SOURCE Daniels Fund
