Second annual online giving campaign sets new record, supporting 244 nonprofits in Colorado

DENVER, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Daniels Fund and Project Play Colorado, in collaboration with youth sports nonprofits across the state, today announced the results of the 2025 Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day campaign. The effort raised $5,231,147 through 3,610 donations and engaged 244 nonprofit organizations working to expand youth sports access statewide.

For two weeks in September, individuals, businesses and community groups across Colorado generously contributed funds to local youth sports nonprofits. Community donations were bolstered by matching support from the Daniels Fund, Alpine Bank, The Anschutz Foundation, Bank of Colorado, Boettcher Foundation, El Pomar Foundation, Gary Community Ventures, Colorado Rockies, Rose Community Foundation, Strohm Link Family Foundation, Telluray Foundation, UCHealth, The Weld Trust, Wold Foundation and Mike and Nancy Zoellner.

"Youth Sports Giving Day again sparked a groundswell of generosity across Colorado to lower barriers that are keeping too many kids on the sidelines," said Hanna Skandera, president and chief executive officer, the Daniels Fund. "We are so grateful to the thousands of donors who stepped up. As a result, more young people in our state will gain the life skills, including resilience, grit, and determination, that come from playing sports."

Research has long highlighted the importance of youth sports in improving academic outcomes, self‑esteem, mental and physical health and leadership skills. Active youth are also more likely to earn higher incomes later in life. In the face of rising childhood obesity, declining physical activity and growing youth mental health concerns, sports remain a vital part of healthy development.

Despite these benefits, financial barriers often prevent children, especially those in income‑constrained communities and communities of color, from accessing athletic programs. The average cost to participate in organized sports has created affordability challenges for many families, and youth often drop out of sports by age 11, with financially vulnerable populations and girls disproportionately affected.

"The support we've received during Youth Sports Giving Day means we will be able to open the door to competition, growth and transformation for so many more kids this coming year who have earned a spot, but need financial assistance," said Vickie Puchi, executive director, Chance Sports. "The impact of this funding isn't just about more games played — it's about more young people gaining confidence, building character and realizing what they're capable of. That's the true win."

About Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day
Launched in 2024, Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day is a collaborative effort between Daniels Fund, Project Play Colorado 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 are asked to give generously to ensure all children in our state can enjoy the many benefits of athletics. To learn more, visit 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.

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SOURCE Daniels Fund