Lately, there’s been an outpouring of support for community-based action sports initiatives. We’ve taken the time to compile a non-comprehensive list of organizations in the skateboard, snowboard, and ski industry seeking to provide the elements to improve the livelihood of children, adults, and communities alike. There are many ways you can help their efforts, such as volunteering your time teaching how to ride, donating funds, and spreading awareness around these foundations and their goals. Check them out below.
Harold Hunter Foundation
The Harold Hunter Foundation (HHF) is in memory of skateboarder Harold Hunter. A nonprofit organization based in New York City with a fundamental goal of providing a network of support, opportunity, and advocacy for NYC youth.
Tony Hawk Foundation
Established by Tony Hawk, the Tony Hawk Foundation’s mission is to provide access to safe and legal places to skate across America.
ASK Foundation (Action Sports Kids)
A nonprofit organization based in Long Beach, CA, Action Sports Kids Foundation (ASK) is dedicated to providing youth an alternative to the streets and gangs through sports such as skateboarding, education, and community involvement.
Make Life Skate Life
Make Life Skate Life (MLSL) is devoted to skate culture and seeks to nurture grassroots communities. Since 2013, MLSL has developed community skateparks in India, Bolivia, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Nepal, Morocco, Iraq, and Brazil.
Skateistan
Empowering children through skateboarding and education, Skateistan is an international nonprofit organization in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa seeking to allow children to become leaders for a better world. Skateistan’s focus is on groups who are often excluded from sports and educational opportunities, especially girls, children living with disabilities, and those from low-income backgrounds.
Ben Raemers Foundation
The Ben Raemers Foundation aims to end the stigma and burden around mental health by bringing awareness of these issues to the forefront into the broader skateboarding community.
Dylan Reider Foundation and Cancer Research
In 2016, beloved skateboarder Dylan Reider lost his battle against Leukemia due to complications. His foundation was made to continue the fight against cancer by providing all donations and proceeds to the City of Hope Cancer Center.
Sheckler Foundation
“Be the Change!” is what the Sheckler Foundation is based on. Started in 2008, the Sheckler Foundation’s goal is to educate, equip, and empower skate communities. The 10th annual Skate for a Cause Tour set out on a ten stop tour, giving away $10,000 grants at each location to help jump-start plans and make them a reality.
Next Up
Based in Anaheim, CA, Next Up believes in the power of skateboarding to change children’s lives. Founded in 2009, Next Up began hosting skateboarding programs at a local park and continues to serve a growing group of elementary and middle school kids through mentorship and academic support.
CSEF (College Skateboarding Education Foundation)
The College Skateboarding Education Foundation understands the hardships of young adults within the skateboarding community who work hard and deserver opportunities that require a college or institutional training education. Skateboarders have not been encouraged to pursue higher education and, more often than not, work less than ideal jobs that make it difficult to achieve such a notion. CSEF is here to provide financial relief to those deserving skateboarders.
Concrete Jungle Foundation
International nonprofit Concrete Jungle (CJF) uses skateboarding as a tool to stimulate positive personal and community development for underprivileged youth.
Flipping Youth
Flipping Youth aims to improve the lives of young people from challenging environments through sports, creative arts, and entrepreneurship. Skateboarding is used to connect youth, overcome obstacles, and socially mix in a positive environment with free educational lessons on discrimination and racial inequality.
Textured Waves
Textured Waves was created to spread the culture and sport of women’s surfing towards women of color through representation, community, and sisterly camaraderie.
Chill
Chill’s youth development program utilizes board sports and core values to help develop a framework for learning and growth, supported by skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing.
Shred Foundation
The Shred Foundation focuses on instilling confidence among youth by using snowboarding to boost their belief that they can succeed at whatever it is they put their mind to.
Stoked
STOKED uses board sports to create a community of leaders through mentoring, opportunities, and action. Through skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding, Stoked empowers underserved youth to reach their fullest potential.
Dillon Ojo Lifeline Foundation
Founded in honor and memory of snowboarder Dillion Charles-Ojo, the Dillion Ojo Lifeline Foundation was set up to grant access to underprivileged youth to pursue sports programs, summer camps, and other activities.
National Brotherhood of Skiers
The National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS) has a history that dates back to 1972. Today, the NBS has 55 clubs representing 43 cities and a membership of 3,500. NBS sets out to represent black skiers coming together to identify and discuss problems and subjects which are unique to the black skiing population.
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