What IRONMAN Foundation does

The IRONMAN Foundation, Inc. (EIN# 65-1172979) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2003 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida. It operates as the independent charitable arm of The IRONMAN Group, creating positive change in IRONMAN race communities worldwide through grant funding and volunteerism; since inception it has delivered over $60 million in giveback to more than 10,000 nonprofit organizations and currently distributes approximately $2 million annually to 1,000+ grantees.

The Foundation's product surface is organized around two engines: athlete fundraising and community grantmaking. On the fundraising side it runs TEAM IMF (triathlon fundraising athletes with commitments of $1,450–$3,800 plus benefits like Zoot race kits and low bib numbers), TEAM Rock This Town (a Rock 'n' Roll Running Series equivalent), Community Fund race entries (approximately 50% tax-deductible), the Your Journey Your Cause personal-cause program, and IRONMAN World Championship and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Charity Bibs in Kona and Nice. On the grantmaking side it operates Swim Ready, Bikes For Kids, IRONKIDS scholarships, the Community Grant Program, Volunteerism Grants, and the Dave Orlowski Memorial Grant. Special-event revenue comes from the annual Kona Underpants Run ($30 participation, $400K+ cumulative) and the Laulima Auction / World Championship Charity Bib Auction. Technology is non-proprietary: the Foundation uses DonorDrive for fundraising, Givergy and Network for Good for auctions, and Neon One for its website.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that includes IRONMAN Group CEO Scott DeRue (ex-officio), Reid Shellhous (Board President, former CFO of Accuserve and ServiceMaster Brands), Louis Goldberg (former Davis Polk M&A partner, Forbes Top Lawyer 2025), Julie Moss (IRONMAN Hall of Famer), Johnny O'Brien, Nick Paskiewicz, Robert Whitman (Whitman Peterson co-founder; Franklin Covey chairman), and Elizabeth Wood (ex-J&J marketing). Day-to-day operations are led by President Shane Facteau, Executive Director/VP Audra Tassone, Director of Operations & Community Relations Kaitlin Brunner, Development Manager Andrea Fisher, Community Relations Coordinator Mikayla DiNapoli, and Development Coordinator Cooper Lake. The Foundation has launched initiatives including the 2020 Race For Change DE&I program (in partnership with Kaleidoscope Group) and the 2020 IRONAID COVID-19 support fund ($500K+ to 200 organizations).

Name

IRONMAN Foundation

Legal name

The IRONMAN Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://ironmanfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The IRONMAN Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 that raises funds through endurance athletes and IRONMAN race events to deliver grants and volunteer programs to nonprofit organizations in race communities worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Philanthropy & Charitable Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Spectator Sports (71121), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Triathlon & Multisport Events (Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquathlon) (MPAKAIAB), Virtual & Hybrid Participation Events (App-Based, Remote/Hybrid Races) (MPAKAIAH)

Keywords

• Charitable grant funding
• Athlete fundraising programs
• Community giveback initiatives
• Nonprofit foundation services
• Youth sports empowerment

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The foundation generates revenue through charitable donations, athlete fundraising through TEAM IMF program, Community Fund race entries with charitable component, and direct mail donations.
2. Laulima Auction: Annual online auction featuring IRONMAN World Championship packages and experiences, with proceeds benefiting the foundation's community giveback programs.
3. Race Entry Surcharges: Community Fund race entries include a charitable donation component (approximately 50% of entry is tax-deductible), providing ongoing revenue stream tied to IRONMAN race participation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The IRONMAN Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates positive, tangible change in IRONMAN race communities through grant funding and volunteerism. It enables endurance athletes to fundraise in exchange for complimentary race entries and exclusive benefits, then channels the proceeds to local nonprofit organizations in race communities worldwide. Core offerings include athlete fundraising programs (TEAM IMF, TEAM Rock This Town), charitable race entry options (Community Fund, Charity Bibs), youth empowerment initiatives (Swim Ready, Bikes For Kids, IRONKIDS), and grant programs.

Product overview

The IRONMAN Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates positive, tangible change in IRONMAN race communities through grant funding and volunteerism. The organization's product portfolio centers on athlete fundraising programs (TEAM IMF, TEAM Rock This Town), race participation options (Community Fund Entry, Charity Bibs), youth empowerment initiatives (Swim Ready, Bikes For Kids, IRONKIDS), grant programs (Community Grants, Volunteerism Grants, Dave Orlowski Memorial Grant), and special events (Kona Underpants Run, Laulima Auction). These programs enable athletes to Race For More by combining their athletic pursuits with charitable giving, directing funds to local nonprofit organizations in IRONMAN race communities worldwide. Since 2003, the Foundation has provided over $60 million in giveback to over 10,000 organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TEAM IMF: The IRONMAN Foundation's fundraising athlete team program where athletes race and fundraise to support race communities.
• TEAM Rock This Town
• Race For Change
• IRONAID
• Operation Gold Star
• Women For Tri
• Swim Ready
• Bikes For Kids
• Your Journey Your Cause

Quantifiable outcome

• $60 million+ in charitable giveback to 10,000+ organizations since 2003
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• Kaleidoscope GroupstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 21 April 2021The IRONMAN Group retained Kaleidoscope Group as the nation's premier Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultancy to lead transformation through Race For Change initiative and internal DE&I efforts. Partnership supports goal of increasing Black athlete participation five-fold within five years.
• Kahiau Together (Hawai'i Community Foundation)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020IRONMAN Foundation pledged $1 million to help feed Island of Hawai'i community through Kahiau Together initiative, supporting local food security during COVID-19 pandemic.
• HOKA ONE ONEcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHOKA ONE ONE has partnered with IRONMAN Foundation on multiple initiatives including the Kona Underpants Run event sponsorship, Hurricane Michael relief efforts, California wildfire relief, and race week activities. Partnership includes event sponsorship, product donations for auctions and VIP experiences.
• Wood UnderwearcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWood Underwear is the official Underpants of the Kona Underpants Run (KUPR), providing official underwear to event participants as part of the $30 participation donation.
• Firehouse Subs Public Safety FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership providing critical life-saving equipment to first responders at IRONMAN events. Multiple grants of $25,000-$37,000 provided for equipment including CPR training in Lake Placid, AED equipment, and Madison Police Department support.
• Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for adaptive surf clinics and Swim Ready programs. CAF provides expertise in adaptive sports and access to athlete community. IRONMAN Foundation supports CAF's mission through grant funding and event collaborations.
• YMCA (Various Locations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA locations including Treasure Valley Family YMCA (Boise), YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga, Family YMCA of Marion and Polk County, YMCA of Greater Houston, and YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina are Swim Ready program grantees receiving funding for aquatic programs.
• FramebridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Operation IRONAID Face Masks program - Framebridge repurposes new and unused shirts into non-sterile face masks distributed to first responders and organizations serving individuals in need during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Good360minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Framebridge and IRONMAN Foundation for Operation IRONAID Face Masks distribution, helping coordinate delivery of repurposed face masks to 40,000+ recipients including Professional Firefighters of Arizona, City of San Francisco, Nashville Rescue Mission.
• Precision Fuel & HydrationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrecision Fuel & Hydration sponsors the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Charity Bibs program. Title sponsor providing elevated race week experience and accommodations for charity bib athletes at Nice, France event.
• Zoot SportscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerZoot provides TEAM IMF athletes with complimentary Zoot racesuits, TEAM IMF custom racesuits for ambassadors, and gear including shirts, hats, and SWAG. Partnership provides over $2,000 in value to TEAM IMF participants.
• ShokzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShokz provides OpenSwim headphones as rewards for TEAM IMF Extra Mile Club - athletes who raise $300 or more beyond their commitment receive free headphones.
• Quintana Roo BikesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQuintana Roo provides V-PR Bike (retail value $10,000) as grand prize for TEAM IMF Beyond Challenge - top overall fundraiser beyond minimum receives bike package.
• ROKAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerROKA provides swim package including Maverick Full Sleeved Wetsuit, Viper X.3 Swimskin, and goggles (retail value $2,000) as runner-up prize for TEAM IMF Beyond Challenge.
• HOKAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHOKA provides running shoes and run gear as third-place prize for TEAM IMF Beyond Challenge. Also provides gear for foundation programs.
• Daniel R. Sayre Memorial FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded Dave Orlowski Memorial Grant as part of $40,000 provided by IRONMAN Foundation to Kailua-Kona community in 2022 for World Championship support.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Right To Play: Global nonprofit that uses sport and play to educate and empower children. Operates athlete-ambassador fundraising programs analogous to TEAM IMF Ambassadors, with comparable youth-development and community-sport mission overlap.
• Back on My Feet: Nonprofit that uses running to help individuals experiencing homelessness, homelessness, and addiction achieve self-sufficiency. Directly comparable model: endurance-sport participation combined with community impact and corporate fitness partnerships.
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Team In Training: Historic endurance sports fundraising program pairing marathon, triathlon, and cycling participation with charitable commitments. Directly comparable fundraising model (athlete commits to fundraise in exchange for race entry and benefits) to TEAM IMF.
• Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF): A 501(c)(3) that provides grants and opportunities for athletes with physical challenges, often leveraging endurance sports fundraising. CAF is a current IRONMAN Foundation grant recipient and adaptive sports program partner, operating a directly comparable sports-charity model.
• World Bicycle Relief: Nonprofit that provides bicycles to students, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs in developing regions, with strong endurance sport and corporate partnership ties. Mirrors the IRONMAN Foundation's Bikes For Kids model and athlete-driven fundraising approach.
• National Children's Cancer Foundation / NCCF Golf Events: Nonprofit focused on children's cancer that pairs endurance and golf-based fundraising with grants. Shares the IRONMAN Foundation's hybrid athlete-fundraising + community-grant model, though anchored in oncology rather than youth sports access.

Broad incumbents

• The V Foundation for Cancer Research: Major sports-tied charitable foundation (named for Jim Valvano) that raises funds through athletic events including endurance fundraising. Operates a much larger endowment and grant scale but shares the model of linking athletic participation to charitable giving.
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Run/Walk Fundraising: Receives endurance-sport-linked charitable contributions (St. Jude was an early IRONMAN Foundation grant recipient via the Dave Orlowski Memorial Grant). Comparable as a high-profile nonprofit benefiting from race-community charitable tie-ins.
• Special Olympics: Large global nonprofit providing athletic training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Comparable in mission scope (sport-for-impact, athlete fundraising, community-based programming) though at a much larger scale than the IRONMAN Foundation.
• Susan G. Komen - Race for the Cure: Major health charity whose signature Race for the Cure series is a foundational example of athletic-event-based charitable fundraising. Comparable fundraising mechanic (registration + community impact) to IRONMAN Foundation's Community Fund and TEAM IMF programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCk3WjqzeJihLYY1BZ844zZA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-ironman-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IRONMAN Foundation