The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation

What The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation does

The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation is a private, non-profit charitable foundation established in 2014 and wholly owned by DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE: DKS), sharing its headquarters at 345 Court Street, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. The Foundation operates the Sports Matter program, which channels grant funding and program support to under-resourced youth sports organizations across all 50 states, with eligibility tied to 501(c)(3) status and serving zip codes with 15%+ poverty rates, or public/charter schools where at least 50% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

The Foundation's core offering is Sports Matter Grants covering four barrier categories: equipment, registration fees, league costs, and infrastructure, complemented by the Most Valuable Coach program (Healing-Centered Coaching resources delivered with the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport) and the newly launched Sports Matter Impact League, a multi-year place-based partnership in nine U.S. cities. Donations flow through a Classy-powered online giving portal, in-store checkout programs at DICK'S, Golf Galaxy, Going Going Gone!, and DICK'S House of Sport storefronts, and corporate partner product-based contributions (DSG Brand 1% of purchases, Brooks per-item donations through 2026, Callaway/Maxfli per-unit donations, Under Armour $1M commitment).

Since inception, the Foundation has committed over $100M to youth sports, serving 3M+ kids across 42 sports. In 2024, $9.9M+ was raised from checkout donations and $15.9M+ distributed in grants to 760,000+ kids; YE 2025 disbursed $1.7M to 113 programs alongside three $1.25M anchor grants. The Foundation is a grant-deploying charity rather than a technology platform, with operational reliance on shared DICK'S Sporting Goods corporate infrastructure and a six-person foundation team.

Name

The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation

Legal name

The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation

Website

https://sportsmatter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation is a private non-profit that funds youth sports in under-resourced U.S. communities through the Sports Matter program, distributing grants for equipment, registration, league costs, and infrastructure to 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible schools across all 50 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Charitable Foundation

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Cause, Community & CSR-Linked Sports Partnerships (Foundations, Youth Programs) (MPAKALAJ), Sports Community Relations & Grassroots Program Management (MPAKAKAJ), Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support (EDALAIAN)

Keywords

• Youth sports grants
• Charitable foundation
• Community sports funding
• Nonprofit philanthropy
• Athletic program support

Headquarters

HQ city

East Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The Foundation raises funds through individual donations, corporate partnerships, and retail checkout donations at DICK'S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Going, Going, Gone!, and DICK'S House of Sport stores. In 2024, over $9.9M was raised from checkout donations alone.
2. Corporate Partnership Contributions: Corporate partners contribute through product sales percentage donations (e.g., DSG Brand donates 1% of every purchase), per-item donations (e.g., Brooks, Callaway, Maxfli), and direct grant co-funding (e.g., Under Armour $1M commitment).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation that funds youth sports participation in under-resourced U.S. communities through the Sports Matter program. It awards grants to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public/charter schools covering equipment, registration fees, league costs, and infrastructure, while raising money via individual donations, corporate partnerships, and checkout donations at DICK'S Sporting Goods retail banners. It also delivers coaching resources such as the Most Valuable Coach (MVC) program and Healing-Centered Coaching guides.

Product overview

The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation operates the Sports Matter Program as its core initiative, providing grants and support to youth sports organizations across all 50 states. The program has committed over $100 million since 2014 and helped over 3 million kids play sports. Key offerings include Sports Matter Grants for equipment, registration fees, and infrastructure; the Most Valuable Coach (MVC) program with Healing-Centered Coaching resources; the Sports Matter Impact League multi-city partnership program; and a donation platform enabling both online and in-store checkout contributions. The Foundation's digital presence at sportsmatter.org serves as an information hub and grant application portal, complemented by a coaching resources center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sports Matter: Youth sports grant and support program focusing on under-resourced communities

Products and services

• Sports Matter Grants Financial grants awarded by invitation to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving youth in zip codes with 15%+ poverty rates, and to public/charter schools where at least 50% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch. Grants cover equipment, registration fees, league costs, and infrastructure support to remove financial barriers to youth sports participation.
• Most Valuable Coach (MVC) Program A coaching certification and resource program that trains youth sports coaches in Healing-Centered Coaching techniques to help young athletes build confidence, resilience, and emotional regulation through sports. Targeted at volunteer and community coaches serving under-resourced youth programs.
• Healing-Centered Coaching Guide A comprehensive digital coaching guide and toolkit developed in partnership with the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport (CHJS) to support trauma-informed, Healing-Centered Coaching practices for youth athletes.
• Sports Matter Impact League A multi-year partnership program operating in nine U.S. cities that delivers sustained grant funding and resources to youth sports organizations serving under-resourced communities.
• Online Donation Platform An online donation system that allows individual donors to make tax-deductible contributions to support youth sports programs, with one-time and recurring gift options available through the Classy.org platform.
• Checkout Donation Program An in-store and online checkout donation mechanism available at DICK'S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Going, Going, Gone!, and DICK'S House of Sport retail banners, enabling customers to round up or donate to the foundation at the point of sale. Raised over $9.9 million in 2024.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 million+ kids kept in the game
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and major.

• National College Resources Foundation (NCRF)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 April 2026Co-sponsor of the 8th Annual HBCU Basketball Showcase as part of Play It Forward: Game On collaboration on Nickelodeon.
• NickelodeonmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 April 2026Partnership for a six-episode renovation show on Nickelodeon as part of Play It Forward: Game On initiative.
• Under ArmourmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2026Collective $1 million commitment to the Click Clack: Next Era Grant, a girls flag football grant program delivered by Beyond Sport. Includes financial resources, equipment, apparel, and coach education through Positive Coaching Alliance.
• Good SportsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Received $1.25 million grant for equipment support to youth sports programs.
• LISCmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Received $1.25 million grant for infrastructure support to youth sports programs.
• Every Kid SportsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Received $1.25 million grant for registration fee support to youth sports programs.
• GENYOUthminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Received $50,000 contribution for flag football programming ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
• The Josh Gibson FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to build the Josh Gibson Champions Club & SportsMatter Center in the Pittsburgh area.
• Sports Matter Impact League Partners (9 U.S. cities)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Multi-year partnership program in nine U.S. cities as part of the Sports Matter Impact League.
• Brooks (Empower Her Collection)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrooks and DICK'S Sporting Goods donate $1 per pair of socks, $5 per clothing item, and $10 per pair of shoes with the Foundation logo sold through December 31, 2026, up to $500,000 combined.
• Callaway Chrome TourminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFor each box of Sports Matter Callaway Chrome Series Triple Track 360 golf balls purchased, DICK'S donates $2 to the Foundation.
• DSG BrandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDSG Brand donates 1% of every purchase to The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation.
• MaxfliminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFor each box of Maxfli Tour Max Align, Tour X Max Align, or Tour S Max Align Sports Matter golf balls purchased, $2 goes directly to Sports Matter.
• GameChangerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth sports app partner providing scorekeeping, stats, video streaming, and coaching tools.
• Center for Healing and Justice through Sport (CHJS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide Healing-Centered Coaching resources and training to help youth athletes with mental health and positive outcomes through sport.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Good Sports: Nonprofit that provides sports equipment, apparel, and footwear grants to under-resourced youth programs. Directly comparable to Sports Matter as both fund equipment, registration, and infrastructure for youth sports access; the DICK'S Foundation itself awarded Good Sports a $1.25M grant in 2025.
• GENYOUth: National nonprofit that activates youth wellness through physical activity and nutrition, including flag football programming. Highly comparable mission around youth sports participation, and a direct partner (received $50K from DICK'S Foundation in 2025).
• NBA Foundation: The NBA's philanthropic entity focused on economic empowerment through sport for underserved youth. Comparable mission and structure as a corporate-affiliated foundation driving youth outcomes through sports programming and grants.
• NFL Foundation: The charitable arm of the National Football League, focused on youth football participation and character development. Comparable as a sports-league-affiliated foundation channeling corporate and league resources into youth sports access and grants.
• MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation: Joint Major League Baseball and players' association foundation funding youth baseball and softball programs. Directly comparable as a league-funded foundation channeling resources to under-resourced youth sports programs nationwide.
• NHL Foundation: National Hockey League's charitable arm supporting youth hockey access. Comparable as another major professional league foundation channeling corporate funding into youth sports participation grants and infrastructure.
• Every Kid Sports: Nonprofit providing registration-fee grants for low-income families to enroll kids in youth sports. Highly comparable focus on registration-fee barrier removal; received $1.25M from DICK'S Foundation in 2025 to scale this work.

Emerging players

• Positive Coaching Alliance: Nonprofit developing better coaches through workshops and resources, and a direct partner of the DICK'S Foundation (delivers coach education for the Click Clack grant). Comparable on the coaching-quality dimension of youth sports access rather than direct grantmaking.
• Beyond Sport: Global organization that supports and convenes sport-based social impact initiatives; delivers the Click Clack grant on behalf of DICK'S Foundation. Comparable as an ecosystem convener/funder in youth sports philanthropy rather than a direct grantmaking peer.

Broad incumbents

• Nike Community Impact: Nike's corporate social impact programs channel resources into youth sport access globally. Comparable as a major athletic-goods corporate foundation driving youth sports participation, but at significantly larger scale and global footprint than DICK'S Foundation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DicksFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/dicksfoundation
• TikToktiktok.com/@dicksfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sportsmatter

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation