The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersEast Pittsburgh, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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.
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- 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
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation industry classification
Industry- 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
Where The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- East Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and major.
- National College Resources Foundation (NCRF)minorCo-sponsor of the 8th Annual HBCU Basketball Showcase as part of Play It Forward: Game On collaboration on Nickelodeon.
- NickelodeonmajorPartnership for a six-episode renovation show on Nickelodeon as part of Play It Forward: Game On initiative.
- Under ArmourmajorCollective $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 SportsmajorReceived $1.25 million grant for equipment support to youth sports programs.
- LISCmajorReceived $1.25 million grant for infrastructure support to youth sports programs.
- Every Kid SportsmajorReceived $1.25 million grant for registration fee support to youth sports programs.
- GENYOUthminorReceived $50,000 contribution for flag football programming ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
- The Josh Gibson FoundationmajorPartnership to build the Josh Gibson Champions Club & SportsMatter Center in the Pittsburgh area.
- Sports Matter Impact League Partners (9 U.S. cities)majorMulti-year partnership program in nine U.S. cities as part of the Sports Matter Impact League.
- Brooks (Empower Her Collection)minorBrooks 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 TourminorFor each box of Sports Matter Callaway Chrome Series Triple Track 360 golf balls purchased, DICK'S donates $2 to the Foundation.
- DSG BrandminorDSG Brand donates 1% of every purchase to The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation.
- MaxfliminorFor 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.
- GameChangerminorYouth sports app partner providing scorekeeping, stats, video streaming, and coaching tools.
- Center for Healing and Justice through Sport (CHJS)majorPartnership 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
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&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
What does The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation do?
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.
Is The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation a public or private company?
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation founded?
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation based?
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation is headquartered in East Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnership Contributions.
Who are The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Good Sports, GENYOUth, NBA Foundation, NFL Foundation, MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, NHL Foundation and Every Kid Sports. Emerging players are Positive Coaching Alliance and Beyond Sport. Nike Community Impact is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation.
What industry is The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation in?
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation's product category is Youth Sports Charitable Foundation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAKAK, Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support), with a secondary code of MPAKALAJ, Cause, Community & CSR-Linked Sports Partnerships (Foundations, Youth Programs). Its NAICS code is 713940 and its SIC code is 8600.