PRINCETON, N.J. -- The new Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Sports Award announced Thursday the Chicago Fire Foundation as one of six finalists that are strengthening communities through sport. The winners will be announced on September 10, 2015 at an event in Princeton, N.J., where the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) will host a day of learning, networking and celebrating excellence in the field.
The Sports Award builds on the Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy-presented by RWJF for the past decade-by placing a greater emphasis on collaboration across communities and sectors to foster a Culture of Health, the Foundation's core vision. The award recognizes innovative and influential approaches to using sports to make communities healthier places to live. Approaches may include: helping children maintain a healthy weight, creating safe play environments, encouraging positive behaviors, eliminating bullying, abuse and violence, and expanding opportunities for children living in poverty.
"The finalists for our inaugural Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Sports Award are outstanding examples of organizations dedicated to a Culture of Health," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of RWJF. "Collectively, the finalists represent collaboration and innovation at its finest in using sports as a means to improve well-being in communities across the nation."
The Chicago Fire Foundation was one of two professional sports team foundations and community relations departments to be included in the list of finalists:
"The Chicago Fire Foundation (Major League Soccer), established in 1998, is the first nonprofit created by an MLS team. Its goal is to contribute to the quality of life in Chicago and the surrounding communities. The foundation develops programs that reach out to Chicago area communities and makes significant contributions to enhance the lives of disadvantaged youth throughout the area. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $1.7 million in grants and contributions. It runs year-round programs that address the individual health of participants and the environment in which they live, taking a holistic approach to sports-based programming. The Foundation launched Premier Skills, an innovative program that creates safer play spaces and uses sports to promote inclusion and teach new skills. The main program is situated on the unofficial border between two rival gang territories, previously avoided by neighborhood residents. Premier Skills has transformed the culture of the neighborhood by creating an engaging and welcoming space."
Additional Finalists:
The Portland Trail Blazers (National Basketball Association) supports nonprofit organizations in Oregon and Southwest Washington to help make the region a better place for children and families where they live, learn and play. They are part of an Oregon Active Schools collaborative effort with other local companies.
The Israel Idonije Foundation was established in 2007 by 11-year NFL veteran Israel Idonije. The Foundation serves Chicago, Winnipeg, Canada and West Africa, all of which Idonije has called home. It aims to engage underserved and underprivileged communities by providing five core programs dedicated to building social and emotional life skills.
The Tony Hawk Foundation focuses on supporting and empowering youth. Since 2002, the Foundation has provided critical advocacy training to more than 2,000 community groups and awarded more than $5.3 million to develop skateparks.
USTA Foundation, Inc. is the national charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), which teamed up with the National Junior Tennis & Learning network (NJTL) in 2014 to create an operating foundation reaching more than 225,000 youth each year.
Doc Wayne Youth Services fuses sports and therapy to heal and strengthen youth who struggle with mental illness. The organization works primarily with low-income youth suffering from a variety of mental health challenges largely caused by complex trauma including neglect, abuse, violent crime and sexual trafficking.
This release includes information provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
