Breaking Down Barriers for Student-Athletes with Chance Sports  

“When kids are participating in competitive sports, they’re engaged in positive peer relationships, connected with meaningful adult mentors. They’re building community and receiving all the mental health benefits that come from being a part of a team,” said Colorado state senator and co-founder of Chance Sports James Coleman in his Big Idea talk at Philanthropy Roundtable’s 2024 Annual Meeting in October. 

Transforming lives since 2022, Chance Sports provides financial scholarships to cover a portion of participation costs for student-athletes. By rewarding hard work and equal opportunity, Chance Sports provides young athletes with leadership and team-building skills that will benefit them on and off the athletic field. 

“The fact is, there’s a glaring disparity of access for programs for our lower income youth,” he added. “Lower income youth are six times more likely to drop out of a sport than their middle to high income peers.” 

In his talk, Coleman discussed three talented young athletes who worked tirelessly to excel at club sports, but whose families did not have the money to have them attend until they received a Chance Sports scholarship. 

“Because of Chance Sports, Dudley never had to tell his daughter Zenobia she couldn’t go to the national tournament, tournaments that she earned the right to be at. Our scholarship helped cover the cost of travel to Philadelphia, where Zenobia took first in the country in the long jump for freshmen. She then went on to Junior Olympics in Houston and took eighth in the country in the triple jump,” said Coleman. 

“Sports break down barriers – social, economic and racial. It builds character and confidence. It builds minds and bodies. It builds community and it forms leaders. I truly believe that playing sports is one of the most effective ways to teach our young people the transformational value.”

If you are interested in learning more about how Philanthropy Roundtable supports donors committed to youth development, please contact Pathways to Opportunity Program Director Stephen Allison here.