Key Takeaways
- Players Health will dedicate 1% of company revenue to fund programs addressing youth sports access barriers through its foundation
- Children from lowest-income families participate in sports at half the rate of highest-income peers, according to Aspen Institute data
- The foundation launched in 2022 provides equipment assistance, financial aid, and coach training to underserved communities
- Players Health raised $60 million in Series C funding in late 2024, bringing total venture investment over $100 million
- Foundation programs target systemic participation gaps affecting Black and Hispanic youth and non-English speaking households
Revenue Commitment Scales Foundation Impact
Players Health announced it will commit 1% of its annual revenue to the Players Health Foundation, creating a permanent funding mechanism tied directly to company growth. The Minneapolis-based sports technology company made the announcement as part of its broader strategy to address participation barriers in youth athletics.
The foundation, established in 2022, focuses on financial assistance, equipment distribution, educational programming, and coach development. With the revenue commitment in place, foundation programs can expand their reach while maintaining consistent funding regardless of external donation cycles.
“Sports were always a central part of my life growing up, and I can’t overstate the impact they had on my journey,” said Tyrre Burks, Founder and CEO of Players Health. “By committing 1 percent of our revenue to youth sports access and safety, we are building a future where every child has a safe place to play, grow, and thrive.”
Addressing Documented Participation Disparities
Research from the Aspen Institute reveals significant gaps in youth sports participation based on income and demographics. Children from the lowest-income households play sports at roughly half the rate of those from the highest-income families. Black and Hispanic children, particularly those from homes where English is a second language, show among the lowest participation rates in organized athletics.
The Players Health Foundation targets these specific barriers through direct intervention programs. Services include covering league registration fees, providing sports equipment, and delivering mental health training for coaches working with youth athletes. The foundation’s approach addresses both immediate financial obstacles and longer-term systemic issues affecting access to youth sports.
The 1% revenue commitment creates a scaling mechanism that grows foundation resources alongside company performance, rather than relying on fixed donation amounts that may not keep pace with expanding program needs.
Foundation Programs Focus on Equipment and Training
Current foundation initiatives span multiple intervention points in the youth sports ecosystem. Equipment distribution programs supply gear to athletes who otherwise could not afford participation costs. Financial assistance covers registration fees, travel expenses, and other participation barriers.
Coach education represents another significant program area, with training modules covering mental health awareness, injury prevention, and inclusive coaching practices. These programs aim to improve both safety outcomes and participation experiences for underserved youth athletes.
The foundation also organizes community events designed to introduce sports opportunities to families who may not have prior experience with organized athletics. These events often serve as entry points for ongoing program participation.
Company Growth Supports Expanded Giving
Players Health completed a $60 million Series C funding round in late 2024, bringing total venture investment to over $100 million. The funding supports expansion across youth, collegiate, and professional sports markets while accelerating development of AI-powered risk assessment tools.
The revenue commitment model means foundation resources will grow proportionally with company performance. As Players Health expands its customer base and service offerings, the 1% dedication automatically increases available funding for youth access programs.
This approach differs from traditional corporate giving models that often remain static regardless of company growth or may fluctuate based on annual budget decisions. The percentage-based commitment provides predictable scaling for multi-year program planning.
Strategic Implications for Youth Sports Industry
Players Health’s revenue commitment represents a direct alignment between commercial growth and community impact in the sports technology sector. The model creates accountability mechanisms where business success directly translates to expanded youth access programs.
The focus on systemic barriers rather than one-time donations suggests a longer-term approach to addressing participation disparities. By targeting specific demographic gaps identified in research, the foundation programs can measure impact against documented baseline participation rates.
For the broader youth sports industry, the initiative demonstrates how technology companies can integrate social impact directly into their business models rather than treating community giving as a separate corporate responsibility function.
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