Provided by our good friends at GoFundMe. All stories are linked directly to GoFundMe pages.
Key Takeaways
- John Tillman (Track & Field): Former Olympian raises funds for equipment to help 60+ underserved youth athletes earn college scholarships
- Dallas Texans Soccer: Luka Dončić’s surprise $1,250 donation helps team win state championship and qualify for nationals
- Rogue Rowing Juniors: Small-town Oregon team exceeds $7,000 goal to send 6 athletes to Youth National Championships
- Common Goal Montana: Nonprofit fundraises to help 15 refugee teens access soccer programs with gear, transportation, and fees
- Gustavo Magalhaes (Swimming): Teen with Down Syndrome holding 10 records seeks support for World Championships in Thailand
- Damien “Diesel” Fraley (Wrestling): Single mom working two jobs launches campaign to get her son to nationals in Fargo
- Greeley Titans Basketball: Colorado club that never cuts kids fundraises for first out-of-state tournament in Las Vegas
- Tiger Delves (Golf): First Rainier Beach student to qualify for state golf seeks new clubs to pursue University of Washington dreams
Introduction: Welcome to Feel Good Friday
In the world of youth sports business, where headlines often focus on multi-million dollar facilities and elite academies, the most transformative stories happen at the grassroots level. Welcome to Feel Good Friday—our weekly celebration of communities coming together to ensure that every child, regardless of zip code or bank account, gets their shot at greatness.
This week, we’re spotlighting eight remarkable GoFundMe campaigns that showcase how crowdfunding is democratizing access to youth sports across America. From a former Olympian equipping underserved athletes to a teen with Down Syndrome breaking swimming records, these stories prove that when communities invest in their youth, extraordinary things happen. Each campaign represents more than fundraising—they’re movements that challenge the pay-to-play model dominating youth sports today.
John Tillman: Olympic Legacy Meets Community Impact
Thirty-three years after competing in the Triple Jump at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, John Tillman is building champions in neighborhoods where opportunity rarely knocks. His GoFundMe campaign seeks $10,000 to provide state-of-the-art training equipment for the 60+ youth athletes he coaches annually in underserved communities.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. According to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, children from low-income families are six times more likely to quit sports due to lack of resources. Tillman’s 25-year coaching legacy directly combats this statistic, having produced state champions, National Junior Olympic competitors, and numerous college scholarship recipients. His holistic approach emphasizes mental strength, academic excellence, and character development alongside athletic performance.
“Coach Tillman believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” shares Jalen R., who became the first in his family to attend college through a Division I scholarship earned in Tillman’s program. The campaign’s tiered structure makes giving accessible to all: $50 for first-time supporters, $100 for essential gear, $500 for major equipment like sprint blocks, and $1,000 for game-changing tools like electronic timing systems.
Dallas Texans Soccer: When NBA Stars Lift Local Dreams
The Dallas Texans 09B soccer team’s story reads like a Hollywood script. Coach Jena Fejeran launched a modest GoFundMe seeking $5,000 for uniforms, equipment, and travel costs. Then, NBA All-Star Luka Dončić discovered their campaign.
His surprise $1,250 donation didn’t just push them past their goal—it transformed their entire season. “That donation helped us get everyone squared away—and we even registered for an extra tournament that we ended up winning,” Coach Fejeran explained. The team went on to become US Club Texas State Cup champions and qualified for the National Cup in Denver this July.
This was one of a dozen youth sports fundraisers Dončić supported before his first game back in Dallas after being traded to the LA Lakers. His investment demonstrates how professional athletes can create ripple effects in grassroots sports, turning local teams into national competitors with a single gesture of support.
Rogue Rowing Juniors: Small Town, Big Dreams
In Ashland, Oregon, six members of the Rogue Rowing Juniors achieved what many thought impossible for a small-town program—qualification for the US Rowing Youth National Championships in Florida. Their GoFundMe campaign, launched by Rebecca Requejo, sought $6,000 to cover flights, food, registration fees, boat hauling, and car rentals.
The community’s response exceeded all expectations, raising over $7,000. The qualified athletes include Toby and Marcel competing in the Men’s Youth Para Inclusive Double (marking the first time Rogue Rowing will send a para event boat to nationals), and a Youth Quad featuring Amelie, Brianna, Esme, and Kiva.
“These athletes have worked very hard to earn their spot at Youth Nationals,” noted coaches Mattea Fountain and Jillian Deller. For athletes like Brianna, a senior experiencing her first year on varsity and first nationals qualification, or Marcel, who’s only been rowing for a year and a half, this community support transforms dedication into opportunity.
Common Goal Montana: Breaking Barriers for Refugee Youth
Common Goal Montana’s mission transcends typical youth sports objectives. This Missoula-based nonprofit specifically supports refugee teens in accessing competitive soccer, recognizing that true inclusion requires more than open enrollment—it demands proactive support.
Their current GoFundMe campaign aims to help 15 refugee youth participate in club and high school soccer throughout 2025’s spring, summer, and fall seasons. Donations cover essential gear, transportation to practices and games, and registration fees that would otherwise exclude these players.
“We connect with opportunities, reduce barriers, and provide pathways for developing as players and community members,” the organization states. By addressing practical obstacles like transportation and equipment costs, Common Goal Montana ensures that soccer becomes a bridge to friendship, community integration, and personal growth for youth who’ve already overcome tremendous challenges.
Gustavo Magalhaes: Redefining Possibilities in Para Swimming
When Gustavo was born with Down Syndrome, a social worker advised his mother Marly to “lower expectations” and be “realistic” about his future. Today, the 17-year-old holds 10 Junior American Records in the International Down Syndrome Swimming Organization and has represented the United States in World Championships across Portugal, France, and Argentina.
Now, Gustavo sets his sights on the Virtus Swimming World Championships in Thailand this August. The $6,500 campaign covers airfare, registration, uniforms, coaching, lodging, and meals for this elite competition. Beyond his aquatic achievements, Gustavo excels in general education classes at Cooper City High School, defying every limitation placed upon him.
“Your kindness will help my son reach a goal that once seemed impossible—and prove that with love and determination, anything is possible,” Marly writes. Gustavo’s story embodies the transformative power of refusing to accept artificial limitations, showing how community support can help exceptional athletes reach the world stage.
Damien “Diesel” Fraley: A Mother’s Dedication, A Wrestler’s Dream
Tina Marie’s story resonates with single parents everywhere. Working two full-time jobs, she never misses her son Damien’s wrestling tournaments, “because I believe in showing up and standing behind him every step of the way.” Her dedication has paid off—Damien won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Wrestling Championship at 132 pounds, earning a spot at the prestigious USMC Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota.
While supporting her son’s athletic dreams, Tina simultaneously put her daughter through Penn State, where she’ll graduate in 2025 as an education major. Now, she turns to the community for help raising $4,000 to cover Damien’s travel and lodging expenses for nationals.
“I want my son to show the nation what Maryland wrestling and hard work is all about,” Tina shares. Her campaign highlights the sacrifices working parents make to support their children’s dreams and the vital role community support plays in making those dreams achievable.
Greeley Titans Basketball: No Cuts, No Limits
For three years, the Greeley Titans Basketball Club has maintained a revolutionary policy: they host tryouts but never cut anyone. Program Director and Head Coach Mat Roybal ensures that any player who wants to learn and grow has a spot, regardless of skill level or financial situation.
“A lot of them come from less fortunate situations, some broken families, some just needing somewhere to be and something to be a part of,” Roybal explains. Despite consistently defeating well-funded programs, the Titans lack major sponsors. Their GoFundMe campaign seeks support for their first out-of-state tournament—the 365 Grassroots National Basketball Tournament in Las Vegas.
Roybal’s philosophy challenges the exclusionary nature of elite youth sports. By prioritizing inclusion over competition, the Titans create a model where belonging matters more than baseline talent, proving that given opportunity and support, “just a bunch of Greeley kids” can compete with anyone.
Tiger Delves: Historic Achievement, Humble Equipment
Tiger Delves made history as the first Rainier Beach High School student to qualify for the state golf championship. This milestone represents not just personal achievement but community pride. Yet Tiger competes with five-year-old used clubs that are chipped and worn, limiting his distance and accuracy compared to competitors with modern equipment.
His $5,000 GoFundMe campaign breaks down into $3,000 for custom-fitted clubs, $500 for tournament entry fees, and $1,500 for travel and training expenses. The immediate goal? Walk on to the University of Washington golf team and compete at the collegiate level.
“Playing in competition is completely different from practice. It tests your nerves, focus, and mental toughness,” Tiger explains. His story highlights how equipment disparities create invisible barriers in sports like golf, where technology significantly impacts performance. Community support can level this playing field, ensuring talent and dedication determine outcomes rather than access to resources.
The Bigger Picture: Transforming Youth Sports Through Community Action
These eight stories represent more than individual fundraising campaigns—they’re part of a growing movement challenging the commodification of youth sports. When communities rally behind their young athletes through platforms like GoFundMe, they’re not just funding equipment or travel. They’re investing in futures, breaking cycles of limited opportunity, and proving that grassroots support can match or exceed traditional funding models.
The impact extends far beyond sports. Every scholarship earned, every national competition reached, every barrier broken sends ripples through communities. These young athletes become role models, showing peers that dreams are achievable regardless of circumstances. Parents like Tina Marie demonstrate that dedication transcends resources. Coaches like John Tillman and Mat Roybal prove that believing in young people can transform lives.
As we celebrate these Feel Good Friday stories, we’re reminded that youth sports at its best isn’t about creating professional athletes—it’s about developing confident, disciplined, resilient young people who believe in their ability to overcome any obstacle. When communities come together to support that mission, everyone wins.
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