Meet some nonprofits supported by Athletes Unlimited athletes

In honor of National Youth Sports Week, learn about some Give Lively member nonprofits supported this year by Athletes Unlimited athletes!

October 7, 2024

Clair Lofthouse

Technical Writer

Participation in sports supports the physical health of young people and provides myriad benefits in mental health, like learning social skills, lowering rates of anxiety and depression, boosting cognitive performance and alleviating loneliness (Scripps Health).

National Youth Sports Week, which took place this year from September 23-28, celebrates the transformative power of youth sports. The week is dedicated to highlighting sports' positive impact on young people, advocating for their importance and providing valuable resources to strengthen youth sports programs.

National Youth Sports Week is the perfect time to share one of the amazing projects Give Lively helps facilitate: Athletes Unlimited (AU).

Athletes Unlimited’s mission is to change the world one sport at a time. AU creates professional sports leagues featuring world-class athletes, embraces the athletes as civic leaders and works to impact positive social change. In doing so, it elevates the athletes as role models for the next generation of athletes and fans. The aim is to create a community of athletes and fans who recognize that the qualities that lead to excellence on the field are the same qualities that create strong civic leaders and participants in civic life.

In support of this mission, AU has partnered with Give Lively and the Give Lively Foundation to allow its athletes to play their season in part for the benefit of a nonprofit organization of their choice. At the end of each season, the Give Lively Foundation makes a grant to the selected nonprofit equal to 100% of the athlete’s end-of-season “win” bonus. (Athletes Unlimited was co-founded by a Give Lively co-founder. Read the inspiring Athletes Unlimited story.)

Here are some of the Give Lively member nonprofits supported this year by Athletes Unlimited athletes!

The Nonprofits

Basketball 2024

Special Olympics USA National Team
‍Supported by Maddy Siegrist (forward)

Special Olympics South Carolina
‍Supported by Theresa Plaisance (center/forward) and Kelsey Mitchell (guard)

Special Olympics Texas
‍Supported by Te'a Cooper (point guard/guard)

Softball 2024

Natasha Watley Foundation
‍Supported by Hannah Flippen (infield), Morgan Zerkle (infield), Aliyah Andrews (outfield), Odicci Alexander (right-handed pitcher), Sharlize Palacios (catcher), Jadelyn Allchin (outfield)

Peaches Foundation
‍Founded by Megan Wiggins (outfield), supported by Jessi Warren (infield), Delanie Wisz (infield), and Gwen Svekis (catcher)