8 Nonprofit Sports Organizations in Texas
One of the true beauties of sports is how it can unite people for good. Countless nonprofit sports organizations combine a passion for sports with community outreach and personal development. Nonprofit organizations may use sports to support a cause or to reach out to groups typically unable to participate in athletics. Texas has many nonprofit sports organizations, and these 8 display just some of the amazing work being done in the Lone Star State.
Total City Sports
Founded in 2009 to help the students of central and east Austin, Total City Sports offers affordable athletic programs of all types to kids. The program combines sports with mentoring and discipleship relationships with adult volunteers. With a variety of programs from summer camps to skills clinics to club sports, there are plenty of options for both volunteering and partnership.
Special Olympics Texas
Texas’ chapter of the national Special Olympics organization offers year-round sports training and competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. With events ranging from bocce to sailing, Special Olympics has a lot to offer. The organization has an extensive infrastructure in Texas with 19 offices across the state. Volunteers are needed as coaches, officials, competition assistants and committee members.
BALLER Camps San Antonio
This San Antonio basketball nonprofit works to engage incoming middle school students in athletics while stressing the importance of life lessons. The group uses the structure of basketball to teach teamwork, personal accountability and tenacity. Most importantly, each camp is free for students in need.
Texas Adaptive Aquatics
Begun in 1989, Texas Adaptive Aquatics (TAA) offers people with mental and physical disabilities the chance to participate in water sports. This program gives those with disabilities the opportunity to experience the excitement that water skiing, sailing and kayaking have to offer. Since its founding, TAA has helped more than 15,000 citizens with disabilities participate in water sports. All of the group’s activities and equipment are funded or donated by volunteers and supporters.
RISE Adaptive Sports
The mission of RISE Adaptive Sports is “to assist persons with physical challenges to Recover, Inspire, Succeed and Empower themselves and others by providing inclusive adaptive recreational sports programs.” The group offers all of its programs 100 percent free of charge in sports like soccer, rugby and even hunting. By offering an opportunity for people with disabilities to pursue athletic activity, RISE helps them become more active and form meaningful relationships with others.
Angela Stanford Foundation
Founded by LPGA golfer and North Texas native Angela Stanford, the foundation seeks to use golf to improve the communities of her home region. Stanford’s group runs a charity golf tournament and gala event featuring celebrity golfers to benefit the foundation’s scholarship fund for students affected by cancer. The group also puts on a free golf clinic for young people interested in learning the game every year.
Horns for Hope
The University of Texas Longhorns are among the most recognizable names in Texas sports, and their Horns for Hope community outreach program has done tremendous good for the state. Whether it’s the complimentary ticket program for disabled and underprivileged youth, the massive canned goods drive or the constant cancer awareness promotions, the Longhorns have never shied away from giving back. Other initiatives include a reading program, STEM challenge and the “Orange Santa” toy drive.
Livestrong
Started by Texas native Lance Armstrong, the Livestrong Foundation has become a national leader in promoting cancer awareness and general wellness. The group has never strayed away from its sports roots, offering grants for nonprofit youth sports across the country. These grants help volunteer-driven sports initiatives continue their mission to better their communities through sports. Livestrong also uses sports-related events to promote cancer causes.
Nonprofit Sports Organizations and Making a Difference Through Sport
Sports will always be a popular method to execute community outreach and personal development programs. At Concordia University Texas, we offer an online Master of Education in Sports Administration that can help you combine your passion for sports with making a difference in the lives of others. The fully online program allow students to maintain their personal and work responsibilities while pursuing their career goals.