Boston-based New Balance Foundation announced it has reached a major milestone of $100 million in total grants to non-profits. From an initial $31,000 grant-making investment in 1981, New Balance Foundation contributions have grown to provide millions in funding to develop high-impact, long-term, sustainable initiatives that enrich the lives of children, their families and their communities. New Balance Foundation investments focus on research-driven, long-term, collaborative relationships that prevent and treat childhood obesity.
“The New Balance Foundation is one way we live our values, which is the basis of everything we do,” said Anne Davis, managing trustee New Balance Foundation. “I am proud of the hard work and dedication of our company associates that have enabled the Foundation to grow over time and share our business success with the communities around us.”
New Balance Foundation works thoughtfully and strategically to invest in research that unlocks solutions to strengthening communities and building a healthier future for young people. The Foundation directly funds effective organizations that deliver evidence-based programming and empower youth to achieve improved health and academic success.
“We have made remarkable strides over the past 38 years, but there is still much more to do in order to realize lasting social change,” said Davis. “As the New Balance Foundation continues to grow, we create greater opportunity for our work. In the coming years, we will seek to replicate our U.S. success globally, and have already begun this expansion in the UK and China.”
In 2019, New Balance Foundation donated more than $7.5 million dollars to non-profit organizations, including a $2.5 million commitment to Massachusetts-based SquashBusters to build a dedicated squash and learning center for Lawrence youth. The first urban squash program of its kind, SquashBusters is a sports‑based, after‑school, youth development program that uses a combination of squash and fitness, academic enrichment, community service and character development to open doors to opportunity and prepare students for college. Five years ago, through the support of New Balance Foundation, SquashBusters expanded their program from Boston to Lawrence. This new state-of-the-art facility will enable the organization to serve additional youth in a more impactful way.
“The SquashBusters commitment represents the heart and soul of the Foundation’s work in that they are a dedicated sports youth development program that challenges and nurtures urban youth – as students, athletes and citizens – and enables them to recognize and fulfill their greatest potential in life,” said Molly Santry, senior manager, Global Philanthropy for New Balance Foundation.
“New Balance Foundation is a generous, accessible, committed and caring supporter,” said Greg Zaff, SquashBusters founder and CEO. “The Foundation’s recent investment in our dream to build SQB Lawrence a home is the largest gift SQB has received since its launch 24 years ago. To call it transformative is an understatement. New Balance Foundation has ensured, for at least the next 100 years, that thousands of Lawrence kids will have SQB in their lives. That will translate into a multi-generational promise of health, hope and college opportunity for an untold number of Lawrence young people, their families and the larger community.”
The Foundation currently grants to many respected and dedicated national and local non-profit organizations including Boston Children’s Hospital, Good Sports, Harlem Lacrosse, Rising New York Road Runners, local Boys & Girls Clubs, among others. More information is available at newbalancefoundation.org.
Photo courtesy New Balance
