Sport builds stronger kids and communities. We’re here to make sure every child has the chance to play.
Our Mission
Educate, empower and inspire youth through sports to create healthy and supportive communities.
Our Values
FAMILY
The Mirnahill Foundation is a family endeavor, grounded in a shared commitment to giving back and strengthening our communities.
INCLUSION
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to access and benefit from high-quality sports programs.
TRUST
We deeply trust the organizations we partner with and see our work as a shared effort - meaningful impact comes through collaboration.
Why Sports?
Over 27 million kids in the U.S. play sports. That’s a powerful opportunity.
When done right, sport is one of the most effective tools we have for supporting youth development. It brings together three essential ingredients for lifelong health, success, and wellbeing:
Movement: Physical activity not only strengthens the body and prevents disease, it also helps regulate emotions, manage stress, and support mental health.
Skill-Building: Sports teach more than just technical skills. They build confidence, resilience, and teamwork among other life skills that help young people thrive on and off the field.
Connection: When young people feel safe, seen, and supported by their teammates and coaches they’re more willing to take risks, push themselves, and grow.
The Challenge
Sports have the potential to transform lives — but that potential isn't always realized. Too many young people are being left out, or left behind.
Coaches are under‑supported: While it’s encouraging that 83–90% of youth coaches report having received some training at least once (up from just 51–66% in 2018), fewer than one in three were trained in the past year on key topics like safety, emotional wellbeing, and youth development. The quality and consistency of training matters, and many coaches still report lacking the confidence to support mental health, build resilience, or connect youth with resources.
Access is inequitable: While 27 million kids participate in sports regularly, that’s only about half of all youth in the United States. Participation rates are lower among girls, youth of color, and youth with disabilities — and youth from low-income communities are half as likely to play as their more affluent peers. Cost, transportation, and limited availability of programs and play spaces are just a few of the barriers that stand in the way.
Not all programs put youth first: Too many youth programs focus on winning at all costs, rather than building life skills, confidence, and community. Without an intentional focus on youth development, sports can miss the mark and even do more harm than good.
Source: Aspen Institute Project Play, Youth Sports Facts & Challenges (2022)
Unlocking the Power of Sport
We believe in what's possible when sport is done right. When coaches are supported, programs are inclusive, and youth development is centered, sports can help kids build confidence, form lasting connections, and thrive.
That’s why we invest in community organizations that are reimagining youth sports. From the grassroots to the systems level, our partners are showing what’s possible, and together, we’re building a future where all kids can benefit.
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.”
- Nelson Mandela