The Athletic Club Foundation, an all-volunteer non-profit organization that supports youth by investing in amateur athletic programs in Indiana, is pleased to announce it has awarded its annual grants to ten local organizations to help fund youth sports programs. The Foundation has allocated grant funding to the following organizations: Mother Theodore Catholic Academies, Providence Cristo Rey High School, Indy Public Safety Foundation, IMPD Youth Mountain Bike Project, the Oaks Academy, Black Talon Wrestling Club, Broad Ripple Haverford Little League, Johnson County Boys and Girls Club, Renewal Neighborhood Ministry and Special Olympics Indiana.
Mother Theodore Catholic Academies:
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- Monies to cover all or a portion of the following items: indoor retractable bleachers, participation fees for students.
- The MTCA includes Holy Cross Central School and the NDAA-Indy schools. These schools provide a Catholic education of the highest quality to as many children as possible in our city’s under-served communities. Their vision is to serve these families in our Catholic Identity, striving for academic excellence, and to be financially sustainable in our PreK-8 schools. Our great desire is to do whatever it takes to educate children to live lives that make God known, loved, and served.
- Providence Cristo Rey High School:
- Monies to cover a portion of the costs to upgrade and repair track and field facilities, including long jump pit, shot put pad.
- PCRHS is a Catholic, coeducational, college and career preparatory high school offering a holistic educational experience to students with economic need. Doors are open for students who otherwise may not have access to life-changing opportunities. A challenging curriculum is integrated with the proven Corporate Work Study Program® to motivate and empower students with the tools they need to succeed in high school, college, career, and life.
- Indiana Public Safety Foundation:
- Monies to be used to provide healthy snacks and beverages for up to 800 youth participants.
- The mission of the Indy Public Safety Foundation (IPSF) is to enhance the quality of life and public safety in Indianapolis. Indy Police Athletic League (PAL) is one of several youth-serving programs powered by the Indy Public Safety Foundation, including the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Explorers, Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) Explorers and IMPD Cadets. Indy PAL’s mission is to involve theat-risk or under-served youth of Marion County in educational, cultural and fitness activities that will deter crime, increase self-esteem and promote a positive relationship with police.
- IMPD Youth Mountain Bike Project:
- Monies to cover new helmets for participants. Helmets are the number one piece of safety equipment for biking and the current helmets are 10 years old.
- IMPDYMBP was established in 2015 by two IMPD bike patrol officers. The goals of the organization are: 1. To introduce urban youth to mountain biking, 2. Build technical bike skills, 3. Build self-confidence and communication skills. 4. Promote healthy living, 5. Promote respect for and utilization of Indy's vast parks. Future goals for the organization include bringing the program into neighborhoods that are experiencing significant violent crime in order to build community relations and draw people together to build crime prevention efforts. The organization serves approximately 1600 youth annually and has ongoing relationships with the Indy Parks Foundation and Indy Public Safety Foundation.
- Oaks Academy
- Monies to fund two no-tip soccer goals.
- The Oaks Academy is a K-8 school with three campuses in downtown Indianapolis. It was founded in 1998 by community members committed to providing an excellent education for all families regardless of race or socioeconomic background. The Oaks Academy serves over 1100 students, of which, 50% participate in athletics.
- Black Talon Wrestling Club
- Monies to be used for uniforms, training equipment, facility rental and fees for those who cannot afford to participate.
- The primary goal for the Black Talon Wrestling Club is to empower youth through the sport of wrestling. The club emphasizes teaching life skills such as discipline, perseverance and teamwork while promoting physical health and mental well-being. Black Talon aims to bridge opportunity gaps for underserved populations in Sheridan Indiana.
- Broad Ripple Haverford Little League:
- Monies to purchase baseball and softball equipment and uniforms.
- Founded in 1958 BRHLL is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization chartered with Little League International. As an integral part of the community, BRHLL serves across racial and socio-economic backgrounds. BRHLL serves over 750 kids per year.
- Johnson County Boys and Girls Club:
- Monies to help fund equipment, coach training and participations fees.
- The Johnson Co. Boys and Girls Club helps young people reach their potential through programming focused on arts, technology, health and physical fitness. They have been involved in youth sports for over 50 years.
- Renewal Neighborhood Ministry:
- Monies to help cover the annual budget for their sports ministry for fall 2025 and spring 2026.
- Renewal Neighborhood Ministry is a non-profit organization serving the neighborhood near Post Road and 42nd Street in Indianapolis. Their mission is to help families overcome obstacles to success. They emphasize the value of all people, regardless of race, religion or nationality. They have been involved in youth sports for the past eight years. The sports program has been among their most successful outreach programs.
- Special Olympics Indiana:
- Monies to help fund a new program called Train 4 Life. This is a wellness program focused on fitness, nutrition and mental health for teens with intellectual disabilities.
- Special Olympics Indiana is a non-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching over 19,000 athletes in Indiana.
"We are honored to award the 2025 Athletic Club Foundation Grants to ten very deserving organizations," said The Athletic Club Foundation President Robert V. Welch, Jr. “Athletics positively impact the lives of young Hoosiers and we are proud to support these programs in their efforts to make youth sports more accessible.”
Each year, The Athletic Club Foundation organizes events for the community including the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Old Oaken Bucket Luncheon.