The Donald Driver Foundation and Driven Elite share a common goal with Cleats for Kids (C4K) for all kids to have healthier physical and mental wellness Our missions champion all kids to have equitable access to sports and physical activities. Our partnership would bring the impact of physical fitness and sports to more kids.
C4K’s mission is to equip and empower kids through sports and physical fitness by providing sports shoes and equipment to kids in need. Our mission is based on partnerships with schools, nonprofits organizations, community organizations, and retail/manufacturers.
C4K’s operational model is flexible and scalable based in a four-prong approach: (1) acquiring new and gently used sporting goods via donations or at deep discounts; (2) distributions systems via events and our “Locker Room” where kids and coaches shop free of charge; (3) collaborative partnerships supporting youth sports development activities; and (4) youth involvement in our mission.
C4K brings field-tested expertise and logistical support, which effectively and efficiently gets gear to kids. We served 52,008 kids last year through our programs. In addition, C4K is a partner beyond logistics, bringing commitment and engagement in executing youth sports development programs. With our partners, we have launched new youth sports initiatives such as “F.U.E.L” girls in sports (with the Thunder NBA Basketball, Riversport, UCO/USA Paralympic Volleyball, USA Softball, OKC Baseball Club, OKCPS and TPS) We also work with partners for new and expanded sports leagues including with the YMCAs, Police Athletic League, Tulsa Dream Center, Tulsa Public and other school districts across the state.
C4K brings leadership in the national sports equity movement as well as extended learning opportunities through physical activity. C4K is a voting member of the national Coalition for Sports Equity and active in the Aspen Institute. We founded the OKC Youth Sports Coalition and lead the steering committee for the Oklahoma Partnership for Expanded Learning.
C4K is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with Platinum standing with Guidestar/Candid. C4K has policies, procedures, and the governance structure to ensure operations are transparent and sustainable. As we have experienced exponential growth, our core values have remained the same with the focus on kids’ holistic wellness, community, inclusivity, and integrity. Our values drive our financial stability with 93% of donations going directly to support programs.
By joining forces, our organizations can make a significant difference in the lives of more kids across the country Attached is an outline of possible areas of partnership We look forward to discussing these proposals further and exploring how our collaboration can create positive change through sports.
Best regards,
Stacy McDaniel Executive Director
C4K’S MISSION & PARTNERSHIP VALUE
Why partner with Cleats for Kids?
C4K is an established nonprofit with annual double-digit growth since our founding in 2011. We have served over 250,000 kids as of July 2024, work with over 350 Oklahoma school districts in all 77 counties, partner with over 75 organizations and hundreds of leagues. C4K has also worked with professional teams and athletes. We know how to plan, budget, staff, and marshal the human resources for a successful pro athlete program or collection/ distribution event. Varsity and Junior Varsity Boards engage about 200 kids each year to engage in community service learning and volunteerism. Locally C4K is a founding member of the OKC Youth Sports Coalition (Central Oklahoma), F.U.E.L. (Females Understanding Educating Leading), and serves on the Steering Committee of the Oklahoma Partnership for Extended Learning. Nationally, C4K is a voting member (on behalf of the YSC) and the only central US member on the national Coalition for Sports Equity. We regularly participate with Aspen Institute Sports and Society Program. C4K is a GuideStar/Candor multi-year Platinum organization. We publicly file a 990 tax return each year, have an annual independent third party audit of our inventory and financials, and have an independent, professional, and active Board of Directors. C4K is a nonprofit corporation in good standing, IRS-authorized 501(c )(3), and owns federally registered trademarks. Our team is guided by our core values and are passionate about our mission and the work we do.
Is Cleats for Kids a national partner?
In short, yes! In many ways, C4K has been a national organization since our founding. We have served kids, supported student-led drives, and worked with partners throughout the US – from Washington, California,, Chicago, Texas, Kansas, Ohio, New York, and Maryland. Our contacts across the nation continue to grow through our work with the national Coalitions for Sports Equity and Aspen Institute conferences. C4K is one of the few national organizations dedicated to providing shoes and equipment to kids free of charge and the only one that (i) serves individual families and kids through our “Locker Room,” (ii) engages “kids helping kids”, and (iii) recycles gently used donated items as well as provides new product.
GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL
Expansion to mltiple Oklahoma school districts and multiple states will require resourcing, working with different athletic administrations, and managing inventory and thousands of athletes seasonally. C4K has the processes and experience to plan, budget, staff and effectively manage this program. C4K has successfully executed distribution events with professional athletes/teams as well as managed large inventory donations like 60,000 items from Under Armour; 20,000 pairs of socks from Academy Sports; and many donations of hundreds of cleats and sporting goods.
SPORTS CAMPS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAMS
C4K advocates for fitness experiences of all types for kids. We have worked with camps, physical fitness programs, and school PE programs to help create these experiences. For camps hosted by Donald Driver, a partnership to provide needed sports shoes to kids participating would be very impactful. Kids at these camps may be experienced athletes or may be first time participants. In either case, some cannot afford safe cleats. Similarly, those same kids usually need a running shoe for cross training or other physical activities.
Physical Fitness Programs
C4K works alongside its partners in Oklahoma for programs of all types to engage kids in physical activities. These programs include individual and team sports as well as free play and exercise. At many of these programs, C4K provides new sports shoes for the kids who need them.
C4K would like to explore a partnership with the Donald Driver Foundation for these fitness programs to provide sports shoes and gear to kids in need.
Speed and Agility Camps
Our partnership would create more opportunities for kids of all ages, all skill levels, and areas of interest. These are essential elements to promoting healthy kids, healthy families and healthy communities.
C4K has provided cleats for athletes in camps like the Wes Welker Football camps. C4K would like to explore the possibility of providing cleats and/or running shoes to kids participatin in camps hosted by Donald Driver. The Speed and Agility Camp sponsored by SC Johnson last July in Racine could be a perfect place to launch a partnership where kids in need can get safe cleats. Camps in other locations could also be gamechangers for young athletes!
MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS
Driven Elite and the Foundation’s support of kids’ mental wellness with Mid Eastern Athletic Conference events presents a unique partnership opportunity. Our organizations can explore how C4K could distribute shoes to kids who are in need. We work with many partners outside of sports to provide everyday running shoes for kids to get active and build friendships. We provide “Power Play Packs” full of PE type equipment to promote play for elementary age kids.
C4K LOCKER
ROOMS + DRIVEN ELITE
Physical activity is an essential element to holistic mental and emotional wellness.
C4K’s Locker Room is our “store” where kids and coaches in need shop free of charge. The Locker Room is stocked with donated gently used and new sports shoes and equipment. It serves 8 to 18 families and coaches a day. We work with families to give them a personalized shopping experience that boosts the kids' self worth and makes them feel special.
C4K’s strategic plan is to open operations in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in 2025 with more communities to follow. C4K will have sporting goods collection locations and a permanent Locker Room location. These wll fuel our work with schools, leagues, and organizations to get more kids active and participating in sports. With the Driven Elite gym in Denton, we can explore how a partnership would get more kids active and engaged at the Gym and with C4K.
