January, 2025. Portland, OR – When delivered thoughtfully, nothing heals like sport. But transforming youth sports requires all of us. In collaboration with numerous friends and allies in the sport for good space, we’re initiating a nationwide movement to ensure every young person has access to healing-centered sport experiences.
The Coach-System Connection
Coaches are the heartbeat of youth sports—they create safe spaces, build trusted relationships, and foster environments where young people can heal and thrive. But even the most skilled, dedicated coaches can only do so much within systems that weren’t designed for healing and equity.
That’s why we’ve deepened our commitment to systems-level change. While we continue equipping coaches with brain-based, healing-centered practices, we’re also tackling the structural barriers that keep many young people from accessing positive sport experiences.
A Landmark Investment in Sport Equity
In January 2025, CHJS helped to initiate the first funding phase of a groundbreaking Fund for Sport Equity – a $30 million campaign to transform youth sports through community-driven change. This five-year investment will support local, collective action efforts that make healing-centered sport accessible to all young people and athletes. The Fund unites committed and potential local and national funders who understand sport’s unique power to promote healing and drive social change.
Leadership through Collaboration
CHJS provides backbone support for the Fund’s steering committee, which also includes visionary partners:
This initiative is a collective action project of our SBYD Funder Collaborative, where funders meet quarterly to share insights and take collective action toward more accessible, healing-centered youth sports.
Join the Nothing Heals Like Sport Movement
We believe lasting change happens through collaboration. Whether you’re a foundation, corporation, or community organization, there’s a role for you in transforming youth sports.
To learn more about our funder collaboratives and partnership opportunities, contact Adrienne Moore at amoore@chjs.org.