NYSPHSAA LAUNCHES FOUNDATION TO HELP SUPPORT MEMBER SCHOOLS, STAKEHOLDERS (2022-06-02)

Tioga County Sports Report
(From the New York State Public High School Athletic Association)

LATHAM, N.Y. — The New York State Public High School Athletic Association announces the launch of the NYSPHSAA Foundation with the mission to help support its member schools and their stakeholders.

The foundation will begin developing a fund balance, then make grant opportunities available to help support strategic initiatives involving increased student participation opportunities, coaches professional development, and the recruitment and retention of officials.

The concept for a foundation began at a strategic planning session in 2016. After being granted approval from the NYSPHSAA Executive Committee, the NYSPHSAA staff conducted research, convened a steering committee, and established a set of bylaws to govern the new 501(c)(3) organization. Progress was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but over the past year the final steps were taken to begin collecting donations. The American Dairy Association North East, a long-time sponsor of NYSPHSAA, has already pledged $5,000 to kick off fundraising.

“The creation of the NYSPHSAA Foundation is an important day in the history of the Association,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “To create a Foundation that will allow us to create new opportunities for our member schools is a tremendous resource to our student-athletes. We are excited to launch this new endeavor which is the first of its kind in the 99-year history of the NYSPHSAA.”

Day-to-day operations will be managed by a member of the NYSPHSAA staff with guidance from a Board of Directors. The NYSPHSAA Foundation Board of Directors consists of one representative from each of the eleven NYSPHSAA sections, plus ex-officio seats for the NYSPHSAA Executive Director and President. The bylaws allow for additional seats by Presidential appointment, but no additional seats have been filled at this time.

“I am honored to be working with such a great group of newly selected board members,” said Gavin M. Regan, NYSPHSAA Foundation President. “We are all excited to get to work and start raising money to help our member schools and student-athletes across our sections.”

To make a tax-deductible donation or to learn more about the NYSPHSAA Foundation, visit nysphsaa.org/foundation.

About the NYSPHSAA Foundation:
The NYSPHSAA Foundation is a 510(c)(3) organization created to promote interscholastic athletic participation by providing resources to support equitable and innovative programs, maximizing the student experience. Funds raised by the Foundation go directly to offering grant opportunities to NYSPHSAA member schools and additional projects in the areas of increasing student participation, coaches professional development, and officials recruitment and retention.