Since 2007, Athletes for Hope has been committed to helping athletes make a difference in the world; today marks another major step towards achieving that goal by announcing a new partnership with NIKE Inc. The partnership connects Athletes for Hope’s over 2,000 professional athletes to Let’s Move! Active Schools around the country, reinforcing the importance of incorporating physical activity before, during, and after the school day. 

“At Nike, we believe in the power of sport to unlock human potential,” said Caitlin Morris, North America Executive Director, Global Community Impact, Nike, Inc. “We are excited to partner with Athletes for Hope so that together we can bring the joy of movement to thousands of school children across the country.”

Last fall, the power of AFH athletes partnership with Let’s Move! Active Schools was displayed when Milwaukee Bucks forward and second pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Jabari Parker, made a surprise visit to Nativity Jesuit Middle School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During his visit, Jabari taught basketball drills, challenged students to a game, and spoke on the importance of exercising both the body and the brain. 

“We’ve always believed in the untapped potential of athletes to make a difference,” explains Ivan Blumberg, Chief Executive Officer of Athletes for Hope. We are thrilled to be partnering with NIKE, which affords our athletes the opportunity to join the critical movement for increased physical activity in communities throughout the country. 

As the partnership between Athletes for Hope and NIKE, Inc. kicks off, both parties are excited to bring additional athletes into communities to educate, inspire and empower young athletes about the importance of physical activity.

About Athletes for Hope
Athletes for Hope (www.athletesforhope.org) is a public charity – a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2007 by several high-profile, philanthropically-minded athletes such as Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Mia Hamm, Jeff Gordon, Warrick Dunn, Alonzo Mourning, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee.  As athletes who share a deep commitment to giving back, our founders joined forces to create an organization that brings athletes together, to educate, inspire, and empower them to channel their energy for a common goal: to make a difference in the world.  AFH now works with over 2,000 athletes across 20 different sports and has conducted philanthropic education workshops for numerous leagues, teams, and associations, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, NWSL, Olympic Teams and ATP, WTA, and LPGA Tours. Follow Athletes for Hope on Twitter @Ath4Hope.  

About NIKE, Inc. 
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikeinc.com and follow @Nike.

Athletes for Hope

Athletes for Hope

Athletes For Hope is currently engaged with a roster of over 2,000 athletes from over 20 different leagues, including the NBA, the NFL, the NHL, MLB and the Olympics. In all of these athletes, we recognize the unique attributes that allow them to realize their full potential beyond sheer athleticism. Through a combination of education, hands-on learning, inspiring examples and provocative thought-leadership, we help athletes recognize their untapped potential to make a difference, and we challenge them to set a new standard. We’ve seen firsthand what a difference we can make when athletes work together. Passion is contagious - and together we spread hope.

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