What does your nonprofit do? (Mission)
In 2006, a community in the Philippines reached out to us with a simple request: a safe space to play sports. That first court sparked something much larger. Since then, word has spread, and hundreds of communities have contacted us with the same dream. They come to us with land, energy, and a compelling vision—a multi-use athletic court that can transform their community.
Each community initiates the project, helps fundraise, volunteers labor, and demonstrates both the need and the sustainability of the court. We partner with them to turn that vision into reality. These courts become hubs for sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer, handball, and badminton—often giving a community its first formal place to host games, tournaments, and support local teams.
But the impact goes beyond sports. The courts become gathering places, venues for celebrations, and classrooms for PE. They can drive economic activity, attract students to under-enrolled schools, foster inclusion for marginalized groups, and unite people across social and cultural divides. In many rural, under-resourced areas, they offer a year-round opportunity for play—especially in places where a rainy season renders open fields unusable.
Equally important is the second half of our mission: providing a transformational, immersive service experience for volunteers from the United States. Volunteers travel to these communities and work side by side with local residents to build the court. They’re fully immersed—learning to cook traditional meals, dancing local dances, playing cultural games, and listening to the community’s stories. Often, it’s the first time a group like ours has ever been to the area, and the resulting cultural exchange is profound. Volunteers and community members frequently stay in touch long after the project ends. Relationships are formed, perspectives are changed, and lives—on both sides—are deeply impacted.
What are some of your current initiatives or recent positive impacts?
Our model is working—and it’s working well. So well, in fact, that we now have more communities than ever eager to partner with us. Our greatest challenge isn’t demand—it’s finding enough volunteer groups to say “yes.” It’s incredibly difficult to turn down communities that have done everything right and are ready to get started.
That’s why we’re actively expanding our outreach and marketing efforts to recruit new volunteer teams—whether they’re students, companies, families, or friend groups. The more groups we can mobilize, the more dreams we can help bring to life.
How can the UP business community support you?
Join us on a trip—or better yet, help organize a group of 16 or more to adopt a project. We welcome student groups, corporate teams, families, and friends.
What sets our projects apart is their collaborative nature, full cultural immersion, and the incredible warmth and excitement of the local communities. The impact is truly one-of-a-kind.
You can also support us by attending our upcoming event: The Last Bite of Summer on September 6th. Set at a stunning venue on the Columbia River, the event will feature live music, delicious international food, and a special Courts for Kids presentation. We’re currently seeking sponsors for the event—so whether you attend, sponsor, or spread the word, we’d love to see you there.
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Learn More
To learn more about Courts for Kids, to connect, and to get involved, please visit – https://www.courtsforkids.org/