About us
A foundation built so cost never benches anyone.
Who we are, why we exist, and how we put every donated dollar to work.
Our story
Athletics as a vehicle for opportunity
The Colorado Athletics Foundation was founded in Aurora, Colorado on a simple observation: youth sports — and adult fitness — have quietly become pay-to-play. Club fees, equipment, travel, and training costs push out exactly the families and communities who benefit most from what sport teaches: discipline, confidence, teamwork, and belonging.
We exist to close that gap. COAF is a 501(c)(3) / 509(a)(2) public charity that raises funds through donations and athletic events, then directs those funds into access: scholarships, covered program fees, equipment, and community programming across multiple sports and age groups.
Since our founding, COAF has helped hundreds of local families across the Denver metro afford the cost of playing — and we're just getting started.
We define success by participation — increasing the number and skill of athletes across Colorado who can engage with sport, regardless of experience or income. Everyone is welcome.
Transparency
How funds are used
We keep our model simple and accountable. Funds raised go to mission delivery across our supported programs.
What your donation funds
- Scholarships & fee coverage — club dues, registration, and training costs for youth athletes in need.
- Equipment & gear — shoes, balls, uniforms, and training equipment for participants who can't afford them.
- Program access — funded spots in youth volleyball, youth basketball, and adult community fitness programming.
- Community events — athletic events that raise both awareness and funds for the mission.
Our commitments
- Mission first. Any program fees that exist are reinvested into funding the mission — they are never the purpose.
- Multiple programs, one mission. We fund access across independent youth programs and our own adult program; no single club is the reason we exist.
- Donor-focused reporting. We report how donated dollars are used and the impact they create — your gift, not our full operating ledger. See our Impact page.
- Governance. An active board oversees grants and finances. Meet them on the Board page.
Legal status
A registered public charity
501(c)(3)
COAF is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt charitable organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
509(a)(2)
As a public charity, we're funded broadly by the community we serve — through donations, events, and program activity — not by any single private source.
EIN 93-1548121
Our employer identification number for donation records and verification. Confirm our status anytime via the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
See the mission in action.
Explore the programs your support makes possible.