The work of Project Play is informed by the knowledge, ideas and contributions of thousands of organizations and thought leaders. Thank you to the entities listed below for supporting our work. And thank you to every stakeholder who is collectively helping build healthy communities by making quality sport accessible to all youth, regardless of zip code or ability.
If your organization shares our goal to build sport for all, play for life communities, we look forward to hearing from you.
Through the Healthy People 2030 program, the federal government has set for the first time a national target for youth sports participation: 63% by the year 2030.
To help reach the target, Project Play convenes leading organizations that have made multi-year commitments to measurably grow sport participation rates among youth.
“Project Play can play a central role in driving the progress. There's already the credibility of its research, and it's been applied practically. Now what Project Play can do is bring the sport community together to start having these really open and honest discussions about what we all need to do to improve youth sport in America.”
Rocky Harris, Chief of Sport and Athlete Services, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee
REIMAGINING SCHOOL SPORTS
Project Play’s newest multiyear initiative identifies strategies that can be used to grow access to quality sport opportunities for high school students. Exemplars in eight school types from across the country were recognized in a series of reports, leading a final report in early 2022 that will make systems-level recommendations that can drive progress across schools broadly.
“A reimagined school sports model that keeps high school education-based sports activities at its core is a proven roadmap for success.”
Karissa Niehoff, Executive Director, National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
Project Play Summit Sponsors
The annual Project Play Summit is the nation’s premier gathering of leaders at the intersection of youth, sports and health, where we pump new ideas into the bloodstream and push the movement forward.
“It’s a diverse, capable group that brings significant insights, expertise, and resources. You’ve got big and small companies and collectively they bring a lot to the party. The promise of this group is that it can be the vanguard in identifying and executing initiatives that further the goals of Project Play.”
Dave DuPont, Founder, TeamSnap
Community Network
Project Play has landscaped the state of play in communities across the country, working with the above groups. We also have partnered with the National Recreation and Park Association on content about the value of community sports and the role of parks and recreation departments.
“The regional State of Play reports developed by Aspen helped identify the challenges our regions face, but more importantly, they also shared the opportunities that everyone in our community -- parents, educators, funders and leaders -- can pursue for improvement.”
David Egner, CEO, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
Research Partners
Project Play has collaborated or contracted with the above organizations to develop knowledge that can be used to grow access to quality sport activity.
“Project Play demonstrates the value and power of cross-sectional collaboration among industry leaders. As an organization committed to the musculoskeletal health and safety of children, HSS is proud to help guide the development of healthy children and communities through safe participation in sport.”
Louis Shapiro, President and CEO, Hospital for Special Surgery
COACHING PARTNERS
Growing the quality and quantity of youth coaches is a strategic priority of Project Play and its partners, whose efforts have helped lift the percentage of adults nationally who report training in key competencies.
“There are barriers to training the nation's 6.5 million youth coaches. Professional sports are just a part of that, but most sports are outside of that professional realm. Removing barriers is a great opportunity, and that's why we particularly appreciate this partnership with the Sports & Society Program at the Aspen Institute.”
Susan Crown, Chairman and Founder, Susan Crown Exchange
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
Project Play collaborates with Aspen Institute chapters and other partners around the world to promote the message of sport for all, play for life.
“We are looking for strong partnerships and alliances, because we can't do the job just ourselves. The challenges ahead of us are so huge, and so complex, that we love to join forces. And the Aspen Institute is a partner that we are very happy they agreed to cooperate with us.”
Wolfgang Baumann, Secretary General, TAFISA (The Association for International Sport for All)
PROJECT PLAY CHAMPIONS
Project Play Champions are organizations taking new, meaningful, specific actions consistent with the strategies of Project Play. Annually, we select organizations to be Project Play Champions. See our list of current and past Project Play Champions. Congratulations to all the winners.
REMEMBERING KOBE
A FRIEND OF PROJECT PLAY
Kobe brought the same intensity he showed on the court to the cause of improving young people’s lives through sports. He raised our game.
“Play is doing what you love to do. For everybody in this room, it feels like you don't work a day in your life when you're doing what you love to do.”
Kobe Bryant