2025 Impact Fund Finalist
Greetings Foundation Members,
The focus of the 2025 IMPACT FUND grant will be in the area of promoting youth leadership through academics and athletics. In various communities, systemic barriers exist that affect Black youth in both academics and athletics. Nonprofit organizations that focus on kindergarten through 12th grade students to promote a holistic approach, combining education and physical development with clear, measurable outcomes in academic performance, leadership skills, and physical fitness to create well-rounded future leaders are essential to developing that pipeline of leaders.
The 2025 IMPACT FUND grant will be awarded to the nominated nonprofit organization that best exemplifies, in the eyes of the Foundation membership, “Empowering Youth Leadership through Academic and Athletic Enrichment and Support in the Black Community.” By focusing on community-based initiatives, the grant fosters pride and connection to heritage and aligns with our priorities of equity, inclusion, and access.
The Impact Fund Committee (IFC) reviewed and vetted all submitted applications and the following is the slate of the finalist. The IMPACT FUND has been designed as a “Donor Advised Fund”, which means that the designee of the grant award will be decided by the majority vote of the Foundation membership present at the Annual Corporate Meeting in July 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.
Any questions related to the IMPACT FUND can be directed to the IFC Chairman OLMF Region 1 Director, Gregory D. Burnett at greg.burnett@sbcglobal.net.
Thanks,
Bro. Gregory D. Burnett, Sr.
Director, Region I
Impact Fund Committee Chairman
greg.burnett@sbcglobal.net
For Good. Today…Tomorrow…For Life
Edu-Sports Academy, Inc.
Edu-Sports Academy is committed to providing a holistic athletic learning program that integrates sports, academics, leadership development, and teamwork. Guided by its mission through its Swing 2 Tee Golf Program, the Academy creates opportunities for youth, with a particular focus on African American children, who are significantly underrepresented in the game of golf. The Academy seeks to close this gap by offering equitable access to resources, mentorship, and instruction that empower children to thrive in sports and beyond.
Rooted in its visionary approach, Swing 2 Tee Golf inspires the next generation of leaders and athletes by cultivating an inclusive environment where underrepresented youth excel in golf while also achieving academic and personal success. The Academy’s programs are built on the foundational belief that every child, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to grow into a well-rounded leader who can make meaningful contributions to their community.
Edu-Sports Academy’s educational philosophy embraces the profound connection between the body, mind, and spirit, reflecting its commitment to holistic development. This philosophy is encapsulated in the acronym “ASK”:
- Aspire to grow beyond the game (Spirit): By fostering purpose, passion, and teamwork, the Academy instills a sense of leadership and a drive to excel both on and off the course.
- Strengthen the body and build habits for success (Body): Through physical training and skill- building, students gain the strength, discipline, and healthy habits necessary for athletic and personal success.
- Konsciousness of self leads to better choices (Mind): By cultivating focus, strategy, and emotional resilience, the Academy prepares students to excel academically and make thoughtful decisions in all areas of life.
This holistic framework equips participants to become servant leaders, balancing excellence in athletics with a commitment to academic achievement and community service. By addressing systemic barriers in youth sports and education, Edu-Sports Academy provides transformative experiences that shape confident, capable individuals ready to lead and innovate.
The Academy’s approach produces well-rounded youth who embody the values of discipline, leadership, and teamwork. These children grow into pillars of their communities, contributing positively to society and demonstrating the potential of inclusive and equitable athletic programming.
Edu-Sports Academy envisions a future where diversity, equity, and opportunity are foundational to all sports and educational endeavors. By empowering underrepresented youth to succeed in golf and beyond, the Academy serves as a beacon of hope, excellence, and transformation. Through its mission, vision, and innovative programs, Edu-Sports Academy is shaping a generation of leaders who will inspire lasting change.
Inside the Lines Training
Inside the Lines Training (ITL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Louisville, Kentucky. ITL’s mission is to empower and inspire youth through self-development, focusing on academic enrichment, athletic training, and leadership enhancement.
The organization addresses the challenges faced by students from under-resourced neighborhoods, particularly in Louisville’s West and South areas. Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), the largest district in Kentucky, serves a population where over 62% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and many face poverty, instability, and homelessness. ITL leverages sports as a pathway out of poverty, providing opportunities for scholarships, personal growth, and life skills necessary for success beyond athletics.
ITL delivers its mission through a holistic approach, combining academic tutoring, athletic training, and mentorship. Students, ranging from elementary to high school, participate in sessions that occur throughout the school year and over the summer. These sessions include academic tutoring and athletic training, guided by trained educators and athletic trainers. Mentorship is another cornerstone of ITL, where students build social-emotional skills through community engagement and guided conversations with mentors to build their social emotional intelligence.
Currently serving approximately 300 student-athletes annually, ITL is focused on expanding its reach to help more youth achieve their goals. Its overarching vision is to ensure that all students, regardless of financial means, have equitable access to education, sports training, and mentoring.
education, leadership development and charitable programs.
OLMF Mission Statement