Figure Skating charities you can trust? | Golden Skate

Figure Skating charities you can trust?

Mathematician

Mathematician

Ecc. 4:1-4 D. Rheims
Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 8, 2023
Not sure how to present this thread effectively. Just gonna type my inquiry how it comes to me and leave it.

Basically looking to get into some financial charity work but been having trouble finding a charity that I totally trust and connect with. I researched deeply and seriously into all these big industries helping with water and food or whatever, like the way they operate financially, and although I don't claim they're bad or anything, there are just a lot of reasons I'm a little hesitant with them and their practices that would be besides the point for me to elaborate on here (maybe I'm just cynical).

Now I know theres many charity apps and organizations that get you in direct contact with individual families or projects under poor circumstances, thats my next step in research and I like that idea way more than the standard vague mass-funding, but first I want to consider something else: I had the thought that I respect and value this sport so much, and so I was wondering if theres opportunities to give in regards to this. It would make things more personal/meaningful for me (maybe thats vain... helping starving or uneducated children might be more "important" or "valuable" than sports, judge all you like, I get it). But anyways, is anyone aware of any sort of funds or charities anywhere that focus specifically on developing skating facilities or training in underdeveloped regions or anything like that?

I also wonder if theres a way to help underprivileged athletes directly. I know some users give to their favourite athletes directly, especially US ones. I would be interested in something like that big time but only to those that seriously need it. For example those that have serious skills and are ready for the next step to grow competitively, but cant afford hotel costs, flights, or new gear at all, and its their main barrier. I dont care about getting any sort of recognition or mutual benefit from the athlete BTW (like I know you can get meetups with US athletes if you sponsor them? And some direct contact? Right?), just finding someone who seriously needs help and fund them directly.

Likewise, is there any way to fund kids getting started with skating or acquiring skating gear in general? Of course again specifically in regards to those with serious financial barriers to start skating. Is there a method to finding such people or an organization that helps? Say even just a bigger system that deals with kids starting sports under financial hardship that includes figure skaters as a sub-category?

Oh, I heard that some skating rink/rinks has/have been destroyed in Ukraine? Do they raise funds somewhere or are they probably going to get covered by other means anyways?

Again otherwise I'll go the standard route of direct sponsorship in other areas (like basic food/water or whatever) but was wondering first if there is some recourse for skating-related charity specifically.

Oh and BTW, I dont care about it being super official for tax write-ups or anything. Dont care about any benefit for me at all. Not trying to sound virtuous just think its important to mention because it widens the possibilities, including more informal charity.

Skating is something I find sincerely valuable. Theres not many disciplines left that offer girls so much discipline and value while helping them grow, develop and learn about themselves in a sophisticated, artistic, classy manner; all while also being a fun way to stay healthy and learn about physical fitness long term. I think this is an enormous need for these new generations. Its also something that has offered me great joy as a spectator, so I feel strongly about giving back to it how I can.

So to recap:

1. General funds/charities for developing skating trainings/facilities.
2. Direct funding for competing athletes with financial barriers in developing their careers.
3. Direct funding for underprivileged kids who want to start skating but cant afford new gear and the like.
4. Destroyed facilities in Ukraine (but TBH I'm assuming those will be covered in other ways).
5. Anything else I didnt think of.

Before anyone says the most efficient and impactful form of charity is going out in my own city/community and helping operations physically, yes you are right, but its really not my thing for a lot of reasons, just being honest, so looking to do my best how I can in this way.

I did search the forum and google for charity/charities on skating before making this post too, BTW, and didn't really find anything.

Thanks to everyone for any potential help. Also hoping if theres a lot of good sources offered in this thread it can become a go-to for people who feel the same way and want to give to figure skating, since again that doesnt seem to exist anywhere currently.
 
Last edited:
Mathematician said:
Not sure how to present this thread effectively. Just gonna type my inquiry how it comes to me and leave it.

Basically looking to get into some financial charity work but been having trouble finding a charity that I totally trust and connect with. I researched deeply and seriously into all these big industries helping with water and food or whatever, like the way they operate financially, and although I don't claim they're bad or anything, there are just a lot of reasons I'm a little hesitant with them and their practices that would be besides the point for me to elaborate on here (maybe I'm just cynical).

Now I know theres many charity apps and organizations that get you in direct contact with individual families or projects under poor circumstances, thats my next step in research and I like that idea way more than the standard vague mass-funding, but first I want to consider something else: I had the thought that I respect and value this sport so much, and so I was wondering if theres opportunities to give in regards to this. It would make things more personal/meaningful for me (maybe thats vain... helping starving or uneducated children might be more "important" or "valuable" than sports, judge all you like, I get it). But anyways, is anyone aware of any sort of funds or charities anywhere that focus specifically on developing skating facilities or training in underdeveloped regions or anything like that?

I also wonder if theres a way to help underprivileged athletes directly. I know some users give to their favourite athletes directly, especially US ones. I would be interested in something like that big time but only to those that seriously need it. For example those that have serious skills and are ready for the next step to grow competitively, but cant afford hotel costs, flights, or new gear at all, and its their main barrier. I dont care about getting any sort of recognition or mutual benefit from the athlete BTW (like I know you can get meetups with US athletes if you sponsor them? And some direct contact? Right?), just finding someone who seriously needs help and fund them directly.

Likewise, is there any way to fund kids getting started with skating or acquiring skating gear in general? Of course again specifically in regards to those with serious financial barriers to start skating. Is there a method to finding such people or an organization that helps? Say even just a bigger system that deals with kids starting sports under financial hardship that includes figure skaters as a sub-category?

Oh, I heard that some skating rink/rinks has/have been destroyed in Ukraine? Do they raise funds somewhere or are they probably going to get covered by other means anyways?

Again otherwise I'll go the standard route of direct sponsorship in other areas (like basic food/water or whatever) but was wondering first if there is some recourse for skating-related charity specifically.

Oh and BTW, I dont care about it being super official for tax write-ups or anything. Dont care about any benefit for me at all. Not trying to sound virtuous just think its important to mention because it widens the possibilities, including more informal charity.

Skating is something I find sincerely valuable. Theres not many disciplines left that offer girls so much discipline and value while helping them grow, develop and learn about themselves in a sophisticated, artistic, classy manner; all while also being a fun way to stay healthy and learn about physical fitness long term. I think this is an enormous need for these new generations. Its also something that has offered me great joy as a spectator, so I feel strongly about giving back to it how I can.

So to recap:

1. General funds/charities for developing skating trainings/facilities.
2. Direct funding for competing athletes with financial barriers in developing their careers.
3. Direct funding for underprivileged kids who want to start skating but cant afford new gear and the like.
4. Destroyed facilities in Ukraine (but TBH I'm assuming those will be covered in other ways).
5. Anything else I didnt think of.

Before anyone says the most efficient and impactful form of charity is going out in my own city/community and helping operations physically, yes you are right, but its really not my thing for a lot of reasons, just being honest, so looking to do my best how I can in this way.

I did search the forum and google for charity/charities on skating before making this post too, BTW, and didn't really find anything.

Thanks to everyone for any potential help. Also hoping if theres a lot of good sources offered in this thread it can become a go-to for people who feel the same way and want to give to figure skating, since again that doesnt seem to exist anywhere currently.
Click to expand...
Figure Skating in Harlem is an organization that brings figure skating to girls who otherwise couldn't afford it. And it helps them academically. It also has a branch called Figure Skating in Detroit. These organizations would fit point #3 on your list.
 
The USFS Memorial Fund comes to mind, particularly in regards to point #2. It provides scholarship opportunities to underprivileged athletes, which can certainly help free up money for training. Its webpage is here. Perhaps it's not the most direct way to support skaters, but I think every little bit counts.

I also recall a thread from 2022 that had various links for supporting Ukrainian skaters. It was called something like the "Ukraine Skater Support" thread... I hope that thread wasn't deleted. :(
 
I've tried to support skaters and teams (ID, pairs) who opened 'go fund me' pages on sites. You can see if it's a worthwhile cause in their own descriptions. That would tick off a 2.

I don't know if in the US these things work in a similar manner, but
I also donate to a Dutch Skating Association which contributes facilities and funds to young talents (in The Netherlands). As I recall, the founder of this Association personally made a call to thank me (what charity does that?) for my first donation, and I've been steadily providing a bit ever since - even if the founder has now passed away. That type of thing would tick off a 1.
 
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When there is particular need, the skaters themselves start a GoFundMe page. We allow links to GoFundMe pages in FanFest, so if you find a skater you want to support, and find their GoFundMe page, do post a link on their FanFest.

This fits number 2 in your list

An example would be Oona & Gage Brown in ice dance who have had problems affording good costumes and were camping out in a tent in the Montreal area one season. They have a GoFundMe.

GoFundMe takes a small cut, but the rest goes directly to the skaters.
 
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We have supported skaters for several years, we currently use several methods to support US Figure skaters.

The largest method we use is our own fund at US FIGURE SKATING. We use this to provide annual skating scholarships to skaters who meet our criteria (younger pair or dance teams, in need of funding ...and having potential for growth). While there is no specific list of people who meet these criteria, we do research on our own, may ask questions of coaches and skaters and also get feedback/ recommendations from the USFS athlete high performance team, to determine who we will support.

Our second method is using the New England Amateur Skating Federation (NEASF). Skaters open up accounts with the organization and submit bills related to skating expenses, and if they have $ in their account, the organization pays the bill. You can make donations to the skaters accounts.



Both of these organizations are charitable organizations and so you may get tax deductions for the donations.

Note that the IRS has recently cracked down on giving donations to specific individuals, which makes the process more challenging, but not impossible.
 
dorispulaski said:
When there is particular need, the skaters themselves start a GoFundMe page. We allow links to GoFundMe pages in FanFest, so if you find a skater you want to support, and find their GoFundMe page, do post a link on their FanFest.

This fits number 2 in your list

An example would be Oona & Gage Brown in ice dance who have had problems affording good costumes and were camping out in a tent in the Montreal area one season. They have a GoFundMe.

GoFundMe takes a small cut, but the rest goes directly to the skaters.
Click to expand...
I’d like to put a word in for Nica Digerness and Mark Sadusky. They just got their first international assignments and Team USA jackets this year. They haven’t scored high enough to get envelope funding yet. Mark is such a lovely person. He was one of like 3 athletes who came to FOFS breakfast in San Jose.
Their funding link is in their fan fest😀
 
yuumagical said:
I also recall a thread from 2022 that had various links for supporting Ukrainian skaters. It was called something like the "Ukraine Skater Support" thread... I hope that thread wasn't deleted. :(
Click to expand...
I tried searching for that thread and couldn't find it either unfortunately.

I found something else promising though, its a way to directly support Ukrainian skaters. They keep all the requests updated so you know they're made within the last 7 days and are relevant. The vetting process for requests seems legit. They also have full athlete profiles. I think this is my favourite one so far:

Help Ukrainian skaters directly | Skate Ukraine

skateukraine.org skateukraine.org

This looks decent too, though its a general fund. I'll probably email them and directly ask for details on their process:

bauerukraine.com

Bauer Ukraine - Figure Skating in Ukraine

«Bauer Ukraine» - projects to support figure skating in Ukraine.
bauerukraine.com bauerukraine.com
 
Mathematician said:
I tried searching for that thread and couldn't find it either unfortunately.

I found something else promising though, its a way to directly support Ukrainian skaters. They keep all the requests updated so you know they're made within the last 7 days and are relevant. The vetting process for requests seems legit. They also have full athlete profiles. I think this is my favourite one so far:

Help Ukrainian skaters directly | Skate Ukraine

skateukraine.org skateukraine.org

This looks decent too, though its a general fund. I'll probably email them and directly ask for details on their process:

bauerukraine.com

Bauer Ukraine - Figure Skating in Ukraine

«Bauer Ukraine» - projects to support figure skating in Ukraine.
bauerukraine.com bauerukraine.com
Click to expand...
That first link is one that I distinctly remember from that presumably deleted Ukrainian skater support thread! Thank you for sharing this information! 💙💛
 
dorispulaski said:
adivinesport.com

Oona & Gage Brown: "We try to find joy in whatever we're doing" - A divine sport

Oona & Gage Brown open up about how they're staying motivated to compete at the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, despite ongoing financial challenges.
adivinesport.com adivinesport.com

The Browns' family home in Long Island was just foreclosed, on and the family has moved in with relatives.
Click to expand...

I am so impressed by Oona and Gage's commitment in the face of adversity. More impressive than any number of medals and definitely deserving of support.:pray:
 
dorispulaski said:
adivinesport.com

Oona & Gage Brown: "We try to find joy in whatever we're doing" - A divine sport

Oona & Gage Brown open up about how they're staying motivated to compete at the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, despite ongoing financial challenges.
adivinesport.com adivinesport.com

The Browns' family home in Long Island was just foreclosed, on and the family has moved in with relatives.
Click to expand...

el henry said:
I am so impressed by Oona and Gage's commitment in the face of adversity. More impressive than any number of medals and definitely deserving of support.:pray:
Click to expand...
I had read a comment on a YT video a little while ago from a poster who seemed to know their situation and expressed a concern that this was happening. I didn't know if this info was reliable or something they would want to have shared so I didn't mention anything because I didn't think it was my place to do so since at that time it didn't come from them. I didn't think the poster meant anything malicious, but still I had no idea who they were or their true motivation. I kept hoping it would not be true. I hope that something positive comes out of this and that their family - and their skating fund - will get more help. I've always been a fan of their skating and have been rooting for them, but their positive attitude through all this makes me cheer for them even more.
 
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moonvine said:
I’ve heard their house has been foreclosed on (I don’t have verification.)
Click to expand...
I don't know that it was because of their skating but rather the family's situation in general - not saying you were implying that either way just mentioning in case anyone was wondering. But what you heard was mentioned on a broadcast, I think, and it's noted in the link that elhenry posted above. So you are correct. My heart truly goes out to them and their family.
 
BobMc said:
We have supported skaters for several years, we currently use several methods to support US Figure skaters.

The largest method we use is our own fund at US FIGURE SKATING. We use this to provide annual skating scholarships to skaters who meet our criteria (younger pair or dance teams, in need of funding ...and having potential for growth). While there is no specific list of people who meet these criteria, we do research on our own, may ask questions of coaches and skaters and also get feedback/ recommendations from the USFS athlete high performance team, to determine who we will support.

Our second method is using the New England Amateur Skating Federation (NEASF). Skaters open up accounts with the organization and submit bills related to skating expenses, and if they have $ in their account, the organization pays the bill. You can make donations to the skaters accounts.



Both of these organizations are charitable organizations and so you may get tax deductions for the donations.

Note that the IRS has recently cracked down on giving donations to specific individuals, which makes the process more challenging, but not impossible.
Click to expand...
I have used NEASF before also, but everytime I back a skater or team, they would crash so now I am just a member of Friends of Figure skating.
 
An organization I used to belong to:

Fort Dupont Ice Arena | Opportunity, Education and Inspiration

Fort Dupont Ice Arena. DC's only full size rink serving over 20,000 kids. Located by Fort Dupont park in SE DC.
fdia.org fdia.org

They offered free lessons, taught by volunteers, in a disadvantaged neighborhood. Figure, Hockey & Speed skating.

But I'm not sure what is going on with them now. Their primary rink closed.

Many local skating clubs have to do fund raising to help pay costs. If there is a club near you, I'm sure they would appreciate any donations.

For that matter, AFAIK, most skating rinks operate at a loss, get subsidized by a community or group of local business, or at a very small profit margin. (I think that is true of most sports facilities. Many of the people involved with them see it as a way of giving back to the community, as well as a way to keep kids out of trouble.) Ask management if there is a way to donate.
 
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