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What We Do

The Problem

Over the past few decades, the privatization of youth sports has led to a decline in public recreation and interscholastic athletics, and a rapid increase in registration fees across the board. This phenomenon is known as the “pay to play” model.  This reality has led to a growing inequity divide as illustrated in a recent Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) survey that reported only 38 percent of kids from families with a household income of $25,000 or less are playing team sports, contrasted with a 67 percent of kids from homes with annual incomes of $100,000 or more.

Our Solution

Leveling the Playing Field collects new and gently-used sports and playground equipment from local youth sports communities. Volunteers then sort the donations in our warehouse so we can distribute the gear to schools and organizations working to provide an affordable and accessible option to under-resourced youth groups, community programs and schools throughout several markets.

In evaluating our success, a primary benefit LPF brings to youth sports organizations is the ability to reallocate equipment funds towards other aspects of their program that increases affordability and accessibility. 90% of our beneficiaries report that they have additional financial flexibility for their program as a result of our donations.

Our beneficiaries maximize the impact of LPF’s support in a myriad of ways. Some offer additional after-school transportation for kids without a way to an afternoon activity. Others can purchase snacks and beverages for their participants. Several use their additional flexibility to hire and train more staff in order to run additional programs and provide more personalized coaching and supervision.

 

Learn more

90%

of programs reallocated funds

80%

increase in participation

$20,000,000

distributed

2,000+

programs impacted

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And the 2025 LPF Summer BIN-anza Award for Top Met And the 2025 LPF Summer BIN-anza Award for Top Metal Bin goes to...... @dickssportinggoods - Hunt Valley! 🏆

This bin, placed in November 2022, has collected over $151,000 worth of your sports equipment donations in the Greater Baltimore area ⚽🏀🏈🥎🏐🥍

Share our Donation Bin locator with your community to help your local bin take the title
Welcome to our summer interns, Leah and Colin! 📚

Leah is an Economics and International Studies major from the University of Wisconsin-Madison who is re-joining LPF for her second summer! Leah wants to share the gift of sports with kids so they can access the benefits of play 🦡

Colin is a Public Management, Leadership, and Policy major from The Ohio State University.  He is working toward a future in the sports nonprofit space because he believes sports are a universal language and every kid deserves the chance to play 🅾️
🔆Get ready for LPF's Summer BIN-anza!🔆 Did 🔆Get ready for LPF's Summer BIN-anza!🔆

Did you know that LPF has placed 92 donation bins across our 7 markets? Since 2021, these bins have made donating your sports equipment easier than ever, helping us equip more kids to enjoy the benefits of sports ♻️

Join us for LPF's Summer BIN-anza as we celebrate and countdown to our 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣th bin later this summer🥳Stay tuned for fun facts, stories, and contests around our bins all summer long 🔆

Want To Help Get More Kids Involved?

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