Donate to A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund

We are thrilled to report that the A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund (AMBTIF) launched earlier this year, led by Arshay Cooper with a board that includes Olympians Anita DeFranz, Aquil Abdullah, Alex Osborne, Pat Etem and David Banks. Over 2,000 young people of color were introduced to the sport of rowing this fall with the help of this fund. In addition to numerous classroom visits and events with former White House officials, local mayors and stakeholders, the AMBTIF deployed approximately $450,000 worth of grants and equipment into five core cities (Chicago, Newburgh, Newark, Stockton and Baltimore) with cash grants totaling $150,000 to support stipends for coaches of color, as well as grants for transportation, swimming lessons, academic support, college readiness and out of town regattas. In addition to the cash grants, AMBTIF awarded $300,000 worth of brand-new HUDSON shells, Concept2 ergometers and Concept2 oars to these five cities, dramatically enhancing the program's ability to offer top tier quality and access to a wider range of students and on a five-day basis. And the impact of this work can not be understated as additional $650,000 has been raised by local stakeholders after our event visits to date. In addition to the five core cities, the fund also partnered with four communities, supporting recruitment, mentorship through the college recruitment process and DEI training.

Through its partnership with Concept2, AMBTIF was able to create a sculling camp opportunity in August of 2021 for young rowers and coaches of color, all of whom were recruited and invited by Cooper. All of these young rowers from around the country are currently receiving support and mentorship with the college recruitment process through the generous mentorship and guidance from the AMBTIF community. Cooper is also personally introducing these athletes to DI, DII and DIII coaches and mentors across the nation.

In order to expand into five new cities and introduce 10,000 new young people of color to rowing in 2022, we need your help. Please consider a donation to the A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund, a fully 501c3 tax deductible donation.