The Buddy Fund

Each year we provide sports and recreation equipment to approximately 150+ organizations that are located in low income neighborhoods, where they have direct access to the at-risk youth. Since 1962, cumulative efforts by the Buddy Fund have helped over 450,000 youngsters and provided more than $3,800,000 in sports equipment.

Just some of the organizations that we partner with and fund: ABC Boys & Girls Club, Berkeley Recreation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, Special Olympics, Boys Hope - Girls Hope, Children's Home Society, Crider Health Center, Epworth Children & Family Services, Freedom School, Gene Slay's Girls and Boys Club, Girl Scouts- Eastern MO, Gladiators Boxing Club, Great Circle Boys and Girls Town, Our Ladys Inn, Greater Madison Khoury League, Jackie Joyner Kersee Foundation, Jefferson County Youth Association (JCYA), Kenneth Shepard Ministries, Kingdom House, Lakeside Center Lift for Life Academy, Lift for Life Gym, Loyola Academy, Maryland Heights Athletic Association, Matthews Dickey Boys and Girls Club, Mid County Youth Association, North County Mustangs, Pagedale Community Association, Police Athletic League - City of St. Louis, Police Athletic League - St. Louis County, Presbyterian Homes and Services, Salvation Army Gateway Citadel, Salvation Army Temple Corps, St. Cecelia School, St. Charles Boys & Girls Club, St. L Crisis Nursery - Centene Center, St. Louis City Parks & Recreation, Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK), The Wyman Center, Urban K-Life, Youth in Need (St. Charles chapter). A complete list can be found https://www.buddyfund.org/about-us/who-we-help/

We have Sporting Goods Manufacturers Support with these long-time supporters provide huge leverage for Buddy Fund dollars, offering all new, safe equipment at the lowest possible price or as a donation. We are especially grateful to Markwort, Rawlings, and Riddell who provide the equipment at their cost allowing us the double our purchasing power. Sports Equipment Know-How: For most all sports, appropriate equipment depends on the age of the kids using them. We have the know-how to consult with our partner charities about equipment selection, maintenance and storage. Proper equipment is essential for safety.

The overwhelming demand for new sporting goods and equipment from all our recipient organizations exceeds what our annual operating income budget is able to provide. Through increased donations and corporate sponsors, The Buddy Fund Board is committed to increasing our income budget to meet increased demand. There is not a better way to have such
a positive impactful effect on the disadvantaged at-risk youth of St. Louis than keeping them engaged in team sports and learning how to work together in a constructive environment.