Put Me In!

We are thrilled to present the Annual Letter for Put Me In! for 2023, recapping an extraordinary year of impact and growth. https://lnkd.in/gzRQgRth This year brings two important calls to action: (1) We encourage you to take a moment to read this letter and share it right here on LinkedIn. Let's amplify the reach of our mission and the incredible work being done. (2) Clear Our 2024 Waitlist: Join the "200 for $250" Campaign We're laser-focused on funding our 2024 cohort of 50 children currently on our waitlist. The mission is clear: we need 200 committed supporters to pledge $250 in recurring donations to make this a reality. Your engagement, whether by reading, sharing, or contributing financially, is more than a donation; it's a pledge to invest in the next generation of leaders. We're not just a charity, we're a community, and we owe our momentum to you—our invaluable donors, partners, and team. Onward! 🌟 #PutMeIn #AnnualLetter #200For250 #ClearTheWaitlist #YouthSports #CIP #CommunityImpact #FutureLeaders Let's Go! 🌟

“80% of success is showing up.” Like Woody Allen’s famous saying, I showed up at Edward Charles Foundation event recently. It was an after-work event where I had the chance to catch up with old friends, meet new people, and connect with social impact leaders both IRL and virtually. One of the highlights was connecting with Khalid Cannon, President and Chief Program Officer, of Put Me In! I was intrigued by the national nonprofit organization as they tackle children’s issues- specifically children of incarcerated parents. And they do it by providing access to sports from football to dance. Their work is at the intersection of policy, business, and social impact- my sweet spot. But their true power? ✅ It’s the long-term commitment. ✅ It’s not a one-time, $1K financial aid. ✅ It’s providing recurring financial support, starting at middle school through high school. This upstream investment is necessary for downstream community impact. My experiences in corporate philanthropy and impact investing had the constant pressure of answering: “What’s the ROI?” And my constant refrain: “Putting $1 or $100,000 today does not solve for______ overnight. Because many social policy challenges were years in the making. But we can start, build, and iterate for impact.” Meaningful change requires long term thinking and sustained efforts- often an overlooked stamina for funders and policymakers. Just as I showed up and connected with Put Me In!, they show up day after day for children of incarcerated parents. It’s tempting to skip that after-work event or conference. Netflix, Hulu, and sweatpants always beckon for me. But by showing up, you never know if you'll connect with - the next opportunity, the next collaborator, or the next meaningful conversation. ___________ When did “showing up” lead you to a connection or unexpected opportunity? #socialimpact #publicaffairs #ShastaAdvisory

Khalid Cannon is one of the kindest, most intentional nonprofit leaders I've had the privilege of working with through HundredX Causes. Put Me In! provides access to youth sports to children of incarcerated parents - it's an amazing organization worth learning more about and supporting and HundredX is excited to partner with them though our BackBlack HundredX Causes campaign this month. Can you please take just FIVE minutes today - five minutes you might otherwise spend scrolling on social media - and text "IMPACT" to 90412? Choose Put Me In! and share a few short brand surveys to support them. Each 60-second survey gives $2 to Khalid and his team to keep doing what they do best! You can generate $100 with just an hour of your time between now and September 17th to keep kids on supportive, meaningful, life-changing teams. No donations. No buying. No selling. No asking friends and family to donate money. Simply share how you feel about your recent shopping, dining, and customer experiences using HundredX.

💛Non-profits at Noon💛 At least every other week I'm sharing something about a non-profit within the noon hour on Tuesdays.😁 It may be one I'm engaged with... familiar with... or have recently learned about and want to share with you. The reasons vary from a cause near and dear to me to a person/group simply doing good stuff!🤗 Here's another one with a mission near and dear to me! 🧡 Put Me In!'s mission is to increase access to sports for children of incarcerated parents.🏈🎾🏒🤾🏼♂️🏅 Put Me In! provides committed recurring financial aid grants to children of incarcerated parents (CIP)s to support their participation in athletics. Annual grants begin while a CIP is in middle school, and support continues through high school. The financial aid helps cover the costs of equipment and registration fees. Outreach and enrollment are discreet, confidential and private.👐🏼 Learn more about the benefits provided here: https://putmein.org/ And/or connect with Khalid Cannon to find out how you or your organization can provide access to sports for more kids! 🤝🏼 #NonProfitsAtNoon #PutMeIn #children #sports #giveback #nonprofits

🏀 Don’t miss a beat! 🏈 Subscribe to our Substack for the latest news, updates, and inspiring stories from our program. Stay connected and be part of the action—sign up today! 🏆 👉 https://lnkd.in/gC3jnqiU

The families and children of incarcerated people are often called the "hidden victims" of the criminal justice system. They are victims who are not acknowledged or given a platform to be heard, and they often don't receive the same support as other crime victims. These impacts include emotional and behavioral issues, physical health concerns, educational setbacks, financial strain, residential instability, and an increased risk of future involvement with the criminal justice system. At Put Me In!, we believe these children deserve more than to be hidden victims. They deserve to be lifted up and given opportunities to thrive like any other kid. Our mission is to provide consistent support through sports, helping children build resilience, confidence, and a sense of normalcy. Join us in supporting these incredible children. Your donation can help us provide the resources they need, from sports equipment to travel costs for games. If you can't donate, please share our work to raise awareness. Together, we can make a difference and show these children they are seen, valued, and supported. https://lnkd.in/dzaHWfW7 #SupportCIPs #YouthSports #HiddenVictims #Resilience #CommunitySupport #PutMeIn #DonateNow #RaiseAwareness #EveryChildMatters #ParentalIncarceration

🚀 Join Us in Transforming Lives! 🚀 Put Me In! is looking for a dynamic Director of Development to lead our fundraising efforts and support our expansion. Our impact model focuses on providing financial aid to children of incarcerated parents, enabling their sports participation from elementary through high school. This role offers immense potential for growth, requiring strategic leadership and the ability to cultivate strong donor relationships. If you're passionate about making a difference and have a proven track record in fundraising, we want you to be part of our exciting journey! Apply now and contribute to our mission of empowering young lives through sports. If you're not looking to apply but want to support our growth, please consider sharing this post within your network. Your help in finding the right candidate is invaluable in continuing our impactful work. #TransformingLives #Fundraising #DevelopmentDirector #ParentalIncarceration #EmpowerYouth #YouthSports #Sports #NonprofitManagement

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to watch one of the girls from Put Me In! compete at the USATF Junior Olympics. Witnessing her resilience and determination firsthand was nothing short of inspiring. These moments with the families in our program bring the impact of our work to life, making it all the more tangible and meaningful. We are dedicated to investing in children by funding their sports participation and removing barriers to access. But our mission extends beyond just financial support. We are opening doors to new communities and experiences, broadening horizons, and providing opportunities to learn invaluable life lessons. Seeing the transformation in these young athletes is a powerful reminder of the importance of our work. Sports build confidence. Sports build self-esteem. Sports build leaders. Sports change lives. Join us in supporting these incredible kids. Your donation can make a difference, or simply sharing our mission can help raise awareness. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive. https://lnkd.in/dzaHWfW7 #SupportCIPs #YouthSports #CommunitySupport #PutMeIn #USATFJuniorOlympics #Leadership #Inspiration #DonateNow #RaiseAwareness #ChangingLives #ParentalIncarceration

I can't get enough of the insights from this RAND report. Youth sports play a crucial role in teaching critical life skills like leadership, teamwork, confidence, perseverance, and discipline. These skills are fundamental for personal growth and success in various life aspects. Parents highlight that sports help children in building supportive peer networks and enhancing their work ethic. School administrators and community sports leaders also agree that sports instill a commitment to academic excellence and physical fitness. Increasing access to youth sports is essential for fostering holistic development, especially for children from underserved communities. By overcoming financial and logistical barriers, we can ensure that every child, irrespective of their economic background, can benefit from the transformative power of sports. Let's collaborate to make youth sports accessible to all and create a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive! Support Put Me In!'s mission by becoming a monthly donor today: https://lnkd.in/dzaHWfW7 #YouthSports #LifeSkills #ChildDevelopment #HealthAndWellness #Teamwork #Leadership #Inclusivity #CommunitySupport #SportsForAll #EqualOpportunities

I love what Matt Blodgett and Put Me In! team are doing. If you are wondering how to support kids in difficult life situations, here’s a place to join. The life changing stories help provide hope for our future and society. Happy to connect you to Matt if you want to learn more.