Community groups awarded $1 million total across Western New York and Southeast Michigan for public installations that inspire play in everyday spaces.

Download

Wilson Foundation formalizes $10 million commitment for park’s long-term sustainability. The Imagine LaSalle project partners have announced their intent to form the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy.

Download Press Release

With the groundbreaking for a transformed Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park one year away, the question of who will operate and maintain the park has become clear.

A newly-established not-for-profit called the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy will be in charge.

Read the full article at »

Parks and trails have always been a big part of the Western New York experience, but their prominence and accessibility have grown significantly in recent years thanks to the support of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.

Read the full article at »

Watch the ESPN award announcement made on SportsCenter last month.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation was honored to be named the recipient of ESPN’s inaugural Sports Philanthropist of the Year honor as part of its 2020 Sports Humanitarian Awards. We’re proud to share and celebrate this recognition with our amazing Project Play Western New York and Project Play Southeast Michigan partners, and incredible grantees that are working each and every day to provide equitable access and a better youth sport experience for all children. 

We are excited to announce that as part of this special recognition ESPN Citizenship is directing a $100,000 charitable donation in our honor. We have requested their donation be split equally between our two regions, to support COVID-safe play initiatives being led by our Project Play partners. This includes a mini-grant program in Western New York and the Project Play Kit project in Southeast Michigan providing sports equipment, games and activity ideas for home play. More details will be shared in the coming weeks. 

And be sure to check out this great recap by Tom Farrey, executive director of Aspen’s Sports & Society Program, reflecting on the #DontRetireKid campaign we helped to launch together nearly a year ago with ESPN and our Project Play 2020 partners.

Application now open for $1 million to bring creative playspaces to communities in Western New York and Southeast Michigan. The Challenge, now in its third iteration, invites communities to submit creative design ideas that make it easier for families to incorporate play into everyday moments.

Download Press Release

Following the distribution of more than $57 million in grants to bolster youth sports access and participation in Southeast Michigan and Western New York since 2015, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation has announced the launch of a localized national public service campaign, #DontRetireKid.

Download Press Release

Read the full article at »

Read the full article at »

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation (RCWJRF) and Tony Hawk Foundation (THF) are celebrating “International Go Skateboarding Day” this Friday, June 21 and continuing the festivities through the weekend with a variety of skatepark events and activities hosted by their Built to Play-skatepark grantees and partners throughout Southeast Michigan.

Download Press Release