New Balance Foundation Pledges $9.2M for Massachusetts Youth Sports and Development Programs

Key Takeaways

• New Balance Foundation commits $9.2 million for 2025-2026 cycle to Massachusetts nonprofits focused on youth development
• Grants support youth sports access, nutrition and food security, and education programs in communities where New Balance operates facilities
• Foundation has invested more than $90 million since 1981, with $17 million distributed to 95 nonprofits in 2025 alone
• Funding includes 11 local organizations ranging from Beyond Soccer to Special Olympics Massachusetts
• 99% of North American 12th graders in Foundation-funded programs graduated from high school

Supporting Communities Where Associates Work

The New Balance Foundation announced $9.2 million in grants for the 2025-2026 funding cycle, targeting youth development programs in Massachusetts communities where the athletic footwear manufacturer maintains operations. New Balance operates facilities in Lawrence and Methuen, including an 80,000-square-foot footwear facility in Methuen that brought more than 200 jobs to the Merrimack Valley when it opened in 2022.

The grants focus on three primary areas: youth sports access, nutrition and food security, and educational support programs. “The children and families in these communities are in our backyard, and we’re proud to invest in organizations and initiatives that play a critical role in shaping the lives of young people across the state,” said Anne Davis, managing trustee of the New Balance Foundation, in a statement to The Eagle-Tribune.

Grant Recipients and Program Focus

The 2025-2026 funding cycle supports 11 local nonprofits: Beyond Soccer, Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, Change the Game Coalition, Community Rowing, Cradles to Crayons, Essex Art Center, Lazarus House Ministries, Play Ball Foundation, Special Olympics Massachusetts, and SquashBusters locations in Boston and Lawrence.

Beyond annual operating grants, the Foundation’s Enduring Gifts Pillar supports larger infrastructure projects. Recent contributions include the renovation of Lawrence’s O’Connell South Common Park and the development of Esperanza Academy’s new K-8 school for girls in Lawrence.

Foundation Track Record and Outcomes

Since its establishment in 1981, the New Balance Foundation has invested more than $90 million in nonprofits serving Metro Boston, Lawrence, and Methuen. The Foundation has granted over $165 million total to date, with more than $17 million distributed to 95 nonprofits in 2025 alone.

Program outcomes show measurable impact on youth participants. 99% of North American 12th graders participating in New Balance Foundation-funded programs graduated from high school, with 88% enrolled in college.

The Foundation maintains a long-term approach to grantmaking. Operating within an invitation-only framework, the Foundation focuses on year-round collaboration with portfolio grantees rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

Broader Philanthropic Footprint

The Massachusetts commitment represents one component of the Foundation’s expanding geographic reach. In 2024, New Balance and New Balance Foundation donated more than $28 million in the U.S. to charitable causes, with focus on empowering underserved populations and removing barriers to healthy lifestyles.

In April 2025, the Foundation launched Futures in Motion, a multi-year international initiative in partnership with Beyond Sport, beginning in Australia, Japan, and Poland with plans to expand to four additional countries over three years.

The Foundation’s model centers on preventing childhood obesity and promoting youth development through sports-based programming, educational support, and career readiness initiatives in communities where New Balance associates live and work.

YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.

Sources

• The Eagle-Tribune: “New Balance pledges $9.2M in grants to non-profits” (December 4, 2025)
• New Balance Foundation: “Our Impact” (newbalance.com)
• New Balance Foundation: “Our Mission” (newbalance.com)
• WebWire: “New Balance Releases Inaugural Made in USA Economic and Social Footprint Report”
• Beyond Sport: “New Balance Foundation and Beyond Sport Launch New International Youth Development Program” (April 4, 2025)
• Inside Philanthropy: “New Balance Foundation” profile

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