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This week, the National Hockey League (NHL) announced a redefinition of its charitable efforts – the NHL Foundation™ in the U.S. (NHL Foundation U.S., Inc.) and Canada (NHL Foundation Canada). With a new Board of Directors guiding these efforts, the NHL Foundation plans to enhance its impact across North America. The League will continue to support organizations that make a positive social impact, but will be putting a greater emphasis on investing in high-quality programs.
The Foundation’s renewed mission focuses on five strategic pillars: youth development, health and wellbeing, social equity, pathways to hockey and service. Across these pillars, it will support initiatives dedicated to the social and emotional development of youth under 18; programs that provide nutrition education and mental health resources; organizations that put inclusion at the forefront, combatting racism, bullying prevention and helping to reconnect broken communities. The Foundation will also expand access to hockey through educational and career programs, as well as assisting military personnel and first responders.
2.5 million people played hockey in North America in 2023, representing a 10% increase from 2022. And with the additions of the Seattle Kraken in 2021 and the Utah Hockey Club, the NHL now encompasses 32 teams. The League provides support for grassroots hockey organizations in more than 40 locations across the U.S. and Canada. These programs offer children of all backgrounds with opportunities to play hockey and hockey-affiliated programs, leveraging the sport to teach essential life skills and the core values of hockey: commitment, perseverance and teamwork. By aligning with organizations dedicated to the new pillars, the NHL intends to create greater social impact and strengthen more communities.
“For more than 30 years, the NHL Foundations have been investing in organizations across North America, extending the NHL’s reach beyond the game on the ice,” said Bill Daly, NHL Foundation Director and Chairman and NHL Deputy Commissioner. “Now, with five key pillars serving as strategic guidelines, a committed leadership group and a distinguished Board of Directors to provide counsel and ensure accountability, we expect the NHL Foundations’ positive impact will be even greater, its audience wider and its efforts to better communities across the U.S. and Canada greatly enhanced.”
The Foundations will have oversight from their respective newly appointed Board of Directors led by Daly as Chair and Executive Director Rob Wooley. The members include industry leaders from various sectors in and outside of hockey who bring a wealth of experience. This includes U.S. gold medalist and US Women’s National Team head scout, Haley Skarupa, who will lead efforts to support and grow girls’ hockey for NHL Foundation U.S. Nonprofits focused on making hockey accessible for girls will actively receive grants in connection with this initiative. Kim Davis, President of NHL Foundation U.S. and NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives and Legislative Affairs, will oversee the selection of grantees. The League will announce the inaugural grantees later this season.
The NHL is a Beyond Sport Founding Supporter.
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