Winning formulas
While many athletes struggle to make a difference through their nonprofits, others succeed by simplifying fund-raising efforts, being generous with their own money, or hiring a professional staff. Here are three who put those principles into practice:
Athlete: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith
Nonprofit: Alex Smith Foundation
Mission: Helping foster teens attend college and transition to adulthood
Funds raised 2008-10: $839,244
Percent to charitable causes: 91
Why it works: Smith eschews expensive fundraisers in favor of free ones, like a mustache fund-raiser in which supporters found people to sponsor their facial hair.
Athlete: New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony
Nonprofit: Carmelo Anthony Foundation
Mission: Education and recreation
Funds raised 2008-10: $3.3 million
Percent to charitable causes: 87
Why it works: Most of the foundation’s money comes from Anthony or his company, Melo Enterprises Inc. The All-Star’s personal generosity ($2.9 million between 2008 and 2010) keeps fund-raising costs down.
Athlete: Retired quarterback/ESPN analyst Steve Young
Nonprofit: Forever Young Foundation for Children
Mission: Academic, athletic, and therapeutic support for children facing physical, emotional, and financial challenges
Funds raised 2008-10: $6.2 million
Percent to charitable causes: 75
Why it works: Young’s foundation pays a six-figure salary to its president. But for its investment in professional leadership, the nonprofit gets prolific and efficient fund-raising in return. In 2010, for instance, four special events raised $946,485 and cost just $229,772. SOURCE: IRS filings