ODS Awarded Two Grants from the Kids for Kids Fund

In April 2025, Open Door Sports (ODS) was awarded two $1,000 grants through the Kids for Kids Fund program of The Giving Square, a local nonprofit that introduces kids to a deeper understanding of service and philanthropy. Jackson Road Elementary and Harmony Hills Elementary both chose Open Door Sports as their designated beneficiary.

The Kids for Kids Fund Program empowers 3^rd-5^th graders with the responsibility to give away $1,000 to a local, kid-serving non-profit organization and is intended to introduce the children to the concept of philanthropy. The Kids for Kids celebrations involved 10 Elementary Schools presenting giant checks to the nonprofits they chose. Students from each elementary school shared their thoughts on why they selected the chosen nonprofit and asked the charity’s representative questions such as what was the reason it was started.

As one example, Alona started as a Kids for Kids participant and has gone on to become a podcast co-host and intern at the Giving Square. She also organizes park clean ups and volunteers for an art organization. “Encouraging others to be philanthropic is important to me because I believe that only by doing good for others can our communities become better. It is imperative that we all pitch in, in order to better ourselves and learn new skills that can help us in daily life. Helping others is also a great way to make new friends and learn about other cultures and ways of life.”

The Giving Square introduces children to a broader and deeper interpretation of what philanthropy can be and validates the many ways that ALL of us can and do contribute to the world around us.