Our Mission
The M. David Lewis MD Family Foundation supports organizations that develop young people through sport and education.
We believe the field, the court, the pool, and the classroom are where young people learn who they can become. The schools, clubs, national governing bodies, park districts, and community nonprofits doing that work — safely, inclusively, and with results they can demonstrate — are the organizations we fund, in the United States and in priority international regions.
How We Work
- Every grant has a chaperone. A Foundation officer sponsors each application and stays close to it through review — so every request arrives with a relationship, not just paperwork.
- Every officer sees every request. The moment an application is submitted, all officers receive a full executive summary. Decisions are made together, in the open.
- We do our homework. Each applicant organization receives an independent background review — verification, track record, reputation, and alignment with our priorities — before a decision is made.
- Applicants always know where they stand. Every application gets a tracking code, a direct line for questions and comments, and prompt notice of the decision with a note from the reviewing officer.
What Guides Us
Six priorities shape every funding decision: youth safety, leadership, character, inclusion, evidence-based practice, and measurable outcomes. A strong application speaks to at least one of them concretely — who is served, what will change, and how you'll know.