Why Not You Foundation Drew 163,072 Student Contestants
The national youth competition incentivizes young athletes with prize money and career mentorship opportunities.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Do you believe youth sports competitions effectively provide resources to kids in underserved communities?
The Why Not You Foundation has drawn 163,072 student entries for its annual Youth Athlete of the Year competition. The program provides a $25,000 grand prize and professional mentorship to winners.
Why it matters
The foundation, established in 2014, focuses on directing resources toward children in underserved communities. The initiative creates professional development pathways for young athletes through corporate advertising and expert guidance.
The foundation saw 163,072 students enter the competition, with the top performer set to receive $25,000 in grand prize money. The program's total reach remains subject to ongoing tournament results.
The players
Russell Wilson
A professional athlete and co-founder of the Why Not You Foundation.
Ciara
An entrepreneur and co-founder of the Why Not You Foundation.
Why Not You Foundation
A philanthropic organization established in 2014 that focuses on providing resources to underserved youth.
Antario Jacas
A student athlete from Conyers who is a quarter-finalist in the competition.
The details
Participants enter the competition by submitting an essay detailing their background and athletic goals. Following the initial entry, contestants advance through a tournament structure that utilizes social media voting to determine progression. The ultimate prize package includes professional mentorship and a feature advertisement for 3Brand in Sports Illustrated.
Timeline
The Why Not You Foundation was founded in 2014.
The Youth Athlete of the Year Competition occurs in 2026.
Market Landscape
The competition represents a strategic evolution of the community outreach model launched with the 2014 establishment of the Why Not You Foundation. This program signals a move toward high-visibility talent development partnerships within the philanthropic sector.
Operators and organizational leaders should note the impact of utilizing digital voting tournaments to drive engagement at this scale. Reviewing how such competitions structure mentorship and brand visibility provides a model for integrating corporate social responsibility with talent pipelines.
The takeaway
The competition highlights how large-scale digital engagement can successfully identify and reward young talent. Consider how your own organization might structure mentorship programs to provide meaningful, high-visibility outcomes for participants.
Further reading
For broader trends in sector engagement, see Philanthropy.
More information
Review the full program details on the Youth Athlete of the Year competition website.
Live Poll
Do you believe youth sports competitions effectively provide resources to kids in underserved communities?
