An athlete’s success is undoubtedly driven by their ability to perform at the highest level but it is also heavily dependent upon financial support. Many athletes with the potential to compete at world-class levels have faced challenges in securing the funding to pay their way to competitions that are critical to their advancement in their sport. Far too often, resource gaps have proven to be an impassable barrier for promising, yet financially challenged athletes. We at Level Field Fund strive to bridge gaps in funding so talented athletes can compete on a level playing field.
The Ross Powers Foundation and Level Field Fund have positively affected athletes well beyond those in their root sport of snowboarding. Critical funding has been provided to hundreds of deserving athletes from across the United States competing in sports ranging from snowboarding to kayaking, swimming to skiing, and skeleton to taekwondo. Thanks to the support of of the Foundation, grant recipients have further advanced their athletic pursuits and achieved success that otherwise would not have been possible in national and international competitions, including representing Team USA in the Olympic Games.
Level Field Fund - Swimming
The Level Field Fund - Swimming is a swimming-specific grant program for competitive swimmers with financial need. With the help of the Michael Phelps Foundation we are funding talent and fueling dreams for the next generation of Olympic swimmers. Grants are available to cover competition related costs.
Level Field Fund - Big Rob Fund
Together with the support of Kathy Murray and Joe Chrostowski of the Big Rob Fund, the Level Field Fund-Big Rob Fund, we are funding grants specific to Southern Vermont Series snowboarders. Our collaboration has the resources to continue to provide needed funding in this important area, and the ability to do it on a bigger scale. Level Field Fund‐Big Rob Fund grants are provided to talented SVS snowboarders with financial need to cover competition related costs.
MISSION:
The Level Field Fund strives to bridge gaps in funding to uniquely talented athletes, following the belief that opportunities to pursue excellence in sport should not be limited by an athlete’s financial situation.
FOUNDER:
Ross Powers overcame financial challenges to achieve world-class success in his sport. Despite his talent, drive and commitment, Ross, who grew up in a household of limited resources, would not have had the chance to succeed in the sport of snowboarding without generous financial support from individuals in his Southern Vermont community. During his time as a pro rider, Ross went on to win every major snowboarding competition there was, including the first Olympic medals for the USA in the sport (Bronze in 1998; Gold in 2002). His story is unique given the success Ross eventually achieved. Unfortunately, many other riders with comparable talent to Ross’s were forced to drop out of the sport due to a lack of adequate financial resources. Motivated by a desire to replicate the assistance others had provided to help him as he went on to realize his dreams and achieve great success in his sport, Ross started the Ross Powers Foundation in 2001. Over the past decade, the Foundation has provided critical funding to deserving athletes competing in a wide range of sports.
ATHLETE AMBASSADORS:
Ross was joined in this mission by notable gold medalists from summer and winter sports, including Michael Phelps, Daron Rahlves, Seth Wescott and Lenny Krayzelburg, all of whom have pledged their support in creating the Level Field Fund.
“Talent, drive and determination are simply not enough for many young athletes; financial support at key stages of development is critical.”
– Ross Powers, president of the Ross Powers Foundation and founder of Level Field Fund “As competitive athletes, we all share the desire to compete against the best, and to think that we are losing talented athletes because of a lack of financial resources is troubling. I am a big believer in following your dreams and it is an honor to be a part of the Level Field Fund, a group of athletes helping other athletes pursue their own dreams.”
– Michael Phelps, 18-time Olympic gold medal winning swimmer
"Determined athletes committed to performing their best shouldn't be held back due to a financial short coming. I've seen lots of talent go undeveloped and that's where Level Field Fund can step in and help. I'm excited to be a part of the Level Field Fund and look forward to helping that in need get to the next level and enjoy success in competition."
– Daron Rahlves, three-time Olympian and World Champion skier
BY THE NUMBERS:
421 grants awarded by the Ross Powers Foundation/Level Field Fund since 2002 217 different athletes that have received grants from RPF/LFF
22 sports affected through grants
26 RPF/LFF grant recipients have competed in an Olympic Games
$685,182 awarded to athletes since 2002
FOUNDING PARTNER:
OrthoLite is the world’s leading supplier of open cell foam insoles found in more than 100 million shoes each year. One of OrthoLite’s core values is enhancing athlete performance by providing optimal foot comfort in a variety of different ways. Sharing this goal of helping athletes reach their full potential is among the main reasons the Amherst, MA-based company became the founding sponsor of the Level Field Fund. In addition to its generous financial support, OrthoLite has committed to donate $1 to the Level Field Fund for every purchase of an insole from www.OrthoLite.com.
ABOUT:
The Level Field Fund is a grant-giving program of the Ross Powers Foundation, a recognized 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization. For more information, please visit www.levelfieldfund.org or www.facebook.com/levelfieldfund.
Level Field Fund
An athlete’s success is undoubtedly driven by their ability to perform at the highest level but it is also heavily dependent upon financial support. Many athletes with the potential to compete at world-class levels have faced challenges in securing the funding to pay their way to competitions that are critical to their advancement in their sport. Far too often, resource gaps have proven to be an impassable barrier for promising, yet financially challenged athletes. We at Level Field Fund strive to bridge gaps in funding so talented athletes can compete on a level playing field.
The Ross Powers Foundation and Level Field Fund have positively affected athletes well beyond those in their root sport of snowboarding. Critical funding has been provided to hundreds of deserving athletes from across the United States competing in sports ranging from snowboarding to kayaking, swimming to skiing, and skeleton to taekwondo. Thanks to the support of of the Foundation, grant recipients have further advanced their athletic pursuits and achieved success that otherwise would not have been possible in national and international competitions, including representing Team USA in the Olympic Games.
Level Field Fund - Swimming
The Level Field Fund - Swimming is a swimming-specific grant program for competitive swimmers with financial need. With the help of the Michael Phelps Foundation we are funding talent and fueling dreams for the next generation of Olympic swimmers. Grants are available to cover competition related costs.
Level Field Fund - Big Rob Fund
Together with the support of Kathy Murray and Joe Chrostowski of the Big Rob Fund, the Level Field Fund-Big Rob Fund, we are funding grants specific to Southern Vermont Series snowboarders. Our collaboration has the resources to continue to provide needed funding in this important area, and the ability to do it on a bigger scale. Level Field Fund‐Big Rob Fund grants are provided to talented SVS snowboarders with financial need to cover competition related costs.
MISSION:
The Level Field Fund strives to bridge gaps in funding to uniquely talented athletes, following the belief that opportunities to pursue excellence in sport should not be limited by an athlete’s financial situation.
FOUNDER:
Ross Powers overcame financial challenges to achieve world-class success in his sport. Despite his talent, drive and commitment, Ross, who grew up in a household of limited resources, would not have had the chance to succeed in the sport of snowboarding without generous financial support from individuals in his Southern Vermont community. During his time as a pro rider, Ross went on to win every major snowboarding competition there was, including the first Olympic medals for the USA in the sport (Bronze in 1998; Gold in 2002). His story is unique given the success Ross eventually achieved. Unfortunately, many other riders with comparable talent to Ross’s were forced to drop out of the sport due to a lack of adequate financial resources. Motivated by a desire to replicate the assistance others had provided to help him as he went on to realize his dreams and achieve great success in his sport, Ross started the Ross Powers Foundation in 2001. Over the past decade, the Foundation has provided critical funding to deserving athletes competing in a wide range of sports.
ATHLETE AMBASSADORS:
Ross was joined in this mission by notable gold medalists from summer and winter sports, including Michael Phelps, Daron Rahlves, Seth Wescott and Lenny Krayzelburg, all of whom have pledged their support in creating the Level Field Fund.
“Talent, drive and determination are simply not enough for many young athletes; financial support at key stages of development is critical.”
– Ross Powers, president of the Ross Powers Foundation and founder of Level Field Fund “As competitive athletes, we all share the desire to compete against the best, and to think that we are losing talented athletes because of a lack of financial resources is troubling. I am a big believer in following your dreams and it is an honor to be a part of the Level Field Fund, a group of athletes helping other athletes pursue their own dreams.”
– Michael Phelps, 18-time Olympic gold medal winning swimmer
"Determined athletes committed to performing their best shouldn't be held back due to a financial short coming. I've seen lots of talent go undeveloped and that's where Level Field Fund can step in and help. I'm excited to be a part of the Level Field Fund and look forward to helping that in need get to the next level and enjoy success in competition."
– Daron Rahlves, three-time Olympian and World Champion skier
BY THE NUMBERS:
421 grants awarded by the Ross Powers Foundation/Level Field Fund since 2002 217 different athletes that have received grants from RPF/LFF
22 sports affected through grants
26 RPF/LFF grant recipients have competed in an Olympic Games
$685,182 awarded to athletes since 2002
FOUNDING PARTNER:
OrthoLite is the world’s leading supplier of open cell foam insoles found in more than 100 million shoes each year. One of OrthoLite’s core values is enhancing athlete performance by providing optimal foot comfort in a variety of different ways. Sharing this goal of helping athletes reach their full potential is among the main reasons the Amherst, MA-based company became the founding sponsor of the Level Field Fund. In addition to its generous financial support, OrthoLite has committed to donate $1 to the Level Field Fund for every purchase of an insole from www.OrthoLite.com.
ABOUT:
The Level Field Fund is a grant-giving program of the Ross Powers Foundation, a recognized 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization. For more information, please visit www.levelfieldfund.org or www.facebook.com/levelfieldfund.