WHAT IS THRIVE?

Thrive ABA Athletics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering children and adults with disabilities through inclusive, lifetime sports. We run one sport each month (volleyball, basketball, baseball, soccer, football, ski fitness). Athletes practice weekly and gather for monthly "game days" supported by families, peers, and community volunteers. Using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles—a research-backed approach that teaches real-world skills—we help athletes build independence, teamwork, and confidence. More importantly, we give them community.

WHAT'S ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a research-backed therapy that applies scientific principles of learning and behavior to real-world situations. Our core goal: increase helpful behaviors while decreasing harmful or disruptive ones. We teach skills that athletes can use across ANY community activity—not just sports.

OUR ATHLETES

Kids and adults with disabilities often spend hours alone each week, isolated from community activities and peer relationships. Thrive changes that. Our athletes have shown up in 28 sessions across 4 cycles (Nov 2025 - Jun 2026). They've played volleyball, basketball, baseball, and got in shape to hit the slopes. They've made friends, learned skills, and felt like they belonged. Now we want to make sure they keep showing up—and that we can reach MORE athletes in Jackson.

WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES

We've spent $$ so far on:

✓ Reserved space — Safe, accessible place to practice

✓ Adaptive sports equipment — Balls, nets, gloves, training gear customized to each athlete's abilities

✓ Snacks at sessions — We aim to have snacks for volunteers at the sessions

✓ T-shirts, hats, materials — Athletes feel part of the team

✓ Website, admin, design tools — Keeping the nonprofit running

EIN NUMBER

39-4796852

For the rest of 2026, we need $$ for:

✓ SPACE — rental for cycles 5, 6, 7

✓ EQUIPMENT — More adaptive gear to send HOME with athletes & use at sessions

✓ SNACKS — Snacks for every remaining session

✓ Admin & tools — Website, Google Workspace, Canva

THE ASK

We're asking the community to help us reserve space and send adaptive sports gear home with our athletes.

$25 = one month of snacks & community time

$50 = one practice session for one athlete

$100 = equipment for an athlete to take home

$250+ = sponsor an entire sport cycle for our athletes

100% of donations go directly to programming. All leadership—coaches, volunteers, organizers—donate their time. We don't pay ourselves. The money goes to the athletes.

THE LONG GAME

As Thrive grows, we're building a job and scholarship pathway for at-risk teens. We want to pay youth to volunteer, then eventually support their education in ABA, special education, or behavioral health. We're investing in people who will grow Thrive's mission from the inside. But first, we need to show the community that this works. We need to prove that athletes keep coming back. We need to show we can sustain the program. Your donation makes that possible.

---

YOU'LL HELP US:

✓ Keep programs running 4+ times per month (we're averaging ~30 athletes)

✓ Send adaptive sports gear home with athletes (so they can practice, play, build independence)

✓ Create consistent, safe space where athletes know they belong

✓ Launch our job & scholarship pathway for at-risk teens

✓ Build a nonprofit that lasts

---

QUESTIONS?

Thrive is run by our community. We're grassroots, we're authentic, and we're all-in on making sure every kid and adult with disabilities gets to play.

Thrive Athletics Kick Off (Summer)