New partnership with Sokol Club removes cost as a barrier for Barberton kids
Barberton, Ohio — Barberton Community Foundation, in partnership with Sokol Club, has launched the Sokol Youth Sports Fund to help more Barberton kids get in the game.
Sokol Club is building the fund throughout this year, with grantmaking beginning in 2027. The goal of the fund is to support quality enhancements and improve access to youth sports for Barberton’s kids and families.
National research from the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative shows youth sports build far more than athletic capabilities. Young people who participate in organized sports often perform better academically, build stronger social connections, and experience long-term physical and emotional health benefits. On the field, in the gym, or in the dugout, kids develop discipline, accountability, teamwork, resilience, and confidence that shape how they lead, learn, and grow.
Access remains one of the biggest challenges. Project Play data shows children from lower-income households participate in youth sports at significantly lower rates than their peers, not because of less talent or limited interest, but because of cost. Registration fees, equipment, transportation, and tournament travel create barriers many families struggle to overcome. The Sokol Youth Sports Fund exists to help close that gap.
“When a young person learns how to compete, take feedback, work through adversity, and show up for a team, they are building skills that help shape character and learning lessons that stick with them for the rest of their lives,” said Josh Gordon. “Youth sports are not just an extracurricular activity. They help shape future employees, future leaders, and future citizens. If we want a stronger Barberton tomorrow, we must invest in young people today.”
For more than a century, Sokol Club has played an important role in shaping Barberton. Through this new fund, that legacy continues by creating new opportunities for the next generation.
“At Sokol Club, we care deeply about preserving what this organization has meant to generations of Barberton families,” said Renae Macko, Sokol Club Treasurer. “But preserving a legacy is not just about honoring the past. It is about making sure today’s kids have the same opportunities to grow, compete, and discover what they are capable of. Youth sports teach resilience, communication, teamwork, and the confidence to keep going when things get hard. Those lessons stay with young people long after the game ends.”
Beginning in 2027, Barberton-based youth sports organizations, leagues, teams, and community-based athletic programs will be eligible to apply for grant funding through Barberton Community Foundation. Grants are designed to support quality enhancements and improve access to youth sports for Barberton kids and families. Depending on the needs of each program, funding may help offset costs such as equipment, uniforms, league dues, facility needs, or other expenses that strengthen youth sports opportunities in the community.
Barberton Community Foundation invites the community to be part of that investment. Every gift helps strengthen the organizations serving Barberton’s young athletes and expands access to the life-changing opportunities youth sports make possible.
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About Barberton Community Foundation
Established in 1996, Barberton Community Foundation has awarded over 8,500 grants and scholarships totaling more than $109 million since its inception. The Foundation strives to improve, now and forever, the quality of life for Barberton residents by providing leadership on vital issues, fostering collaboration and creating a legacy of giving to do good. The Foundation strengthens the community for current and future generations by proactively directing its grant dollars to the community’s greatest needs. To read more about Barberton Community Foundation visit www.barbertoncf.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/barbertoncommunityfoundation.
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