What We Support
As the philanthropic arm of USA Ultimate, The Ultimate Foundation’s funding priorities are fostering access, growing youth ultimate, investing in local communities, and supporting the Girls’ Ultimate Movement and Delrico Johnson Fund.
Explore this to see how your contributions are making a difference, and join us as we continue to champion a future where everyone has the opportunity to experience ultimate’s unique ability to inspire integrity, community, and human-connection.
USA Ultimate believes everyone should have the chance to experience the joy of ultimate, and no one should be denied the opportunity to be a part of the ultimate community because of their socioeconomic status. Donations designated for access support PLAY IT FORWARD, providing financial assistance for youth to experience the joy of ultimate at every level of play. With your help, kids of all backgrounds and identities will have opportunities to learn the joy of ultimate and the values of Spirit of the Game.
In December of 2023, USA Ultimate created a stand-alone Youth Department as part of the organization, a key step in support of a major strategic priority in USA Ultimate’s strategic plan, to elevate youth ultimate. Donations designated for youth will go towards expanding opportunities for the next generation of players. Supporting youth programs like Youth Growth Grants, Learn to Play, Community Coaching, and DISCover Ultimate.
A priority of USA Ultimate’s strategic plan is serving communities and their unique needs through supporting local disc organizations growing the sport and thriving as businesses. Donations designated for communities will go towards supporting the annual Organizers Convention and investment in the USA Ultimate Affiliate Program and local partner organizations. The Foundation is uniquely positioned to support local communities at scale across the country.
The Girls’ Ultimate Movement (GUM) is a community-wide outreach program designed to increase girls’ participation in the sport of ultimate. Currently, only about a quarter of all USA Ultimate youth members are female, but the sport is an excellent outlet for young girls. With its emphasis on Spirit of the Game and tenets of equity and inclusiveness, ultimate can help girls become amazing athletes, but also leaders and contributors to society.
The Delrico Johnson Fund increases access and participation for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) by contributing towards memberships, starting with adult affiliate memberships, and National Team tryout fees. “It would be exciting if this fund became an inspiration for teams and for the broader ultimate community to ask what more they can do to be inclusive and supportive for current BIPOC players and those interested in joining.” -Delrico Johnson
Each women’s team that qualifies for the USA Ultimate National Championships nominates one player from their team who best exemplifies both the ethos of the SOTG, along with a personal commitment to giving back to the sport. Each team at the National Championships casts a vote for one of the nominees, taking into account who has exhibited personal responsibility, integrity, and selfless contribution to ultimate, combined with a high standard of playing ability.
The athlete with the most votes is awarded the Kathy Pufahl Spirit Award at the National Championships.
The Farricker Spirit Award is given to the player in the men’s division of the USA Ultimate National Championships adjudged to have exhibited personal responsibility, integrity, and fairness combined with a high standard of playing ability. Each Nationals-qualifying men’s team nominates one player from their own team as the person who best represents Spirit of the Game. During the open championship game, each nominee is honored with a disc, pin or set of Mardi Gras beads. The hope is that the people wearing the Mardi Gras beads will be connected to Pete, each other and the Spirit of the Game, and will become role models for their teammates and opponents.
Established in 2010, the Marty Bakko Spirit Award is presented to a player in the men’s masters division at the USA Ultimate Masters Championships who best exemplifies SOTG. The award was created in honor of the late Marty Bakko (Minneapolis Surly). The masters division spirit award honors players that embody the best attributes of ultimate. Like Marty Bakko, these individuals: have an infectious sense of humor; possess a long-term passion for the sport of ultimate; display a commitment to fair play, integrity and respect for their opponent; are shrewd, tactical innovators on the field; show an intense, competitive Spirit; and are leaders who inspire others to act. Each qualifying masters team nominates one player from its roster as the person who best represents the Spirit of the Game and the qualities listed above.