Support Adolescent Wellness and Empower the Next Generation
Support our mission of empowering our community's youth through sports, health and wellness. We are incredibly grateful for your support and generosity.
*L.E.A.D. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law*
OUR CURRENT FUNDRAISERS:
NOW - 12/15/2025
Give Local This Holiday Season: How the Capital Region Comes Together to Lift Each Other Up (AS SEEN ON WNYT NEWS CHANNEL 13)
The holiday season reminds us what truly matters: family, faith, and community. It’s the season of giving, of showing love through action, and of remembering that sometimes the greatest impact we can make is right in our own backyard.
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The Capital Region is filled with incredible nonprofits doing real work for real families. These organizations don’t just exist on paper, they’re in our schools, our neighborhoods, and our hearts. They rely on the generosity of local people to survive, and every dollar stays right here in our community, creating an immediate impact on our neighbors.
Local Organizations Making a Difference
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Get Your Rack Back Foundation
Supports families fighting cancer with meals, financial relief, and emotional support. Their impact is personal, immediate, and life-changing, helping local families through the hardest moments of their lives.
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Maddie’s Mark Foundation
Creates “Best Day Ever” experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses. Every event brings joy, hope, and memories that last forever. This foundation is 100% rooted in compassion and community.
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South End Children’s Café
Provides free, healthy meals and enrichment programs for children in Albany. It’s not just a meal program, it’s a safe, loving space for kids who need consistency and care. LEAD is proud to partner with South End Children’s Café for food drives and holiday celebrations.
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Fourth Family
Uses sports, mentoring, and education to help youth build positive futures. They meet kids where they are and show them what’s possible through teamwork, trust, and leadership. A powerful example of how athletics can build character.
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My Brother’s Keeper
Empowers young men of color through leadership, academic support, and mentorship. Their mission is to build confidence, identity, and opportunity, values that perfectly align with LEAD’s focus on developing the next generation of leaders.
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Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region
Provides free housing, meals, and emotional support for families whose children are receiving critical medical care. They keep families close to their sick kids, offering comfort, love, and stability during the toughest times.
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The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area
Thousands of youth in Albany and Troy find safety, mentorship, and opportunity through the Club’s programs. They focus on leadership, education, and healthy lifestyles — helping kids grow into confident, capable adults.
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Logan Strong Foundation
Supports children battling cancer and their families through financial aid, care packages, and community events. Founded in honor of Logan, this foundation stands for love, resilience, and togetherness. Their mission ensures that no family fights childhood cancer alone.
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Night Out for You
Creates safe, unforgettable experiences for children with serious illnesses and their families.Every event is filled with smiles, laughter, and togetherness, moments that bring light into dark times.
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City Mission of Schenectady
For over a century, City Mission has provided shelter, meals, job training, and hope to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. They don’t just provide relief, they offer a path toward stability, dignity, and new beginnings.
The L.E.A.D. Foundation
Founded in 2024, The L.E.A.D. Foundation was built on a simple mission: to strengthen the physical, mental, academic, and social health of youth through free after-school wellness and leadership programs in Troy and Schenectady schools.
Our programs include: Strength & conditioning, speed & agility training, nutrition education, daily healthy snacks, leadership & character development, branded shirts, bottles, and team gear.
Our results?Students show measurable improvements in: Fitness & confidence, attendance & classroom focus, emotional regulation & behavior.
Every student participates completely free at no cost to families or schools. In just one year, we’ve raised over $100,000 to support youth wellness and community impact initiatives across the Capital Region.
Give Local
The holidays are when nonprofits feel the biggest need for food, coats, essentials, and emotional support. Right now, families in Albany, Troy, and Schenectady are depending on local organizations like these. When you give local, you’re feeding a child, supporting a parent, fueling a dream, and changing a life. You're helping your own community rise, one act of kindness at a time. We have incredible nonprofits right here at home. If you’re going to give this holiday season, give local because the impact stays right here in the Capital Region.