— Our mission is to promote water safety, healthy living and the pursuit of dreams.
Last year, we celebrated our 10th Anniversary of the Michael Phelps Foundation. I am so proud of the accomplishments we have achieved and the goals reached. Our comprehensive IM Program has reached over 30,000 children with swimming lessons and a healthy living and goal-setting curriculum. We also have been working to grow the sport of swimming through Level Field Fund-Swimming. LFF-Swimming provides funding for swimmers with a financial need so they can pursue their dreams. Our Caps for a Cause program, which helps non-profit organizations raise money for their causes, has garnered thousands of dollars for nonprofits that share our mission.
Over the past couple of years, I have become a lot more open about my struggle with depression and have shared my mantra that “it’s ok to not be ok.” I am so grateful that I’ve been able to positively impact the lives of those struggling with their own mental health by simply sharing mine. We have added emotional wellness lessons and resources to IM and they are available to everyone, free of charge, through our website. We are currently working with partners to provide even more mental health resources for our communities.
We have a had a very successful decade at the Michael Phelps Foundation, and I am excited to see what the future holds for us, as we continue to promote water safety, healthy living and the pursuit of dreams.
We couldn’t have done it without our supporters and for that, we thank each and every one of you.
Upon returning home to the U.S. after competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Michael launched the Michael Phelps Foundation and embarked upon an eight-city tour across the country to share his Dream, Plan, Reach message with Boys & Girls Clubs of America members.
In 2009, along with the help of KidsHealth.org and Michael Phelps Swimming, we developed our signature program, IM, named for Michael’s signature event the Individual Medley. IM is a water-safety, physical and mental wellness, and goal-setting program for Boys & Girls Clubs of America members and Special Olympics International athletes.
In 2010, Michael joined fellow Olympians Ross Powers, Lenny Krazelburg, Seth Wescott and Daron Rahlves and launched the Level Field Fund, a grant-giving program that provides funding for uniquely talented athletes in need of financial support. We helped to establish a swimming-specific program within the fund to directly support swimmers in need of financial assistance.
In addition, we worked to organize Caps for a Cause, to aid the fundraising efforts of other non-profit organizations committed to bolstering the growth of the sport and/or encouraging children to live healthy, active lives. Through an application process, these organizations can apply to receive an authentic Michael Phelps signed swim cap to offer during their silent or live auctions. We have helped raise over $60,000 for nonprofits that share our mission.
Working to promote healthy, active lives, especially for children, primarily by expanding the opportunities for participation in the sport of swimming.
The IM Program is named after Michael Phelps’ signature event, the Individual Medley. The name also reiterates our message by abbreviating the self-affirming, “I am.” The Individual Medley requires resilience and versatility, two characteristics found in all program participants. IM was developed in 2009 with our friends at KidsHealth.org and Michael Phelps Swimming to encourage healthy and active lifestyles for participants by offering water-safety courses, recreational pool activities, and swim training, as well as health and wellness education.
The program was piloted in six Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2010. In August of 2011, after Michael Phelps became a global ambassador for the Special Olympics, we partnered with Special Olympics to launch an international pilot program in seven countries and across six continents. In this expansion, the program was adapted not only for children of varying skill levels but also of intellectual and physical abilities.
In 2018, we celebrated our 10th Year Anniversary and were pleased to add eight emotional health lessons in our IM curriculum. We also added an in-water illustration guide for our Trainers.
Following the belief that opportunities to pursue excellence in sport should not be limited by an athlete’s financial situation, The Level Field Fund strives to bridge the gaps in funding to uniquely talented athletes. Simply put, we are funding talent and fueling dreams for the next generation of Olympic heroes. We partnered with the Level Field Fund to create the Level Field Fund-Swimming grant to talented swimmers with financial need.
Learn About The Level Field Fund
Non-profit organizations committed to bolstering the growth of the sport and/or encouraging children to live healthy, active lives. Through an application process, these organizations can apply to receive an authentic Michael Phelps signed swim cap to offer during their silent or live auctions at their fundraising event.
The Golf.Give.Gala is our premier fundraising event. This exclusive event provides players with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not only will our participants have the opportunity to walk alongside the greatest Olympian of all time on one of the best golf courses, but their contributions will also help us continue to expand our life-saving programming to those that need it most.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GOLF.GIVE.GALA.
2019 ART CONTEST
The Michael Phelps Foundation invites you to show off your artistic talents and help promote water safety, healthy living and the pursuit of dreams! To enter digitally submit any combination of paint, pencil, ink, collage, photography, etc. that exemplifies our mission to art@michaelphelpsfoundation.org.
Must include your name, age and contact information along with a brief description of your artwork. The winning piece will be used on the cover of the 2020 program guide and prizes will be awarded.
Submission Deadline: December 6, 2019
A winner will be chosen by a team of judges from MPF and online voting.
Small Print: Open to all students aged 5 – 17 years old, as of December 6, 2019. No hard copies of artwork will be accepted. The file submitted must be a high-resolution file (at least 3 MB) Pieces will be judged on originality, artistry, and adherence to the theme. Artwork must be original and completed by the student and in no way use images that may infringe on other copyrighted materials. Judging will be done in two parts. First, MPF judges will select 3 entries. Second, those 3 entries will be voted on publicly through online voting. All judgments are final and interpretations of the guidelines are at MPF’s sole discretion. MPF has the right to reproduce images of entered artwork at its discretion. Full credit will be given to the artist.
Many of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Special Olympics Teams implementing IM need experienced volunteers. Fill out our volunteer form to see if you are a good fit for one of our IM locations.
Around the world, half a million people drown every year. More than half of those drowning victims are children. Let’s talk about it, so we can stop it.
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The support of donors and volunteers ensures participants around the world are receiving important water-safety lessons, as well as encouragement in setting active goals and fostering healthy lifestyles. Together, we can reach more people with our life-saving programming. If you would like to mail a donation, please send to: Michael Phelps Foundation, 7 Ocean Street, 2nd Floor, South Portland Maine 04106, or donate online here.
We are so thankful for our great sponsors. Because of their generosity, we can continue to make a positive impact daily.
We have been able to work along-side many great nonprofits that believe in our mission. Together we have reached over 17,000 people worldwide with our programming.
Phone: 207.274.2015
Email: info@michaelphelpsfoundation.org
Address: 7 Ocean Street, 2nd Floor, South Portland Maine 04106
Please note that we do not fulfill Michael Phelps autograph requests. Due to the volume and frequency of requests, any item MPF receives will not be returned.
IRS 990 Forms are available upon email request. State Disclosures
