Sports Backers kicks off ‘Building a Vibrant Community’ fundraising campaign

Sports Backers, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring people to live actively, kicked off their ‘Building a Vibrant Community’ campaign with the announcement that the campaign has already raised more than $1.5 million towards its $3 million, five-year goal.

“The Building a Vibrant Community campaign will raise funds to make a lasting impact on the Richmond region,” said Jon Lugbill, Executive Director of Sports Backers. “This campaign will help us grow and create major events, expand the number of group fitness and youth activity programs we offer, build world-class bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and empower volunteer leaders and our region’s best and brightest scholar-athletes. As a result, our region will be a healthier and more vibrant place to live, work, and play.”

The initial success of the Building a Vibrant Community campaign is thanks to contribution pledges from corporations, foundations, community leaders, and regional governments. The campaign is led by Chairman Daniel Gecker, Chair and Partner for Urban Development Associates. Members of the Campaign Committee include the following community leaders:

• Carrie Roth, Chair of Sports Backers Board of Directors, Commissioner of the Virginia Employment Commission
• Neil Agnihotri, Surgeon, Agnihotri Cosmetic Facial Surgery
• Lashrecse Aird, Richard Bland College of William & Mary
• Neil Amin, CEO, Shamin Hotels
• Bob Blue, CEO, Dominion Energy
• Suzanne Gardner, Banking Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo Bank
• Roy Grier, Community Volunteer
• Burke King, Community Volunteer
• Kim MacLeod, Finance Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
• Sam Mintz, Financial Advisor, Truist
• Clark Mercer, Community Volunteer
• Ken Shepard, Managing Director and Head of Wealth Portfolio Strategy, Bank of America
• Bobby Ukrop, CEO & President, Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods
• Tom Vozenilek, Executive Vice President, Colliers International

An investment in this $3 million campaign benefits the Richmond region by:

• Energizing the Richmond community by reinvesting in significant events, expanding the goal-setting impacts of all events, and creating new events
• Advocating for active living infrastructure, including the Fall Line trail, and creating an active living hub for the region
• Hosting group fitness programs, including weekly fitness classes, youth fitness clubs, and training teams, as well as a scholar-athlete leadership program

“My confidence in the impact Sports Backers will continue to have on the health and vibrancy of our community has never been stronger,” said campaign chairman Daniel Gecker. “Sports Backers’ ingenuity and dedication to their mission has helped keep our entire community moving during one of the most challenging periods of our lives. This campaign will build on that and provide even more opportunities to get us moving, which is something we all have a renewed appreciation for.”

The following foundations, individuals, companies, and jurisdictions have already made significant contributions to the Building a Vibrant Community campaign: 

• Lashrecse Aird
• Allianz Partners
• Astrya
• Bank of America
• Bob & Liz Blue
• Margaret & Al Broaddus
• Cameron Foundation
• Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond
• Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer
• Davis Elkins Charitable Foundation Trust
• Susan & Lennart Freeman
• Don & Betsy Garber
• Suzanne Gardner
• Matt & Kirsti Goodwin
• Greater Richmond Partnership
• Roy & Charlotte Grier
• Hanover County
• Henrico County
• Heritage Wealth Advisors
• Hunton Andrews Kurth
• Dorothy Jaeckle
• John Randolph Foundation
• Chris & Nancy Jo Kantner
• Burke & Gay King
• KPMG
• Maria (Keech) leGrand
• David Lyons
• Kim MacLeod
• Clark Mercer
• Sam Mintz
• Randy & Mary Lloyd Parks
• Frank & Caren Payne
• P.D. Brooks
• Maria Purcell
• City of Richmond
• Richmond Region Tourism
• Richmond Times-Dispatch
• Road Runners Club of America
• RMC Events
• Sam & Nikki Young
• S.B. Cox
• Scott* and Karen Schricker
• Shamin Hotels
• Ken & Brooke Shepard
• Bob & Melinda Sledd
• Buck Stinson
• Barbara J. Thalhimer & William B. Thalhimer, Jr. Family Fund
• Jayne & Bobby Ukrop
• Tom & Betty Baugh Vozenilek
• Tamara Wagner
• Lee & Margie Warfield
• Craig & Anita Waters

(* Denotes deceased)

To learn more about Sports Backers and the Building a Vibrant Community campaign, visitwww.sportsbackers.org or contact Megan Capito, Director of Development, at 804-285-9495 or[email protected].