YAF Programs

Through our grant program, the Young Athletes Foundation contributes to and supports our area’s recreational and athletic organizations working to provide our community’s kids with pathways of opportunities to live healthier and more active lifestyles.
Through our running shoe program, the Young Athletes Foundation works each year to provide opportunities to high school runners across our five-county region by providing free shoe certificates to athletes in need through their cross country or track and field program.
Through the Eleanor Rynda Scholarship Program, the Young Athletes Foundation works to financially support collegiate student-athletes at the University of Minnesota Duluth as they continue their education and competitive running career.
The Essentia Health Fit-n-Fun Run is held each spring and brings together more than 2,000 of the area’s elementary school students for an end-of-year celebration of all the hard work they put into their physical education classes.
The Winter Challenge is a free collection of guided activities that can be done at home or in their local neighborhoods, an effort by the Young Athletes Foundation to help keep our area’s kids healthy and active during the winter months.