How We Got Started
Established June 1, 1993, the Jim Tunney Youth Foundation supports community programs and resources that work with youth to develop leadership, work skills, wellness, and self-esteem.
Founded by former NFL referee and educator Jim Tunney, we are governed by a Board of Directors comprised of community leaders with deep experience in education, business, and community programs. Funded by private and corporate contributions, the Jim Tunney Youth Foundation is a fully tax-deductible 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Our Mission
We emphasize programs that work one-on-one with kids, not just to identify problems that hinder, but to illuminate possibilities and increase realistic options for building productive, self-determining lives.
We do not restrict our support to one kind of program. A grant might be made to purchase sports or computer equipment or to support an earned-reward program that teaches goal-setting, or any of a wide range of possibilities. We look for programs that emphasize skills and that develop the understanding that commitment and discipline benefit dreams.