Program Area
Youth Movement
Empowering all kids to be active for life.
Physical activity plays a critical role in childhood, helping children develop lifelong habits that support their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being. However, many families face barriers to participation due to factors such as school budget cuts, pay-to-play sports programs, and limited access to safe recreational spaces. These challenges can make it harder for children to stay active, increasing the risk of sedentary lifestyles and their associated long-term health impacts.
Life Time Team Members from 10 markets joined forces with All Kids Bike to help assemble and reveal bikes at schools across the country — kickstarting a healthy way of life for youth. Thanks to a $90,000 Life Time Foundation grant, the Learn-to-Ride Program provides 24 Strider balance-to-pedal bikes, helmets, racks, teacher training, and an 8-lesson curriculum that empowers kids to build confidence, coordination, and a lifelong love of movement.
Our Latest Impact
Life Time Foundation supports youth movement by providing grants to schools and community organizations that expand access to safe, fun, and enriching physical activity opportunities. Through partnerships with local organizations, the Foundation helps children in underserved communities overcome barriers to participation in sports, recreation, outdoor activities, and active play. By creating inclusive opportunities for youth to stay active, build confidence, and connect with their communities, these efforts promote lifelong healthy habits while supporting the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive well-being of young people.
What we do
Key Programming
-
Through its Youth Movement pillar, Life Time Foundation helps children build healthy, active lifestyles through biking programs that foster confidence, skill development, and outdoor adventure. From introducing kindergarteners to cycling through All Kids Bike, to supporting youth mountain biking camps with CAMBA, to creating race opportunities through Generation in Motion and NICA partnerships, the Foundation provides pathways for young people to develop a lifelong love of movement. These programs empower youth to get outside, build community, and stay active from childhood through young adulthood.
-
Running is a powerful way for young people to build confidence, develop healthy habits, and discover their potential. Life Time Foundation supports programs that encourage youth to stay active while fostering social, emotional, and physical well-being.
-
A lifelong love of movement starts with play. Life Time Foundation helps children discover the joy of being active from an early age, building the confidence, skills, and positive experiences that can shape healthy habits for life. By supporting programs that make movement fun, accessible, and engaging, the Foundation encourages youth to see physical activity not as a chore, but as an opportunity to explore, connect, and grow. These early experiences help lay the foundation for healthier, more active lives well into adulthood.
Our Partners
-
![]()
Trust for Public Land
We're proud to support the new inclusive playground, a student-designed mural, and native plant gardens at Brooklyn Center Elementary STEAM School. We partnered with Trust for Public Land, Brooklyn Center Community Schools, and the City of Brooklyn Center to bring this vibrant space to life. This new addition will be a hub for learning, play, and community connection, fostering growth and togetherness for all.
-
![]()
NICA
The Life Time Foundation is providing a three-year grant to NICA to bring youth mountain biking programs to communities that have not traditionally participated in or had access to the sport. With this support, NICA will extend even more opportunities to girls and student-athletes of color to experience the transformative power of mountain biking, building self confidence, connecting to the outdoors, and making life-long friendships.
-
![]()
Get Outdoors Leadville!
The Life Time Foundation funded an activity bus for Get Outdoors Leadville! (GOL!). GOL!’s work is aimed at reducing barriers to outdoor recreation access for their local community, particularly for Latine community members who are underrepresented in outdoor recreation. Having an activity bus for local youth and their families enhances accessibility and inclusivity, enabling them to physically attend GOL!’s programming.
-
![]()
Kids Run Miami
The Life Time Kids Run Miami invites all middle school students in Miami-Dade County to participate in the Final Mile at the Miami Marathon & Half. With the support of the Life Time Foundation, the Life Time Kids Run Miami youth running program is offered free of charge to all Miami-Dade County School students. Giving every child an opportunity to participate promotes a fit and healthy lifestyle, while teaching children to create and fulfill goals.
-
![]()
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run uses caring and trained coach volunteers and a vetted high-quality 8-10 week curriculum to create a world where every girl knows her limitless potential through running. Those who finish the program experience a measured increase in caring, competence, confidence, connection, and contribution. Funds helped deepen the program’s reach and provide scholarships, shoes, and running hijabs.
-
![]()
The Loppet Foundation
The Loppet Foundation creates a shared passion for year-round outdoor adventure in the Minneapolis area, focusing on underserved youth and families, through a variety of programs and stewardship of one of the largest urban parks in the country. Funds helped support the Junior Loppet middle school program in North Minneapolis, empowering underrepresented youth through year-round outdoor activities such as cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and trail running.
-
![]()
City Parks Foundation
The Life Time Foundation support the City Parks Foundation’s implementation of free summer programming for children and families in city parks located in underserved areas throughout the five boroughs of New York City and allows for the return of the Family Adventure Race, a beloved parent-child relay event. Funds will also help inspire healthy eating habits through nutrition education.
-
![]()
Netball America
Netball America creates an exciting atmosphere of participation and supports individual progress, team unity, good health, and education of youth while uniting communities for positive change. Netball America’s Be An Inspiration program takes youth on an engaging journey designed to stimulate critical thinking skills, get engaged in games without the pressure of having to lose weight, and promote self-confidence and non-violence. Funds helped expand the Be An Inspiration program in Atlanta, GA.
-
![]()
American Senior High School - Miami, FL
The American Patriots Runners Team provides equal opportunity for students with special needs and diverse backgrounds to get interested in fitness. Funds were used for new treadmills, uniforms, sneakers and equipment to motivate students to become active in sports, follow good nutrition, increase self-esteem and social skills.
-
![]()
America SCORES New York
America SCORES New York uses soccer, literary arts, and civic engagement to inspire young people to be their best in school, on the field, and in their communities at no cost. For 10-15 hours a week, children participate in sessions designed to target whole-child fitness (physical, social-emotional and mental). Funds supported the Health Through Soccer program.
Resources
Want to learn more about Youth Nutrition?
Healthy + Happy #3: Transgender Youth in Sports