DYF 2025
DYF 2025
Table of Contents
DYF 2025
Our Mission and Vision
The mission of the Devils Youth Foundation is to champion, advance, and support equitable and inclusive access to life-changing experiences for youth in New Jersey by leveraging the power of sports, entertainment, and music.
DYF 2025
DYF 2025
Welcome from Allison & Kate
Dear Friends,
This past year was defined by growth, depth, and purpose across the work of the Devils Youth Foundation. Through sport, education, wellness, and the arts, we continued to focus on creating pathways that help young people feel supported, inspired, and seen.
Across New Jersey, children face increasing barriers to opportunity. Rising costs, limited access to safe spaces, food insecurity, and inequities in education, sport, and access to creative outlets such as art and music have made the need for community-driven action more urgent than ever. The Devils Youth Foundation exists to meet that moment.
In 2025, we expanded not only the scale of our investments, but the strength of our partnerships.
Together with more than 36 community organizations, school systems, healthcare providers, and youth-serving leaders, we reached over 86,000 young people across the state.
We are proud of the numbers reflected in this report. Even more, we are proud of what they represent: kids who moved, learned, healed, created through sport and the arts, and felt seen.
None of this happens alone. We extend our deepest gratitude to our board, staff, partners, donors, players, and community leaders who share our belief that every child in New Jersey deserves access to opportunity and hope. Thank you for standing with us and for believing in what is possible when we invest in young people.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Allison Blitzer
Allison Blitzer, Board Chair
Kate Whitman Annis
Kate Whitman Annis, Executive Director
DYF 2025
Community Moments that Matter
Make-A-Wish: Experience Beyond the Ice
The power of the Devils Youth Foundation is rooted in our ability to turn access into unforgettable moments.
In November, the Foundation partnered with Make-A-Wish New Jersey and Fanatics to welcome Natalie, Darby, and Gio for an experience that transformed anticipation into belief.
Over two days, the children were immersed in the world of the New Jersey Devils — from behind-the-scenes arena access to time in the locker room, on the ice, and at the bench during warmups.
Players stayed longer than planned. Conversations deepened. Laughter replaced hesitancy. The children moved from awe to belonging.
These moments reflect what makes the Devils unique in New Jersey: the willingness to lead with heart, presence, and authenticity. When our players choose to stay, engage, and connect, they demonstrate that impact is not measured in minutes, but in meaning.
DYF 2025
DYF 2025
2025
BY THE NUMBERS
Taken together, this portfolio demonstrates a comprehensive youth ecosystem, meeting immediate needs while investing in lasting opportunity – firmly positioning the Devils Youth Foundation as one of New Jersey’s most impactful youth-serving philanthropies.
Regional Reach — Concentrated investment across New Jersey:
Essex County (with a focus on Newark), Hudson County, Passaic County, Union County — with additional municipalities reached through statewide education, health, and youth-serving systems.
Essex County (with a focus on Newark)
Hudson County
Passaic County
Union County
with additional municipalities reached through statewide education, health, and youth-serving systems.
High school graduation rate among mentored youth
DYF 2025
Signature Initiative
Advancing Youth Sports in New Jersey
In 2025, the Devils Youth Foundation convened more than 250 leaders, practitioners, professional teams, and advocates for the inaugural NJ Youth Sports Summit.
The Summit was designed as a working session focused on identifying shared challenges and advancing collective solutions for the future of youth sports.
KEY INSIGHTS
Growing participation, particularly in girls’ sports such as soccer, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and flag football, alongside increasing demand for inclusive and adaptive programming.
Persistent barriers to access, including rising costs, limited facilities, transportation challenges, and uneven funding across communities.
Critical coaching gaps, with widespread shortages and a need for consistent training, certification, and support.
Cultural pressures on young athletes, including early specialization, burnout, and growing mental health concerns.
Strong appetite for collaboration, resource sharing, and cross-sector partnership to scale impact statewide.
What you’ve created is truly remarkable.
Witnessing so many dedicated youth sports professionals come together with a shared vision of elevating New Jersey’s youth sports landscape was nothing short of inspiring. The collaborative spirit in that room was palpable.”
— Attendee, 2025 NJ Youth Sports Summit.
DYF 2025
DYF 2025
Pillars in Action
Our Commitment in Practice
The Devils Youth Foundation focuses its investments where they matter most — supporting the whole child and the communities that surround them.
Getting Kids Active & Moving
Arts & Art Education
DYF 2025
Getting Kids Active and Moving
DYF Girls Ball Hockey Program – Summer 2025
In Summer 2025, the Devils Youth Foundation launched a six-week, girls only ball hockey program for youth ages 10–14 in partnership with the City of Newark and Hockey in New Jersey. The program concluded at the Ironbound Recreation Center and engaged 35 girls.
Meeting twice weekly, the program combined skill-building ball hockey clinics and games with leadership development, body positivity, and nutrition education. All participants received equipment, healthy snacks, and consistent mentorship from trained coaches.
This initiative created a safe, inclusive space for girls to build skills, form community, and see themselves as leaders through sport.
"Before hockey, my daughter didn’t believe she was someone who could play sports. Now she has confidence, perseverance, and friendships that will stay with her long after the game."
— Parent, Hockey in New Jersey
DYF 2025
DYF 2025
Foundation Day
On December 13, 2025, the Devils community united for Devils Youth Foundation Day celebrating the mission of the DYF and generating meaningful support for youth across New Jersey.
Building on the success of the inaugural 2024 event, Foundation Day 2025 exceeded expectations, raising more than $89,000 – surpassing the $75,000 goal – in support of DYF’s Keeping Kids Active and Moving initiative. The event served as a powerful platform for fundraising, awareness, and community engagement through collaboration with fans, nonprofit partners, sponsors, and community leaders.
Foundation Day 2025 elevated DYF’s visibility, educated fans on its mission, and highlighted measurable impact across New Jersey. By achieving both fundraising and awareness goals, the event closed the year with strong momentum and reinforced DYF’s role as a leader in youth wellness and sport engagement.
Key Outcomes
Raised over $89,000 to support youth physical activity and healthy lifestyles
Welcomed 60 leaders from the 2025 Grant Class
Distributed over 100 tickets to community partners, expanding access and strengthening relationships
DYF 2025
Youth Ambassadors Program 2025/26
The Devils Youth Foundation Youth Ambassadors Program develops the next generation of leaders by entrusting young people with both voice and responsibility.
During the 2025–2026 season, DYF welcomed 70 high school students from across New Jersey, empowering them to serve as active partners in advancing the Foundation’s mission.
The cohort launched in September with a welcome celebration at Prudential Center, followed by a preseason Devils game experience that introduced participants to DYF leadership, expectations, and community impact.
Throughout the season, Youth Ambassadors demonstrated exceptional dedication to service and leadership.
Collectively, Ambassadors contributed 1,832 volunteer hours and raised $16,722 in support of DYF initiatives. Beyond these measurable outcomes, the program fostered a lasting commitment to giving back.
high school students from across New Jersey
raised in support of foundation initiatives
DYF 2025
DYF 2025
DYF & New Jersey Devils Alumni Scholarship
In 2025, the Foundation awarded a record-high scholarship investment – supporting students pursuing education, leadership, and service beyond high school.
Julia Escobar Alvarez
Julia Escobar Alvarez fell in love with hockey while helping her mom at work and watching a game on TV. Determined to join her high school team, she taught herself to skate and grew into a key contributor, ultimately helping win a state championship.
Her volunteer work with the Special Olympics and Brain Exercise Initiative taught her the value of empathy and human connection. Julia’s journey from curiosity to championship player shows the power of hard work and community.
Ian Fu
For Ian Fu, hockey is more than a game – it’s a lifelong passion that’s helped him grow as an athlete and leader. From starting with the Secaucus Patriots to making the Montclair Blues AA team, Ian’s commitment led to multiple McMullen Cup wins and a captain role on his high school team.
Off the ice, he redesigned branding for a youth homeless shelter and volunteered at the local Learn to Play program. His favorite moment: helping a young player with ADHD succeed. Ian embodies growth, compassion, and leadership.
DYF 2025
Devils Sweep the Deck continues to stand as a signature moment of generosity and unity, bringing together players, partners, and supporters to invest directly in the future of New Jersey’s youth.
As the Devils Youth Foundation’s flagship fundraising event, Sweep the Deck once again delivered exceptional results and demonstrated the growing strength and visibility of the Foundation’s mission.
The 2025 event welcomed over 850 guests and exceeded all fundraising expectations. With a goal of $2 million, the event raised an extraordinary $2,007,080.40, achieving 114% of the revenue target.
raised
Fundraising Momentum
Stewardship That Fuels Growth
Thanks to events like Devils Sweep the Deck, individual giving from our DYF Society, and corporate matches, 2025 was a record-breaking year.
And did we mention?
raised
DYF 2025
DYF 2025
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Hall of Fame
MVP
CAPTAIN
ROOKIE
DYF 2025
DYF Society
The DYF Society is a vibrant network of individuals and families committed to driving meaningful and long-term outcomes for youth throughout New Jersey.
In 2025, the DYF Society generated an exceptional $455,000 more than doubling its fundraising total from the prior year.
This growth was fueled by an expanding community of dedicated supporters who engage not only as contributors, but as champions for youth-focused change.
A signature moment of the year was the DYF Society Dinner, held on October 6 at Prudential Center. The evening brought together Society members, Devils executives, players, and organizational leadership for an unforgettable experience that included cocktails in the Pier Club and an intimate sit-down dinner in the Devils Locker Room.
This memorable gathering of purpose and connection helped propel a record-breaking year for the Society and laid a strong foundation for even greater impact in the future.
DYF 2025
DYF 2025
Board Leadership
Strong governance ensures that every dollar entrusted to the Foundation is stewarded with integrity, accountability, and purpose.
Allison Blitzer
Board Chairperson
Jake Reynolds
Board President
Marjorie Harris
Managing Partner
Tad Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Brad Shron
EVP, General Counsel
Nicole Armellino
Treasurer
Chris James
VP Strategy & Business Development
Sarah Keh
Vice President
Vaughn Crowe
Managing Partner
Kate Madigan
VP, Assistant General
Nikki Zajac
Foundation Staff
Kate Whitman Annis
Executive Director
Jess Swirson
Development Manager
DYF 2025
Gallery
