200 for $250: The Put Me In! Annual Letter
Put Me In! dismantles opportunity barriers in youth sports for children of incarcerated parents. We ask 200 supporters to pledge $250 in recurring donations and fund our 2024 cohort of 50 children.
Greetings!
I’m Khalid Cannon, President and Chief Program Officer of Put Me In!
I wrote this letter to:
Explain what Put Me In! does and why it matters
Celebrate our Year 3 accomplishments
Reflect on my first year in this role
Acknowledge and thank our donors, partners, and team
Ask for your support to fully fund and enroll our 2024 cohort - We're looking for 200 individuals to make a targeted, recurring investment of $250 each. Your pledge will sponsor one of these future leaders and athletes, directly facilitating their enrollment in Put Me In!
Follow this link to make a donation!
What Put Me In! does
Founded in 2020 by Matt Blodgett and Robyn Glaser, Put Me In! is focused on dismantling opportunity barriers in youth sports, targeting children of incarcerated parents (CIPs). We champion the fundamental right of all children to access the transformative benefits of sports. Through annual $1,000 grants, we cover the full spectrum of participation costs, from league fees to equipment and travel. Our mission is grounded in empirical evidence: sports participation elevates self-esteem, bolsters academic performance, and enhances life trajectories. Utilizing a proprietary mobile app, we ensure efficient, remote fund distribution, enabling us to scale and impact lives irrespective of location.
Year 3 Accomplishments
Since our inception, Put Me In! has been on an unparalleled trajectory. We now support 50 CIPS in four diverse cities: the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Minneapolis, and Austin. This year alone, we extended our reach by adding two new cities and 22 more system-impacted children to our roster.
Our technological investments have been a game-changer for operational efficiency. Our mobile app not only streamlines communications and program management, but also serves as a cornerstone for scalable impact.
This technology will enable us to expand across the country. Our partnership with Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) in Kansas is a prime example of our evolution and expansion.
This summer, we launched a pilot program to improve our process for identifying children for our program. In June, Matt and I took a trip to the Midwest to forge direct partnerships with prisons for CIP referrals. Our visit to Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) was a cornerstone, where we engaged with inmates participating in their Private Industries program. We received 23 sign-up cards, representing 30 children for our program's waitlist, and found a valuable ally in the warden, Dan Schnurr.
Since this visit, we have continued to receive application requests from HCF and our existing partners and now have a waitlist of 50 CIPS for our 2024 cohort. This initiative has solidified the prison as a valuable partner in achieving our mission of supporting the over 4 million CIPs across America.
Reflections on My First Year
My inaugural year as President & CPO has been a period of intense growth and invaluable learning. My responsibilities have spanned from program administration and strategic fundraising to audit readiness and efficient financial aid distribution.
The highlight?
The children we support.
Forging deeper relationships with the families we serve has been both a priority and a privilege. The stories emanating from the families of PMI! serve as a daily source of inspiration. Take, for instance, Cam’s ambition to secure first place in a national karate tournament, Elvin's quest for a starting quarterback role, Jazlyn and Jaziyah perfecting their dance routines, or Rodney striving for acceptance into elite private high schools. The achievements and untapped potential of these children validate every effort we invest.
Each day presents an awe-inspiring showcase of their potential, and for that, I am grateful. Their untapped potential and achievements are the driving forces that make every effort worthwhile. None of this would be possible without the unwavering support from our founders, Matt and Robyn, our board, and our community partners. Together, we're not just funding sports; we're building a safety net, a community, a village for those who need it the most.
This summer, I've had the joy of closely collaborating with Mahliyah, a Bay Area high school senior with an exceptional talent for writing and a passion for softball.
Through an upcoming series, Mahliyah will share her compelling story, shedding light on her journey as a student-athlete navigating the challenges of her father's incarceration.
As a little girl, I remember always seeing my friends who had both parents and wishing that could be me, one big happy family. I knew no one I knew at the time would ever be able to relate to what I was going through. Growing up, going to a private school with a majority of students not being of color, they didn’t understand what I went through being a kid with an incarcerated parent. There were many times where I would break down at school and cry, but never really spoke what was on my mind because I knew they wouldn’t be able to help much. All they could tell me was “it’ll be ok” or “we’re here if you need anything” but, I was so used to hearing those words that it just went through one ear and out the other. I always felt alone and out of place no matter how much I tried to ignore it, I was always bothered by the fact that everyone else had their dads.
Mahliyah, age 17
Make an Impact and Change a Child’s Life
We have a waitlist of 50 children ready to enroll in our 2024 cohort. The bottleneck? Funding. We need to raise $50,000 in recurring donations to ensure these children don't miss out on the transformative power of sports.
The math is simple, but the impact is immeasurable: we're seeking 200 individuals willing to pledge $250 annually to support these future leaders.
We're asking you to be one of the "200 for $250" to unlock the potential of 50 children. But don't stop at donating—amplify our mission by sharing this message within your network. Use your influence to recruit others who can support this pivotal initiative.
Help us spread the word.
Your commitment transcends a mere donation; it's an investment in untapped potential, a commitment to social mobility, an affirmation of the promise and prospects of our youth, and a vote of confidence in the bright futures of these children.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, let's clear the 2024 waitlist and pave the way for these children to excel, both in sports and life. Follow this link to make a donation.
Best,
Khalid Cannon
President, Put Me In!
Program Stats & Goals
2023: 85%+ program growth
Enrolled 22 CIPs and finish 2023 with 50 enrolled CIPs in Put Me In!
Piloted expansions to Austin and Minneapolis
Operated with excellent efficiency – over 87% of funds raised went directly to financial aid grants
Developed roadmap for social features for caregiver community in our mobile app
Raise capital to support 100% program growth in 2024
2024: 100%+ program growth
Execute on our vision and compound our impacts
Explore long-term partnerships with scaled philanthropic funders
Begin earning the trust of scaled funders with impact and accountability
Build community with the 4+ million American CIPs and their caregivers
Identify and recruit an A+ leader for fundraising and development
Previous Letters
2022 Annual Letter
2021 Annual Letter
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