Fuel the Drive, the Denver-based nonprofit that provides access to golf and tennis for children from low-income families, has announced ambitious growth targets for 2026. The organization aims to increase the number of young athletes it supports fivefold compared to 2025, building on its success in recent years.
Founded by Terry and Michelle Aikin, Fuel the Drive covers registration fees, training guidance, and equipment for children to participate in PGA Junior League and U.S. Tennis Association programs. The goal is to remove financial barriers that often prevent children from underserved communities from engaging in organized sports.
“We’ve made some ambitious New Year’s resolutions for our foundation,” said Terry Aikin, founder and president. “Fuel the Drive has been able to help a lot of kids accelerate their personal growth and expand their opportunities, but we’re far from satisfied. This year, we want to impact at least five times as many young people as we did in 2025.”
Fuel the Drive has introduced golf to more than 100 children annually for the past three years and has provided tennis access to over 500 children. The organization now plans to expand its golf programming to serve more than 500 young athletes in 2026.
Aikin emphasized the broader implications of participation in sports. “The kids’ involvement in these sports fuels their personal growth and helps them develop confidence, self-discipline and leadership,” he said. “As the kids develop their golf or tennis games and compete with other kids their age, they learn to lead, to believe in themselves and to create pathways to more successful futures.”
To support its growth, Fuel the Drive is enhancing its digital outreach and has launched a new website to attract more donors and community partners. “Our donor base has been very generous, and their contributions have made our impact possible,” Aikin noted. “But we’re seeking to significantly grow that base in order to achieve our objectives for 2026.”
The organization highlights success stories like Mavarro, who has played in the PGA Junior League program for three years. His father reports that golf has helped him develop patience, confidence, and analytical skills that translate to school and life. Mavarro even earned an award for perseverance.
“Cost remains one of the most significant barriers to participation in organized youth sports,” Aikin stated. “By removing that obstacle, we enable children to engage in structured environments that promote self-confidence, perseverance and personal growth.”
Fuel the Drive provides access to golf and tennis programs to children from underserved communities. To learn more, visit Fuel the Drive.
