Our Story
Keifer Sykes' Free 10 Foundation
Keifer Sykes’ Free 10 Foundation is the signature fundraising campaign of professional basketball player Keifer Sykes. Keifer recognized the need in his own community and created the Free 10 Foundation as a means to help, empower and motivate future generations through special events, skills camps, education and mentoring programs.
A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE BUILT UPON PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Growing up on Chicago’s south side, Keifer experienced personal loss, and tragic violence. Around him he saw gun violence and incarceration that took away parents and support systems from families. He wanted to help those children and families left in the wake of loss and crisis, and so, Keifer Sykes’ Free 10 Foundation was created.
THE MEANING BEHIND "FREE 10"
For our foundation, “Free 10” means giving freely from the heart by offering generosity, service and stewardship. Giving from the heart is a powerful gift which anyone can experience, and one that we feel is our responsibility towards all people, especially those in our communities which are in desperate need.
Keifer Sykes’ Free 10 Foundation strives to be a cutting edge organization intent on providing support and solutions for humanity in the hopes of uplifting the human condition in the present world.
Our Mission
KEIFER SYKES' FREE 10 FOUNDATION EXISTS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND SOLUTIONS TO UNDER-SERVED AND UNDER-REPRESENTED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, WHO HAVE BEEN OVERCOME BY CRISIS OR TRAUMATIZED DUE TO GUN VIOLENCE OR INCARCERATION.
Our Foundation Objectives
About Keifer Sykes
Faith, Family, Future
FAITH
With faith, our integrity is to humanity. Keifer Sykes’ Free 10 Foundation seeks to fill the gaps and find solutions for those that are under-served and under-represented that deserve, but do not have the necessary resources. The overall objective of the foundation is to build up communities with all beings benefiting. This is a challenge with many obstacles such as poverty, tragedy, injustice, and other social wrongs; however, the focus and the greater battle for everyone will be to develop as an individual. I've come to realize that if you're driven and put the work in, what ever's in front of you can become your fuel to be empowered and evolve to defy any odds as you continue to believe. Trust God!
FAMILY
The focus behind the Free 10 Foundation is Family. We all stress and struggle with everyday issues, but we want to be a glowing example by offering more generosity, more service, more stewardship, and to work better with one another. We want to step out on faith and do our best to give all of those elements to the world out of love, to make the world a better place. The current forecast of the world is designed to keep us separate and operates in denial which keeps us against one another but our organization will strive towards nobility and emphasize togetherness and justice for all.
FUTURE
I know how it feels to be at the bottom and be a victim to the natural circumstances of life that could be beyond our control. Many face the situation of an outdated systems of law, society and poverty which deals them an unfair opportunity. These are some of the reasons why our foundation has the pride and dignity to help alleviate the pain and aid those who deal with physical and mental trauma. The future of the world and our foundation is very bright as we continue to work hard to take care of at-risk kids and steer them in the right direction. The Free 10 Foundation will teach our youth how to deal with adversity but also teach them how to deal with success as we progressively develop strong leaders. As we continue to grow and expand we plan to have more donations, camps, social work events, community service projects and partnerships, educational programs, mentoring programs, and celebrations. Our most important goal for the future is to gain enough proceeds towards building the Free 10 Foundation facility to host our programs, events, and to be called our home.
How We Help
Programs & Assistance
EVENTS, CELEBRATIONS & DONATION DRIVES
We offer year-round donation events at key times like back to school, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. These activities and events provide enrichment and fun for the children and families, as well as providing necessary items like school supplies, winter clothing needs and food.
BASKETBALL SKILLS CAMPS & MENTORING PROGRAMS
Our mentoring programs and basketball skills camps are designed to provide a safe and caring outlet for those children suffering from the loss of a support person. Reputable and qualified coaches and adults lead the children and teens through sport skills development as well as providing mentoring, nutritional, social and educational guidance. We strive to unlock the greatness within each child so that they may have a better future.
FINANCIAL & EDUCATION ASSISTANCE
In order to get the best education possible, it is important that the children and teens in our communities have options for the school they attend, but this is not always financially possible for the families. It is our hope for the future that we will develop a scholarship program to help those facing hardships to still be able to receive a quality education.
Community Needs
Does someone in your community need our assistance?
Our goal is to seek out and support the under-served and under-represented. We are an all-inclusive, welcoming organization, so please reach out to us to learn more.
How we can help Contact Us
Advisory Board
Become a part of our Free 10 Foundation Community
Volunteer with us!
There are many ways to support the children and families
affected by gun violence or incarceration in Chicago.
Volunteer your time, become a partner, or consider a monetary donation.
Our Partners
Our Partners, Sponsors and like-minded organizations
help us make the greatest impact.
