Promote, support and sustain an elite level of girls' ice hockey as a standard for academic and athletic preparedness

We exist to bring the best together

The Edge Foundation has been created to support and sustain an elite level of girls' hockey and to promote a high standard of academic and athletic preparedness for female athletes. We believe the experience lived by each player is far more important than the sport of ice hockey itself. This philosophy is supported by the values we hold in three key areas:

• Player Development
• Coaching
• Education

Player Development – We believe that a relentless focus on skill-based training provides the greatest chance for athletic development and success. Programs are aligned to promote fitness training, habits of athletes, thinking skills for the game and to showcase female players against top competition resulting in the exposure to a broad expanse of opportunities.

Coaching – Hard work, team play, sportsmanship, fun and friendships through the sport of ice hockey take priority over winning. Coaching staff must share this same perspective and be committed to shape young, female athletes by teaching the game. Foundation programs are aligned with coaches who possess high ethical standards, great communication skills and a love for the game. The Foundation will search for and attract staff of this type to get involved with girls ice hockey.

Education – We believe the foundation to any child’s development is a sound education. Programs are designed to support the development of responsible lifelong habits of learning in the classroom and within the communities in which players live. The focus of the education segment is to set expectations for behavior through the principles of teamwork and leadership and to assist players in establishing and achieving personal and team goals.

Support The Edge

Your donation of time, energy or financial assistance can help The Edge pursue its mission by further developing programs, sponsoring events or funding scholarship opportunities for individual players in need of assistance. Our purpose is to bring the best female athletes together. Your contribution, big or small, will make a difference to these young athletes and to the sport of girls' ice hockey in our area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will funds donated be used?

Initial contributions are being used to organize the Foundation, offset startup costs, and help support individual events. The primary use of funds donated or grant money will be as follows:

• Rental of facilities - above and beyond the facilities provided as part of a player’s regular ice slot disbursements to teams.
• Ice costs at the program level - above and beyond the ice costs incurred as part of their regular seasonal ice purchase.
• Equipment costs - including skates, jerseys, padding, hockey sticks, hockey pucks, etc.
• Scholarships - including, but not limited to, financial hardships and academic performance awards.
• Travel expenses for players and coaches associated with away games and tournaments, including airfare, lodging, team meals, ground transportation, fees, clinic tuition, hockey league fees, and tournament entrance fees.
• Specialty programs to develop players both on and off the ice. Examples include training, clinics, seminars, and guest lectures on topics such as nutrition, resume development and college search criteria.
• College and campus visits for groups and/or individual players.
• Fees and travel costs associated with recruiting offers to college, preparatory and Olympic coaching staffs.
• Community Service events and/or efforts.
• Administrative costs for The Edge Foundation - including marketing, printing, filings, taxes, website development and hosting; insurance for Officers and Directors; computing and software; novelty merchandise for staff, players and supporters.

Is my donation to The Edge tax deductible?

Yes. The Edge Foundation operates as a 501(c)3 not for profit organization. The Edge Foundation (the "Foundation") is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes. Specifically, the Foundation's mission is to sustain, support, and promote girls' ice hockey teams. The Foundation's goal is to give female athletes an opportunity to participate in an activity that has historically excluded females so that these young female athletes may learn to broaden their goals, look to each other for support, and not limit themselves based on their gender. While your contribution of funds is tax deductible, you will receive notification from the Foundation of your donation for tax purposes.

If I donate to The Edge Foundation, can I have a say in what the money is used to support?

Yes. Your donation to The Edge can be a general donation for use by the Foundation to support its stated mission or it may be a targeted donation for a specific purpose. Examples of a targeted donation would include a donor interested in sponsoring the purchase of team uniforms or the funding of a tournament fee or related travel expenses. Guidelines are in place for targeted donations, which allow the Foundation to maintain its exempt status.

Does the Edge Foundation support all levels of girls' hockey?

Yes. By exploring the status and existing structure of many girls' program, the Foundation recognizes that because National Bound programs (consisting of U19, U16, U14 and U12 teams per USA Hockey guidelines) exhibit proven success and great potential, they also present the biggest challenge to clubs in terms of sustainability, primarily due to the cost of operation and sustaining grass-roots programs. The Foundation supports levels of play from early development and learn-to-skate programs to recreational play to the most competitive National Bound levels at each age bracket.

As a player, parent or a friend to the game, can I get involved with The Edge?

Yes, absolutely. As a player, your role is very important in sharing your love of the game with your friends and others who may want to try the sport. Encourage them to come to learn-to-skate programs, attend public skating sessions or simply go to a game and cheer for local teams. Some opportunities are also available to help plan Edge events and to get involved with your community.

As a parent or friend of hockey, your role can be similar but may also include professional qualifications needed to support the Foundation such as business owners, CPA’s, engineers, certified coaches, investment advisors, grant writers or community leaders. Most importantly, your network of friends and the power of word-of-mouth association is our greatest resource. Please share the mission of the Edge and encourage interested parties to contact us.