NYS AHPERD Foundation logo with New York silhouette and “Founded 2014” text on a tan background

NYS AHPERD Foundation

“Giving does not only precede receiving; it is the reason for it. It is in giving that we receive."

-Israelmore Ayivor

The goal of the NYS AHPERD Foundation is to leave a strong and secure legacy for generations of educators to come. Your gift to the Foundation enables us to provide professional development opportunities, scholarships, grants & advocacy initiatives for our members.

2026 Foundation Grant

One $5,000 Impact Grant and eight $1,000 grants will be awarded in 2026*!

The purpose of the grants are to support:

  • Program development in the areas of health, physical education, recreation, or dance
  • Equipment purchase, and/or
  • Professional training for curriculum, instruction, and/or assessment which impacts student developmentNys Ahperd Foundation

*One grant, per member, per year.

NYS AHPERD Foundation IMPACT Grant Application banner with gold and white text on brown background
NYS AHPERD Foundation $1K Member Grant Application banner in gold and white with New York outline

make a contribution

Honor Certificate

Express your appreciation for the inspiration that special person has been in your life by presenting them with an Honor Certificate. This is a printed certificate.

Tribute Donation

Tribute Giving is a way to recognize, honor, and celebrate people and events that are important to you by giving back to others.

Donation


A gift you give to a cause you believe in.






In Memory Donation

Choose NYS AHPERD to be a recipient of your memorial gifts. This is a thoughtful way to remember your loved one while supporting our mission, which was near and dear to their heart.

Past President Legacy Grant

The Past Presidents of NYS AHPERD support the growth of the organization and the Foundation which funds our grants and scholarships for our members.

Please click here review our Past President Grant contributors.

History of Giving

We sincerely thank and acknowledge those who have given so generously to the NYS AHPERD Foundation 2014-Present.

Founding Benefactors

A review of our Founding Benefactors- those individuals who committed a financial pledge in establishing the NYS AHPERD Foundation.

Ways to Give

The value of a gift to the NYS AHPERD Foundation is immeasurable. When making the important decision of how and when to make your gift, there are many choices available to you for structuring a donation in a manner that will allow for the maximum impact both for your benefit and for the Foundation.

Foundation Endeavors

The Foundation sponsors the Ken Demas Leadership Academy, awards professional membership grants and provides Foundation Scholarships to support undergraduate students’ attendance at the NYS AHPERD annual conference.

Contribution Levels

Friend of the Foundation $1 – $499

Foundation Scholar $500 – $999

Bronze Contributor $1,000 – $2,499

Silver Contributor $2,500 – $4,999

Gold Contributor $5,000 – $9, 999

Diamond Contributor $10,000 – $20, 000

If you would like to become a Foundation Benefactor, please call the Executive Director at 315-823-1015.

Congratulations to the following individuals who have been awarded $1,000 grants in 2025 from the NYS AHPERD Foundation

Brianne Blaszak (Past Presidents Legacy Grant) - Western

Jonathan Philby - Central South

Suzanne Leslie (Frant Bartok Legacy Grant) - Southeastern

Melanie Sjoblom - Central South

Suzanne Edwards - Central South

Enes Mernica - NYC

Casey Langendorfer - Central North

Tom Gilardi - NYC

The individuals were honored at the General Session on Friday, November 21, 2025 - at the NYS AHPERD 87th Annual conference at the Turning Stone Convention Center.

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Ken Demas Leadership Academy

The Foundation supports the annual KDLA. A one-of-a-kind conference, offering three days of interactive workshops/activities with outstanding professionals designed to help future professionals in HPERD become effective leaders.

2026 Leadership Academy

September 18th-20th, 2026

Camp Echo Lake, Warrensburg, NY




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Grant Opportunities

One $5,000 Impact Grant and eight $1,000 grants will be awarded in 2026!

Applications for the Impact Grant are due May 31st.

Applications for the $1000 Grant are due July 15th.

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Future Professionals Scholarship Opportunity

The NYS AHPERD Foundation supports 5 future professionals annually to attend the NYS AHPERD Annual Conference; students are selected the previous year during the Jay B Nash Awards Dinner.

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Name a NYS AHPERD Foundation Legacy Grant

Individuals or groups have the opportunity to NAME an annual NYS AHPERD Foundation Grant of $1,000. The individual or group will pay $15,000 over 5-years to the NYS AHPERD Foundation. Grant will be awarded each year at the state conference.

Foundation Trustees

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Smiling person in a maroon blazer standing against a plain light wall.
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Founding Diamond Benefactor $10,000 and above

Founding Commerical Benefactor $10,000

Founding Diamond Coalition $10,000

Founding Gold Benefactors $5,000

Past President Grant contributors

NYS AHPERD Foundation

We sincerely thank and acknowledge those who have
given so generously to the NYS AHPERD Foundation

Founding Benefactors

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Thank you G&G!

THANK YOU G&G! We are grateful to G&G Fitness for supporting the NYS AHPERD Foundation by becoming the sole Commercial Founding Benefactor.


G&G Fitness Equipment is a full-service provider of specialty home and commercial fitness equipment. Since 1990, the G&G Fitness Companies have evolved into one of the premier sources of fitness solutions in the United States. They will fit you with the right equipment, teach you how to use it, and be with you every step of the way.

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