The triathlon community has long been defined by more than finish times and podiums. At its best, the sport fosters resilience, access, mentorship, and service – values that extend well beyond race day. As the holiday season approaches, many athletes and fans look to give back in ways that reflect what the sport has given them.
Below are several triathlon-connected charities and initiatives worth knowing. While their missions vary, each is led by individuals who have shaped the sport at the highest level, and who continue to invest in creating opportunity, access, and positive change beyond competition.
Daniela Ryf Foundation
Founded by ten-time World Champion Daniela Ryf and run by her partner, Jennifer Estes, the Daniela Ryf Foundation supports children and families in underserved communities in Kenya, with a focus on nutrition, education, health, and wellbeing. While not triathlon-specific, the foundation reflects Ryf’s belief that success in sport carries a responsibility to create impact beyond oneself.
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The foundation began during the height of Ryf’s racing career, inspired by her family’s connection to Kenya and a desire to give back in a tangible, efficient way. Today, its work delivers direct, measurable impact, providing daily meals, hygiene supplies, and education support to children in some of Africa’s most under-resourced communities.
If you’re looking to pair experience with contribution, Ryf and Estes also offer opportunities such as an annual bike safari in Kenya, which combines adventure with direct engagement in the communities the foundation supports, connecting donors closely with the impact of their giving.
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Challenged Athletes Foundation
Co-founded by triathlon legend Bob Babbitt, the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) exists to remove barriers so individuals with physical challenges can pursue active, athletic lives. CAF believes that sport is not a luxury, but a vital pathway to confidence, identity, and community.
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Since its founding, CAF has awarded more than 52,000 grants worldwide, supporting athletes across over 100 sports by providing access to adaptive equipment, training resources, and community programs. Deeply rooted in triathlon culture, CAF has helped redefine what inclusion in sport can look like, ensuring that physical limitation does not determine who gets to participate.
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Brownlee Foundation
Created by Olympic champions Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, the Brownlee Foundation reflects the brothers’ long-standing commitment to supporting the future of triathlon, particularly within British triathlon. Through charitable and developmental initiatives, the Foundation focuses on expanding access and opportunities across the sport. Brownlee Racing, meanwhile, operates as an elite performance and mentorship initiative, providing athletes with access to high-performance environments while fostering growth and the transfer of experience from one generation to the next.
Overall, the Brownlees’ work represents a forward-looking investment in triathlong’s long-term health and depth, and one initiated while Jonny Brownlee continues to race at the elite level, directly involved with Brownlee Racing.
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Pho3nix Foundation
Founded by four-time world champion Chris McCormack, the Pho3nix Foundation is dedicated to empowering young people through sport, movement, and education. Global in scope, Pho3nix focuses on removing barriers to participation and creating opportunities for youth – particularly those facing social or economic disadvantage – to access sport as a pathway to confidence, health, and personal growth.
For McCormack, the mission reflects a belief that sport can be a powerful equalizer, shaping not just athletes, but resilient, capable humans. For donors, Pho3nix offers a way to support the next generation at the very start of their sporting journeys.
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Believe Ranch & Rescue (Siri Lindley)
Co-founded by two-time World Champion Siri Lindley and her wife, Bek, Believe Ranch & Rescue is dedicated to saving horses from abuse, neglect, and slaughter, while also creating space for healing and connection between humans and animals.
Although not triathlon-specific, the ranch reflects Lindley’s belief in service, healing, and giving back in ways that extend beyond sport. For Lindley, the work is personal: horses were a meaningful part of her own healing journey from acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and the ranch represents her commitment to passing that experience forward to others.
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The post Looking to Make Holiday Donations? Triathlon-Related Charities Making a Meaningful Impact appeared first on Triathlon Magazine Canada.