The Matthew D. Barsamian foundation seeks to provide funding to organizations that support the themes and ideals that defined Matt’s life. An avid athlete, Matt’s traits of confidence, dedication, and leadership were developed through the various sports programs he participated in all his life and the mentors who helped him along the way. He believed that opportunity could be the golden ticket to success. We hope to honor his legacy by giving youth in Detroit and New York a chance to overcome challenges of their past and give them the tools and resources to tackle their NEXT PLAY.
“Let’s be Great Today”
Detroit Prep
Based in Detroit, Detroit Prep, a charter school, exists to provide a world-class, equitable education that gives its students a foundation of academic excellence and character development. The school fosters a love of learning and passion for exploring and fulfilling extraordinary potential as learners, leaders, and world-changers. Matt and his wife Lauren were big supporters of the school, realizing its potential to provide a good education to youth in their hometown’s inner city.
Matt had a passion for PLAY. No matter what was going on in his professional life, he maintained a work/life balance and always made time for fun. In that spirit, The MDB Foundation will be funding the creation of a play space across the street from Detroit Prep that will include space for Matt’s favorite sports. We hope the playground will provide these children a safe place to further facilitate learning and develop the social skills necessary for success later in life.
“Have a great time, all the time”
ABOUT U OUTREACH
Founded in 2017, AboutU Outreach is a community service organization that provides academic instruction, physical preparation, sports specific coaching and social media marketing services to youth organizations and high school students in New York City. The nonprofit organization focuses on academic results, physical performance, and community building. AboutU is committed to making a difference in the lives of their student athletes.
While Matt was living and working in NYC, he was involved a mentorship program for student athletes interested in business at Columbia University, his Alma mater. He knew it was not only important to give back to the college and specifically, the football community, but to also serve as a role model to similar young men as they navigated their own NEXT PLAY in life.
“Who’s Better than U?”
Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT tackles the emotional trauma and social isolation experienced by children facing serious and chronic illnesses by matching them with a college athletic team. Through the organization’s two-year therapeutic program that complements medical treatments, the children develop relationships and skills that help them complete the full circle of healing. Team IMPACT provides the safety, support, and encouragement that families and teams need in order to build positive and therapeutic outcomes for years to come.
Matt and his wife Lauren had just begun their involvement with Team IMPACT prior to Matt’s passing. They both felt strongly that their experience in youth sports growing up contributed to life lessons that stayed with them well into their professional lives. The MDB Foundation will help fund Team IMPACT’s clinical care model and sponsor these children in need. The financial contributions from the foundation have been ongoing since even before the foundation’s official launch; in 2019 Lauren helped welcome a young boy as the newest member of the Columbia Football Team.