Since 2011, Boston-based nonprofit has matched more than 4,500 children facing serious illness and disability with college teams nationwide
BOSTON, MA (May 8, 2026) — Fifteen years after pairing its first child with a college hockey team in Massachusetts, Boston-based Team IMPACT is celebrating a decade and a half of transforming the lives of youth, families and student-athletes across America. Since its founding in 2011, the nonprofit organization connecting children facing serious illness and disability with college athletic teams has matched more than 4,500 children and families nationwide.
Beginning with a single match between one child and one team, Team IMPACT has evolved into a network spanning more than 850 colleges and universities across all 50 states and engaging over 112,500 student-athletes. The program is reshaping how campuses think about inclusion, connection, and support in collegiate sports.
“Fifteen years ago, we set out with a simple but powerful belief that no child should ever be sidelined by illness or disability,” said Krissie Kelleher, CEO of Team IMPACT. “Today, we celebrate the incredible community that has made this mission possible — our families, student-athletes, coaches, donors, healthcare partners, and supporters who continue to show what it means to be all in, all together.”
Through Team IMPACT’s multiyear clinical program, children become official members of college athletic teams, attending practices, games, team dinners, and campus events while building meaningful friendships and support systems that extend far beyond sports. At the same time, student-athletes gain invaluable lessons in empathy, leadership, and perspective that shape them long after graduation.
Colleges and athletic programs have increasingly integrated Team IMPACT matches into broader efforts to support student well-being and strengthen team culture on campus. Participating student-athletes often describe gains in perspective, leadership, empathy, and resilience that extend well beyond their time on campus.
“As we celebrate our 15th year, we want to honor all of the approximately 5,000 children who have inspired us, the hundreds of thousands of student athletes that have opened their arms, and every moment that has reminded us why these relationships are so meaningful in society today,” said Jay Calnan, Founding Board Member. “We want to thank everyone who has ever supported us in our effort to change the world!”
To mark its 15th anniversary, Team IMPACT will roll out a series of national and local activations throughout 2026, including storytelling campaigns featuring matched families and teams, alumni spotlights from participating student-athletes, and community events hosted on college campuses across the country. These efforts will highlight the long-term relationships formed through the program and the growing movement behind redefining what inclusion in sports can look like.
The organization is also inviting supporters, schools, and community partners to help expand its reach so more children can be matched with teams in the years ahead.
Fifteen years after its founding, Team IMPACT’s core philosophy remains the same: When we’re all in together, we all win together.
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT’s unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 4,500 children with 850+ colleges and universities in 50 states, impacting more than 112,500 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.