Forge Althletics Foundation
Every Athlete. Regardless of Zip Code.
The Forge Athletics Foundation exists to ensure that access to elite basketball development is determined by a young athlete's work ethic — not their family's income.
– Our Mission
Elite development shouldn't require an elite income.
We're closing that gap in NWA.
Northwest Arkansas is home to some of the country's fastest-growing youth sports communities. It's also home to a growing divide between athletes who have access to elite development resources and those who don't.
The Forge Athletics Foundation provides merit-based scholarships for Forge Performance Lab programming — giving qualifying youth athletes from across the region access to the same basketball development, performance training, and sports rehab that elite programs offer, regardless of their economic background.
This isn't charity. It's investment in the community we're building this for.
NWA
Community Focus Area
K-12
Youth Athlete Eligibility
100%
Scholarships Fund Access
Merit
Based Selection Process
– The Program
How The Foundation Works
01
Scholarship Applications
Youth athletes from Northwest Arkansas apply each program cycle. Applications are reviewed on the basis of athletic commitment, academic standing, and financial need. We fund access — not outcomes.
02
Sponsor-Funded Access
Every scholarship is funded entirely by our sponsor partners. Community businesses and individuals provide direct, visible support that translates to real athlete access — no overhead bloat, no administrative fog.
03
Full FPL Programming
Scholarship recipients access the same Forge Performance Lab programming as all members — on-court development, sports performance training, and clinical sports rehab. No watered-down version.
– Get Involved
Three Ways to Help
Most Impactful
Make A Donation
Every dollar goes directly toward scholarship funding for NWA youth athletes. Tax-deductible. Transparent reporting to all donors on how funds are allocated each program cycle.
For Athletes & Families
Apply For A Scholorship
Youth basketball athletes in Northwest Arkansas can apply for merit-based scholarship funding to access Forge Performance Lab programming. Applications are reviewed each program cycle.
Most Impactful
Become A Sponsor
Sponsorships provide direct, named funding for athlete scholarships. Sponsors are recognized publicly on our website, in the facility, and across our social channels. Community investment that's visible and meaningful.
– Our Partners
Scholarship Sponsors
These organizations and individuals are directly funding access for NWA youth athletes. Without their partnership, the Foundation doesn't exist. We're grateful for every one of them.
Founding Sponsor
Encore Bank
Encore Bank has been a foundational partner in building the Forge Athletics Foundation from the ground up. As our title sponsor and banking partner, their commitment to the NWA community goes beyond a logo — they've been at the table from day one, helping us build something that lasts. We're proud to call them partners and grateful for their investment in NWA youth.
Title Sponsor
Interested in becoming a scholarship sponsor? Contact us to discuss sponsorship levels, naming opportunities, and how your support will directly fund athlete access.
– Community Roots
Why NWA
Northwest Arkansas is a basketball community in the truest sense. The region produces talent at every level — and that talent deserves infrastructure that matches its potential.
Forge Performance Lab was built here because this is where we live, where we coach, and where we see the gap every day between athletes who have access and those who don't. The Foundation exists to close that gap in the community that built this facility.
Through partnerships with local institutions, community organizations, and sponsors who share our belief that development should be accessible, we're working to build a pipeline that serves athletes from their first organized practice through high school graduation — regardless of what their families can afford.
The long-term vision includes programming across multiple NWA campuses, summer camps with scholarship tiers, and community open gym access. The community invested in us. This is how we invest back.
NWA
Exclusively serving Northwest Arkansas youth athletes
3rd+
Grade 3 through high school senior eligibility
100%
Of donations go directly to scholarship funding
Open
Applications reviewed each program cycle
– Ready to get involved –
Help us give more kids a shot
Whether you donate, sponsor, or simply spread the word — every act of support translates directly into an athlete who gets to be here.