Upward Unlimited, operating under the name Upward Sports, is located in Spartanburg, SC. The organization was established in 1997. According to its NTEE Classification (O55) the organization is classified as: Youth Development - Religious Leadership, under the broad grouping of Youth Development and related organizations. As of 09/2023, Upward Sports employed 95 individuals. This organization is a parent organization of an affiliated group for tax-exemption purposes. Upward Sports is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 09/2023, Upward Sports generated $19.6m in total revenue. This represents relatively stable growth, over the past 8 years the organization has increased revenue by an average of 0.9% each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $8.0m during the year ending 09/2023. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Since 2017, Upward Sports has awarded 21 individual grants totaling $2,709,801. If you would like to learn more about the grant giving history of this organization, scroll down to the grant profile section of this page.
Form
990T
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990T Filing
TAX YEAR
2023
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
UPWARD SPORTS IS A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIAN SPORTS MINISTRY THAT PARTNERS WITH CHURCHES TO PROVIDE PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
UPWARD SPORTS ("THE ORGANIZATION") EXISTS TO PROMOTE THE DISCOVERY OF JESUS THROUGH SPORTS. THE ORGANIZATION HELPS CHRISTIAN CHURCH LEADERS LEVERAGE THE POWER OF SPORT TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES; USING THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF SPORTS AS A PLATFORM FOR SHARING THE GOSPEL AND INCREASING THEIR IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. AS A NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIAN SPORTS MINISTRY PROVIDER, THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG ATHLETES FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES VALUABLE RESOURCES THAT AID IN PLANNING, TRAINING, AND EXECUTING FIRST-CLASS, ORGANIZED, AND DETAILED SPORTS OFFERINGS. DURING THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023, THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERED WITH MORE THAN 1,900 CHURCHES TO OFFER SPORTS LEAGUES, CAMPS AND CLINICS, REACHING 218,000 YOUNG ATHLETES.
THE ORGANIZATION ACQUIRED RUN FOR GOD, INC. IN JULY 2023. RUN FOR GOD IS A MINISTRY DEDICATED TO PROMOTING FAITH AND FITNESS BY COMBINING RUNNING WITH SPIRITUAL GROWTH. THE PROGRAM OFFERS TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS TO IMPROVE THEIR PHYSICAL WELL-BEING WHILE DEEPENING THEIR CONNECTION TO THEIR FAITH.
Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
---|---|---|---|
Tully Brewer Chairman Of Board | OfficerTrustee | 5 | $0 |
Hugh Brantley Secretary/treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 5 | $0 |
Bob Caldwell Vice Chairman | OfficerTrustee | 5 | $0 |
David Bishop Board Member | Trustee | 5 | $0 |
Courtney Shelton Board Member | Trustee | 5 | $0 |
Michael Chibbaro Board Member | Trustee | 5 | $0 |
Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
---|---|---|
Taylormade Technology Solutions Inc Software Development | 9/29/23 | $157,340 |
Robert Half Technology Temporary Labor Services | 9/29/23 | $213,989 |
Fedex Shipping Services | 9/29/23 | $264,765 |
Velosio Software Implementation | 9/29/23 | $111,982 |
Augusta Sportswear Shipping Services | 9/29/23 | $532,302 |
Statement of Revenue | |
---|---|
Federated campaigns | $0 |
Membership dues | $0 |
Fundraising events | $0 |
Related organizations | $104,352 |
Government grants | $0 |
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $22,710 |
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $127,062 |
Total Program Service Revenue | $431,886 |
Investment income | $319,009 |
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Net Rental Income | $286,778 |
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $11,836,849 |
Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $6,618,922 |
Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
Total Revenue | $19,636,661 |
Statement of Expenses | |
---|---|
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $37,322 |
Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $461,295 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $324,503 |
Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
Other salaries and wages | $3,073,462 |
Pension plan accruals and contributions | $49,085 |
Other employee benefits | $266,450 |
Payroll taxes | $278,655 |
Fees for services: Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Legal | $172,483 |
Fees for services: Accounting | $58,151 |
Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Other | $582,855 |
Advertising and promotion | $207,980 |
Office expenses | $210,372 |
Information technology | $309,616 |
Royalties | $0 |
Occupancy | $443,885 |
Travel | $157,817 |
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $26,659 |
Interest | $363 |
Payments to affiliates | $0 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $1,045,820 |
Insurance | $161,383 |
All other expenses | $0 |
Total functional expenses | $7,952,467 |
Balance Sheet | |
---|---|
Cash—non-interest-bearing | $836,577 |
Savings and temporary cash investments | $30,272,939 |
Pledges and grants receivable | $0 |
Accounts receivable, net | $652,265 |
Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
Notes and loans receivable | $7,200,000 |
Inventories for sale or use | $3,147,030 |
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $188,072 |
Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $283,107 |
Investments—publicly traded securities | $5,093,399 |
Investments—other securities | $0 |
Investments—program-related | $0 |
Intangible assets | $36,029 |
Other assets | $0 |
Total assets | $47,709,418 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $2,036,700 |
Grants payable | $0 |
Deferred revenue | $14,754 |
Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Other liabilities | $0 |
Total liabilities | $2,051,454 |
Net assets without donor restrictions | $45,657,964 |
Net assets with donor restrictions | $0 |
Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $47,709,418 |
Over the last fiscal year, Upward Unlimited has awarded $1,426,765 in support to 5 organizations.
Grant Recipient | Amount |
---|---|
MONTANA INDIAN MINISTRIES PURPOSE: General support | $8,234 |
SAMARITAN'S PURSE PURPOSE: General support | $1,391,632 |
COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH PURPOSE: General support | $10,000 |
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PURPOSE: General support | $6,899 |
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH RAVENNA PURPOSE: General support | $10,000 |