Get Involved

GET INVOLVED

Select a tab below to view how you can get involved as an individual, top donor, or corporate partner!

There are many ways you can get involved and contribute to our mission. Through internships, events, and our monthly donor program, we aim to make an impact in the U.S. and the African diaspora. Click one of the topics below to learn more about how you can get involved today!

Internships

Volunteer

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Give Monthly

SHAPE Internship Program

The Goal

We provide an immersive 5-month experience (January–May & June–November) for students and young professionals to learn the ropes of nonprofit management, event planning, and fundraising.

Who We Look For

Undergraduate/graduate student or recent graduate with relevant skills needed to add value to make an impact internally and externally during their time at SHAPE
Types of roles:
- Digital Strategy & Operations - View Role Description
- Fundraising & Donor Outreach - View Role Description
- Business & Events Management - View Role Description

APPLY FOR AN INTERNSHIP

Event Volunteers

The Goal

Our events in the U.S. and the African diaspora thrive on community involvement. From fundraising events and skate drives to clinics and demos, it’s only possible through the support of our incredible volunteers. These opportunities are for non-skateboarders and skateboarders alike.

How It Works

By joining our volunteer list, you aren’t committing to every event. You’ll simply get first notice of upcoming opportunities and can sign up based on your interest and capacity.

What You'll Do

Roles vary by event—one month we may need skaters for demos/lessons for D.C. youth; the next, we may need help at a donation booth for an embassy event.

JOIN THE VOLUNTEER LIST

Join the "SHAPE Fam" with Monthly Giving

The Goal

Monthly donors are the backbone of our foundation. By committing to a recurring gift, you provide the reliable funding needed to empower youth in the US and in Africa by engaging them in creative activities building skills that will help to become more resilient and valuable members of their societies.

The Catalyst

Monthly Donation: $10–$25

Benefits Include:

Personalized Thank You letter
SHAPE sticker pack
1 Gala raffle entry

The Builder

Monthly Donation: $50-$100

Includes all benefits of the Catalyst plus:

Free SHAPE merch item with every quarterly drop
3 Gala raffle entries

The Accelerator

Monthly Donation: $250-$500

Includes all benefits of the Builder plus:

Newsletter name mention
1 Annual Gala ticker
Social media shout-out

Legacy Maker

Monthly Donation: $500+

Includes all benefits of the Accelerator plus:

Name on plaque at a completed skatepark in Africa
documentary shout-out
VIP Gala seating

monthly donor benefits

DONATION AMOUNT

Personalized thank you letter

SHAPE Sticker pack

1 Gala raffle entry

Free SHAPE merch item quarterly

3 Gala raffle entries

Newsletter name mention

1 annual Gala ticket

Social Media shout-out

Name on plaque at skatepark in Africa

Documentary shoutout

VIP Gala Seating

The

Catalyst

$10 - $25

Spacer

The

BUILDER

$50 - $100

Spacer

The

ACCELERATOR

$250 - $500

Spacer

legacy

maker

$500+

Spacer

Make History with a Frontier NGO

SHAPE is a registered 501(c)(3) legacy-driven organization bridging the resource gap across the African diaspora. We invite Top Donors and Corporate Partners to join us on the frontier of the world’s fastest growing skate scene.

We specialize in high visibility "firsts." Our Naija Tour, supported by New Balance, was the first multi-city skate tour in Nigeria’s history. Through our collaboration with @theskatenomad, we brought tens of thousands of global eyes to the brands and donors who believed in our mission first.

PARTNER WITH US

Our Naija Tour supported by New Balance

Strategic Funding Opportunities

Donors and Partners can choose to direct their support toward specific high-impact initiatives:

Infrastructure & Access

Become a lead sponsor of our Abuja Skatepark Project (November 2026) to build a permanent sanctuary in Nigeria’s capital.

Youth Empowerment & Mentorship

Fund on-the-ground programs that provide disadvantaged youth with the tools to build grit and perseverance.

Athlete Development

Help level the playing field by sponsoring African athletes on the world stage, covering travel and training for international qualifiers.

Industry Development

Help us build a sustainable local skate economy through equipment drives and supporting skate shop startups.

Get recognized for your contributions & partnership and see your impact

First Mover Status

Be recognized as a pioneer in global youth culture and African sports development.

Direct Engagement

Top Donors receive an annual "Partner Briefing" with the Executive Director to discuss foundation growth and upcoming "firsts."

High-Level Recognition

For gifts of $5,000+, receive your name or logo on the SHAPE homepage, athlete uniforms, and project-specific permanent signage (e.g., at the Abuja Skatepark).

Storytelling

Feature in our vlogs and documentary series, reaching a massive, engaged global audience.

ANNUAL SHAPE GALA

Hosted at an African Embassy in Washington, D.C. Our flagship event is a prestigious celebration of skateboarding, heritage, and the creative arts.

This is an opportunity for brands and visionary donors to show their support in a high visibility setting attended by embassy officials, creative leaders, and global change makers.

SPONSOR OUR GALA

Sponsor our Annual SHAPE Gala and receive a sponsorship package that includes:

Title Sponsorship

Exclusive branding of the evening’s fashion show, art exhibition, or live musical performance.

Hospitality

Reserved premium tables (8–10 guests) with VIP athlete and artist meet-and-greets.

Marketing

Prominent brand placement across all gala digital media, physical signage, and press releases.

OUR MISSION

The SHAPE Foundation empowers black and brown youth and young adults in the African diaspora and in the U.S. We use skateboarding and the creative arts to build resilient communities, celebrate African culture, and develop the grit and perseverance needed to overcome adversity.

We accomplish this by building skatepark infrastructure, providing skate equipment, sponsoring talented African Olympic athletes, and hosting community-focused events.