About Us

Who We Are

The Buddy Fund is a 501 (c)(3) charity helping at-risk St. Louis youth without regard to race, ethnicity, or religion.  It was founded in 1962 by St. Louis Sportscaster Buddy Blattner to supply sports equipment to charities and organizations that use organized sports to help redirect the lives of at-risk youth, including boys & girls clubs, police athletic leagues, homes for kids, community centers, and after-school programs.

How We Help

Through generous donations, The Buddy Fund is able to purchase and donate the necessary sporting goods and equipment to those kids and youth organizations most in need. To date, over $3,800,000 in sports equipment has been donated, affecting over 450,000 children in the St. Louis area.

Relationships with vendors such as Rawlings, Riddell, and Markwort allow The Buddy Fund to buy equipment at cost, doubling our purchasing power. If your company would like to partner with The Buddy Fund, contact us for more information. 

Why We Help

The Buddy Fund is dedicated to changing the lives of at-risk youth in the St. Louis area, giving them the resources to help keep them off the streets and in school. We see our work in action every day because we live in these neighborhoods and are a part of these organizations. It’s been proven that organized sports help communities flourish. The valuable life and leadership skills that stem from our work provide opportunities for kids to get involved and progress in life. The Buddy Fund is proud to be a positive force within St. Louis communities for the last 55 years.