Upward Sports is the world's largest Christian sports provider for youth athletics. The mission of Upward Sports is to promote the discovery of Jesus through sports. Upward Sports provides valuable resources that aid in planning, training, and executing first-class, organized, and detailed sports offerings. Upward Sports' values are integrity, collaboration, excellence, innovation and joy.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$50.6M
+6.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.3M
+32486.4% YoY
Grant Count
70
+6900.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
+365.5% YoY
About Upward Unlimited
Based on IRS filings
Upward Unlimited is a nonprofit organization focused on Youth Development, based in SPARTANBURG, SC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $50.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 70 grants totaling $3.3M. Net investment income was $2.0M.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $50,634,019 | $47,709,418 | $35,641,784 |
| Revenue | $8,932,979 | $19,636,661 | $21,946,822 |
| Expenses | $10,077,040 | $7,952,467 | $13,801,006 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,952,667 | $12,155,858 | $90,656 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Church at the Mill ($450,000), Jumpstart Usa ($375,000), Campus Outreach Columbia ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADs for Christ Dallas, TX | Equip Athletic Directors | $12,500 |
| Advance Global Boiling Springs, SC | Advance Gospel Internationally | $12,500 |
| Alpha International Ministries Greensboro, NC | Provide Hope of Gospel | $12,500 |
| Anderson University Anderson, SC | Support Inner City Camps | $50,000 |
| Bailey Christian Church Bailey, MI | Support Community Upward Programs | $26,000 |
| Band of Brothers Prison Ministry Inc Piedmont, SC | Prison Ministry Providing Housing | $15,000 |
| Brown Family Ministries Travelers Rest, SC | Share Christ Through Music | $10,500 |
| Campus Crusade for Christ Orlando, FL | Ministry on Upstate College Campuses | $75,000 |
| Campus Outreach Columbia Columbia, SC | Campus Ministry at Spartanburg Methodist | $150,000 |
| Carolina Pregnancy Center Spartanburg, SC | Experience Life Through Christ with Preganancy Issues | $12,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hugh Brantley | Secretary/Treasurer | 5 | — |
| Michael Chibbaro | Vice Chairman | 5 | — |
| Tully Brewer | Chairman of Board | 5 | — |
| Bob Caldwell Sr | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Courtney Shelton | Board Member | 5 | — |
| David Bishop | Board Member | 5 | — |
| Amie Busbee | CFO/Assistant Treasurer | 50 | $167,697 |
| Kevin Drake | Executive Director | 50 | $259,356 |
| Andrew Provence | Director of Partner Relations | 50 | $123,815 |
| Brian Tramel | Director of Information Technology | 50 | $129,687 |
| Matthew Bradley | Director of Supply Chain | 50 | $130,047 |
| Robert Swink | Sr. Software Architect | 50 | $120,526 |
| Travis Vaughn | Director of Market Research | 50 | $131,974 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Upward Unlimited?
Upward Unlimited is a nonprofit organization focused on Youth Development, based in SPARTANBURG, SC. It holds $50.6M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Upward Unlimited?
As of 2024, Upward Unlimited holds $50.6M in total assets with $8.9M in annual revenue. It awarded 70 grants totaling $3.3M in 2024.
Where does Upward Unlimited operate?
Upward Unlimited has awarded grants in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington.
What size grants does Upward Unlimited award?
In 2024, Upward Unlimited awarded 70 grants totaling $3.3M — an average of about $47K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Upward Unlimited's EIN?
Upward Unlimited's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-1031173. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Upward Unlimited's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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