A three-time Super Bowl Champion, three-time Pro-Bowler and Patriots Hall of Famer, Matt Light dreamed of creating a charitable organization that would help children of different backgrounds reach their highest potential. The Light Foundation, created in 2001, strives to instill and augment the values of responsibility, accountability, and hard work by providing youth with unique outdoor learning experiences that assist them in meeting, and exceeding their goals. Matt received the third New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2005, and in 2008, was presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his outstanding work in the community. In 2012, he was awarded the Pop Warner Humanitarian of the Year Award, and in 2014, was named All Sports United’s Humanitarian of the Year. In 2015, Matt was named to the Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list of Boston’s best and brightest young professionals. Since its inception, the Light Foundation has raised nearly $7 million for various programs and initiatives. The Light Foundation is a non-profit organization that exists to give kids a better chance at leading healthy lives by using the great outdoors to learn and grow. The Light Foundation is based out of Greenville, Ohio at their Chenoweth Trails facility, where it holds its outdoor leadership camps every summer. The main mission is to provide youth with opportunities to reach their highest potential and become mentors to their peers. The Light Foundation also establishes partnerships with other nonprofits to better serve the needs of the greater community, and holds a variety of onsite programs at Chenoweth Trails. In addition, the organization provides academic scholarships to deserving young student leaders in Ohio and New England. The nonprofit gives kids opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have to get outside and take on a challenge or to strive for excellence in their academic pursuits.
