Washington, D.C. — Today, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) honors National Nonprofit Day, celebrated annually on August 17th, by reflecting on another extraordinary year of giving back to the community of fans who support the company’s teams, venues, and media channels. Over the 2023-2024 season, MSE contributed nearly $15 million, made possible by the collective generosity of the Leonsis family, the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation (MSEF), and MSE’s Corporate Office.
“We believe sports play a crucial role in uniting and uplifting communities and each season we strive to do more,” said Ted Leonsis, Chairman & CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “Our goal is to empower those who are already doing excellent work in the region and use our platform to aid their efforts so that many more throughout our community can share in a sense of belonging and prosperity.”
Separately, MSE’s sports team franchises, the Washington Capitals, Wizards and Mystics, extend their generosity throughout their respective seasons and distribute tens of millions of dollars annually to nonprofit beneficiaries. That extends above the work of the Leonsis family, the corporate collective and its nonprofit arm.
Beyond just financial donations, MSE gives back to its neighbors across the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region through its employees’ thousands of hours of community volunteer work. MSE also uses its highly-trafficked social media channels, websites, and digital boards inside and outside their arenas to spotlight on local businesses and nonprofits, actively uplifting and supporting their impactful work. MSE is proud to be recognized by Washington Business Journal as one of the region’s Top Corporate Philanthropists.
This year, the Leonsis Family underscored their commitment to the community by dedicating $11.3 million in pledges and donations since June 2023. Highlights include:
- Matching an employee-led donation to help Calvary Women’s Services recover from a devastating January explosion, ensuring the organization could continue its critical work.
- Funding the Mamie Johnson Little League Softball team, a mostly African American girls’ team from Wards 7 and 8, so they could compete in the Little League World Series Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament.
- Donating to Madison County Parks and Recreation Hockey Program after a devastating wildfire led to a complete loss of their rink.
- Establishing a $5 million endowment to support and inspire young entrepreneurs at McDonough School of Business for their annual “Bark Tank” competition, founded by the Leonsis family to help young entrepreneurs and job creators.
- Pledging $5 million to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital to improve pediatric care, including funding a new rooftop helipad for direct access to the state-of-the-art emergency department and operating rooms, benefiting children experiencing acute trauma and supporting their families.
“We are grateful for the many fans and the local community who support the work of Monumental Sports, and we champion the work of the nonprofits who provide needed services,” said Elizabeth Pace, President and Executive Director of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. “The Leonsis family has created a culture in which our organization remains committed to philanthropy and making a tangible social impact. It’s that double bottom-line approach that pushes us each year to remain consistent in giving back and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us.”
This year, MSEF made over $1.2 million in grants for nonprofits, rallying MSE’s teams and fans to amplify the efforts of community change agents. Each season, MSE fans contribute through 50/50 raffles at Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics games, both in the arena and online, fueling the foundation’s mission. The highlight of the organization’s annual efforts is the KABOOM! Playground build—a dynamic event where Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics players, Monumental Sports Network talent, and MSE staff come together to construct a state-of-the-art playground designed by the community in an often-neglected neighborhood. This playground, built with passion and teamwork, serves as a vibrant space that enriches the lives of hundreds of children each year.
Employees across MSE also lead donation drives and contribute volunteer time organized through MSE’s Employee Resource Groups which includes work of special significance to MSE’s workforce in the Asian American, African American, Hispanic, Young Professionals and Abled and Disabled Allies communities. These organizations play a helping hand in supporting community initiatives with small grants and other support.
MSE’s Corporate Office directed over $1.9 million in charitable donations and contributions. Notable initiatives included the full-staff effort to host DC CAP’s College Signing Day at Capital One Arena, an organization chaired by Ted Leonsis, where thousands of students from the DMV celebrated their commitment to diverse educational paths—whether pursuing four-year universities, community colleges, certificate programs, or military service—signaling a pivotal moment in their academic journeys. Additionally, MSE partnered with MedStar to refresh two MedStar Kids Mobile Medical Clinics, now proudly adorned with MSE’s sports team logos. This investment ensures that the clinics may continue their crucial mission of providing high-quality, accessible primary care to children and adolescents in Washington, D.C.’s most under-served neighborhoods, delivering essential medical services directly to the heart of the community.
Monumental Sports supports various efforts across all regions and groups of the Greater Washington Metropolitan region. They each play a crucial role in enriching the lives of those they serve and strengthening our region. In addition to those already mentioned, MSE has been proud to support over 100 organizations, including:
Best Buddies
Bread for the City
Capital Area Food Bank
College Track
District of Columbia College Access Program
DC Public Library Foundation
Fight For Children
DC Fire & EMS Foundation
Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena
Latin America Youth Center
Leveling the Playing Field
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Martha’s Table
National MS Society
National Museum of African American History and Culture
University of DC Foundation
The University of District Columbia
###
About Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Monumental Sports & Entertainment is America’s leading sports and entertainment family. Our people, players, teams and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans and our people. To learn more, please visit monumentalsports.com.
About Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation
MSE Foundation is committed to making the region a better place for all by supporting game-changing solutions for our community. We fundraise, provide grants to nonprofits and rally Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s teams and fans to support and amplify the impact of community change agents. Together, we’re raising the game in the DMV. Learn more at: www.monumentalfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
