Sometimes it seems annoying to categorize an organization by its numbers – after all, non profits strive to meet a human need, fill a void, find their niche, and be sustainable through donors and volunteers. In a large portion of the non-profit world, this business model involves some paid staff. But, this is a tale of one that relies totally on volunteers: Stonewall Sports Kansas City, which is run entirely by volunteers. No paid staff. None. Knowing that, let’s find out what makes this organization tick, and how they have achieved their level of success. And, yes, part of the answer involves numbers. 

Stonewall Sports started as a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization dedicated to fostering inclusive and supportive environments for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies. Started in 2010, Stonewall Sports took its name from the Stonewall riots of 1969. While much has changed since then, alas, much has not. The need exists for inclusive sports run by local people. The mission is “To provide an inclusive, low-cost, high-fun, sports organization that’s managed as a non profit with a philanthropic heart.” There are 27 chapters across the United States, and Kansas City is one of the most successful of those, having started in 2019. Of course, the pandemic put a hold on the Kansas City launch, but by the Spring 2021 season, it was back in business with more sports and more participants than before.

Here’s where the numbers come in: Currently, there are 24 sports in Kansas City; in 2023, there were 2,514 player registrations;85 percent of participants are LGBTQIA+; 55 percent are men, 37 percent are women, and eight percent are non-binary. Of all of the sports offered, kickball is the most popular, with 700 people playing in the spring and fall leagues. The Kansas City board of Stonewall Sports is a gender-diverse board of 24 members. According to one of the Kansas City founders, Jared Horman, “It has been a big part of our mission since the inception of the chapter to include all genders, equally. It can tend to run kind of high on numbers of men playing the sports. We wanted women, trans folks, and nonbinary folks to feel included.” 

Part of the mission of the Kansas City chapter is the “philanthropic heart.” Lori Schlatter, the commissioner; and Jared both shared that they really take their roles seriously when it comes to providing a comfortable arena for their community in organized sports, and “that their community has the ability and responsibility to support others in need.” What this means is that board members are organizing sports and registrations, but they are also fundraising. Through the fees, donations, and sponsorships, they manage to raise enough money to run the organizationanddonate some funds to local agencies. On their list of recipients are the AIDS Service Foundation of Kansas City, and Kansas City Center for Inclusion. In addition, they try to raise enough money to send participants to the national tournament in July. 

The annual national tournament will be held in Minneapolis this summer, with 10 sports being showcased, and thousands of registrants expected. The Kansas City chapter will send several contestants in several sports, but they are also excited for the networking and fellowship opportunities. This piece is particularly important for both Jared and Lori. Jared realized when he came to town that he missed the presence of Stonewall Sports. He spent his first few years in Kansas City getting to know the local queer community, and then brought some of them together to found the local chapter. It’s a good thing Jared has a marketing background and a degree in graphic design as he discovered there was much work to be done in marketing and communications. Lori, on the other hand, moved to Kansas City in 2017, with a background in data analysis and program management, and her association with Stonewall helped her discover her own path – she felt she was “being surrounded by people who are a community, they are safe and comfortable.” 

Since those early days, and due to rapid expansion, it has become the goal of both Lori and Jared to provide a training ground for future leaders. Their board training involves how to serve on a board, how to hone leadership skills, how to run a DEI-aware board and organization, and how to serve the community at large. They seek diversity on all levels – race, gender, background, economics, and more. Through this effort, they want to grow the infrastructure, make it sustainable, and make sure there are supports in place for the process. They see more community initiatives, more family-centered events, and starting wellness training for members. 

The logistics of one chapter of Stonewall Sports is mind-numbing. Twenty-four sports (looking to add four more); more than 2,500 participants; dozens of locations; weather; referees; incident reports; and on and on. All of this is done by nearly hundreds of volunteers. But, the goals are quite simple: creating a foundation for fun, safe, inclusive sports; being intentional in how it is done; and doing it well. “Be comfortable being yourself and find your people,” Lori and Jared said in practical unison. Their level of success in such a short period of time is a testament to the skills and perseverance of the founders and commissioners, as well as understanding the overwhelming response from the community. The need was here, the void was felt. Such a simple idea coming to fruition has impacted so many people in such a positive way. An idyllic model, indeed. 

(Author’s note: All of the 27 chapters are run by volunteer power, but the national headquarters in Washington, D.C. does have some paid staff.)

By Anne Potter Russ
Featured in the June 29, 2024 PRIDE Issue of The Independent