At Innovative Office Solutions, a furniture dealership with locations in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, philanthropy and community involvement aren't just side projects—they're deeply held values ingrained within the organization's culture and ethos. In addition to the company's participation in numerous charitable partnerships, Innovative also supports its own charity, the InSports Foundation. A nonprofit founded upon the transformative power of sports, InSport's mission is to ensure that all children have the opportunity to participate in sports, regardless of their financial circumstances.

"There's a lot of research that shows the profound impact that sports and regular physical activity can have on youth development and cognitive performance. But not everyone has the financial means to participate in or has easy access to organized sports programs," explains Max Smith, Account Executive for Sales and Business. Development at Innovative and Founder of the InSports Foundation. "InSports was born out of a desire to level the playing field and ensure that every child can experience the benefits of sports. Through our programs, we not only keep kids active but also try to instill important life skills such as leadership, teamwork, self-confidence, and goal setting to help set them up for success both on and off the field."

The InSports Foundation operates several programs aimed at providing sporting opportunities and promoting healthy lifestyles for kids. These include scholarships that cover participation, travel, and equipment costs for individuals demonstrating leadership and a passion for sports, as well as sponsorships that support entire teams with equipment and travel expenses and tournament fees. Additionally, the foundation provides special InSports Days, free sports camps for children complete with skills clinics, healthy eating sessions, and goal-setting workshops.

Maddie Segovia, Marketing Specialist for Innovative and InSports board member, elaborates, "Innovative's business partnerships with sports teams, like the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Wild, the Minnesota Lynx, the Sioux Falls Stampede, the Sioux Falls Canaries, and the Sioux Falls Storm has allowed us to create unforgettable experiences for these kids who may never have the opportunity to see a professional team play live. These free events are part of the InSports Days programming and help inspire them to pursue their goals and embrace a healthy, active lifestyle."

InSports initiatives extend beyond traditional sports camps and scholarship programs. They've also partnered with local school districts to provide sports and physical education programming during summer school sessions. Says Bridget Smith, Marketing Director for Innovative and InSports board member, "Many public school children in underserved communities attend summer school because it's free and their parents can't afford daycare. By providing summer school programming, we ensure these kids have access to physical activity and quality sports programs year-round." She adds, "And it's been really exciting to see the positive correlation between participation in these programs and the improved academic performance of these kids in the classroom."

Since its inception in 2014, the InSports Foundation has made remarkable strides, progressing from helping 700 to now over 63,000 children get involved in sports. Fundraising efforts, including events like their annual golf tournament, which often receive sponsorships from Innovative's vendors, have been instrumental in fueling the foundation's growth. Says Max, "With the support of partners like HON, who share our commitment to making a difference, we've been able to amplify our impact and bring our vision of inclusive sports participation to life."

Adds Bridget, "As we look to the future, our goal with Innovative and InSports is to continue expanding our reach and make a meaningful difference for even more young people. We're so proud to be advocates for youth sports and helping children thrive both on and off the field."