Giving back
through fencing
Fencing Forward
We are a youth-led and youth-focused 501(c)(3) organization. working to help underserved communities using fencing as a developmental tool. Fencing is more than just a sport, it is a way to help nurture the growth of young children.
fencing is About
Leadership
Determination
Resilience
What we do
Fencing is a unique sport that has so many benefits, but many kids (and parents) miss this sport opportunity because it’s not familiar as football, soccer, or baseball.
We want to change this. We want to get into your school or your organization. We want to teach your young kids, in small groups, to fence!
We want to encourage and help them become community leaders
We want to lead by example, we do good, so others can too!
Saanvi Mallavarpu on leadership
We want the wonderful developmental benefits to apply for all kids. Mostly, we want to make fencing fun and accessible to all young kids who might otherwise not get a chance to.
Alexander Mitev running a clinic
Through fencing, we want them to learn grit and resilience – truly fighting for a cause!
We want them to understand what it means to help, and for them to see and feel the impact of giving back.
you ask Why?
The Sport of Strategy. The Power of Opportunity.
In the city, we talk a lot about the challenges facing our youth—from mental health struggles to the need for safer environments. We know that staying engaged is the key to building critical thinking and resilience. But what if your child isn’t a basketball player? What if “traditional” sports just don’t click?
Enter Fencing Forward.
Fencing is more than just a sport; it’s a developmental tool that sharpens the mind and builds discipline. Unfortunately, it’s often seen as out of reach or too expensive for many families. We’re changing that.
Our Mission:
Formerly Youth Fencing Chicago, Fencing Forward is a youth-led initiative dedicated to breaking down the barriers of cost and elitism. We partner with schools and community organizations to provide the resources and coaching needed to bring this unique sport to every neighborhood. We aren’t just teaching kids to fence; we’re giving them a new way to think.
Impacting Communities
Scholarships Awarded
Grants
Awarded
Donations Distributed
Funds Raised
Spread the knowledge
The Community Grant Program
The En Garde Merit Scholarship Program
Our Supporters
Fencing Forward’s grassroots ability to support transformative changes in local youths depends heavily on the generosity of donors, organizations, and foundations. We want to thank the following people and organizations who have contributed to our efforts :
- Anonymous
- The Vu-Nguyen Family
- Evgeniya Bragina
- The Elterman Family
- The O’Donnell Family
- The Beckman Family
- The Dhal Family
- The Compton Family
- Samira, Thomas, Lena and Noah
- Tristan, Armand, and Cassian
- Marie Fioramonti and Grayson Holmbeck
- Gys Hyman
- The Jessen Family
- Janet Han
- Tom Canale
- DEMAW & Linwhei Chuang
- The Rudbeck Family
- The Jakobe Family
- Wiley Adams
- Jane Mao
- The Barnickol Family
- The Miller-Buchholz Family
- The McKeague Family
- Simon Philips
- The Abella-Ruby Family
- The Lewis Family
- Leah Jayasanker
- Katie Lai, Ayax Vargas and Anabel
- The Vuillemin Family
- Eugene Han
- Linda Cheng
- Helen Chuang
- Jayashree Gorripati
- Dahlia, Dominic, and Donovan
- Yusuf Lawal
- Jennifer Ellergodt
- The Benton Family
- The Lu Family
- Audrey and Bert Guerra
- Irma Snopek
- Arun Kallikadavil
- Sindhura Valleru
- The Smith Family
- Martin Herz
- The Fischer-Stern Family
- Matthew Landa
- Peggy Doyle
- Kevin Mork
- Gwendolyn Foster
- Carla Harmath
- Jyothi Vinay
- Sri Choudary
- Sudha Amineni
- Terence Marling
- Sunita Surapaneni
- Sandhya Addanki
- Adrienne Hiegel
- Rajya Manne
- Narasa Kakuturu
- Ania Garina
- Andrea Duong
- Kimberly Rociola
- Victor and Shoshanna Miller
- The Fahey Family
- Tina Rivera
- Praveena Narisetty
- Ananth Benedict
- Emily Burger
- Adriana Menezes
- Sailaja Lingamaneni
- Windy City Fencing
- Fencing Center of Chicago
- Bronzeville Fencing Academy
- The Zeffy Corporation
- Fencers DoGood
- The Point Fencing Club
©2024 Fencing Forward. Fencing Forward is a DBA of Youth Fencing Chicago, Inc
Youth Fencing Chicago is a registered 501(c)(3) organization | Tax ID: 99-0834900