Meredith Delgado
Meredith Delgado was the heart of the Chicago fencing community—a mentor, a leader, and a “second mom” to generations of athletes. Known for her brilliant wit and “bubble of love,” Meredith spent decades ensuring that every fencer, from local high schools to national championships, had a place to belong and a path to compete. She was at every high school, every Regional, and at every National tournament – she was there for the kids as well as for all of us.
She believed that fencing was more than a sport; it was a family. However, she also recognized that for many, the gates to this family remained closed.
We are creating the Meredith Delgado Endowment to honor her spirit of inclusion. By funding an immersive, four-year program for inner-city youth, we are turning Meredith’s legacy of mentorship into a permanent bridge. We aren’t just providing gear and coaching—we are fostering the same discipline, academic excellence, and “lifelong family” that Meredith championed her entire life.
Help us continue her mission of moving fencing forward.
The Meredith Delgado Endowment
The Vision for Fencing Forward
At its core, fencing is a powerful engine for youth development. We have seen this impact firsthand through trailblazing initiatives like the Peter Westbrook Foundation, which has proven that the sport can drive measurable gains in academic performance, leadership, and community mentorship.
Inspired by these successes, our own En Guarde Merit scholarships and Community Grant programs are already beginning to transform local communities—yet these wins represent only a glimpse of what is possible when access barriers are fully dismantled. Through the Meredith Delgado Endowment, we are committed to scaling this impact. This program is a dedicated pathway designed for students with demonstrated financial need—ensuring that those who face the greatest barriers have the strongest support.
Our goal is to create a sustained, immersive program that introduces fencing to underserved youth with little to no prior experience, supporting their personal and athletic growth throughout their high school years.
- Academic Excellence: Maintain a 3.2 GPA and remain a student in good standing.
- Community Leadership: Give back by volunteering with a local non-profit or faith-based organization
- Financial Empowerment: Complete the University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative throughout high school.
- Athletic Dedication: Remain active in a local fencing club and commit to at least one private coaching session weekly.
- Competitive Growth: Coordinate with coaches to attend local and regional tournaments, expanding their experience and conditioning their mind beyond the practice strip.
- Earned Support: Students who meet these milestones will receive a $100 monthly stipend to support their journey.
- Future-Ready Scholarship: Upon graduation and acceptance into a higher education institution, students will receive a $1,500 scholarship to launch their next chapter.
By opening these new pathways, we aren’t just teaching a sport; we are helping students discover the confidence, discipline, and lifelong skills that will define their futures and, in return, better our communities.
Help us move Forward by participating in our auction fundraiser. Your contributions directly support the Meredith Delgado Endowment, extending our reach far beyond the fencing strip. We are building a truly immersive pathway for inner-city youth—pairing elite fencing training with academic accountability, financial literacy, and community service.
By participating in this initiative, you provide the stability these students need to stay focused on their potential. You are opening new doors for them to develop the confidence, discipline, and lifelong skills that a sport like fencing uniquely provides—you are investing in a future leader who will mentor and uplift their own community.
Register today to start bidding and help us reach our goal of building a sustained pathway for the next generation of student-athletes.
Bids Awarded – Congratulations!
- Mickey Mouse — 1 of a Kind Russian Nesting Dolls 50pcs
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Help us move Forward by being a sponsor. There are many levels to participate. Please reach out so we can find the right level for you! Contact Us
Why Be a Sponsor?
Direct Impact: 100% of proceeds go toward dismantling access barriers for underserved student-athletes.
Brand Alignment: Partner with a mission that values discipline, excellence, and social responsibility. By supporting the Meredith Delgado Endowment, your brand becomes synonymous with equity in sports and youth empowerment, demonstrating a commitment to building a more inclusive future for the community’s youth.
Visibility: Your name or business will be featured prominently on our auction platform, our website, and in our event communications to the national fencing community.
Engaged Audience: Gain direct access to a dedicated community of fencers, coaches, and families across the United States. Our supporters are not just spectators; they are professionals, educators, and community leaders who value and patronize businesses that invest in the next generation.
Sustainable Impact: Unlike a single-day event, this endowment creates a four-year journey for our students. As a sponsor, your brand is linked to a long-term success story, offering recurring visibility as our student-athletes hit academic and athletic milestones over the course of their high school careers.
Tax-Deductible: Fencing Forward (a DBA of Youth Fencing Chicago, Inc) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
©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