Colts pledge $100,000 matching gift for former player’s mentorship program
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A fan-favorite former Indianapolis Colt just got a big boost from his former boss.
Team owner Jim Irsay and the Colts organization have put up a $100,000 matching gift pledge for Tarik Glenn’s “DREAM Alive” mentorship program.
“When I see our scholars, I see myself—someone with dreams bigger than their circumstances,” Glenn said in a comment provided to News 8. “Mentorship expanded the path forward for me, and now, through ‘DREAM Alive,’ we’re creating that same opportunity for thousands of kids. This fundraiser isn’t just about raising money; it’s about inspiring the priceless gift of hope.”
Glenn was a towering on-field presence for the Colts – a first-round draft pick, three-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion and member of the team’s Ring of Honor.
Glenn’s off-field legacy may be even more impressive. Since he founded “DREAM Alive,” the non-profit says it has helped 99% of the young scholars who have gone through the multi-year program graduate high school. The program works with students across eight Indianapolis Public Schools, offering mentoring and help developing careers.
A midweek Victory Field luncheon called “DREAM Makers” served as a launching point of a $200,000 fundraising campaign. That’s where the Colts delivered the jolt, with a pledge that effectively gets the group halfway to its overall goal – as long as other donors step forward to grab the ‘match’.
““We’re honored to support ‘DREAM Alive’ and the incredible work they’re doing to lift up the youth of Indianapolis,” Irsay is quoted in the gift announcement. “Our youth are our future, and every dollar we match invests in their potential. I’ve seen firsthand how mentorship can change lives, and I’m proud to stand with Tarik and ‘DREAM Alive’ to help make a difference in our community.”
If you’d like to learn more about the program or contribute, click here.
