20 Years, 19,000 Kids — and Growing
How a Wichita Foundation Evolved to Meet What Children Needed Most
Wichita, KS (February 8, 2026) — For the Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis (GFFT), removing barriers for under-resourced youth has always started with listening. What began 20 years ago as a youth sports grant program has grown into a multi-state nonprofit addressing some of the most basic needs children face, including proper shoes, a safe bed to sleep in, and access to fitness, education, and opportunity.
As GFFT celebrates its 20th anniversary, the foundation marks a milestone that reflects both longevity and growth: more than 19,000 children served across 13 states, with its deepest roots and greatest impact right here in Wichita, Kansas.
Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis — At a Glance
• Founded in 2006 in Wichita, Kansas
• 20 years of service
• 19,000+ children served
• Programs operating across 13 states
• Core initiatives include Kicks for Kids, Beds for Kids, Youth Tennis, and Youth Sport Grants
Founded in 2006 by Rodney Steven II and Brandon Steven, the foundation originally focused on helping children who could not afford to participate in organized sports. Through grants supporting equipment, entry fees, club costs, and travel, GFFT ensured that finances would not be the reason a child was left out.
“This foundation was born in Wichita, built by Wichita people, and shaped by Wichita values,” said Rodney Steven II, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis. “We didn’t set out to create a national organization; we set out to help kids in our own backyard. The fact that our impact now reaches 13 states doesn’t change where our heart is. Wichita will always be home.”
Over time, community partners helped the foundation see a broader reality. Schools and nonprofit leaders shared that many children needed more than access to sports—they needed shoes that fit, a bed to sleep in, and stable routines that support learning and health.
Today, GFFT’s programs extend well beyond sports participation. Kicks for Kids and Beds for Kids now provide year-over-year increases in essential resources, while youth tennis and education-based initiatives continue to promote confidence, structure, and long-term wellness. Each year, the foundation delivers more shoes, more beds, and more scholarships than the year before—meeting real needs with tangible solutions.
“This work is truly community-driven,” said DeAnn White, Executive Director of GFFT. “From sponsors and volunteers to Genesis staff and members, people consistently choose to step up for kids who need support. Thanks to record fundraising in 2025, we’re able to help even more children in 2026 than ever before.”
To honor its 20th anniversary, GFFT will host a year-long celebration in 2026, featuring special events, community activations, and opportunities for Wichitans to learn more about, and support, a foundation that has quietly changed thousands of lives.
“For many people in Wichita, GFFT isn’t as well-known as some larger charities,” White added. “But this is a Wichita-born organization with Wichita values, serving kids here and far beyond. We’re incredibly proud of that—and excited to share the story more boldly this year.”
For the children served, the impact is immediate and personal.
“I didn’t want to tell anyone my shoes hurt because they were too small,” shared a local elementary student. “I really like my new shoes. They feel so nice. I hope the Genesis Foundation can come again.”
As GFFT enters its third decade, the mission remains unchanged: restore dignity, expand opportunity, and remove barriers so kids can thrive at school, at home, and in life.