“Basketball saved my life.”
Spend five minutes with Stephen Beseda and you know you are talking to a man on a mission. Growing up in a family that struggled financially, he will tell you that basketball saved his life. He knows how easy it is to get into trouble, but he made it to college on a basketball scholarship and eventually became a successful entrepreneur.
Beseda built several successful businesses in southern California focused on athletics and physical health. However, as his business success grew, he never forgot where he came from, and he knew how many economically deprived youths were falling through the cracks, like he almost did.
So, in 2006, Beseda founded Rain Basketball, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Orange County, California offering after-school and summer basketball clinics and camps, and competitive team that traveled the country. The program grew to serve thousands of kids every year in three states, attracting girls and boys eager to improve their basketball skills, earn spots on their high school teams, and compete for the attention of college basketball scouts.
Using the profits from his other businesses, he personally funded scholarships for students whose families couldn’t afford the fees, took them under his wing, and ultimately became more than their basketball coach – he became their life coach, teaching them discipline, hard work, and strong character.
He also created networks and partnerships with other organizations like universities, food banks, and financial institutions who could provide everything from nutrition and mental health counseling, to food, to financial education. If a kid or their family had a need, he figured out a way to meet it.
Beseda invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into kids that nobody wanted, and he’s seen many of them go onto college on basketball scholarships, and thrive in their chosen careers.
How Donations Help
How Donations Help
Donations provide funds for scholarships for at-risk youth to participate in its program. The annual cost for a student for the 11-month program is $3000, and covers coaching fees, tournament fees, court costs, uniform packages and insurance. This price tag puts the program out of reach for many of the students that need it most. Scholarships open the door to opportunity, growth, and education for these youth.
Wrap-Around Support services for Families in Need
Donations sustain and expand the support programs Rain offers through its partnerships with mental health organizations, educational institutions, tutoring, food assistance, and other practical help for struggling families. Contributions also offset the travel costs for tournaments, allowing more students to participate and potentially to be recruited by college basketball coaches.
Help Us Make It Rain!
In basketball, the term “rain” means a player is making all his shots – thus the name Rain Basketball – “We make it rain!” Your gift will make it rain for so many young people, boys and girls, who will have a chance to make all their shots in life.
Donate Today
All gifts are fully tax deductible and support scholarships and support programs for players and their families.
Tax ID: 83-1516549 | Rain Basketball USA™
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Payable to:
Rain Basketball
2989 South Zeno Court
Aurora, CO 80013
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Board of Directors
President
Stephen Beseda
Email Stephen >
Vice President
Chris Guild
Treasurer
Santiago Rydelski
Secretary
Tara Beseda
Operations Manager
Jason Simon