Nashville Predators Spotlight

Mission: The Nashville Predators Foundation’s mission is to build philanthropic partnerships within their community to successfully leverage the unique assets and skills of their entire organization to improve the lives of youth and their families.

Programs:

365 Pediatric Cancer Fund – The 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund began during the 2013-2014 season and has since worked with Twice Daily and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. Children from the hospital and their families also enjoy unique Smashville hockey experiences.

Nashville Predators Foundation Grants – The Nashville Predators Foundation gives out hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to local charities and nonprofits to support the funding of programs for youth and their families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Grant applications are made available every at the start of every hockey season and has been able to support groups and their programs for youth such as the Amputee Blade Runners, Adventure Science Center, The Cumberland River Compact, Make-A-Wish, McNeilly Center, PENCIL, and the Rejoice School of Ballet.

Best Buddies: Roman Josi – Roman Josi provides tickets for a different buddy pair from Best Buddies, a nonprofit in Tennessee that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), to attend the game. The pair participate in the high-five line before the game meeting players as they head to the ice. He also donates his personal suite throughout the year to be auctioned off to raise additional funds for Best Buddies.

Holiday Outreach: Dante Fabbro, Ryan Johansen & Colton Sissons – Dante Fabbro, Ryan Johansen and Colton Sissons work with the Preds Foundation and Youth Villages to help give back during the holiday season.

On Ice With Ekky – This initiative, created by the Predators defenseman and his wife, Ida Bjornstad, is a six-week program of hockey curriculum that is taken thorough public education classes in local schools.

Duchene’s Hockey Tonk – Matt Duchene’s “Duchene’s Hockey Tonk” program invites families affected by illness to select Preds games to experience the game from his personal suite. A local musical artist is also invited to enjoy the game with the families, and the suite gets to meet Duchene and his teammates after the game.

Make-A-Wish: Filip Forsberg – Filip Forsberg hosts an annual Hockey Clinic that is presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee at Ford Ice Center to benefit Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee. It raises almost $25,000, with Forsberg covering the costs of the clinic and tickets for attendees, which allows all proceeds from the clinic to benefit Make-A-Wish.