The Sneakerhead Closet is dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth with access to new or gently used designer sneakers to help them thrive academically and socially. For us, giving back is not just about ensuring that students have access to the latest sneaker trends. We seek to use the universal power of fashion to change lives, both for the youth we serve and those committed to giving back!
We understand the needs of teens because we were founded by one. Our initiative was inspired by a student athlete and future leader, who hopes his efforts with TSC inspire other students to spearhead meaningful youth engagement in their communities. We do not just give back; we build stronger communities, one sneaker at a time.
We want to help less-than-fortunate youth go from surviving to thriving so they can reach their full potential both in school and the community. With more than 41% of US children belonging to low-income families, support from local communities have never been greater. Unlike typical “Clothing Closets” found in many schools in the United States, the Sneakerhead Closet focuses exclusively on providing disadvantaged students access to premium quality footwear–often reserved for their more affluent peers.
Ultimately, our goal is to address the fashion caste system present in so many of our schools by leveling the playing field and giving students an accessory they can feel good about.
Big ideas often have humble beginnings. For Chase Hinton, a student-athlete who loves to play basketball and all things hip-hop, the love of Sneakerhead culture was a natural extension. It began as a family tradition, one passed down from his father, an “OG” Sneakerhead from the 90s. When Chase was younger, he helped his Dad clean out his sneaker collection, often identifying and giving away must-have styles to less fortunate family and friends. Chase witnessed firsthand how the right footwear can transform a person’s confidence from the inside out.
Now, a Senior at a prestigious private school in Washington, D.C., Chase has decided to merge his love of basketball, high-end sneakers, and his family’s long history of giving back to create massive change. The Sneakerhead Closet is his innovative way of taking a beloved family tradition and using it to enrich the lives of those who have never known the excitement of a fresh pair of sneakers.
Most importantly, Chase is challenging his peers to do the same. With this donation initiative created by a teen for teens, he hopes to inspire more teens with access to designer items to consider donating from their closet or their wallet while also daring them to reimagine the idea of giving back as a lifetime commitment!
The Sneakerhead Closet is a fiscal sponsee of Fiscal Sponsorship Allies, Inc., an Indiana nonprofit corporation and recognized public charity under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Donations to Fiscal Sponsorship Allies Inc. for The Sneakerhead Closet are tax-deductible as provided in IRC § 170(c)(3) of the United States Tax Code. Your gift qualifies as a charitable deduction for your federal income tax purposes, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
