Sam Fowler

Sam Fowler is Chief Development Officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, where he leads resource development for the Phoenix-area youth-serving nonprofit. He has held leadership and fundraising roles across Boys & Girls Clubs organizations, including Magic Valley in Idaho and Greater Scottsdale and East Valley Clubs, and is a public speaker on community engagement, fundraising, and youth access to sports and development programs.

AZ Plays Aims to Close Arizona’s Youth Team Sports Participation Gap

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley announced AZ Plays, a Phoenix effort tied to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, to study and expand youth-sports access across schools and local partners. Marcia Mintz framed the work as a push to understand and lift up youth sports in the Valley, while Larry Fitzgerald said the urgency is Arizona’s near-bottom national ranking in team-sports participation. Fitzgerald and other speakers argued that access to play is not only a sports issue, but a route to mentorship, discipline, confidence, and leadership for children.

The Aspen InstituteMay 21, 20264 min read