ABOUT

“Why should the opportunity gap matter for those of us on its lucky side? The answer is that the destiny of poor kids in America has broad implications for our economy, our democracy and our values.” — Robert D. Putnam

Our Story

Established in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1994, the inspiration for Tickets for Kids came to founder Susan Weiner during a ballgame. The empty seats seemed so wasteful, and so unnecessary. Couldn’t those seats be filled by the community’s disadvantaged kids?

A nearly identical idea occurred in 2000 to Robb Neuenschwander, Twin Cities resident and avid University of Minnesota Gophers basketball fan. Frustrated that so many game seats went unused, Robb founded Minneapolis-based Tix for Tots to fill those seats with kids and mentors who could use them.Recognizing a shared vision and nearly identical missions, Tix for Tots was merged into Tickets for Kids in 2016.

In January 2019, another like-missioned nonprofit, NY-based Seats of Dreams, was merged into Tickets for Kids’ national network.

Through partnerships with approved and vetted nonprofits serving disadvantaged kids and families, TFK has distributed more than 3 million tickets valued in excess of $64.1 million for experiences in arts & culture, education & STEM, sports & recreation, and family entertainment.

In 2018 alone, TFK distributed more than 192,000 tickets valued at over $6 million and partnered with nonprofit organizations in 31 states.

Our Team