Written by Kevin Enners
As The Kyle Pease Foundation looks toward 2026, we do so rooted in gratitude, growth, and a deep belief in people. The past year marked a milestone moment for KPF—serving over 150 athletes, crossing 1320 finish lines, and raising over $3.1 million.
Yet numbers were not the sole measure of KPF’s progress. They simply reinforced that our greatest achievements come from relationships and inclusion in action.
When reflecting on 2025, moments of connection stand out as much as organizational wins. For Kyle, the biggest highlight is KPF’s annual End of the Year Celebration.
“I love giving away the grants and seeing the families totally surprised and speechless by the gift that will make a difference in their lives,” Kyle shared.
Moments like these reflect how the organization’s growth affects people rather than being shown purely through statistics. From intimate, emotional surprises at The End of Year Celebration to large-scale events that bring together longtime supporters and fresh faces alike, KPF’s mission continues to show up in powerful and personal ways. Those shared experiences, on and off the racecourse, are what make the work resonate most deeply with its leaders.
“Personally, Boston was a highlight. Being able to experience that again with Kyle helped bring all the things together for me,” Brent shared. He also pointed to events like Publix, noting that, “you cannot ever ignore Publix and the incredible display of inclusion that is supported by so many, including the Atlanta Track Club.”
As KPF has grown, so has its understanding of what it truly means to push beyond limits. The mission continues to evolve, not by drifting from its roots, but by defining them more clearly.
One of the areas of progress we are most excited about is inclusive employment. What began on the racecourse has expanded into meaningful job opportunities that support individuals with disabilities beyond race day.
“A personal note that I’m most proud of is how our inclusive employment team continues to make great strides throughout The Foundation doing meaningful work to make a difference,” Kyle shared.
Beginning in 2017 with one employee, KPF has grown into a team of eight inclusive employees contributing to the daily needs of The Foundation through the skills each individual can provide.
Since KPF’s inception, I have had a front-row seat watching Kyle and Brent nurture and bring their vision to life. I didn’t know what their goal was as they began to hire employees like me to assist with daily operations of KPF because I wasn’t fully aware of the behind-the-scenes activities. Now, as the Communications Project Manager, I see the amount of effort, coordination and enthusiasm that fuels our team to make our mission possible.
While race participation and fundraising remain important, they are no longer the sole markers of success. Sustainability now shows up in stronger systems, deeper engagement, and a growing confidence in how we operate. Behind the scenes, increased partnerships and enhanced board engagement have helped drive KPF’s momentum.
“Quite simply, we are doing a good job,” Brent reflected. “We need to be grounded in that as we continue to grow and expand.”
That grounding allows KPF to grow intentionally, without losing sight of the people at the heart of the mission.
Looking ahead, programs like Kyle Pease Kids (KPK), supported by The Arthur M. Blank Foundation, remain a priority, bringing together youth with and without disabilities to race, build confidence, and form lifelong friendships.
“Our mission has continued to grow with KPF’s organizational growth,” says Kyle. “That’s where the ‘beyond’ piece comes in. We’re not only helping people race. We’re helping develop the athlete to grow as a human beyond sports so they can truly see their full potential outside the starting line.”
Another top priority is investing more deeply in athletes, not just increasing participation, but strengthening relationships. Connection, not scale alone, remains the accurate measure of progress.
“We want to get to know our athletes on a more personal level and connect them more with their teammates so they can really be a team on the racecourse,” Kyle explains.
As KPF celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2026, the long-term vision remains rooted in sport as the groundwork of everything we do.
“Our priority is sports,” Brent said. “Getting to over 200 athletes, and eventually 250 athletes, served annually, will give us a greater capacity to continue to push beyond where we are now.”
After watching KPF grow during my tenure, not just in size, but in heart, what brings me the most hope looking forward is simple, yet powerful: the athletes, volunteers, and employees who lift this mission and each other every step of the way.
“The people,” Brent shared, “Our supporters — donors, volunteers, board members, and partners — are one of the greatest gifts of KPF. I remain grateful for all of those who lift us and allow us to serve.”
As we move into 2026, we invite you to be part of what’s next—whether as a participant, volunteer, donor, or advocate. You can explore upcoming events at https://kylepeasefoundation.org/events. You never know the impact you’ll have.
