One Ripple. Thousands of Kids. How Rodman for Kids Has Spent 36 Years Changing Lives Across Massachusetts.

From a single bike ride to a statewide movement. Meet the organization that's turning one act of generosity into lasting impact for youth across the Commonwealth.

It started with a simple question.

Thirty-six years ago, a Dorchester-raised entrepreneur named Don Rodman was approached about sponsoring a charity bike ride. He could have written a check, wished them well, and moved on. Instead, he paused and asked himself something bigger: What if we did more?

That question, and the answer that followed, gave birth to Rodman for Kids. What began as a single ride with 30 cyclists from one organization has since grown into one of Massachusetts' most beloved, youth-focused nonprofits, raising more than $160 million, and touching the lives of kids across the Commonwealth and beyond.

Building a Stronger Ecosystem for Kids

At its core, Rodman for Kids operates on a powerful premise: when you invest in the organizations serving young people, you multiply your impact exponentially. Rather than choosing one cause or one community, Rodman for Kids functions as a catalyst and hub by empowering a network of more than 40 Active and Alumni Charity Partners to grow stronger, reach further, and serve more kids.

Through its Charity Partner Program, member nonprofits gain access to professional development, peer-learning, shared best practices, and a cost-free fundraising platform. Rodman for Kids  works directly with each partner on goal-setting, long-term roadmaps, and KPIs by providing the kind of strategic support that smaller nonprofits rarely have access to on their own. And, when organizations graduate from the program, the support doesn't stop. An Alumni Network ensures that partners continue to thrive well beyond their time in the program.

"One donation to Rodman for Kids creates a ripple effect," says Senior Marketing & Communications Manager Jane Lima, "impacting every Charity Partner and the thousands of kids collectively served."

The Magic of a Curtain Rising

Beyond its Charity Partner Program, Rodman for Kids runs a second initiative that's quietly changing lives one performance at a time: the Theatre for Kids program.

The premise is beautifully straightforward. A ticket. A seat. The lights going down. The curtain going up. For many of the kids Rodman for Kids serves, that moment in the theatre, surrounded by the energy of live performance, is genuinely life-changing. In the words of the kids themselves, it's "mind blowing" and "the best experience in Boston so far".

But, Rodman for Kids knows a single night at the theatre isn't enough on its own. That's why they developed the CUE Model: Connect, Uplift, and Empower. It’s a framework that structures and reinforces the theatre experience, deepening engagement and fostering a lasting connection to the arts long after the final bow.

The numbers speak to just how much the program has grown. In 2024, Theatre for Kids reached 6,000 kids. In 2025, that number jumped to 11,000. This year, they're on track to serve 12,000 young people. And, last October, the program hit a milestone that stopped everyone in their tracks: 100,000 kids enriched by the arts since the program launched in 2003.

A Legacy Still Growing

This May, Rodman for Kids will welcome nearly 500 riders for the 36th Annual Rodman Ride for Kids - a far cry from that first event with 30 cyclists that continues to grow every year. The ride takes place on Saturday, May 16th in Foxboro, MA, and the organization is actively looking for new riders to join.

Whether you want to clip in and ride, participate virtually, or simply make a donation, there's a place for you in this story. You can sign up or give at rodmanrideforkids.donordrive.com/2026rodmanrideforkids.

If Don Rodman's story teaches us anything, it's this: one person, one act of generosity, really can cause a ripple that reaches thousands of kids. The only question is - what if you did more, too?

Learn more about Rodman for Kids at rodmanforkids.org and follow along on Instagram at @rodmanforkids.