Seek 1st Foundation

Seek 1st Foundation

Keep youth hockey within reach.

Seek 1st Foundation exists to remove financial barriers in youth hockey — so motivated kids can play, develop, and grow into disciplined leaders on and off the ice.

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Mission-first promise: Every dollar raised is aimed at keeping kids in hockey through direct support, mission programming, and community-driven fundraising. (If you’d like, add your official 501(c)(3) + EIN line here.)

Our mission

Youth hockey should be earned by effort — not blocked by cost. Seek 1st Foundation supports young athletes who are committed to doing the work, showing up, and growing through the game, but need help staying in it.

Our vision: a hockey community where every young athlete has the opportunity to excel, regardless of financial barriers — developing resilient, disciplined leaders on and off the ice.
Scholarships Mentorship Player Development Community Events Partnerships

Our values

  • Opportunity — access for athletes who deserve a chance
  • Accountability — clear stewardship of support
  • Work ethic — effort and growth over shortcuts
  • Community — hockey families helping hockey families
  • Character — building leaders through sport

1) Scholarship support

Financial assistance that helps families stay enrolled, stay committed, and keep moving forward — especially when life hits hard and hockey becomes “the first thing to go.”

2) Development & mentorship

Support that goes beyond fees — reinforcing habits, discipline, and a growth mindset that athletes carry into school, family life, and the rink.

3) Community fundraising

Mission-driven events and partnerships that rally local hockey communities and generate real scholarship funding without losing what hockey is supposed to be: fun, challenging, and inclusive.


How scholarships work

Seek 1st scholarships are built to be practical, accountable, and simple for families. We focus on real need, verified cost, and direct support that keeps athletes active.

Apply with player details, team/program information, and a quick overview of need.
Review + verification to ensure support goes exactly where it’s intended.
Direct support is coordinated using the program’s invoicing/fee structure for clarity and accountability.

What your support provides

Donors and sponsors help cover the real costs that keep athletes participating and progressing — the things that families often can’t absorb alone.

Access
Keeps athletes enrolled and participating
Stability
Reduces drop-off due to unexpected hardship
Growth
Reinforces development + mentorship
In plain language: your support helps a kid stay in the game long enough to benefit from it.
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Mission-driven events

Seek 1st Foundation runs events that bring hockey families together and convert community energy into scholarship funding. We keep them welcoming, high-trust, and focused on the athletes we serve.

Types of events we host

  • Community skates & pick-up sessions where participation supports scholarships
  • Skills-focused development opportunities that support growth while supporting the mission
  • Fundraising showcases that rally teams, families, and local partners
  • Special scrimmages that spotlight community pride and service
  • Sponsor + donor experiences that build long-term scholarship support
Want to host an event with us? We partner with rinks, teams, and local businesses to build events that directly fund scholarship support.

Partner with Seek 1st

If you’re a rink, program, coach, or business owner, we’d love to collaborate on a mission-aligned event, sponsorship, or donor match opportunity.

  • Rink & facility partnerships
  • Team/program partnerships
  • Corporate sponsorships
  • Donation matching & drives
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Board of Directors

Seek 1st Foundation is guided by a hands-on board committed to one outcome: keeping youth hockey within reach. Each board member leads an area of responsibility that directly supports scholarships, programs, partnerships, fundraising, and communications.

Craig Bringman

Founder & Board Chair

Sets the strategic direction, safeguards mission alignment, and leads board decision-making to expand scholarship impact.

Danita Bringman

Vice Chair & Operations Lead

Owns day-to-day operations: internal workflows, logistics support, and making sure the foundation runs consistently and responsibly.

John Morgan

Secretary & Strategy / Partnerships Lead

Supports governance and documentation while building partnerships with rinks, programs, and brands to grow scholarship funding and reach.

Jeremy Sachs

Marketing & Communications Chair

Leads messaging and storytelling — communicating impact, growing awareness, and helping donors and partners clearly understand the mission.

Heather Burke

Treasurer

Oversees financial accountability, budgeting clarity, and responsible stewardship so supporters can trust how funds are handled.

John Bringman

North Carolina Chapter Lead

Expands Seek 1st locally — building relationships and delivering mission-aligned support and community engagement in North Carolina.

Jason Benda

Development Chair & Technology Lead

Drives fundraising strategy and systems — building reliable donation pathways, sponsor support, and technology that keeps operations efficient.

Jason Allen

Board Member

Supports board priorities through community insight, volunteer support, and advisory involvement across foundation initiatives.

Our commitment: mission-first decision making, transparent stewardship, and real outcomes for the families we serve.
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FAQ

Who is Seek 1st Foundation here to help?

Youth athletes who are committed to growth through hockey but face financial barriers that could limit participation.

What does “Seek 1st” mean?

It’s a mindset: prioritize what matters most — character, discipline, and doing the work — so athletes grow into leaders on and off the ice.

How can I help besides donating?

Sponsor scholarship support, volunteer at mission events, partner as a rink/program/business, or shop mission merchandise that supports funding.

Can I sponsor a specific player or region?

In many cases, we can structure sponsorship support to align with a chapter, region, or program. Reach out and we’ll help you build an impact plan.

How do I explain Seek 1st to someone in one sentence?

“We help keep kids in hockey by removing financial barriers — scholarships, development support, and community fundraising that puts athletes first.”


Help a kid stay in the game.

If you believe hockey should be built on effort — not blocked by cost — this is your mission too.

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