Community Insights: Devils Youth Foundation Creating Opportunity Across New Jersey

By: Ben Capp

Newark, NJ – As part of WMSC Community Insights, I had the opportunity to speak with Kate Whitman Annis, Executive Director of the Devils Youth Foundation, about the organization’s work supporting youth across New Jersey.

The Devils Youth Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center, focusing on creating meaningful, long-term impact in communities throughout the state. According to Whitman Annis, the foundation’s mission is centered on empowerment.

“Our mission is to bring life-changing opportunity to New Jersey’s youth through the power of sports, entertainment, and music,” she said. “We want kids to feel empowered to make positive choices in their lives.”

A Mission Built on Four Key Pillars

The Devils Youth Foundation primarily supports nonprofit partners through grants in four areas: creating safe spaces, expanding access to arts and arts education, addressing food and nutrition security, and getting kids active and moving.

Whitman Annis emphasized that creating safe spaces includes both physical and mental well-being.

“We spend a lot of time talking about mental health right now, especially,” she said. “Creating safe spaces means making sure kids feel supported in every sense.”

Because of the foundation’s connection to Prudential Center, arts and entertainment education also plays a unique role.

“When we’re able to partner with artists and organizations that align with our mission, we bring kids in to learn what it’s like to work in music and entertainment,” Whitman Annis explained. “It’s a really eye-opening experience for them.”

Making Sports More Accessible

While hockey is a central part of the Devils’ identity, the foundation recognizes that access to the sport can be limited by cost and availability. To help remove those barriers, the Devils Youth Foundation supports programs that introduce kids to hockey at no cost and provide equipment to get them started.

“Accessibility to our sport is an issue — it’s an expensive sport,” Whitman Annis said. “That’s why we focus on programs that allow kids to try hockey for free and walk away with equipment so cost isn’t the barrier.”

The foundation also supports ball hockey and other fitness initiatives that don’t require ice time or expensive gear.

“What really matters to us is getting kids active,” she added. “It doesn’t have to be traditional hockey — it’s about movement, confidence, and healthy choices.”

Supporting the Whole Child

Beyond sports and recreation, the Devils Youth Foundation places a strong emphasis on meeting basic needs, particularly food and nutrition security.

“If kids don’t know where their next meal is coming from, it’s almost impossible for them to focus in school or participate in activities,” Whitman Annis said.

Through partnerships with organizations like the Coalition for Food and Health Equity, the foundation supports community fridges stocked with prepared, nutritious meals in schools and after-school spaces throughout New Jersey.

Connecting Youth to Future Careers

One of the more unique aspects of the foundation’s work is exposing young people to careers in sports and entertainment beyond being a professional athlete.

“Everybody wants to be a pro athlete, but the odds are you won’t be,” Whitman Annis said. “What kids don’t always realize is that hundreds of people work in this building doing everything from broadcasting to operations.”

High school students can also get involved through the Devils Youth Foundation Youth Ambassadors Program, which combines volunteering, fundraising, and professional development opportunities.

“It’s about showing kids what’s possible,” she said. “Sometimes all it takes is being exposed to a new path.”

A Focus on Community Impact

For Whitman Annis, the foundation’s work ultimately comes down to local impact.

“When you look at the world, it can feel overwhelming,” she said. “But when you focus on what you can do in your own community to positively impact even one person, that’s where real change happens.”

The Devils Youth Foundation continues to work with nonprofit partners across New Jersey, reinforcing the idea that professional sports organizations can play a powerful role beyond the game itself.

To learn more about the Devils Youth Foundation or find ways to get involved, visit DevilsYouthFoundation.org.