Atlas USA

Champions

Brian Hightower and Don James Jr are Atlas Rugby Champions, and US Eagles Hall of Fame giants in the USA. "DJ" holds up the Front Row, and Brian brings Sevens, Rugby World Cup and NBC commentary to our screens.

Team

Chaired by Laurence Geller CBE , a former English Rugby star, now a transatlantic corporate and philanthropic giant with homes in Chicago and London; the Board members bring a wealth of skills in international development, law and finance to Atlas USA.

Activities

Atlas USA exists to alleviate the suffering of the poorest and most deprived children in the US, South America, and the developing world through the power of rugby.

The money raised in the US is used to help disadvantaged children and young people in America and internationally. See Where we Work in the menu for an overview.

Atlas USA is particularly pleased to partner with the Memphis Inner City Rugby project which has turned around the lives of college kids in one of the poorest areas in the US, where incalculable harm is done through gang violence.

Tax efficient giving

For US 🇺🇸donors we have a 501c3 donation platform to allow tax efficient giving.

DONATE 🇺🇸

For UK 🇬🇧donors we can collect Gift Aid on personal donations.

DONATE 🇬🇧

More...

For more information on Atlas USA or the next event, contact us here: Atlas USA

We also selected by the GlobalGiving team as a favourite organisation! Checkout our GlobalGiving page by clicking on the badge below...

Latest

Charlie Line launches Gold For Good with The Atlas Foundation

It began on a rugby pitch in 2015, when Charlie was just 14 years old and Sonny Bill changed his life forever. Now Sonny Bill and Charlie want to turn those 15 minutes into a legacy that will, by using the wonderful game of rugby, save lives and lift the poorest children around the world out of poverty.
Team Talk - Kenya

In rural Kenya there is little gender parity in primary education and many fewer girls access secondary education. In 2011 many girls in this region were leaving primary school early to be married or after becoming pregnant. Team Talk takes a fresh approach by using TAG rugby alongside classroom sessions to address gender equality in rural Kenyan schools.
England Deaf Rugby Tour to South Africa May 2020 Francesca Kyle

This fundraising page is to raise money for my share which will go towards the costs of flights, accommodation and other necessities for our tour to South Africa.
HENRY BENNET - England Deaf Rugby Union South Africa Tour 2020

I have been selected to play for the England Deaf Rugby tour to South Africa in May 2020. Although supported and part-funded by the RFU I have to raise £1500 to cover some of the costs of the trip.

Atlas Ireland Fund

Atlas Ireland is being established as a legal entity in Ireland to allow local donations and tax advantages. It will work across the four Irish Rugby Regions, and overseas, to alleviate the suffering of the poorest children on earth.
Las Vegas Sevens success

Golfers and special supporters made the Atlas team trip to the USA Sevens in Las Vegas a huge success. Delighted for our hosts that USA stormed to a win at the Sevens, and hugely grateful to our donors for pledging $42,000 to our work with disadvantaged kids in Memphis.
Atlas France Fund

Atlas France recueille des fonds pour soutenir le travail avec des enfants défavorisés, chez lui et à l'étranger, grâce au rugby. Atlas France is raising money to support work with disadvantaged children at home and abroad through the power of rugby.
Atlas France legally established

On Monday 1st October 2018 Atlas France was legally established. The occasion was marked by a lunch attended by Atlas Chairman Jason Leonard, CEO Sally Pettipher, Atlas France founding President Jerome Riondet and Atlas Champion Simon Shaw.
Atlas South Africa

Atlas South Africa was founded in 2018 after a successful Atlas Trek to Botswana and Zimbabwe attended by South African Rugby Champions. There are plans for a charity cycle ride and other physical challenges, all supporting Atlas's work in the townships and poorest rural communities, bringing new hope to children through the power of rugby.
France

Atlas France a été créé pour aider les enfants de toute la francophonie grâce au rugby. Atlas et des Champions Français et Internationaux de rugby en France sont en train de mettre en place un solide programme d'éducation et d'assistance sociale pour certains des enfants les plus pauvres de la planète.
Atlas Wales

Atlas Wales was formally launched at the House of Lords in June 2018, and has a schedule of events including walks, bike rides, lunches and dinners involving Rugby Champions from Wales and beyond. Money raised in Wales is allocated by the Atlas Wales team to work helping children in areas of specific interest to them. Many played in South Africa and the links with Africa are strong.
Atlas Ireland

Led by Shane Byrne, Atlas Ireland helps some of the poorest children on earth through the power of rugby.

Rugby Family Pulls Together

Tragically Atlas's Singapore event manager, Anita Nicholson, was killed along with her rugby-mad children Alex and Annabel in the Sri Lanka bombings on Easter Sunday. Atlas is working with Anita's husband Ben to establish a memorial fund and a permanent fitting tribute to these wonderful and much missed members of our rugby family.
Anita, Alex & Annabel Nicholson Memorial Fund

Set up by Ben Nicholson in memory of his wife Anita and their two children Alex and Annabel who tragically lost their lives in the Sri Lanka bombings on Easter Sunday 2019.
OLD RUTS KENYA

We wanted to continue to support the amazing work the Lunch Bowl charity are doing in Kenya and especially with the many hundreds of children some orphans that benefit from taking part in playing rugby and look forward to having a nice hot meal!
What we do

Don't need this
Richmond Heavies Foundation Fund

The Richmond Heavies is the veteran’s side of Richmond Rugby Club in West London, one of the oldest clubs in the world. Several recent unexpected bereavements of players have led to the creation of a charitable foundation to help protect senior and junior players at the club, as well as being able to help those immediately impacted, by a serious illness or bereavement.
The Ian Williams Foundation Fund Appeal

Weʼre raising £50,000 to contribute to causes close to Ian Michael Williams' heart, keeping his legacy alive and continuing his impact on the world.
HENRY BENNET - England Deaf Rugby Union South Africa Tour 2020

I have been selected to play for the England Deaf Rugby tour to South Africa in May 2020. Although supported and part-funded by the RFU I have to raise £1500 to cover some of the costs of the trip.
The difference we make

From Argentina to Zimbabwe children from the poorest shanty towns and slums are given food, education and training, alongside the joy of playing rugby. Through this the kids we work with are learning and growing. They learn more, they stay away from drugs and crime, they become young leaders. In time they find jobs and become fine adults giving back to the next generation of children.
LDN 10K 4 SAFFA

To raise awareness for The Ian Williams Foundation
Annual Golf Day 2020

A deliberately intimate event at a beautiful course with a sprinkling of rugby legends: players, officials and commentators. Join Jason Leonard and friends at the stunning Kingswood Golf and Country Club in Surrey for a great day of golf followed by an afternoon dinner and presentation. Sponsorship packages available upon request.

Legacy gifts

Leaving a legacy gift to the Atlas Foundation allows you to help thousands of children around the world alongside our rugby legends. Read more

Annual Golf Day 2020

A deliberately intimate event at a beautiful course with a sprinkling of rugby legends: players, officials and commentators. Join Jason Leonard and friends at the stunning Kingswood Golf and Country Club in Surrey for a great day of golf followed by an afternoon dinner and presentation. Sponsorship packages available upon request. Read more