
Welcome
Sole Purpose Foundation
Providing free, quality footwear so youth who wear a size 13+ shoe can reach their full potential.

Providing free, quality footwear so youth who wear a size 13+ shoe can reach their full potential.

We work with a number of great partners to secure shoes for distribution.
Qualifying families complete the Shoe Distribution Request Form.
A Sole Purpose Team Member reviews the requests and ensures efficient distribution.

nwgoldbergcares.com/
NW Goldberg Cares exists to improve the quality of life for residents in Detroit’s NW Goldberg neighborhood by creating access to opportunity, revitalizing public spaces, and fostering a connected, empowered community. Our work is rooted in equity, legacy, and love for the neighborhood we call home.

Arena Academics is a strategic academic consulting firm helping student-athletes protect eligibility, maximize NIL and revenue-sharing opportunities, and navigate the academic demands of collegiate athletics. We partner with families, agencies, athletic departments, and community organizations to ensure opportunity is sustained through informed decision-making, institutional expertise, and proactive academic strategy.
Detroit, Michigan
Email: solepurposefoundationmi@gmail.com Phone: (313) 288-2553
The Sole Purpose Foundation began with a simple observation: finding large athletic shoes isn't just inconvenient, it's a real barrier for many young people.
The inspiration came from firsthand experience. After years of struggling to find shoes in larger sizes, we understood the frustration of wearing footwear that was too small, unavailable, or simply out of reach financially. As involvement in athletics grew, generous mentors, coaches, and members of the community stepped in to help. Those acts of kindness did more than provide shoes, they created confidence, improved performance, and opened doors.
That experience raised an important question: How many other young people are facing the same challenge without someone to help?
To answer that question, the Sole Purpose Foundation began connecting with schools and athletic programs throughout Southeast Michigan. The response confirmed what had long been suspected. There is a significant shortage of athletic shoes in larger sizes, and many families struggle to replace them as children continue to grow.
Rather than simply recognizing the problem, the Sole Purpose Foundation was created to solve it.
Today, the Foundation works to collect new and gently used athletic shoes in sizes 13 and larger and place them directly into the hands of youth who need them most. Through partnerships with athletes, businesses, schools, and community organizations, we are helping ensure that every young person has the opportunity to compete, participate, and pursue their goals with confidence. Because sometimes, changing a life begins with something as simple as the right pair of shoes.
The Sole Purpose Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that no young person is held back because they cannot find or afford properly fitting athletic shoes.
We specialize in providing new and gently used athletic shoes in sizes 13 and larger to youth throughout Southeast Michigan, a need that is often overlooked. While many community organizations collect shoes, larger sizes are significantly harder to find, leaving countless young athletes with limited options.
At Sole Purpose Foundation, we believe that the right pair of shoes is more than equipment, it provides confidence, comfort, dignity, and opportunity. Every donation represents more than footwear; it represents someone believing in a young person's potential.
Nelson Mandela
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