Our Mission

The mission of The 2nd & 7 Foundation is to promote reading by providing free books and positive role models to kids in need while encouraging young athletes of the community to pay it forward.

About The 2nd & 7 Foundation

The 2nd & 7 Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Columbus, Ohio. Three former Ohio State University football players, Luke Fickell, Ryan Miller and Mike Vrabel, started the foundation in 1999. Inspired by their involvement in various community outreach programs as student athletes, they decided to continue making a difference by promoting literacy and providing positive role models for children in central Ohio.

The foundation was born from funds generated by the first annual FUNdamental football camp. The camp generated enough money to buy books to hand out to seven different second grade classrooms. Using a down & distance term used in football, the foundation became known as The 2nd & 7 Foundation.

Ryan, Mike and Luke took the books to each of the seven different schools, read to the kids, talked about the importance of literacy, and handed each child a book to take home with them. Since 1999, The 2nd & 7 Foundation has continued to extend its reach and now involves student-athletes from The Ohio State University and other collegiate athletic programs around the country.