About the Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation

The mission of the Philadelphia Gold Challenge Cup Foundation, a 501©3 nonprofit, is to promote and educate about the sport of single scull rowing on an amateur level among the general public, particularly youth, by hosting annual competitions, educational programs and scholarships. The flagship competition held by the Foundation is The Gold Cup race. The Gold Cup race is deeply rooted in Philadelphia tradition and history, with the solid gold cup and race created in the 1920s to honor the achievements of John Kelly, who won the gold medal for single sculls in the 1920 Olympics.

In resurrecting both the Gold Cup trophy (found in an antique shop in the 1990s) and the race itself, the Foundation is encouraging rowing among all types of people. Private contributions from rowing enthusiasts and Philadelphia-area corporations help fund outreach by the top-level athletes to area high school and middle school children. Through the rowing programs and the athlete outreach, the Foundation’s goal is to develop a passion for rowing, athletics and healthy lifestyles at a young age, while also promoting sculling on the international stage.