About Us
At DORNER Foundation, we are committed to empowering student-athletes by providing essential resources, mentorship, and educational support that foster their athletic, academic, and personal growth. Our mission is to bridge the gap for youth athletes in underserved communities, ensuring they have access to the tools, opportunities, and guidance necessary for success—both on and off the field.
We equip student-athletes with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the college recruitment process, explore career paths, and develop strong financial literacy. Through workshops, holistic wellness programs, college recruitment guidance, career planning tools, and budgeting strategies, we help them build a solid foundation for the future.
Our structured programs, such as college prep initiatives, student-athlete development workshops, and career-readiness challenges, encourage discipline, resilience, and long-term success. With a focus on progress tracking, goal-setting, and positive reinforcement, we inspire young athletes to establish sustainable habits that will benefit them throughout their academic, athletic, and professional journeys.
We also foster a culture of movement and lifelong learning through community-driven events, including:
Parent & Athlete Workshops – Equipping families with the knowledge to navigate scholarships, recruitment, and financial planning.
Meet & Greets with Collegiate & Professional Athletes – Providing firsthand insight and networking opportunities with successful athletes and industry professionals.
Career & College Readiness Seminars – Connecting student-athletes with recruiters, universities, and career mentors to help them plan their futures.
Beyond direct support, DORNER Foundation is dedicated to charitable, educational, and community service initiatives that extend beyond Sacramento, California. Our goal is to ensure that youth athletes in underserved communities nationwide have access to the resources they need to thrive.
Through mentorship, scholarships, athletic support, and academic enrichment, we instill the values of academic excellence, integrity, leadership, and community service. By developing well-rounded individuals, we empower student-athletes to succeed not only in their sports but also in college, their careers, and life beyond athletics.
Who We Serve
The DORNER Foundation is dedicated to supporting low-income individuals and families who lack access to the scholarships, academic programs, athletic training, and financial resources necessary for success. We believe that economic status or geographical location should never be a barrier to achieving one’s full potential in academics, athletics, or career development.
Our foundation provides guidance, mentorship, and financial assistance to:
✔ Student-athletes at all levels – We support student-athletes in elementary school, middle school, high school, and college, helping them navigate the recruitment process, apply for scholarships, and develop academically and athletically. By offering structured programs, mentorship, and scholarship opportunities, we ensure that young athletes have the support needed to succeed in both sports and academics.
✔ Club athletes – Many club athletes face financial hardships that prevent them from competing at their highest level. We provide financial aid for travel expenses, training programs, and competition fees, allowing athletes to focus on their development rather than financial constraints.
✔ Young elite athletes (under 30) who are not sponsored – We recognize that many talented athletes struggle to cover essential costs as they transition into professional or elite-level competition. Our foundation provides assistance with travel, training equipment, and competition costs, ensuring that these athletes can continue to develop their skills and pursue their careers without financial barriers.
✔ High school students pursuing higher education – Whether or not they continue their athletic careers, high school students face financial challenges when transitioning into college or trade programs. We offer scholarships and financial support to alleviate financial stress, making higher education more accessible for students from underserved communities.
Beyond serving athletes, we are also committed to uplifting the broader community by creating spaces for individuals seeking educational guidance, career development, financial literacy, and budgeting support. Many individuals face systemic barriers that limit their opportunities, and we strive to equip them with the knowledge and resources needed to build stable and successful futures.
At the DORNER Foundation, we emphasize the importance of holistic development by preparing student-athletes for life beyond sports. We educate them on college recruiters’ expectations, the value of strong relationships with teachers and coaches, and essential life skills that contribute to long-term success. Our goal is to ensure that every individual we serve is not only prepared for their next step in athletics or education but also empowered to become a well-rounded, financially independent, and thriving member of society.
Why our work matters
Many student-athletes face systemic barriers and challenges that extend far beyond the field. Financial hardships, lack of recruitment knowledge, and limited access to proper training, nutrition, and sports medicine prevent many talented athletes from reaching their full potential. Without adequate resources such as physical therapy, injury prevention programs, and specialized coaching, many young athletes are unable to perform at their best or sustain long-term success in their sport.
Additionally, the lack of educational programs designed to prepare student-athletes for college, careers, financial literacy, and overall well-being leads to poor academic performance, limited career opportunities, and overall poor health outcomes. Many student-athletes struggle with understanding how to balance their athletic commitments with academic responsibilities, financial planning, and personal development. This gap in resources and knowledge can prevent them from reaching their full potential both during and after their athletic careers.
At the DORNER Foundation, we believe that breaking these barriers and bridging the gap can create lasting change in our communities. By providing essential tools, guidance, and opportunities, we empower young athletes and their families to take charge of their health, finances, education, and career paths. Our work is not just about helping student-athletes compete in college or professional sports—it is about cultivating confidence, empowerment, resilience, strength, ambition, knowledge, transformation, leadership, stability, opportunity, progress, and professionalism in every individual we serve.
We actively bridge these gaps through:
✔ College Recruitment Guidance – Teaching student-athletes how to navigate the complex recruiting process, meet academic and athletic expectations, and position themselves for scholarships and collegiate opportunities.
✔ Academic & Life Skills Development – Stressing the importance of education, attitude, discipline, and self-representation in creating future opportunities beyond sports. We help student-athletes strengthen their academic performance while developing the personal and professional skills needed for long-term success.
✔ Financial Literacy Education – Providing students and their families with the knowledge and tools to budget, manage money, and make informed financial decisions, especially for those receiving athletic scholarships. Financial stability is key to ensuring a successful transition into college and beyond.
✔ Health & Wellness Support – Promoting fitness, nutrition, mental health awareness, and proper recovery techniques to enhance performance and overall well-being. We emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy body and mind, ensuring student-athletes are physically and mentally prepared for the demands of competition and life after sports.
By investing in young athletes, we are not just shaping better players—we are empowering future leaders, professionals, and change-makers who will inspire and uplift their communities. Through our work, we are breaking generational cycles and preparing the next generation for lifelong success, both on and off the field.
The Meaning Behind Our Logo
The DORNER Foundation logo is more than just an emblem—it is a powerful representation of our mission to empower, uplift, and support student-athletes in underserved communities. Every element in our logo carries deep meaning:
Symbol Breakdown & Meaning
Phoenix – Represents resilience and transformation. Just as the phoenix rises from the ashes, student-athletes in underserved communities have the strength to overcome challenges and emerge stronger through perseverance and opportunity.
Shield – Symbolizes protection, strength, and support. It represents the DORNER Foundation’s commitment to guiding and defending young athletes as they navigate their academic, athletic, and personal journeys.
Laurel Wreath – A universal symbol of victory, achievement, and excellence. It highlights the success and milestones young athletes can accomplish when they are given the right resources and support.
Torch – Represents ambition, knowledge, and leadership. The torch serves as a guiding light, symbolizing the foundation’s dedication to empowering student-athletes through education, opportunity, and resilience.
Color Meaning
Blue – Stands for trust, stability, and opportunity, reflecting our mission to build a strong and reliable support system for student-athletes.
Green – Represents growth, progress, and development, symbolizing how young athletes evolve in their academic, athletic, and personal lives.
Gray – Signifies balance, resilience, and professionalism, essential qualities for student-athletes as they navigate their education, careers, and competitive sports.
Gold – Embodies success, excellence, and achievement, inspiring student-athletes to strive for greatness in everything they pursue.
Nia Dorner – Founder, Athlete, Mentor
The DORNER Foundation is deeply rooted in the lived experiences of its founder, Nia, who had dedicated her life to empowering youth in communities through health and wellness, education, and through developing skills in sports and academics. Nia, a California native, is a mother of two, a professional track and field athlete, healthcare professional, health and wellness coach, and a dedicated mentor with a passion for empowering youth. With a bachelor’s degree in science with a pre-med focus, she has spent over ten years in the healthcare and medical field while also dedicating more than 15 years to mentoring and educating young athletes. Her commitment to community service spans over 23 years, making her a well-rounded leader in both athletics and personal development. A multi-sport athlete from a young age, Nia excelled in track and field, volleyball, softball, soccer, and basketball. She lettered in varsity track and field and volleyball, earning MVP honors in both sports. She competed in club volleyball from 6th grade through her freshman year of high school, where she was a starting varsity player as a freshman. However, from sophomore year onward, she shifted her full focus to track and field, specializing in the 100m, 200m, and 400m sprints. She remained MVP every year in track and field and served as team captain from her sophomore year through graduation. As a standout track athlete, Nia made history during her senior year at Rancho Cordova, breaking school records, winning the CIF State Meet Championship in the 400m, and undefeated in the 400m her senior year, and earning the title of #2 ranked high school 400m runner in the nation in 2013, with a lifetime best of 53.0 seconds. She later competed at The University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University, participating in both Indoor and Outdoor Conference Championships. Her professional career has taken her to national and international competitions, where she has raced alongside Olympians and represented the U.S. in elite track and field meets.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Nia is a health and wellness coach and owner of FAN by Nia, a health and wellness coaching business dedicated to transforming lives through movement and motivation (reword better). Nia's journey through FBN was personal. Nia's first pregnancy was complicated, she was considered a high risk and had to undergo an emergency C-section. Her recovery was huge in that she had to not only pay attention to her body and healing process, but also recognize her mental and emotional struggles of trying to recover from such a traumatic procedure as well as get back on track to getting back into fitness, into shape so that she can return to training and competing as a professional athlete. Nia has been through much adversity from what started as a community service volunteer while she was in sports since elementary school, to being a mentor to other student athletes in high school and throughout her professional career, Nia has personally experienced adversity, as well as overcoming adversity and challenges. Back when Nia was in college attending universities on a track and field scholarship, sports psychology was not as attainable then as it is now in college sports, especially in high school sports. Nia later saw in her career as a professional athlete the importance of sports psychology and how it significantly impacted her health and wellness as well as her performance. From then she shared her knowledge to her student-athletes she continued to mentor throughout the years, which has played a significant impact.
Nia's passion for fitness, health and wellness, reflected in her athletic background and her upbringing. Her mother and father were both collegiate athletes and mentors to youth student-athletes in the communities. She has dedicated herself to mentoring high school and college athletes, guiding them through the recruitment process, athletic training, and personal development. Her expertise spans mental health and sports psychology, nutrition and fitness, speed and strength training, college recruiting, and parental support for student-athletes. Nia’s passion for youth development and equal opportunities in sports led her to establish the DORNER Foundation, where she strives to break down financial and social barriers for underserved student-athletes. Through mentorship, education, and access to vital resources, she is committed to helping the next generation of athletes achieve success both on and off the field. Through the DORNER Foundation, Nia channels wealth of experience into providing underserved communities, especially for children, youth, and families, with resources, education, and encouragement they need to help take charge of their lives.
"I know firsthand the challenges young athletes face, especially those without financial or community support. My journey has shown me that talent alone isn’t enough—access to resources, guidance, and encouragement is just as crucial. That’s why I founded the DORNER Foundation—to be the bridge that helps student-athletes not only compete but thrive in sports, academics, and life. Every young athlete deserves a chance, and I am committed to making that happen. Athletes who develop these skills at a young age will have higher success rates in college and transitioning into their career paths as young adults." - Nia Dorner
Balancing motherhood and career in healthcare and track and field…
Competed nationally and internationally from high school, through college, and as a professional athlete…
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