Dan Kelly Foundation

Helping Kids Thrive

The Dan Kelly (DK4) Foundation is committed to providing athletic opportunities for children of all ages and diverse backgrounds guided by the belief that everyone is an athlete

DK4 Foundation

The Power of Sports

We know that sports can harness the power in kids by building character, teaching perseverance and teamwork, providing peer relationships and a healthy outlet to the everyday stressors that kids face in the world today.

The foundation was established to provide athletic opportunities through the funding of athletic camps, tournaments, coaching and friendly community competitions. We provide positive social experiences that foster the development of skills needed for responsible citizenship. We are committed to getting kids off the couch and moving their feet while dancing to their own tune. We aim to encourage and support kids by getting them in the game.

Irish Night March 15, 2025 | More details to follow! |

Irish Night March 15, 2025 | More details to follow! |

Next Event

Irish Night

March 15, 2025

More Details to follow soon!

DK4 Foundation

About Dan

The legacy of Dan Kelly can be found in the way he lived. A man of great wit, wisdom, and heart, his actions were lessons for others. Among them: Family first, work hard, really hard, but don't forget to dance a little, especially if you own a pair of white bucks. Get a dog. Take out the trash. Learn to skate. Give someone a second chance. Fairness matters. There's always time for a friend and a Guinness. Shop local and love your neighbors. Always have a sense of humor. If you are sick keep fighting like hell.
 
A consummate friend, mentor, and storyteller, Dan coached and volunteered in the community for decades, spending his life connecting people to possibilities, especially children. Maybe it was an encouraging word, a funny story, a pat on the back. Dan was always inviting someone to do something beyond what they thought was possible, helping them thrive.

GOLDEN TICKET GIVEAWAY RESULTS!

The DK4 Foundation wanted to make sure that more Arlington kids THRIVE this summer. That is why we held our first ever Golden Ticket Giveaway.

Throughout the Summer of 2024, the DK4 Foundation sent 20 kids, ages 4-14, to the Arlington Recreation Camp completely free!

We want to show you the impact it had! Click the button below to find out!

Upcoming Events

  • Irish Night

    Celebrate Irish heritage with the DK4 Foundation at Irish Night! Enjoy an evening filled with traditional Irish music, dance, and festivities.

    Save Your Spot!

  • Guns 'n Hoses

    Watch Arlington's finest cops and firemen face off in an exhilarating hockey game. Bring the whole family for a night of action!

    Save Your Spot!

  • Halloween Skate

    Kids ages 4 to 14 years old are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes and enjoy a fun-filled night on the ice at the Rink!.

    Save Your Spot!

Community Grants

  • Multi-Language Learners Youth Camp

    This camp was organized by the Dan Kelly Foundation in partnership with Arlington Public Schools and featured the involvement of many respected coaches

  • First Annual DK4 Golden Ticket Giveaway

    Watch Arlington's finest cops and firemen face off in an exhilarating hockey game. Bring the whole family for a night of action!

  • Middle School Girls Summer Basketball League

    Celebrate Irish heritage with the DK4 Foundation at Irish Night! Enjoy an evening filled with traditional Irish music, dance, and festivities.

  • 2024 Dallin Playground Reboot

    The Dan Kelly Foundation awarded the Dallin School a grant to partner with Playworks in revitalizing playground time, making it a safe, joyful, and inclusive experience for all students.

Read More

Hear From The Community!

  • Thank you to the Dan Kelly Foundation for providing jerseys to the girl’s pickup basketball league last summer. Having reversible jerseys filled our need and allowed the coaches to mix and match teams each week based on players skills and development. With the foundations help we were able to provide each girl with a chance to improve and have some fun. Overall, it was a great experience for everyone involved. Thanks for all your support, I know Dan would be happy seeing the girls out there playing.

    Dan Kerr, Basketball Coach

  • Thursday afternoons have quickly become the best part of my week - getting all of the students together, being active, and spending time with awesome Arlington community members has been so special. Students are making connections with one another across schools, learning new skills, and generally having a fantastic time. This program provides an additional opportunity for students to interact but also to spend time with other kids who speak their language or who have similar experiences. The smiles are infectious - I wish this was going on every day after school!

    Julia MacEwan, Assistant Principal, Peirce Elementary School

  • The MLL DK Sports program has been an amazing thing to witness. The kids play for 3 hours straight, make friends with kids from other schools, and help take little ones under their wings and interpret when necessary. I love seeing how the older ones step up as leaders and great examples for the younger ones. All this happens under the support and supervision of selfless volunteers, AHS students and alum, police officers, teachers, community members etc,... It's great to see how everyone pulls together to provide this opportunity for our Arlington kids.

    Betsy Griffin, ELL Specialist, Brackett Elementary School

  • Thank you, Thank you! The girls are absolutely loving everything about the classes!

    Geovanna Amorim, Mother

  • The ML after-school sports camp has been exceptional. Not only has it provided our ML students with a safe and engaging environment after school, but it has also fostered their physical, social, and emotional development in profound ways. Through carefully designed sports activities and supportive coaching, our ML students have not only improved their English language skills but have also gained confidence in their abilities in various sports. The program's emphasis on teamwork, sportsmanship, and inclusion has helped them break down language barriers and build meaningful connections with their peers.

    Carla Bruzzese Director of Multilingual Learner Education , Arlington Public Schools

Follow The DK4 Instagram!

It’s officially Giving Tuesday! If able, consider donating to The Dan Kelly Foundation through the link in our bio to Help Kids Thrive! Donations fund athletic opportunities for children who might not otherwise afford them. We’ve funded
#GivingTuesday is just under a week away! We’ve had an incredible year at the Dan Kelly Foundation including hosting our second annual Halloween Skate, our first golf tournament in Plymouth, and running multiple sporting programs like our sum
Giving Tuesday is only nine days away! Donate through the link in our bio to help us reach our fundraising goal, carry on Dan’s legacy and help kids thrive! The legacy of Dan Kelly can be found in the way he lived. A man of great wit, wisdom,
Our mission: The Dan Kelly (DK4) Foundation is committed to providing athletic opportunities for children of all ages and diverse backgrounds guided by the belief that everyone is an athlete. We know that sports can harness the power in kids by build
Spooky Season is here! We cant wait to see you ALL Sunday 10/27 1pm at the Ed Burns Arena 👻 - - - #burlingtonma #arlingtonma #winchesterma #hockeyboston
Mark your Calendars!! Our Halloween Skate is one month away!!
Only 23 days away from, DK4 First Annual Golf Classic is happening!! Friday, September 13 ⛳️ - For questions about sponsorships or raffle donations please reach out to Danny Kelly or Steve Cave. Danny: Daniel.kelly4433@gmail.com 781-589-6089 S
The DK4 Foundation wants to make sure that more Arlington kids, ages 4 to 14 years old, THRIVE this summer at Arlington Recreation Camp. Enter to WIN 1 of 20 Golden Tickets to go to camp for a week this summer for free (up to $250.00 per camper) Lin
The 6th and final week over at The Dan Kelly Foundation Sports and More Program for kids!! A big thank you to all of our volunteers 🤍
Dear Friends Today marks the second anniversary of Dan Kelly's passing. He is so missable, but we find comfort in knowing his legacy lives on through the foundation's work and the lives he continues to touch. We are so grateful that you continue to
Jimmy Buckley completed the 128th Boston Marathon with a 9.39 mile, clocking a time of 4:12:53! A huge thank you for raising $6445 for The Dan Kelly Foundation. Great job, "Half a Buck"! 🍻
Tune in TOMORROW for the opening of our ON-LINE SILENT AUCTION. We have some amazing gifts including sporting event tickets, game jerseys and photos, restaurant experiences, vacation getaways, and various baskets. Log on early and start your biddin
That picture was taken in 1993 over July 4th weekend. Cyndi, my wife, and I spent our one-year anniversary with the Kelly family (the frozen cake top did not age well), and Dan and I started our first day there with a game of whiffle ball. Every time