Former Penn State linebacker’s nonprofit marks 10 years of helping Centre County kids

Ten years ago, the New Orleans Saints gave former Penn State linebacker and State High graduate Nathan Stupar a three-year deal worth $5 million. The deal was not only a testament to the career he had led, but it also allowed Stupar to financially realize a longtime goal starting a nonprofit.

Now, the State of Hope Foundation is marking a decade in operation under Stupar, his wife Marissa Stupar and longtime friend Joe Gazza, who are co-founders. The foundation’s mission is to be a key resource for disadvantaged youth, as well as low-income families and single parents, in Centre County by providing easy access to essentials, such as food and clothing, and educational opportunities.

“We called it State of Hope because [my wife and I] are both from State College, both went to Penn State, and we wanted it to be a state of mind,” the former linebacker said. “[The foundation] is a little plant that’s growing out of dirt that it’s not supposed to; it’s fighting, eating around the surroundings it has, it’s thriving through the environment ... it’s having a state of hope.”

It was born in an environment that had just lost a nonprofit that shared a similar mission, The Second Mile, which dissolved amid the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Stupar believes the State of Hope Foundation helped fill a void as a nonprofit focused on helping at-risk kids.

Since its inception, the foundation has hosted events around the year to raise money and give back to those in need. This past holiday season was their sixth annual Target Christmas Shopping Spree, in which donated money allows children to buy gifts for themselves and their families. According to the website, more than 150 people were helped through the event.

On the horizon is one of State of Hope’s biggest and longest running events— the golf tournament. In its ninth edition, the June 27 tournament is aiming to raise $150,000, and it’s already eclipsed last year’s total with nearly $122,000 raised so far.

This year, the tournament will feature a plethora of celebrities, ranging from two-time Super Bowl champion LeSean McCoy to country music star Chris Lane and, as expected, over a dozen former Penn State football players.

“It’s been awesome bringing people together that have the heart for it to help drive these missions,” Stupar said. “I’m just one man, and I can’t do this on my own, so it’s a blessing to be allowed the support from the community, the board directors, and the volunteers that come out to continuously learn and dive into the mission that they love.”

As the nonprofit’s mission and goals have continued to evolve over the past decade, its impact on the community has grown. And although the foundation would like to expand its reach geographically, it’s not financially feasible.

“The funding stays here in Centre County, and we’re always looking to expand [our events],” Stupar said. “Last year we spent over $30,000 for our Christmas Shopping Spree, but the goal is one day to spend $100,000. We want to be able to expand on that, and there are a lot of things we can do, and there are a lot of people we can help.”

State of Hope recently connected with local nonprofit Bridge of Hope, which supports single parents, to raise money for two years of financial support. Instead of “reinventing the wheel” and starting its own program, State of Hope intends to raise an extra $17,000 per year, an estimated number that financially supports one family, to give to Bridge of Hope.

Building community through connections such as Bridge of Hope, and being a lifeline for other nonprofits is part of what State of Hope aims to do in its next ten years. The first ten were successful enough, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars through multiple annual events, but the next ten offer an opportunity for greater impact.

“If we can just reach one more person,” Stupar said, “and continue to stack, moving one step forward, we’ll be somewhere great by then.”

For more information on the nonprofit and upcoming events visit State of Hope Foundation’s website.