About the Organization

Organization type

Nonprofit/Public Charity

Country / State

United States / Arizona

Mission

Cornerstone Basketball empowers students to grow as athletes and leaders through basketball, faith, accountability, and character.

Programs or services

Programs and Services
Free basketball practices, workouts, and skills development
Youth basketball camps, clinics, leagues, games, and tournaments
Leadership and character-development training
John C. Maxwell iLead youth leadership curriculum
Dave Ramsey Foundations of Personal Finance for teens
Mentoring and positive adult role-model support
Faith-based lessons and activities
Teamwork, accountability, discipline, and sportsmanship development
Player development assessments and progress tracking
Financial assistance and scholarships for camps, uniforms, and competition fees
Volunteer coaching and community-service opportunities
Parent education, communication, and family engagement activities
Safe, structured after-school and evening programming

Detailed programs

Free basketball practices, workouts, and skills development
Youth basketball camps, clinics, leagues, games, and tournaments
Leadership and character-development training
John C. Maxwell iLead youth leadership curriculum
Dave Ramsey Foundations of Personal Finance for teens
Mentoring and positive adult role-model support
Faith-based lessons and activities
Teamwork, accountability, discipline, and sportsmanship development
Player development assessments and progress tracking
Financial assistance and scholarships for camps, uniforms, and competition fees
Volunteer coaching and community-service opportunities
Parent education, communication, and family engagement activities
Safe, structured after-school and evening programming

Target Audience

Cornerstone Basketball primarily serves boys and girls in grades 3–8 throughout Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, Surprise, El Mirage, Youngtown, Litchfield Park, Avondale, and surrounding West Valley communities. Our programs welcome athletes of all skill levels, including beginners, recreational players, and competitive athletes. We place special emphasis on serving youth and families who face financial barriers or may have limited access to affordable sports, mentorship, leadership development, and positive after-school opportunities.

Geographic Focus

United States, Arizona (USA), Maricopa County (AZ), El Mirage (AZ), Glendale (AZ), Litchfield Park (AZ), Peoria (AZ), Phoenix (AZ), Sun City West (AZ), Surprise (AZ), Youngtown (AZ)

Current projects

Free basketball practices, workouts, and player-development training for grades 3–8
July basketball camp at Surprise Elementary
Expansion of programs throughout Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, El Mirage, and surrounding West Valley communities
Development of boys’ and girls’ teams for future leagues, games, and tournaments
Planning for the Winter 2026 basketball season
John C. Maxwell iLead leadership and character-development program
Dave Ramsey Foundations of Personal Finance program for teens
Player assessment and development-tracking system
Recruitment and training of volunteer coaches, mentors, and program assistants
Golden 100 Club monthly donor campaign
Community partnerships with schools, churches, businesses, and youth organizations
Long-term planning for a permanent basketball and youth-development facility

Organization goals

Expand access to affordable, high-quality basketball programming for boys and girls in grades 3–8.

Remove financial barriers by increasing scholarships and financial assistance.

Strengthen basketball fundamentals, physical fitness, and overall player development.

Develop leadership, accountability, discipline, teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship.

Provide safe, structured, and encouraging after-school and evening activities.

Connect young people with positive coaches, mentors, and role models.

Integrate faith-based character development into practices, camps, and team activities.

Expand the John C. Maxwell iLead leadership curriculum.

Grow the Dave Ramsey Foundations of Personal Finance program for teens.

Form additional boys’ and girls’ teams for leagues, games, and tournaments.

Recruit, train, and retain qualified volunteer coaches and mentors.

Build stronger partnerships with schools, churches, businesses, and community organizations.

Increase monthly donors, sponsors, grants, and other sustainable funding.

Improve player assessment, attendance tracking, and program outcome measurement.

Expand services throughout the West Valley.

Secure land, raise capital, and build a permanent Cornerstone Basketball facility that will provide reliable gym space, classrooms, offices, training areas, and a community gathering space.

Reduce dependence on rented gym facilities and create a long-term home for basketball, leadership, mentorship, financial-literacy, and community programs.

Increase the number of youth served each year while maintaining a positive, mission-focused environment.

Leadership

Gene Lilley — Executive Director
Oversees organizational leadership, program development, coaching, partnerships, fundraising, and community outreach.

Jason Freid — Board Director
Provides board governance, strategic guidance, and organizational oversight.

Denyse Sharman — Volunteer Program Leader

Cornerstone Basketball is also supported by volunteer coaches, mentors, parents, board volunteers, and community partners.

Strategic priorities

Expand free and affordable basketball programming for boys and girls in grades 3–8.

Increase scholarships and financial assistance for families.
Secure reliable gym space for practices, camps, leagues, and tournaments.

Raise capital, secure land, and build a permanent Cornerstone Basketball facility.

Develop additional boys’ and girls’ teams throughout the West Valley.

Expand leadership, character-development, mentorship, and financial-literacy programming.

Recruit, train, and retain qualified coaches, mentors, board members, and volunteers.

Improve player-development assessments, attendance tracking, and program outcome measurement.

Increase sustainable revenue through grants, sponsorships, individual giving, and the Golden 100 Club.

Strengthen organizational infrastructure, staffing, governance, and long-term financial stability.

Build greater awareness of Cornerstone Basketball throughout the community.

Funding Needs

Grant categories you're seeking

Capital Funding, Children, Faith Based, Sports and Recreation

Funding needs

Gym rentals and facility costs
Scholarships and financial assistance
Uniforms for players
Basketballs, training equipment, and athletic supplies
Camp, league, tournament, and referee expenses
Leadership and financial-literacy curriculum materials
TeamSideline registration and program-management expenses
Coach and volunteer screening, training, and certifications
Marketing, printing, outreach, and community-event expenses
Transportation and operational support
Staffing and program expansion
Future facility development

Impact & Recognition

Success stories

Cornerstone Basketball has provided hundreds of young people with access to basketball training, mentorship, leadership development, and positive adult role models.

Participants have improved their basketball fundamentals, confidence, teamwork, discipline, accountability, and communication skills.

The organization has also helped families overcome financial barriers by offering free membership opportunities and financial assistance for camps, uniforms, games, and other program expenses. Players who may not otherwise have access to organized sports have been able to participate in structured practices, camps, leadership lessons, and community activities.

Additional success has come through expanding programs into multiple West Valley communities, developing relationships with schools and churches, and creating opportunities for volunteer coaches and mentors to positively influence young people.

Major funders

Cornerstone Accounting
Smart & Final
Super Star Car Wash
Peoria Diamond Club
Individual donors and Golden 100 Club members
Local businesses, churches, families, and community partners
In-kind supporters providing facilities, equipment, services, or promotional assistance

Partnerships & Collaborations

Cornerstone Basketball works to develop partnerships with schools, churches, businesses, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and youth-serving agencies. These collaborations help provide gym access, community outreach, participant referrals, volunteers, equipment, sponsorships, and financial support.

Current and developing relationships include:

Mountain Ridge Church
Greenway High School
Surprise Elementary and the Dysart Unified School District
Sierra Verde Elementary
Desert Oasis Elementary
Local businesses and corporate sponsors
Community foundations and charitable organizations
Volunteer coaches, mentors, parents, and youth advocates

These partnerships allow Cornerstone Basketball to reach more families, reduce operating costs, strengthen programming, and create a larger network of support for youth throughout the West Valley.

Website & Social Media