Do You Have Skin in the Game?
Do you have skin in the game?
Recently, one of our passionate supporters ignited a fresh season of Big Big Yard Fantasy Football, an idea that blends community, creativity, and compassion. When I met Mark, a devoted Hands & Feet Project supporter and lifelong sports enthusiast, I was struck by his vision: to harness the collective influence of musicians and artists to rally even more people behind our mission in Haiti, all through the joy of fantasy football.
Essentially, fans join a team, and when football season begins, when players earn statistics and score touchdowns on the field, so does your fantasy team. At the end of the week, your team earns a win or loss. Then, it’s on to the next week and matchup—just like your favorite NFL team. And everyone who joins a league becomes a valuable teammate for vulnerable children and families in Haiti, supporting the work of Hands & Feet Project.
Who was I to resist such conviction? This idea, brought about by supporters who traveled to Haiti with us, is still a fun and innovative way to bring others into our mission. Through Mark’s commitment, effort, and deep sense of calling, he’s not just supporting our ministry. He’s inspiring participation and sparking a movement to encourage others to notice what’s going on in their world. He reminds us that the greatest investment we can offer is not just financial, but also our time, care, and attention—both in our own lives and across the globe. It’s a system created to harness a community, reminding them that they too have skin in the game!
As I explored the origins of the phrase “skin in the game,” I discovered its deep roots in accountability and commitment. At its core, it’s about more than financial risk; it’s about being invested, putting your reputation on the line, and taking real responsibility for meaningful outcomes. Having “skin in the game” means you’re not just watching from the sidelines, but you’re stepping onto the field with heart and determination. It’s giving your time, effort, resources, and passion. It’s about choosing to make a difference, knowing you have something valuable at stake. That’s where true dedication and trust are built.
At Hands & Feet Project, we believe in helping children discover their agency, guiding them to become all they were created to be. This past year, as we dreamed of new ways to empower children and families, I found inspiration in a special initiative we have called The Proverbs Fund. Once known as the “Dream Fund,” it exists to spark hope, encourage big dreams, and help young people discover their God-given potential.
Named after the book of Proverbs, it’s an offering overflowing with wisdom, guiding principles for living a purposeful, diligent life. Proverbs 21 especially calls us to hard work, integrity, and planning for a brighter future— the very qualities we see blossoming in the students supported by the Proverbs Fund. The Proverbs Fund invites young people to take ownership of their futures, applying for funds to pursue higher education or a small business, committing to excellence and perseverance. With our supporters’ investment and our team’s encouragement and accountability, lives are transformed. It’s a powerful testament to what’s possible when we all have skin in the game.
This month, as we launched our Back to School campaign, answering the urgent need for access to education in Haiti, I was reminded of a parent who recently told me, “School plays a very big part in the child’s daily life.” Last year alone, 1,600 schools closed in Haiti, leaving 241,000 children without access to education. But together, we can change that. Education, whether for a small child or a young adult in the Proverbs Fund, is a core value in our Circle of Care. We have this system in place to fortify children’s futures.
When you give to Hands & Feet Project, your generosity supports education, opens doors, and changes lives. Click here to give!
As we dream of Haiti’s future, our U.S. team sees hope rising through global partnerships, a movement driven by love, loyalty, and an unshakeable resolve to break every chain of poverty. I envision a vibrant coalition of organizations, united by shared purpose and bold determination, standing shoulder to shoulder to lift the burdens carried by children and families in Haiti.
Together, we can help every child discover and fulfill the extraordinary potential God has placed within them.
If we’re going to ask others to step out in faith and to take a risk, we’d better have skin in the game too.