Tim Tebow's Charity Will Likely Reach $2.5 Million Goal Ahead Of Schedule

Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos' genuflecting quarterback, has been the answer to his charity's prayers.

The Tim Tebow Foundation will raise enough money to meet its $2.5 million annual budget by March or April -- several months ahead of its June 30 fiscal year's end, foundation president Erik Dellenback said.

Donations have doubled since Tebow took over as quarterback and guided the Broncos to eight victories, including a playoff win over Pittsburgh last weekend, Dellenback said. Denver faces New England on Saturday.

The foundation has collected more donations over the last four months of the NFL season than the previous eight months. As Tebowmania has gained steam, the rate of donations has accelerated. "Obviously over the last month we've had a great uptick in donations," Dellenback said.

Immediately following Tebow's heroics in Denver's overtime playoff win over the Steelers, donations for the foundation's Team Tebow program multiplied. For $25, donors get a Team Tebow T-shirt, car decal and information on where to volunteer at a foundation community function.

"Before the game, we had done 100 people," Dellenback said. "In 48 hours after the game, we had over 4,000 members."

Tebow pays staff salaries and administration costs out of his own pocket, leaving 100 percent of fundraising to support the foundation's outreach, Dellenback said. The foundation's initiatives include teaming up with CURE International on building a hospital named after Tebow in the Philippines, football-themed playrooms in oncology centers, orphan relief, and granting wishes for the terminally ill.

The foundation began in January 2011, so its financial records are not yet available.

Tebow's influence can also be felt in another group he has ties with, Focus on the Family. Tebow and his mother teamed up with the conservative organization to do a hotly debated anti-abortion commercial that aired during the 2010 Super Bowl.

Focus on the Family had a robust close to the year and has received more attention because of Tebow's success, spokesman Gary Schneeberger said. But the quarterback's exact influence on the bottom line was anyone's guess.

"Our giving software doesn't have a 'Because of Tim Tebow' filter," he said. "Maybe we should reconsider that, huh? -- so it's impossible to tell."

Comments

[Jon Burtard]

04:23 PM on 01/29/2012

No matter what you think about Tim Tebow, there is no denying that stuff like this is good for the world.

[William Hard Core]

06:24 PM on 01/18/2012

I think this explains the backlash against Tebow and why it's silly:

http://angryamericanman.blogspot.com/2012/01/tebow-jesus-and-holy-football.html

[majmac9659]

08:38 PM on 01/16/2012

Wow - Tebow not only talks the talk, he walks the walk. He pays for the administration of his Foundation so that all donations go to helping children. And yet a decent(?) portion of the comments berate him!!! I can not say exactly what I think of those "commentators"; suffice it to say it rhymes with "b@ss!ows"

[London2012]

08:01 PM on 01/17/2012

I can't imagine what word could possibly rhyme with batssexclamationpointows

[averagezoe]

06:47 PM on 01/15/2012

People will shell out for anything sensational and gaudy. This entire venture makes me want to regurgitate.

[Closer to the Edge]

08:21 AM on 01/16/2012

Of course, if Tim were using his money to stage dog fights or buy guns for his thug friends, you'de have no problem with that.

[averagezoe]

12:39 PM on 01/16/2012

I can tell from your spelling that you are not too bright. Yes, if he were to stage dog fights, I'd be part of the organization busting him because that's part of what my rescue group does.

[William Hard Core]

06:31 PM on 01/18/2012

Think you would enjoy this article on Tim:

http://angryamericanman.blogspot.com/2012/01/tebow-jesus-and-holy-football.html

[countdown69]

01:06 PM on 01/14/2012

Is this foundation the answer to the 2nd mile foundation founded by you know who? How many years before it's revealed that T-squared will have abused...?

[anitaj]

01:15 PM on 01/14/2012

Tebow seems to be focused on keeping women in a position to be abused.

[Closer to the Edge]

08:22 AM on 01/16/2012

A lie. A smear from an anus who is as ignorant as a box of rocks.

[CarbonDate]

10:18 AM on 01/14/2012

http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2010/01/tim_tebow_goes_for_the_conversion.single.html

http://www.btea.org/fivepriorities.asp

Tim Tebow is his father's greatest missionary. Everything he does, from playing football to establishing these charities, is for the purpose of preaching the Gospel. Which is, of course, his right, and I will not condemn him for it. But I don't have to praise him for it, either.

People who think he's praying for touchdowns miss the point. He scores touchdowns so people can see him praying. His missionary work is his primary purpose in life, and the NFL and the Denver Broncos are allowing him to use them as his platform.

Tom Brady and the Patriots: please send him home.

[gts31bumbee]

05:52 PM on 01/15/2012

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ! He is the long range winner in spite of Brady taking him to the wood shed. Go Pats !

[bgofca]

04:57 PM on 01/13/2012

i'm glad that he and others have foundations to help others, but i wonder why they have other people to contribute to their foundation instead of funding it themselves.

[mwr133]

06:35 PM on 01/13/2012

He pays 100% of admin and salary expenses so 100% of donations go to the charity cause.

[bgofca]

07:20 PM on 01/13/2012

that is good that he pays for that, but i'm just wondering about all foundations that do this, ask others to donate to their foundation. Is donating to that foundation the best way to use your charity donations? When a celebrity has a large amount donated from their foundation, it often makes people think it's their money that's being donated, but in this case and in a lot of others, even though they donate some, a lot is donated by others. By the way, are you as kind in your opinion of brad and angelina's foundation which is entirely funded by themselves and has done things like build energy efficent homes in new orleans as well as donating millions to many refugee and disaster relief programs in this country and around the world.?

[jcolvin325]

04:35 PM on 01/13/2012

Good job young man.

[mwr133]

04:15 PM on 01/13/2012

Some posters on here are miserable human beings. How could someone possibly find a way to criticize Tim Tebow from this article. It is a good story.

[anitaj]

03:41 AM on 01/14/2012

Are you familiar with Focus on the Family?

[Closer to the Edge]

08:24 AM on 01/16/2012

Are you familiar with the first ammendment right to free speech?

[furby8]

12:58 PM on 01/13/2012

Some god fearing football player wants to stop women from making decision about their own bodies? If ever there was evidence that there is no god, this is surely it.

[Closer to the Edge]

08:27 AM on 01/16/2012

It's evidence of nothing but the practice of free speech in America. I'm an avowed atheist, and I beleive in a woman's right to make up her own mind about giving birth. I also believe in my right to say what I think. Apparently so does Tim.

[furby8]

10:48 AM on 01/16/2012

You're right. I could have expressed what I think without bringing up god. Apologies.

[anitaj]

12:42 PM on 01/16/2012

Mr. Tebow has every right to state his opinion and financially support organizations he finds worthy. Thanks to the First Amendment, we the people have the right to comment on Mr. Tebow's endeavors even if we disagree with his agenda.

I for one am glad that Mrs. Tebow was able to exercise her choice and continue a pregnancy against medical advice. She was given the information necessary to make an informed decision and she did just that. It is wonderful that she survived and had a healthy child. Not everyone in that position is so lucky.

[Sad But True]

12:01 PM on 01/13/2012

Most star athletes have charities in their names. Now Tebow is being singled-out for THIS?

I never thought I'd see the day where I'd become a Patriots fan. I hope they crush this over-hyped primadonna.

[Spanky231]

09:58 AM on 01/13/2012

I think it is great that ANY person of influence, athlete or celebrity, puts together foundations to help others. Nice to see them giving back.

[Slash14]

09:58 AM on 01/13/2012

Thank You Tebow

[Closer to the Edge]

08:29 AM on 01/16/2012

Reactionaryism makes me puke.

[rockysparks]

09:06 AM on 01/13/2012

Anyone who associates himself with Focus on the Family is no hero. Period.

[Wow Unbelievable]

09:56 AM on 01/13/2012

Oh because they "Focus" on the Family... What the heck is wrong with having family values?!?!?!

So what if he is pro-life! That's his choice! Just like pro-abortion is your choice! If you're entitled to your choice then so are pro-life people entitled to their choice!

[rockysparks]

12:42 PM on 01/13/2012

How do you know MY choice is pro-abortion, smarty-pants? There are many reasons to be opposed to Focus on the Family. You assume too much, which makes your comment invalid and generally makes you look stupid ...

[furby8]

01:00 PM on 01/13/2012

True, but as I woman, I must insist that Mr. Tebow is not entitled to MY choice nor should he have any influence over it. If he expresses a pro-life opinion but does not interfere with my rights through lobbying and propaganda, I have no issue with this person.

[dwilson424]

10:17 AM on 01/13/2012

Go Tebow

[rockysparks]

12:33 PM on 01/13/2012

LOL. Go AWAY, Tebow.

[mamoseley3]

07:43 AM on 01/13/2012

way to go, Tim! Keep up the good work!