Who We Are
Legacy Raising Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in New Mexico and dedicated to developing the whole person — through education, mentorship, athletics and wellness, and community and family support. Founded in New Mexico. Built to create opportunities across communities, states, and borders.
Why Legacy Raising Foundation Exists
Legacy Raising Foundation was established in New Mexico to help young people overcome barriers and gain access to education, mentorship, athletics, wellness, technology, leadership development, and family-centered support. New Mexico is our home and our starting point — and the Foundation is being built as a nationally scalable organization designed to grow into additional communities, states, and eventually international partnerships.
We believe potential needs opportunity, consistency, guidance, accountability, meaningful relationships, and adults willing to believe in young people.
Legacy Raising Foundation is being built responsibly — with the programs, partnerships, and infrastructure needed to serve youth and families with integrity and measurable impact.
What We Are Here to Do
The mission of Legacy Raising Foundation is to remove barriers to education by strengthening family and community partnerships while providing mentorship, academic support, athletics, and innovative youth programs that empower students to improve school engagement, develop leadership skills, and build successful futures.
Where We Are Going
Legacy Raising Foundation envisions a future where young people, regardless of their neighborhood, state, country, or economic circumstances, can access the education, mentorship, athletics, technology, leadership development, and community support they need to achieve their potential and strengthen future generations.
The Foundation We Build On
Everything Legacy Raising Foundation does is organized around four interconnected pillars. These are not separate programs — they are four dimensions of a single, integrated approach to developing the whole person. Education, mentorship, athletics and wellness, and community and family support work together to surround young people with the consistency, relationships, and opportunities they need to succeed.
Education
Attendance, academics, graduation, college and career readiness, technology, journalism, and scholarships.
Mentorship
Positive adult relationships, leadership, character, accountability, and life-skills development.
Athletics and Wellness
Sports, fitness, mental wellness, e-sports, sports science, and healthy-living education.
Community and Family
Family engagement, school partnerships, community outreach, resource navigation, and corporate and nonprofit partnerships.
Leadership Grounded in Experience and Purpose
Co-Founder and Co-Chair
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Legacy Raising Foundation. He is an educator, Dean of Students, mentor, coach, father, Certified Mental Health Coach, and community advocate with more than a decade of experience working with young people.
His work combines education, mentorship, athletics, mental wellness, accountability, and leadership development to help young people build confidence, resilience, purpose, and the skills needed to succeed. Lamar believes that young people thrive when they receive consistent guidance, meaningful opportunities, strong relationships, and support that reaches beyond the classroom.
Through Legacy Raising Foundation, he is helping build partnerships and pathways that connect education, athletics, mentorship, family support, college preparation, and future career opportunities.
A forever learner, Lamar remains committed to growing personally and professionally so he can better serve students, athletes, families, and communities. His mission is simple: help young people become confident, accountable, educated, and prepared to lead.
Contact Lamar
Co-Founder and Co-Chair
Eaaron Smith
Eaaron Smith is a technology and business leader, entrepreneur, investor, and community advocate committed to building stronger organizations and creating meaningful opportunities for others. Throughout his career, he has helped lead technology-driven transformation, operational improvement, and strategic initiatives designed to strengthen teams and communities.
His commitment to inclusive leadership has also earned recognition from Built In Colorado for his contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including helping spearhead initiatives such as SambaUnited. Beyond the technology sector, Eaaron is an owner and operator with experience successfully leading a supportive living organization and expanding opportunities through C&E Investments.
As Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Legacy Raising Foundation, Eaaron brings together business strategy, technology, operational leadership, investment experience, and a personal commitment to youth development. His purpose is to help create sustainable programs and partnerships that give young people access to mentorship, education, athletics, wellness, and the resources needed to build successful futures.
Contact Eaaron"We created Legacy Raising Foundation because we believe a child's starting point should never determine the height of their future. Our responsibility is to help build the access, relationships, and opportunities that allow potential to rise."
— Lamar Jackson and Eaaron Smith, Co-Founders, Legacy Raising Foundation
Rooted in New Mexico. Built to Reach Beyond Borders.
Albuquerque, New Mexico is where Legacy Raising Foundation begins. New Mexico is a state of remarkable culture, resilience, and community strength — and it is the community we are committed to serving first.
Our long-term vision extends beyond New Mexico. As the Foundation grows, establishes its programs, and demonstrates measurable impact, we intend to expand our model to other states and eventually to international communities where young people face similar barriers.
That expansion will happen responsibly — when the funding, partnerships, personnel, and infrastructure are in place to do it right. New Mexico is not a stepping stone. It is our home, and it will always be the foundation of everything we build.
A Phased, Responsible Development Path
Multistate and international expansion are long-term goals, not current operations. Legacy Raising Foundation will grow only when the funding, qualified personnel, safety infrastructure, and community support are in place to do it right.
Build a Strong Foundation in New Mexico
Establish responsible, measurable, and community-centered programs in Albuquerque and New Mexico. Demonstrate impact. Build trust.
Expand Through Qualified Partnerships
Expand through qualified partnerships into additional communities and states — when the funding, personnel, safety infrastructure, and community support are in place to do it right.
Develop International Youth Pathways
Develop international youth pathways through responsible partnerships with schools, academies, athletic organizations, nonprofits, and community institutions.
Foundation Overview
Download our Foundation Overview document to learn more about Legacy Raising Foundation's mission, programs, and vision.
IRS Tax-Exempt Status — Pending
Legacy Raising Foundation is a New Mexico nonprofit corporation. Its application for recognition as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) is currently pending with the Internal Revenue Service. Donors should consult a tax advisor regarding the deductibility of any contributions made prior to IRS recognition.
Affiliates & Partners
Legacy Raising Foundation is strengthened by relationships with organizations that share our commitment to opportunity, community development, youth engagement, responsible growth, and lasting impact.
Field House LLC
TEAM Broadcasting Inc. DBA
ESPN 101.7 The TEAM
H&B Sports Venture Inc.
C&E Investments
Elevate Advisory LLC
Join the Mission.
Whether you volunteer, mentor, partner, or donate — your support helps build the programs and pathways that give young people a genuine chance to succeed.