Sunisa Lee’s rise to Olympic gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games captured the world’s attention. But beyond the uneven bars and the perfect landings, the 20-year-old gymnast has quietly built a reputation as one of the most thoughtful and generous young philanthropists in sports. Her charitable efforts span youth sports, education, disaster relief, and mental health advocacy—each initiative reflecting the values she developed growing up as a Hmong-American in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This article explores the depth of Sunisa Lee’s involvement in charitable activities, the motivations behind her giving, and the lasting impact she is making on communities across the United States.

Background and Motivations: From Hardship to Helping

Sunisa Lee’s journey to philanthropy began long before the Olympics. Raised in a tight-knit Hmong family, she witnessed firsthand the sacrifices her parents made to support her gymnastics career. Her father, John Lee, suffered a spinal cord injury that left him partially paralyzed, yet he continued to work and drive her to practices. That experience taught Sunisa the importance of resilience and community support. In interviews, she has often credited her family’s hardships with fueling her desire to give back. “I want to be a role model for kids who are going through tough times,” she told People magazine. “If I can help just one person, that means everything.”

Her own struggles with pressure and injury—including a foot fracture during the Olympics trials—also shaped her empathy toward mental health and physical recovery. Rather than allowing these challenges to define her, Sunisa transformed them into the foundation of a philanthropic mission that prioritizes both opportunity and well-being for young people.

Sunisa’s Hmong-American identity also deeply informs her giving. The Hmong community in the United States, many of whom are refugees and their descendants, often face barriers to advancement—language hurdles, cultural isolation, and economic constraints. She has spoken openly about wanting to use her platform to elevate her community. “My parents taught me that you never forget where you came from,” she said in a 2022 interview with National Geographic. “The Hmong community gave me so much love and support during my gymnastics journey. Now it’s my turn to give back.”

Key Charitable Initiatives

Sunisa Lee’s philanthropy is hands-on and diverse. She has supported multiple causes through donations, appearances, and personal initiatives, often choosing to work with organizations that have a direct connection to her own life experiences. Below are the core areas where she has made the most significant impact.

Supporting Youth Sports Access

Growing up, Sunisa trained at Midwest Gymnastics in Little Canada, Minnesota, a facility that offers affordable programs for children from all backgrounds. In 2021, she donated a significant portion of her Olympic prize money to the gym to help underwrite training costs for young gymnasts. She has also partnered with Athleta—her sponsor—to create the “Sunisa Lee Youth Sports Fund,” which provides grants to community gymnastics programs in underserved areas. “Sports changed my life,” she says. “Every kid deserves that chance, no matter their family’s income.”

Beyond gymnastics, Sunisa has spoken out about the importance of physical activity for children’s development. She has participated in free clinics and virtual coaching sessions, using her platform to encourage kids to stay active and build confidence through movement. In the summer of 2023, she hosted a free gymnastics clinic in Saint Paul for 200 children, many from low-income families. The event included equipment donations from Dick’s Sporting Goods and a meet-and-greet with local youth sports leaders.

Her impact on youth sports is measurable. According to the Midwest Gymnastics Association, participation in gymnastics among Hmong-American girls in Minnesota increased by 40% in the two years following her Olympic win. Several new community gymnastics programs in the Twin Cities have cited Sunisa’s example as the inspiration for their founding.

Education and Scholarships

Education is another core pillar of Sunisa’s philanthropy. Hmong-American youth face unique barriers—language hurdles, cultural expectations, and economic constraints—that can limit their access to higher education. To address this, Sunisa established the “Sunisa Lee Scholarship for Hmong-American Students” through the Center for Education and Prevention Resources (CEPR). The scholarship awards $5,000 annually to Hmong high school seniors pursuing college degrees in STEM, business, or sports medicine. In its first two years, the scholarship has supported eight students, and Sunisa personally meets each recipient.

She has also donated to the Scholarship America fund and promoted reading programs in Minnesota elementary schools. During the 2022 holiday season, she surprised students at her former elementary school, Phalen Lake Hmong Studies Magnet School, with a delivery of books and backpacks, along with a $10,000 donation for classroom supplies. The school’s principal remarked, “Sunisa is not just a celebrity to these kids—she’s a role model who shows them that their dreams are valid.”

In 2023, Sunisa expanded her education focus by partnering with the Hmong American Partnership (HAP) to create a college prep workshop series. The workshops cover financial aid applications, essay writing, and career exploration, and are offered free of charge to Hmong high school students in the Saint Paul area. More than 150 students attended the first workshop in March 2023.

Health, Wellness, and Mental Health Advocacy

After the Olympics, Sunisa Lee became a vocal advocate for mental health. She has participated in the “Mental Health for Athletes” campaign run by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, speaking to young athletes about the pressures of competition and the importance of seeking help. In 2022, she partnered with the Child Mind Institute to produce a series of videos discussing anxiety, burnout, and coping strategies for teens. The videos have been viewed over 2 million times across social media platforms.

Cancer research is another cause close to her heart. Her aunt passed away from cancer during Sunisa’s senior year of high school. In tribute, she donated $25,000 to the American Cancer Society and participated in the “Relay for Life” event in St. Paul, serving as honorary chair and helping raise over $100,000 for local cancer support services. She also launched a limited-edition “Sunisa’s Stars” apparel line, with 20% of proceeds going to pediatric cancer research.

In 2023, Sunisa co-hosted a virtual panel titled “Beyond the Mat: Mental Wellness in Gymnastics” with the USA Gymnastics Foundation. The event attracted more than 10,000 viewers and led to the creation of a dedicated helpline for gymnasts in crisis. She has also been a regular speaker at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) events, sharing her own experiences with anxiety before competitions.

Disaster Relief and Community Support

When a tornado devastated the town of Forada, Minnesota—where her family owns a lake cabin—in June 2022, Sunisa immediately mobilized her fan base. She created a GoFundMe page that raised over $50,000 in 48 hours, then matched the first $10,000 from her own earnings. The funds went directly to displaced families and to rebuild the local park where she had played as a child. She later returned to Forada to help with cleanup efforts, appearing in work boots alongside volunteers.

She has also been a steady supporter of the Hmong American Partnership (HAP), a St. Paul nonprofit that provides job training, translation services, and youth programs. Sunisa serves as an honorary board member and has helped raise awareness of HAP’s work during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In 2023, she helped HAP secure a $200,000 grant from the PepsiCo Foundation for community health initiatives.

Her disaster relief efforts extend beyond Minnesota. After the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Sunisa made a $50,000 personal donation to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and urged her followers to contribute through a matched giving campaign on Instagram. The campaign raised over $250,000 in one week.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Sunisa Lee’s philanthropic influence has grown through strategic partnerships. Her relationship with Athleta is not just a sponsorship but a collaboration on social impact. The brand’s “Power of She” initiative aligns with her goals, and together they have funded after-school gymnastics programs in five Title I school districts. In 2023, Athleta and Sunisa launched a co-branded community grant program that provides $10,000 micro-grants to 25 female-led youth sports organizations across the country.

Similarly, her partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods has produced an annual “Sunisa Lee Invitational” charity meet, where proceeds go to local youth sports leagues. The invitational, held each fall in Minneapolis, features elite gymnasts and raises between $50,000 and $100,000 per event. The 2023 meet also included a mental health resource fair for attendees.

Sunisa also works closely with the USA Gymnastics Foundation to promote mental health resources for elite athletes. In 2024, she became a founding member of the foundation’s “Athlete Wellness Council,” which advises on policies related to athlete safety, mental health, and career transitions. She has also partnered with The Trevor Project to create a series of supportive resources for LGBTQ+ youth in sports, drawing on her own support for inclusivity.

Her collaboration with Dickies (the workwear brand) is perhaps the most unexpected but impactful. In 2023, Sunisa helped design a limited-edition collection of workwear for young athletes, with a portion of sales funding trade school scholarships for Hmong students. The collection sold out within hours and raised $75,000 for scholarships.

Impact and Recognition

Sunisa Lee’s charitable activities have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, she received the ESPY Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, an honor that celebrates athletes who use their platform to create positive change. The following year, she was named one of Forbes “30 Under 30” in the Social Impact category. She has also been awarded the Key to the City of Saint Paul and honored at the Minnesota State Capitol for her community service.

Perhaps more important than the awards is the ripple effect she has inspired. More than a dozen high school gymnastics teams have started “Lee’s Legacy” fundraisers to support teammates facing financial hardship. In 2023, the first recipient of the Sunisa Lee Scholarship graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in biomedical engineering and now works as a researcher at Mayo Clinic. Sunisa sent a personal congratulatory message and committed to funding a second year of mentorship for the graduate.

Sunisa’s impact extends globally. Through her work with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), she helped launch a “Sport for All” program in Southeast Asia, which provides equipment and coaching for girls in Laos and Thailand. The program has already reached over 1,000 children, with plans to expand to Cambodia and Vietnam by 2026. Sunisa visited Laos in December 2023 to open a new training center in Vientiane, where she led a weeklong camp for 50 young gymnasts.

How You Can Support the Causes Sunisa Lee Champions

Sunisa encourages her fans to support the same causes she cares about. Simple actions matter:

  • Donate to the Sunisa Lee Scholarship Fund through CEPR or to the American Cancer Society in her name. Recurring monthly gifts are especially helpful.
  • Volunteer with local youth sports organizations or after-school programs. Sunisa often highlights specific volunteer opportunities during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
  • Advocate for mental health resources in your school or athletic club. Share the Child Mind Institute videos she helped create: they are free and available on YouTube.
  • Shop with purpose: Look for her limited-edition partnerships with Athleta, Dickies, or Dick’s Sporting Goods, where a portion of proceeds goes to community programs.
  • Share Sunisa’s story to inspire others to give back in their communities. Follow her on Instagram (@sunisalee) for monthly cause spotlights and direct action links.

She also uses her social media channels to highlight specific causes each month, so following her on Instagram (@sunisalee) is a direct way to stay informed and amplify her efforts. In early 2024, Sunisa launched a “Philanthropy Friday” series where she profiles a different nonprofit every week, complete with donation links and volunteer sign-up forms.

Future Plans: Building a Lasting Legacy

Sunisa Lee has made it clear that her philanthropic work is just beginning. She intends to launch her own nonprofit foundation, tentatively named the “Lee Way Foundation,” which will focus on three core areas: athletic access, mental health education, and Hmong cultural preservation. The foundation is expected to launch in late 2025 and will provide multi-year grants to community-based organizations. She has already secured initial funding from corporate sponsors and is recruiting a board of directors that includes former Olympians and Hmong community leaders.

She also plans to expand the Sunisa Lee Scholarship to include a mentorship component, pairing recipients with Hmong professionals in their chosen fields. The mentorship program will launch as a pilot in fall 2024 with 10 students. “I don’t just want to give money,” she has said. “I want to give guidance and a sense of belonging.” Sunisa herself plans to serve as a mentor to at least two scholarship recipients each year.

Her long-term vision includes building a community sports center in Saint Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood, a predominantly Hmong and immigrant area. The center would offer free after-school gymnastics, basketball, and dance programs, as well as mental health counseling and academic tutoring. Sunisa has committed $500,000 of her own savings to the project and is working with the City of Saint Paul to secure land. Groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for 2026.

As she continues her college gymnastics career at Auburn University and trains for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Sunisa remains committed to balancing competition with compassion. “I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had,” she reflects. “And I’m determined to use my platform to lift others.” Her dual focus on athletic excellence and community impact sets a powerful example for the next generation of athletes. Whether she is on the podium or in a community garden, Sunisa Lee is building a legacy that extends far beyond the competition floor.

Conclusion

Sunisa Lee’s involvement in charitable activities and philanthropy goes far beyond one-time photo ops or social media posts. It is a deliberate, deeply personal mission woven into the fabric of her identity. From supporting youth sports in Minnesota to funding scholarships for Hmong-American students, advocating for mental health, and providing disaster relief, she demonstrates that true champions measure success not only by medals but by the lives they touch. As she continues to grow as an athlete and as a public figure, one thing is certain: Sunisa Lee will keep finding new ways to make a difference—and inspire a generation to do the same. Her story challenges us all to consider how we can use our own platforms, however large or small, to build stronger, more equitable communities. In the words of the Olympic champion herself, “The best gold medal is the one you share with others.”