by Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor
Erik Dellenback, the inaugural executive director of the Tim Tebow Foundation, officially starts the job March 7 but unofficially is already busy planning for the foundation’s growth.
Tebow, star quarterback for the University of Florida Gators and now a quarterback with the Denver Broncos, created the foundation in January 2010 to help children.
“It’s been on hold,” said Dellenback, who has been with the Gator Bowl Association for 11 years.
“Tim’s main focus has been on football, and now he has the time,” he said.
The foundation will raise funds to create opportunities and hope for deserving children and families, said Dellenback. According to a news release about the foundation, it is focused on supporting charities worldwide in an effort to raise awareness and make a difference in the lives of those needing a brighter day.
Dellenback said he is the first employee of the foundation. He will find office space and identify interns and volunteers to start the operation.
He also is arranging the first Tim Tebow Golf Tournament at TPC Sawgrass in May. A date and more details should be announced soon, he said.
Dellenback said that he will be busy the next few months forming a mission statement and a vision, recruiting a board of directors and, in general, building the nonprofit.
The foundation became a 501(c)3 last year, he said.
Dellenback said a couple of people are serving as advisory members and that Tebow will be an active member of the new board.
“We can impact a large population of the country because Tim’s platform is national and international,” said Dellenback.
While the Gator Bowl Association reaches nationwide, “Tim’s platform is limitless.”
The www.timtebowfoundation.org website provides more information.
“Tim believes that how he uses his platform is equally as important as football,” he said.
Dellenback said the site will offer information to applicants for foundation funds. “We will review the applications and how they fit in our vision statement,” he said.
“We want to make sure our vision and mission are clearly defined,” he said.
Dellenback expects to travel to Tebow’s international mission locations as well as spend time in Denver and Gainesville.
Having accepted the position Saturday night, Dellenback said he already sees a lot of support.
“Two days into the deal, there is a passion and a commitment that comes from Gator fans and Denver fans and overall football fans that is unparalleled,” he said.
The economy continues to recover from a recession and Dellenback acknowledges the difficult environment faced by nonprofits.
“I think Tim Tebow came along at the right time to be an athlete of great character and people are supporting him during tough times,” said Dellenback.
Dellenback said the foundation will raise funds through two primary annual events, consisting of the golf tournament and another unannounced event, as well as through general support.
He envisions business and corporate meetings and lunches and spending time with Gator and Broncos fans and supporters.
“We already have people all over the board giving to the foundation,” he said.
Dellenback is a graduate of the University of Florida, so he already is a Gators fan.
He remains a Jacksonville Jaguars fan, although “clearly now I am a large Broncos fan.
“More specifically, I am a Tim Tebow fan.”
Tebow received many honors as quarterback for the Florida Gators, including becoming the first sophomore ever to win the Heisman Trophy. He was a first-round NFL draft pick for the Broncos, and he is committed to using his public platform to inspire and make a difference in the lives of people throughout the world, said the announcement.
Tebow said Dellenback “will be a great asset to my foundation, as he shares my passion for bringing faith and hope to children and families around the world.”
Dellenback was most recently the vice president and chief marketing officer for the Gator Bowl Association.
He also served as the director of promotions and the director of the ACC football championship game.
The announcement said Dellenback first worked with the Tebow family in May 2009 when he and Tebow’s brother Robby co-chaired the “Night of Champions” event at the Arena.
It said the event showcased Tim Tebow’s faith and dedication both on and off the football field, and the theme of the evening was “Building a Legacy Worth Leaving.”
The time spent working with Robby Tebow, now president of XV Enterprises, was the beginning of a partnership between Dellenback and the Tebow family that would lead to him being named executive director of the foundation, it said.
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