Make Waves with Us

Since 2019, Making Waves has provided more than 7,000 "swimmerships" for children and caregivers to learn life-saving swim and water skills, and we’d love your help to ensure more Black children and their families learn these life-saving skills.

This Learn to Swim Day, we’re inviting you to host a fundraiser and help more Black families feel safe, confident, and free in the water.

Start your fundraiser

Donate here

An adult in a red swimsuit stands in a swimming pool, gently hugging a child who rests their head on the adult’s shoulder, both partially submerged in the water

About Making Waves

Since 2019, more than 7,000 new swimmers have gained life-saving water safety skills through Making Waves — with families still waiting for their turn. A $400 gift supports swim instruction for one child and their caregiver, ensuring that confidence in the water becomes part of family tradition. Swimming is not simply recreation; it is safety, skill, and freedom carried forward to the next generation.

Research consistently shows Black children ages 10 to 14 drown in swimming pools at 8 times the rate of their white peers. Your donation helps to cover the full cost of life-saving swim lessons, helping families reclaim their legacy and build a joyful, safe relationship with water.

Ideas to Get You Started

Dining with Friends

Host an intimate gathering with your friends, family, and colleagues to raise funds in support of Outdoor Afro's mission.

Walk or Hikeathon

You can either plan this fundraiser as a virtual challenge for people to complete on their own time or gather everyone to participate in the challenge together.

Share to Socials

Your voice is powerful! Sharing your fundraiser with your community, both in person and online, can make a huge difference. A quick conversation, a text, or a post could help us reach someone who’s ready to support. Every share expands our impact—thank you for helping us spread the word!

Spread the word!

Use these Making Waves photos and videos to help amplify your fundraiser and show the joy, power, and impact of water in our lives. Pair them with photos of you and your family swimming to share your personal story! Authentic, relatable visuals can inspire deeper connections and encourage more people to support your campaign.