Jarome Iginla Donated $2,000 Per Goal to Kids' Charity

When Jarome Iginla scored goals, kids across Canada won too. The NHL star pledged in 2000 to donate money to KidSport, a charity helping underprivileged children participate in sports, for every goal he netted. What started as a $1,000-per-goal promise grew into one of hockey's most impactful charitable initiatives.

After the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Iginla doubled his commitment to $2,000 per goal. Half went to KidSport Calgary, half to KidSport Canada's national program. Every time he celebrated a goal, hundreds of kids gained access to registration fees, equipment, and opportunities they couldn't otherwise afford.

More Than Numbers on a Scoreboard

By 2013, Iginla had donated over $700,000 through this program alone. His 625-goal NHL career helped more than 2,500 children play sports—from hockey to soccer, swimming to basketball. The impact went far beyond the ice.

What made this pledge remarkable wasn't just the dollar amount. Iginla tied his personal success directly to community benefit, creating a virtuous cycle where every achievement became someone else's opportunity. Fans knew that cheering for an Iginla goal meant cheering for kids getting a chance.

The Legacy After Retirement

Iginla retired from professional hockey in 2018 after 20 NHL seasons. His $2-per-goal donations ended with his playing career, but the model inspired other athletes. Several NHL players and sports figures have since launched similar goal-based charitable commitments.

The Calgary Flames retired his No. 12 jersey in 2019, celebrating not just his 1,300 career points but his community leadership. KidSport chapters across Canada still reference his partnership as a defining example of athlete-driven philanthropy.

Iginla's approach proved you don't need a separate foundation or gala events to make massive impact. Sometimes the most powerful giving comes from linking what you do best to what others need most—goal by goal, kid by kid.