Game Day Experience

It’s a Dads Figure It Out Foundation initiative that gives a deserving dad and child the chance to attend a live sporting event together — sometimes their first game ever, or their first game as a father and child. DFIO is based in Tampa and starts locally, but the program is built to expand nationally as ticket donations, sponsors, and partner organizations grow.

Primarily professional, college, and minor league sporting events — football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and more. Specific events depend on what tickets are donated or sponsored at the time.

Dads and children identified through DFIO’s trusted network of nonprofits, schools, organizations, and community partners. The focus is on families who would benefit from a meaningful shared experience but may not otherwise have access to one.

At this time, families are referred through DFIO’s partner organizations rather than through self-nomination. This keeps the selection process fair, consistent, and rooted in community relationships.

No. Selected families receive the experience at no cost. Tickets, and any sponsored extras like parking, food, or drinks, are fully covered through donations and sponsorships.

No. DFIO is an independent nonprofit and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any professional sports team, league, or venue. Tickets are donated by individuals, season ticket holders, businesses, and community supporters.

The ticket donation form is an intent-to-donate form. You’re letting DFIO know that tickets may be available. DFIO then searches our trusted partner network for a matching family. Only after a recipient is confirmed do we request that the tickets actually be transferred.

No. Submitting the form does not transfer your tickets. DFIO only requests the transfer once a matching family has been confirmed.

Basic contact details, event and date, team or matchup, number of seats, section/row if known, and whether parking or other extras are included. We don’t ask for the tickets themselves at submission.

DFIO reviews the offer and works through our partner network to identify a matching family. If a match is confirmed, we’ll reach out to coordinate the ticket transfer. If no match is found, we’ll let you know in time to use the tickets yourself.

You’ll be notified no later than 24 hours before game/event time so you can keep, use, gift, or otherwise manage your tickets. You’re never left guessing.

To make sure every donated seat is actually used by a family who can attend. Holding tickets without a confirmed recipient could result in unused tickets — collecting them only after a match keeps the process responsible and respectful of donors.

No. Matches depend on family availability, travel, age, location, and event timing. If a match can’t be confirmed in time, DFIO will let you know so the tickets don’t go to waste.

Yes. Last-minute offers are welcomed and sometimes lead to the most meaningful matches. The sooner you submit, the more time DFIO has to find a recipient.

Yes. Businesses and corporate partners can sponsor or purchase tickets specifically for the Game Day Experience Program. Contact us to coordinate.

Yes. Parking passes, food vouchers, team merchandise, and similar in-kind items can be donated on their own and paired with another donor’s tickets.

Yes. Donors can choose to remain fully anonymous. Any public recognition is optional and only happens with your permission.

Usually through the team or venue’s official mobile ticketing platform (e.g., Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, team app). DFIO coordinates the secure transfer to the recipient family once a match is confirmed.

No. DFIO does not resell donated tickets. Donated tickets are used solely for the Game Day Experience Program to benefit selected families.

Families are identified through DFIO’s trusted network of nonprofits, schools, organizations, and community partners. The process is fair, documented, and aligned with DFIO’s charitable mission.

Yes. Personal details about the family are kept confidential and are not shared with donors, sponsors, or the public without explicit permission.

Yes. Public sharing of names, stories, photos, or video is fully optional. Families decide what, if anything, they’re comfortable sharing.

Only with the family’s permission. Photos and videos are never required to receive the experience, and any media use follows the family’s chosen comfort level.

A complete experience typically includes game tickets, parking, food and drinks at the venue, and sometimes extras like team merchandise or a small gift — so the family can simply show up and enjoy the day together.

Yes. Sponsors can cover tickets, parking, food and drinks, in-kind items, or any combination — whatever fits your budget and goals.

Yes, with sponsor approval. Recognition may include mentions on DFIO’s website, social media, or event-related materials. Sponsors who prefer to remain anonymous are fully welcome to do so.

Yes. Sponsors can dedicate support to a specific city, team, league, college, or event when feasible. DFIO works with you to align the sponsorship with where it will make the most local impact.

Yes. Nonprofits, schools, social workers, community groups, faith-based organizations, and similar partners are welcome to join DFIO’s referral network and help identify deserving dads and children.

Referral partners help identify families who would benefit from a Game Day Experience, share basic context so DFIO can plan responsibly, and serve as a trusted point of contact between DFIO and the family.

No. There’s no cost to partner with DFIO. The relationship is built around shared community impact, not fees.

As soon as a match is confirmed. Timing varies based on when tickets are donated — sometimes weeks ahead, sometimes just a day or two before the event.

DFIO works with the donor, venue, and family to reschedule when possible. If rescheduling isn’t possible, DFIO coordinates an alternative experience or applies the support to a future opportunity.

Sometimes. Transportation may be included when sponsored or donated, but it isn’t guaranteed for every experience.

When sponsored or donated, yes. Food, drinks, and similar extras depend on what’s contributed for that specific experience.

Whenever possible. Accommodating larger families depends on the number of donated seats and sponsor support available for that event.

Businesses can donate tickets, sponsor a full or partial experience, provide in-kind items (parking, food, merchandise), or become an ongoing community partner. Reach out and DFIO will tailor the right fit.

Email: info@dadsfigureitout.org
Phone: 813-842-6166