About Maddie and Her Foundation

The Maddie Potts Foundation was established in November of 2017, less than 2 months after Maddie’s sudden death on the soccer field of an acutely ruptured brain aneurysm. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit was founded in order to carry on Maddie’s legacy of kindness, compassion, hard work, inclusive leadership and perseverance, now referred to as “Maddie Mentality.” We focus on giving back to the community through scholarships, support for individuals and their families who suffer acute loss or disability and by highlighting the importance of positive coaching and leadership.

The Maddie Potts Foundation was started in order to carry on the legacy and memory of a healthy, young, female athlete, taken acutely from this world at the age of 17. Maddie exemplified all attributes that a student athlete should possess. She always led by example, and dedicated her free time to helping her teammates, fellow art students and al others around her to be the very best she could be. She stood up for and reached out to new students and teammates that were not as likely to be able to stand up for themselves. She was often referred to as “my very first friend at Chariho,” or at her Speed and Agility Training group, Higher Level, LLC. Her humility spoke for itself as she always tried to keep the spotlight off of her and instead directed it to her team, coaches or friends.

Her year round work ethic as a 3-sport athlete, honor student and member of VAASA (Varsity Athletes Above Substance Abuse) is unsurpassed by any her age. To quote her athletic director, “She just had a way with the kids on her team. They idolized her. They looked at her like she was a superhero - like she was Wonder Woman. Any time we went into any game, no matter who the other team had, our girls would be like, "‘Well, we have Maddie Potts.’”

All donations will go directly into the foundation to give back to athletics, art and other areas near and dear to Maddie’s heart, with scholarships and annual awards. Maddie lived by the focus and importance of team building and practice every bit as much as game day. The Foundation will also continue to emphasize the important of “pay it forward, anonymously,” strictly as it is the right thing to do to help others. Again, Maddie was never about her own recognition, only about making others around her better.

Our mission is to support individuals and families as they navigate through unanticipated life changing experiences.

“I was prepared to do anything and everything to support my daughter in recovery from her brain aneurysm rupture. When she passed, I wasn’t given the chance to. It’s my goal now to help families whose children do survive in their journeys of supporting them through recovery.”

— Steph Potts, Maddie’s Mother and Co-Founder of The Maddie Potts Foundation

Daniel, Stephanie, & Julia Potts

Board Members

Melissa Allamby

Laurie Berry

Melissa DeJoseph - Treasurer

Joni Fortin

Keith Frost (in memoriam)

Heather Knowles

Mary Linacre

Coby Myrtle

Barbara Poirier

Vicki Rinne - Secretary

Ron Pariseau

Founders

Learn more about how you can help.