Beyond the Game. Building Skills for Life.
GIVE TO THE MAX DAY • NOVEMBER 19, 2026
Every young person deserves the support, skills, and opportunities to build a brighter future. Your gift helps DSGSH provide social-emotional learning, healing-centered support, mentorship, and leadership development for young people impacted by violence and adversity.
Building Social-Emotional Wellness
We help young people develop the skills to understand and manage their emotions, navigate challenges, and make positive decisions. Through supportive relationships and intentional learning experiences, youth build resilience, confidence, and healthy ways to respond to adversity.
Strengthen Relationships and Connections
We create opportunities for young people to build trust, strengthen communication, and develop healthy relationships with peers and mentors. By fostering a sense of belonging and providing supportive spaces, we help youth learn constructive ways to resolve conflict, support one another, and navigate life’s challenges.
Developing Future Leaders
We empower young people to recognize their strengths, build self-confidence, and take ownership of their choices. Through mentorship, leadership development, and meaningful engagement, youth gain the skills to advocate for themselves, positively influence their peers, and envision a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
The impact we’ve made, by the numbers.
2023-2025
Who We Are
Don’t Shoot Guns, Shoot Hoops (DSGSH) is a Minneapolis-rooted youth development nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the social and emotional skills of young people impacted by gun violence, trauma, and adversity.
We believe young people need more than safe spaces. They need trusted relationships, opportunities to heal, and practical skills to navigate emotions, resolve conflict, communicate effectively, build healthy relationships, and make positive decisions.
Our approach centers on social-emotional learning, mentorship, leadership development, and healing-centered support. Basketball is one tool we use to build connections and engage young people—but our purpose extends far beyond the court.
We work to help young people recognize their worth, develop resilience, strengthen their relationships, and see possibilities for their future.
Our mission: To equip young people with the social and emotional skills, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.
We’d love to host your community’s next violence prevention event!
Support our Mission: Get Involved!
We rely on the generosity of people like you to continue our vital work in the community. Here’s How you can help:
- Donate: Whether its a one-time donation, monthly contribution, or annual commitment, your support helps us provide free programs, mentorship, and life-changing opportunities for youth.
- Volunteer: Get involved and make a direct impact in the lives of young people. Volunteer your time, expertise, or mentorship to help guide the next generation of leaders.
- Attend our Events: Join us for our annual gala and basketball events, where you can connect with like-minded supporters, learn about our work, and help fund the growth of our programs.
Words from Our Youth
Our Key Highlights
