Over the past year, one of the most meaningful parts of our outreach efforts has not been a single seminar, fundraiser, or event — it has been the ongoing effort to collect and redistribute training gear to communities that need it most.

What began as a small grassroots initiative through Groundwork Foundation under our parent 501(c)(3), DRC Memorial Foundation, quickly evolved into a growing network of athletes, academies, event organizers, and supporters working together to expand access to jiu-jitsu around the world.

Since launching these efforts, our community has helped collect and redistribute more than 1,000 gis, rashguards, shorts, belts, and no-gi kits across multiple countries and underserved communities.

Building the Initiative Through Community

The Global Gi Distribution Initiative was never built through large corporate infrastructure or warehouse systems. It grew through relationships.

Athletes donated old competition gear. Academies organized collection drives. Coaches helped identify students in need. Friends traveling internationally filled extra luggage space with uniforms and equipment. Event organizers gave us opportunities to collect gear directly from the jiu-jitsu community.

Over time, the effort expanded from occasional donations into a structured outreach initiative tied directly to seminars, youth programs, scholarship support, and academy partnerships.

“For many students, receiving a gi is not simply about having equipment — it is the difference between being able to consistently train or not train at all.”

Outreach Across the Philippines

A major focus of the initiative has been supporting the continued growth of jiu-jitsu throughout the Philippines, including communities in Davao, Cebu, Manila, Maasin City, and surrounding provincial areas.

In Davao, outreach efforts alongside local leaders and organizations helped provide gis and training equipment to students participating in seminars, youth outreach programs, and community development initiatives.

In Cebu, support efforts connected with academies including New Ground Cebu, 90/Eight, and Strive — combining seminars, fundraising, and gear distribution to help strengthen local scholarship programs and training access.

In Manila, outreach events at academies including Solas Jiujitsu and Alliance Cobrinha Manila helped support scholars, national team athletes, and broader community initiatives tied to youth development.

Event-Based Gear Drives

Many of the initiative’s largest collection efforts happened through the broader jiu-jitsu competition community.

Through partnerships and relationships built at major events — including ADCC Opens and other tournaments — supporters regularly contributed lightly used gis, rashguards, and training gear to help expand the reach of the program.

These events became important collection points where athletes could directly contribute to helping other students around the world continue training.

Beyond Equipment

While gear distribution remains central to the initiative, the effort gradually expanded beyond uniforms alone.

In many cases, outreach efforts also included scholarship fundraising, seminar support, travel assistance, youth outreach, academy partnerships, mentorship opportunities, and connections between athletes and instructors.

The goal has never been simply charity for optics. The goal has been creating sustainable opportunities through relationships that continue long after a seminar or event ends.

Powered by Community

None of this work would have been possible without the people who contributed their time, gear, energy, trust, and belief in the mission.

Every donated gi carries a story. Some came from world champions. Some came from hobbyists cleaning out closets. Some came from academies organizing internal drives. Others came from students who simply wanted to help someone else continue training.

Together, those contributions created something far bigger than a gear drive. They helped create connection, belonging, and opportunity.

Looking Forward

As Sibol Foundation continues to grow, the Global Gi Distribution Initiative will remain one of the core pillars of the mission.

Future goals include expanding international distribution partnerships, increasing youth scholarship support, creating more structured collection systems, supporting emerging jiu-jitsu communities, and continuing to connect the global grappling community through service.

The mission remains simple: help communities grow what is already taking root.