By day, Joe Chapman leads in state government. Beyond the office, he’s leading a movement. Through True22, his philanthropic initiative, Chapman uses the power of sports to connect athletes, organizations, and communities around the world.
True22, operating under the Chapman Educational Collective, represents more than traditional charitable giving. The initiative leverages sports as a universal language to unite people from different backgrounds, celebrate local heroes, and create transformative opportunities for students and families.
Chapman’s approach stems from his core leadership philosophy developed from working in state government: mission brings people in, but culture determines whether they stay. This principle now guides True22’s partnerships with professional, semi-professional, and collegiate sports teams across multiple continents.
In Northern Ireland, True22 partnered with Carrick Rangers Football Club to launch Carrick Cares, a program that honors students and community heroes through exclusive gameday experiences. Across the United Kingdom, the initiative joined forces with West Allotment Celtic Football Club to create Allotment for All, which provides tickets and recognizes individuals making a positive impact in their communities. These collaborations come naturally to Chapman — he and his wife are minority owners of Carrick Rangers and majority owners of West Allotment Celtic, a connection that gives them a firsthand understanding of how sports organizations can serve as powerful community anchors.
“Sports have an unmatched ability to bring people together,” Joe Chapman said. “Whether it’s a local club or a global stage, the moments we share around the game create common ground. True22 was built on that idea — that connection can spark hope, and hope can change lives.”
The initiative’s reach extends beyond stadium walls. True22 has facilitated personal moments like arranging for a young fan named Norris to meet MLB pitcher Craig Kimbrel, and enabling Charlie to throw a ceremonial first pitch for the Daytona Cubs. International efforts include distributing sports equipment, clothing, and shoes to underprivileged youth, including children in Nicaragua who received their first soccer kits through the program.
These programs reflect Chapman’s belief that sports serve as more than entertainment. He views athletic events as opportunities to create lasting connections, inspire hope, and generate impact that extends far beyond final scores. This perspective transforms typical sports philanthropy into sustainable community building.
The Chapman Educational Collective, founded by his wife Jessica Chapman, an education leader with over 22 years of experience transforming schools, provides the organizational foundation for True22. Most of Jessica’s consulting work is now focused on one organization, which frees her to serve the community in multiple ways — supporting Joe’s efforts with True22, connecting with schools across the globe to distribute gameday tickets, serving on local boards such as The Foundation for Leon Schools, and spending more time nurturing her family.
As a former principal, Jessica is grateful for the opportunity to reconnect — both with her community and within her own home. After years of long hours and intense dedication to her career, the family made a conscious shift. For many of those years, Joe picked up the slack at home so Jessica could serve as a school principal. But after logging more than 80 hours a week for much of her career, Jessica decided to step away last July, and together, she and Joe launched their own endeavors.
That decision has brought balance and purpose. The freedom has allowed Joe more time to focus on his philanthropic work while Jessica continues to impact education and community causes in new ways. Overall, the Chapmans say their family is happier, healthier, and deeply grateful to be in a position to give back — both with their time and their resources.
True22’s model demonstrates how sports organizations can design authentic philanthropic efforts that resonate with their communities. By creating programs that honor local heroes, provide access to memorable experiences, and distribute resources globally, the initiative shows how athletics can become a catalyst for positive change.
The success of programs like Carrick Cares and Allotment for All illustrates the potential for sports-based philanthropy when executed with genuine community focus. These initiatives don’t simply donate tickets or arrange meet-and-greets; they create ongoing relationships between teams and the communities they serve.
Joe Chapman’s two decades of leadership experience inform True22’s strategic approach to partnership development. The initiative works with sports organizations to identify authentic ways to engage their communities, ensuring philanthropic efforts align with both organizational missions and community needs.
As True22 continues to expand, it seeks partnerships with sports organizations, businesses, and community leaders interested in amplifying their impact. The initiative offers a framework for leveraging athletics to build stronger communities, whether through recognition programs, access initiatives, or international outreach.
“The real win isn’t on the field,” Joe Chapman said. “It’s when a community feels seen, a student feels valued, or a family gets a moment they’ll never forget. That’s what drives us — turning passion into purpose and making every connection count.”
The movement Chapman has created through True22 demonstrates that effective philanthropy requires more than good intentions. It demands strategic thinking, authentic relationships, and a commitment to sustained engagement. By combining his government leadership experience with his passion for sports, Chapman has developed a model that transforms athletic events into opportunities for lasting community impact.
For sports organizations seeking to deepen their community connections or businesses looking to support meaningful philanthropic efforts, True22 offers a proven pathway to creating programs that resonate beyond the scoreboard. The initiative stands as evidence that when sports, community, and generosity intersect with purposeful leadership, the resulting impact can transform lives across the globe.
Joe and Jessica Chapman are partners in life and purpose — united by a shared vision to make a difference through education, leadership, and sports. Through the Chapman Educational Collective and True22, they are building bridges across communities and continents, proving that when passion meets purpose, the ripple effect can change lives.