What’s New at
Jake Max Foundation
Mission Statement: The Jake Max Foundation empowers individuals with disabilities through art, advocacy, and economic opportunity. We provide a platform for artists with disabilities, known as Maximizers, to share their creativity, tell their stories, and participate in meaningful income-generating opportunities through art and apparel.
100% of apparel profits go directly to the Maximizer!
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Jake Max Foundation is now a part of Walmart's Spark Good Round Up Program! When you shop on Walmart.com or the Walmart app, you can round up your total to the next dollar and donate the difference to us. Sign up in only 4 simple steps!- Go to walmart.com/sparkgood
- Search “Jake Max Foundation” (clear the zip code if needed)
- Select us and "Sign in to select this charity" (create a Walmart account if needed)
- At checkout, check the box to round up
Thank you for supporting in a simple way to help amplify Maximizer stories!
Community Spotlight: Extraordinary Gifts - Extraordinary Ventures is a non-profit based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that creates self-sustaining small businesses, including Extraordinary Gifts, that provide employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- As the fall season is approaching, a great way to set a cozy mood is to browse the selection of candles and soaps handmade by the Extraordinary Gifts team. Candle scents range from Hot Apple Cider to Blue Ridge Breeze, and every purchase contributes to creating meaningful employment for a neurodiverse workforce.
- Check them out here!
International Week of Deaf People & Day of Sign Language - The International Week of Deaf People is celebrated every year during the last full week of September. This year’s celebration occurs from September 21st to 27th. The theme of 2026, as announced by the World Federation of the Deaf, is “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights” which is essentially a call to action.
- Along with The International Week of the Deaf is the International Day of Sign Languages, which takes place annually on September 23rd. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of sign language, especially in the context of the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf.
- Considering that there are more than 70 million people who are deaf worldwide, these days mark both the progress that has been won, especially recognition of sign languages and Deaf culture, and the work still ahead to secure equal access, communication, and human rights.
Support Jake Max Foundation without more clothes? Grab a sticker! Show off a Maximizer’s design on your water bottle, laptop, or wall—cute, meaningful, and the perfect treat for you or a loved one. Check them out!
Maximizer Spotlight: Ellie - Maximizer Ellie is a junior at The IDEAL School of Manhattan with an infectious enthusiasm for life. She cheers, trains, rock climbs, and serves as an assistant gymnastics instructor for younger kids. She brings that same energy to skydiving, bungee jumping, wakeboarding, and weekly strength sessions with her sister, Vaughn.
- After graduation, Ellie plans to attend a college program designed for students with disabilities and build a life working with young children.
- Ellie's designs, "LOVE" and "Friends", are simple reminders of kindness and connection.
- Read more of Ellie’s story and shop “LOVE” and "Friends" on our website.
Why Representation in Art Matters - Visibility: Art helps people feel seen. Exposure to different identities, experiences, and abilities through art can help those individuals feel recognized and valued. Along the same lines, some disabilities can make traditional verbal communication difficult. Art can represent an alternative voice, allowing people to share their internal struggles, thoughts, and life experiences.
- Challenge: Art illuminates the diversity and complexity of people’s lives. Sharing one’s art can oftentimes challenge the audience’s stereotypes and assumptions about people with disabilities. It can force people to rethink common misconceptions about disabilities, rewriting the dominant narrative into a more realistic and uplifting one.
- Creation: Art provides the artist with total freedom and autonomy to start the conversation and share their stories how they want to. When diverse artists and perspectives are given creative freedom, they can inspire others and create spaces and communities where art is welcome to everyone.
Your support helps Maximizers share their creativity, stories, and impact with the world. Every contribution helps us expand our programs and reach more artists ready to shine.- Jake Max Foundation is now a part of Walmart's Spark Good Round Up Program! See above for how to participate.
- Our new Maximizer Application link is live! Apply here!
- International Week of Deaf People is September 21 - 27.
- International Day of Sign Languages is Wednesday, September 23rd.
Contact us Jake Max Foundation info@jakemax.com
Brett Segobiano Founder, President
Eric Requet VP, Director of Development
Matt Malir VP, Director of Operations The Jake Max Foundation is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN # 39-3339143
All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
No goods or services are provided in exchange for your contribution. |
