named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Gladiator Kids / Gladiator Bootcamp
High-energy, music-driven martial arts and fitness classes for children and adults using foam weapons and armor, inspired by modern fitness trends and medieval combat training
Letters to Santa Program
Annual initiative where underprivileged children write letters to Santa; supporters can adopt letters and fulfill Amazon wishlist requests, with follow-up introduction to free martial arts programs
Medieval Combat Fundamentals
Beginner-level class teaching swordsmanship, movement, and battlefield awareness through structured drills and safe foam-based sparring
Women's Medieval Combat & Fitness
Women-only class combining functional fitness, striking, and medieval weapon training in a supportive environment led by female instructors from Gladiators NYC
activities · 3 groups
What they do
-
Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Community events and engagement initiativesOrganizes community events centered around martial arts, fitness, and holiday campaigns, primarily serving underserved populations in Harlem and other parts of New York City.
-
-
Martial Arts Instruction and Training 1 activity
- Free martial arts and fitness programs for underserved communitiesOffers free martial arts and fitness classes to children, families, adults, and veterans in New York City, with open access and no eligibility requirements. Programs include structured training in swordsmanship, movement, and battlefield awareness using foam and steel weapons, with classes tailored for women, teens, and military veterans.
-
-
Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Holiday gift distribution for children in needOrganizes an annual holiday program that collects and fulfills personalized Christmas gift requests from children in low-income, homeless, or housing-insecure families, including LGBTQ+ families in Connecticut, through Amazon Wishlists and coordinated donor fulfillment.
-
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$32K
Contributions & grants$32K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$30K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$4K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$4K
2 years on record · 2024–2025 · YoY revenue +101.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 3
- Damion DiGrazia — President / Executive Director
- Nicolas Gurgand — Board Director / CFO
- Taj Chahal — Board Director
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- Adriana Garcia Davila Partner — Child recipient of holiday support whose Christmas wish was shared through the organization
- Amazon Partner — Utilizes Amazon wish lists as a tool for collecting and fulfilling children's holiday gift requests.
- GNYC Partner — Collaborates with GNYC, whose elite instructors lead the women's combat classes.
- Gladiators NYC Partner — Partner organization co-leading the Medieval Combat Fundamentals program.
- Gladiators NYC Partner — Provides experienced female instructors who lead the women's medieval combat and fitness classes.
- Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Project Partner — Collaborates to provide peer support within a physical training program for veterans.
- NYC Department of Veteran Services Partner — Partnered to offer a training and peer support class for military veterans.
- The Gladiators Partner — NYC's premiere armored combat team that students may join after training; featured on "Knight Fight" and through public media.
- U.S. Post Office Government — Referenced through inspiration from Operation Santa Claus, a program run by the U.S. Post Office, which influenced the founder's approach to gift-giving.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Holiday-Centered Giving as Entry Point to Sustained Engagement 24 orgsmethodology: holiday-centered community supportBy combining Santa-themed gift-giving with personalized wish fulfillment during holidays, we engage low-income families because this builds trust and creates a natural pathway into long-term participation in free martial arts and fitness programs, increasing equity and program reach.shared approach: Holiday-Centered Relational Aid →
- Empowerment Through Experiential Combat Training 20 orgsmethodology: empowerment-through-combat-trainingBy using beginner-friendly, historically inspired combat training with foam or steel weapons in supportive group settings, we build physical strength, self-confidence, and peer support because experiential, team-based martial practice fosters personal growth and community belonging—especially for women and veterans.shared approach: Martial Arts for Holistic Development →
- Martial Arts as Holistic Youth Development 20 orgsmethodology: martial-arts-based youth developmentBy using martial arts and fitness programs as a core engagement tool, we support underserved children and families because structured physical training builds discipline, confidence, and long-term personal development, especially when integrated with community support and accessible programming.shared approach: Martial Arts for Holistic Development →