Why support animal welfare? Protecting the welfare of animals is more than just wanting dogs and cats to have food and shelter. It includes vet visits and vaccination, as well as ensuring that they are warm, safe, and dry. It includes being void of any animal cruelty. It is providing the best environment for an animal's physical and emotional well-being. 

In the US, we love our pets. As a matter of fact, 62% of all US households have one or more pets. Most often, these are dogs and cats, but let's not forget about horses, birds, rabbits, goats, gerbils, snakes, rats, mice, fish, amphibians and other creatures that share our homes and our hearts. The Matthew Wright Foundation is committed to animal welfare because it was a cause that meant a lot to Matthew.  

Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter animal shelters every year nationwide. Of those, approximately 3.3 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. Sadly, an estimated two million dogs and cats are euthanized U.S. shelters every year. 

An animal lover, Matthew adopted his dog, Sprite, from an animal shelter. He loved Sprite so much; she was his best friend. To honor that bond and Matthew's love for all animals, the Matthew Wright Foundation supports animal welfare with donations to like-minded organizations and no-kill shelters. 

Why support scholarships? Before Matthew’s accident, he was incredibly excited to go to college. His grandparents started a college fund that would be ready for him when he graduated high school, but unfortunately, his path changed.

There are thousands of deserving students who have the desire to further their education after high school. They have the drive and the passion to go to college. But when reality sets in, many are not able to afford the expenses associated with a higher education.

At the Matthew Wright Foundation, we believe that the lack of finances should not stop a hard-working student from pursuing his or her dream. We have established the Matthew Wright Scholarship Fund to help high school students go to college. We hope to help as many as possible.

The Matthew Wright Scholarship Fund will help students with college tuition and related expenses like room, board, books, and so much more. Hard-working students deserve to get the education they want but can’t afford. As our long-term goal is to increase the number of scholarship recipients over time, please help us encourage others to achieve their dreams by donating what you can. Every hard-working student should be able to go to college or trade school after high school. At the Matthew Wright Foundation, we are working to make these dreams come true. 

Why support let people know? According to organdonor.gov, roughly 90% of all adults in the US approve of organ donation, but only 60% are registered as donors on their driver's licenses. If you are an organ donor, the Matthew Wright Foundation wants to thank you. Your kindness has the potential to not only save lives but to make lives better. Had Matthew not talked with his parents about being an organ donor, they would not have known his decision. Yes, his choice was noted on his driver's license, but the Wrights did not receive Matthew's belongs until about two weeks after his fatal accident. Part of our mission revolves around why it is vital to let people know that you are an organ donor. If Matthew had not let people know, four people would not be alive today and two others would not have sight.

Join The Matthew Wright Foundation in support of animal welfare, scholarships for deserving students, and our let people know campaign. Please consider donating what you can to help us help others. Every dollar counts towards changing lives. 

Meet Sprite -  Matthew adopted his dog, Sprite, from the Idaho Humane Society and it was love at first sight. Many people ask, “Why did he name her Sprite? She doesn’t look anything like a can of Sprite.” The simple answer is that Sprite was the name given to this adorable puppy born in the shelter, so Matthew wanted to keep her name. 

Before adopting Sprite, Matthew’s mom, Ann, wanted to see how serious he really was about taking care of this little dog. She told him to do some research on the breed. If after learning what he could, Matthew was ready to be responsible for taking care of a dog, then he could move forward with the adoption. He went home and did his research, printing off page after page of information about how to train your dog. The next morning, he said he still wanted to adopt Sprite, and that is exactly what the family did. 

There was nothing better than this boy and his dog. Matthew and Sprite were a match made in heaven; he adored her and she adored him. They would go everywhere together - he would take her to the grocery store and just walk her around. They used to go for walks at the Greenbelt and rides in his car. One day Matthew was asleep on the couch with his arms wrapped around a sleeping Sprite! He had over 300 selfies of the two of them together on his phone. He loved his dog, and she was very protective of him in return. They had an extraordinary bond. Sprite was also known as “Spider Pig!” Why spider pig? You’ll have to ask Ann the next time you talk to her. 

When Matthew was at the hospital, the doctor allowed Sprite up to his room to say goodbye. Sprite sniffed Matthew’s head, but she knew that something was not right. To this day, she still looks for him and is waiting for him to come home. Sprite is a one-in-a-million pup and a great comfort to Matthew's family.