Beat ALS

723 Foundation - BEAT ALS

The 723 Foundation was founded by Matt Stillwell, a country music artist and former college baseball player, whose life has been deeply impacted by ALS. From an early age, Matt witnessed three powerful battles with the disease that shaped his mission. As a child in Cullowhee, North Carolina, he saw Western Carolina University football coach Bob Waters courageously fight ALS. In high school, he was inspired by the humor and grace of his best friend’s father, Mark Feichter. Later, as a college athlete, Matt was profoundly influenced by his baseball coach, Keith LeClair, whose unwavering faith and extraordinary strength left a lasting legacy both on and off the field. These experiences—and the people behind them—became the driving force behind the creation of the 723 Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by ALS and advancing the fight to end the disease.

Mission

Advance the fight against ALS by funding research and mobility solutions to create a world without ALS.

Position & Impact

• We are a MOVEMENT uniquely positioned at the intersection of MUSIC, SPORTS, and PHILANTHROPY—unlocking audiences and opportunities traditional foundations cannot reach.
• We support ALS patients today while actively funding the search for a cure tomorrow.
• We extend the reach of ALS awareness beyond traditional channels, engaging new and influential audiences.
• We provide life-changing mobility solutions through strategic partnerships with organizations like the Permobil Foundation.
• We fund critical research at leading institutions, including the Vanderbilt ALS Research Center.

Story

The 723 Foundation officially launched in November 2019 with the inaugural LeClair Legacy event at Bear Lake Reserve. Just months later, the COVID-19 pandemic brought momentum to a halt, forcing the Foundation to pause its early plans. In August 2025, a chance meeting with Staci Galentine reignited the mission. Through the story of her late husband, Bryan “Wayne” Galentine, a powerful connection between ALS and music came into focus—revealing a missing piece that brought renewed clarity, purpose, and direction to the Foundation’s work. That connection has since led to meaningful partnerships, including collaboration with The Permobil Foundation, while uniquely bridging the worlds of college baseball and country music. These relationships have expanded both the reach and long-term vision of the organization. Today, the 723 Foundation operates as BEAT ALS—a name designed to be instantly understood, instantly recognizable, and singularly focused on the mission: to support ALS families, raise awareness, and drive real, tangible impact.

Vision

• Today: Provide life-changing mobility for ALS patients.
• Tomorrow: Fund breakthrough research to cure ALS.
• Unite: Mobilize the worlds of music, sports, and philanthropy into action.
• Amplify: Elevate the stories of ALS warriors and their families

The Permobil Foundation

GLOBAL MOBILITY PARTNER | PROVEN IMPACT

BEAT ALS has partnered with the Permobil Foundation, a global leader in mobility solutions for individuals living with ALS and other mobility-limiting conditions. This partnership enables BEAT ALS to deliver immediate, measurable impact—providing life-changing mobility to patients today, not awareness alone.

COLLABORATION IN ACTION

• Cross-platform promotion
• National awareness campaigns
• Surprise mobility moments (chair presentations)
• Live event activations

PLAN | DIRECT IMPACT

Mobility Program

• Permobil-powered chair placements
• Target: 4 life-changing chairs annually
• Average value per chair: $60,000

Every chair delivered restores independence, dignity, and quality of life for ALS patients and their families.

PLATFORM & STORYTELLING ENGINE

PLATFORM EVENTS

• College & MLB Partnerships
• BEAT ALS Weekend
• 4th Chair Gala

STORYTELLING ENGINE

• Original stories, films, and documentaries
• Athlete- and artist-driven content
• Ongoing donor and community engagement

Target

$1.25M Annual Target

$1,000,000 → Programming & Impact

• Mobility (Chairs)
• Research Patient
• Support

$250,000 → Operations & Growth

• Events
• Marketing
• Partnerships

How You Can Help

4TH CHAIR SOCIETY

A leadership giving community driving real impact for ALS families

LEADERSHIP

• Board of Directors (Give or Get: $25,000)
• 4th Chair Society — Founding Members (Leadership Circle | $25,000+)

INDIVIDUAL GIVING LEVELS

• Champions — $10,000
• All-Stars — $5,000
• Starters — $2,500
• Roster Members — $1,000

CORPORATE IMPACT PARTNERS

• $50,000+ | $25,000 | $10,000 | $5,000

SIGNATURE OPPORTUNITY

Fund A Chair — $50,000

Directly provide a life-changing mobility solution for an ALS patient and their family.

Schedule

1). March 1 - Keith LeClair Classic

2). April 28 - ECU v NC State - 23/26 - Raleigh, NC

• Permobil Chair Giveaway
• Honoring Keith LeClair and Chris Combs
• ECU wears #23 (LeClair)
• NC State wears #26 (Combs)

3). June 2 - MLB's Lou Gehrig Day - Seattle, WA

4). Oct 2/3 - Bob Waters Weekend - Cullowhee, NC

• Permobil Chair Giveaway Honoring Bob Waters
• Presentation at Bob Waters Memorial Golf Tournament

5). Nov - BEAT ALS's 4th Chair Gala - Atlanta, GA

6). Feb 25-28: 2027 - BEAT ALS Weekend - Greenville, NC

• Feb 25 - 4th Chair Event
• Feb 25 - Official After Party - Crush
• Keith LeClair Classic (Fri, Sat, Sun)
• Feb 26 - BEAT ALS Concert - State Theater
• Feb 27 - BEAT ALS Concert - State Theater
• Community Participation for ALS
• National Media and Sponsors
• Permobil Chair Giveaway

Programming

1). BEAT ALS Presents 4th Chair

• Intimate Songwriter In The Round Experience
• Honoring Bryan Wayne Galentine
• Permobil Chair Giveaway
• One empty chair. One story. One reason to act.

2). Permobil Chair Giveaways

Permobil is a global leader and premier manufacturer of advanced power wheelchairs, providing mobility solutions that restore independence and dignity to individuals living with ALS and other mobility-limiting conditions. Through our partnership with The Permobil Foundation, BEAT ALS will help promote and execute Permobil Chair Giveaways, placing life-changing mobility solutions directly into the hands of ALS families. These moments unite community, media, and purpose while delivering immediate, life-changing support. to individuals living with ALS.

3). 23 For 23 - Hometown House Party Tour

If you're going to put your name on something, make it your best work. - Keith LeClair

Matt's Testimony

I’ve watched ALS take physical strength away, but I’ve also witnessed it reveal extraordinary courage, faith, and love. Those experiences changed me forever — and they’re why BEAT ALS exists. - Matt Stillwell

Team

1. Executive Director: Matt Stillwell
2. Marketing & Sponsorships: Playbook Consulting
3. Public Relations: Kremer Communications
4. Donations & Outreach: Mike Mullis
5. Legal: Derek Crownover (Loeb & Loeb)
6. Partner: Permobil Foundation

Merchandise

The LeClair Legacy

The story that started it all