The All-American Soap Box Derby is preparing for its 75th anniversary next month with growing confidence in the future of the Ohio-based organization after years of financial problems.

The president and chief executive officer of the nonprofit organization in northeast Ohio says a new focus on education and new sponsors and events are helping revitalize the derby.

President and CEO Joe Mazur (MAY'-zur) says rule changes enabling more young people to participate in the derby also should contribute to growth.

The Akron-based nonprofit organization lost corporate sponsorship and was sued in 2009 by a bank seeking payment on $580,000 in loans. The city agreed to guarantee the loans and the derby has worked to pay the loans and find ways to increase funding.