Youth Sports Grants: Federal Grants, Foundation Grants & More [2024]

Youth sports grants can play a major role in helping more children access youth sports. Local grants for new uniforms for your city’s youth hockey tournament. Federal youth sports grants for building an entirely new field or training facility - you name it: youth sports grants provide an excellent opportunity to introduce more kids to the joys of camaraderie and friendly competition.

This all-encompassing guide to youth sports grants will cover the various grant types and where to find them. By the end of this blog post, you’ll be well-equipped to ensure more children have the opportunity to engage in the sports they love.

What are Youth Sports Grants? 

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Youth sports grants provide financial support for youth sports programs. These grants aim to make sports more accessible, especially in communities with limited resources. 

Some types of youth grants include:

• Equipment Grants: Used to help buy equipment so that every kid has what they need to play.
• Facility Grants: Used to fix up old sports facilities or build new ones where kids can safely play and practice.
• Travel Grants: Help pay for trips to games or Stay to Play tournaments far away, making sure teams can compete without worrying about travel costs.
• Outreach and Development Grants: Aimed at starting new sports programs or making existing ones better, reaching more kids and helping them improve their skills.

Where You Can Get Youth Sports Grants

You can find youth sports grants at various levels, from national organizations to local community groups. 

Federal Grants for Youth Sports Programs

Federal grants for youth sports programs are financial awards from the U.S. government designed to enhance youth participation in sports. These grants can support various initiatives, including coaching, equipment, facility improvements and community engagement. 

Federal grants come with eligibility requirements, application deadlines and objectives set by the funding agency.

Benefits of Federal Grants for Youth Sports

• Access and Participation: Facilitates wider access to sports for youths, especially in underserved communities.
• Skill Development: Supports training and coaching to improve athletic skills and mindset during competition.
• Facility and Equipment Improvement: Funds for enhancing or constructing sports facilities and purchasing equipment.
• Health and Fitness Promotion: Encourages physical activity, contributing to better health among young athletes.
• Character Building: Aids in developing life skills like teamwork, leadership, and discipline.

How to Find Federal Grants for Youth Sports 

Here are a few places to get you started: 

• California.GrantWatch: California.GrantWatch provides a platform to find grants related to youth sports, wildlife sports, and community sports programs, helping to promote responsible sports and physical activity among the youth in California.
• Youth.Gov: Youth.Gov is a resource designed to assist those looking for financial support for youth programs. It guides one to register, search, and apply for grants through Grants.gov.
• Federalgrants.com: Federalgrants.com is a platform dedicated to informing the public about federal grants offered by the U.S. government, with access to over 60,000 past and current grants from various federal agencies. 
• Usgrants.org: Usgrants.org is a portal dedicated to providing information on government grants, including stimulus packages and funding opportunities from state and federal agencies.

Local Youth Sports Grants

Local youth sports grants are financial aids provided by local entities like community foundations, local government or businesses. These grants aim to support youth sports programs within a specific region or community.

Benefits of Regional Youth Sports Grants

• Tailored Support: Often designed to meet the specific needs of the local community.
• Easier Accessibility: Local organizations may face less competition for grants compared to national programs.
• Community Engagement: Encourages local businesses and community members to invest in youth development.
• Faster Processing: Local grants might have a simpler application process and quicker turnaround times.
• Direct Impact: Funds directly contribute to local sports infrastructure and programming, enhancing accessibility for children in the community.

How to Find Local Youth Sports Grants

Every region will have different offerings.  To effectively find local youth sports grants, consider these avenues:

• Libraries and Community Centers: These local hubs often have bulletin boards or resources listing community funding opportunities, including grants for youth sports.
• Community Foundations: Many local foundations offer grants specifically for community development, including youth sports programs. They understand local needs deeply and can be a significant source of support.
• Local Government Offices: City or county government offices often have departments dedicated to community services or sports and recreation, which may offer grants or funding opportunities for youth sports.
• Regional Sports Councils: These organizations focus on promoting sports within a region and can provide information on available grants or even offer their own.
• Local Businesses: Businesses looking to give back to the community might sponsor youth sports programs directly or through grant opportunities.

Youth Sports Grants from Nonprofits

Nonprofit organizations are entities that operate for purposes other than making profits for owners or shareholders. Instead, they focus on furthering a social cause or shared goal. Examples of such organizations in the youth sports domain include groups like the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and local sports clubs dedicated to providing sports opportunities for children.

Sometimes a Nonprofit will give a Youth Sports Grant to sports programs that need help covering costs for equipment, facilities and/or program development.

Benefits of Nonprofit Grants for Youth Sports

• Underserved Community Support: Nonprofits often focus on specific areas, such as underserved communities or particular sports, providing tailored support.
• Flexibility: Grants from nonprofits may offer more flexible usage terms compared to government grants.
• Personalized Attention: Nonprofit organizations can provide more personalized support to grant recipients as opposed to government grants, guiding them through the application process and beyond.
• Opportunities for Collaboration: These grants can open doors for partnerships with nonprofits, leading to additional resources and support for youth sports programs.

Youth Sports Grants from Nonprofits

There are many nonprofit organizations offering youth sports grant programs. Here are some to consider: 

• All Kids Play: All Kids Play offers youth sports grants to families and community-based organizations in low-income areas, focusing on kids in grades K-12. These grants can cover registration, equipment, and other fees associated with sports classes, leagues, and travel sports. 
• Good Sports: Good Sports is an organization that promotes equitable access to youth sports and physical activities. They support high-need communities by donating new gear to youth programs nationwide, helping children achieve their potential both on the field and in life. 
• Every Kid Sports: Every Kid Sports is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring children from income-restricted families can participate in youth sports. They offer grants to cover registration fees, helping over 150,000 kids across the country since 2009. Recognized by The Aspen Institute, they aim to level the playing field in youth sports by removing financial barriers. 

Youth Sports Grants from Private Companies & Sports Teams

Youth Sports Grants from Private Companies & Sports Teams are financial aids provided by businesses and professional sports organizations to support youth sports programs. These grants often come with opportunities for branding and partnerships, aligning the interests of the companies or teams with community sports initiatives.

Benefits of Youth Sport Grants from Private Companies & Sports Teams

• Increased Visibility: Association with well-known brands can raise the profile of youth sports programs.
• Networking Opportunities: Connections with corporate entities and sports teams can open doors for further support and collaboration.
• Flexibility in Use: These grants may have fewer restrictions compared to government grants, allowing for more creative application of funds.

Grants from Private Companies & Sports Teams for Youth Sports 

• Lakers Youth Foundation: The Lakers Youth Foundation offers quarterly grants to support youth sports programs, focusing on education, teamwork and health. These grants are part of their commitment to assist underserved communities and range from $1,000 - $20,000. 
• 15 and the Mahomies Foundation: The 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, established by the 2024 NFL Superbowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes, provides youth sports grants to support initiatives that focus on health, wellness, communities in need and other charitable causes. The foundation's goal is to improve the lives of children by supporting programs that offer athletic, academic and extracurricular opportunities. 
• Nashville Predators Foundation: The Nashville Predators Foundation offers Helper Grants to 501c3 organizations or government agencies in the Nashville or Middle Tennessee area, benefiting youth and their families. Grants range from $500 to $10,000, prioritizing specific projects, durable goods, and one-time programs. In 2023, the foundation distributed $800,040 to 172 organizations. 
• NFL Foundation: The NFL Foundation supports youth football through various initiatives aimed at encouraging young athletes to engage in football while emphasizing safety, teamwork and sportsmanship. Their programs provide resources, training and financial support to youth football leagues and schools to enhance the football experience for young players and ensure a safer playing environment. 

Youth Sports Grants from Corporations 

Youth Sports Grants from Corporations are financial support programs provided by businesses and corporate foundations to promote youth sports participation and development. 

Corporations may offer these grants as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, seeking to invest in the communities where they operate and to foster teamwork, discipline and leadership skills among youth.

Benefits of Corporate Grants for Youth Sports

• Enhanced Visibility and Recognition: Recipients may benefit from increased visibility through association with the sponsoring company.
• Streamlined Application Processes: Corporate grants can sometimes have simpler application and reporting requirements compared to federal grants, making them more accessible for small organizations or teams.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Some corporate grants are specifically designed to increase diversity and inclusion within youth sports, supporting underrepresented groups and making sports more accessible to all.
• Boosted Morale: The recognition and support from a well-known corporation can boost the morale of young athletes and the broader community.

Corporations with Youth Sports Grants

• Louder than Words: The JD Finish Line Foundation's Louder Than Words Grants support organizations impacting diverse and underserved communities in 2024. Organizations can apply for up to $10,000, focusing on areas like Health & Wellness, Workforce Development and Safe Communities. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations benefiting people of color and demonstrate cultural competency in their services. 
• DICK'S Foundation Sports Matter: The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation offers Sports Matter grants to organizations that provide organized sports opportunities for youth under 18. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or public/charter schools serving areas with specific economic needs. Grants range from $1,000 to $25,000 and can cover equipment, fees, and league costs, but not playground projects or e-sports.
• Nike Community Impact Fund Program: Nike offers youth sports grants through the Nike Community Impact Fund Program, managed by the Oregon Community Foundation. This program awards at least $550,000 annually to nonprofits and schools in specific regions to promote sport and physical activity among youth and to advance healthier, more inclusive communities. The grants typically range from $5,000 to $25,000. 

How to Apply For Youth Sports Grants

Follow this guide to make sure you secure the best funding for your youth sports team:

1. Determine What Your Youth Sports Program Needs

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Before you begin your hunt, start by evaluating equipment conditions, facility needs and any program enhancements you want to take care of. Gather input from coaches, players and parents to pinpoint priorities like new gear or field improvements. 

Understanding these needs from the get-go will save you from applying for grants that don’t match your program's current requirements. 

2. Research Applicable Youth Sports Grant Opportunities

Once you’ve identified your needs, start your search! Begin with Google, targeting local grants in your area and sport. For example, if you’re in California looking for youth grants for your baseball team, you would search "youth baseball grants in California."

Then, broaden your scope to national grants. Keep an organized list of potential grants, noting details like name, organization, qualifications and deadlines. This organization is key to saving time and avoiding confusion. 

Remember, the more applications you submit, the higher your chances of success, so don't hesitate to note down any grants your team qualifies for.

3. Ensure Your Program Meets Qualification Criteria 

Eligibility criteria can include the type of sport, age range of participants, geographical location and the specific needs the grant aims to address. Some grants will be specifically targeted for things such as equipment or facility improvements. 

Understanding these requirements can save time and effort by allowing you to focus your applications on grants where your program has a real chance of being awarded. 

4. Create a Grant Application Team

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Grant research can be overwhelming for one person. Create a team that includes members who are knowledgeable about your sports program and familiar with financial aspects. 

By combining these talents, the team can effectively manage the grant application process, ensuring that proposals are well-crafted, accurate and turned in on time.

5. Prepare Your Grant Application  

Preparing a successful grant application can involve more than just collecting information and documents related to your youth sports program. 

A key aspect of many applications is crafting a narrative that highlights the positive impact your program has on young athletes.  This can include aspects like skill development, community engagement and personal growth. This compelling story should convey the value and necessity of your program, demonstrating why it deserves funding.

Delegate sections of the application to your grant team members, leveraging their unique skills to create a compelling application that gives your program the best chance for success.

6. Understand Any Limitations to Youth Sports Grants

Be mindful of any restrictions or conditions specified by the grant provider. These can include the scope of fund usage, reporting requirements and any specific project deliverables or outcomes expected. 

Complying with these limitations ensures that your program remains eligible for funding and can avoid any future complications with the grant provider. This awareness is important to keep throughout the search for a successful grant application and management process.

Support Your Youth Sports Team in Every Way 

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Diving into grant research can sound daunting at first, however with proper execution, this process lays the foundation for a brighter future for our young athletes. By securing grants, you can enhance your program in ways that foster skill development, community engagement and personal growth among participants. Parents will love to hear the story of how hard your team worked to give their kids a shot at playing sports!

EventPipe is here to support your youth sports team beyond grants–especially when it comes to organizing tournament housing. With EventPipe, you can simplify tasks such as:

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