Nonprofit foundations as well as for-profit companies and organizations such as Major League Baseball and the National Football League offer grants to encourage youths to exercise and play sports. Some grants are available only in certain regions of the U.S. and only during prescribed grant-funding cycles, while others are awarded throughout the year.
Sports League Grants
Professional sports leagues often have a charitable outreach arm that provides grants to nonprofit and school-affiliated athletic programs. Major League Baseball, for example, provides grants through its Baseball Tomorrow program. Grants can be used for equipment, baseball field construction or renovation, coaches' training and other projects aimed at encouraging boys and girls to play baseball and softball. Other leagues provide funds for similar purposes related to their sports. The National Football League operates is Youth Football Fund, which assists youth and high school football programs, and the National Hockey League provides funding for youth hockey programs across North America.
Sport Grants for Women and Girls
The number of girls and young women competing in youth and school-related sports has increased significantly since the 1972 passage of the federal Title IX law that sought to equalize opportunities for boys and girls in school athletics. But several organizations continue to focus on encouraging more physical activity among girls and increase educational and professional opportunities in sports for women. The Women's Sports Foundation, for example, sponsors the GoGirlGo! grants for community organizations that help improve the lives of girls age 8 to 18 through sports and exercise. And the Foundation's Rusty Kanokogi Fund for the Advancement of U.S. Judo helps girls that want to develop judo skills. The Women Helping Others Foundation is a separate organization that provides grants to groups serving, primarily, women and children. Sports programs, wellness education and agencies that help boost girls' self-esteem and educational opportunities are among the priorities for W.H.O.
Grants for Underprivileged Youths
Children growing up in disadvantaged areas often lack the opportunities and facilities of thriving sports programs, or even the clothes and equipment for meaningful exercise and sports-related activity. The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation focuses its grants on helping children growing up in urban poverty by supporting health and education programs. Agencies reaching kids through exercise and sports programs and those that help educate families about health, nutrition and physical activity are encouraged to apply any time during the year. Good Sports is another nonprofit organization that awards sports apparel, shoes and equipment to agencies serving disadvantaged children. Sporting goods chain Finish Line also seeks to help communities that have become disadvantaged to unforeseen circumstances, such as hurricane, flood or earthquake. As of 2011, the Legacy Grants, those helping existing programs, range between $10,000 and $75,000. The emergency grants, called Founder's Grants, range between $5,000 and $25,000. An online eligibility quiz can determine whether your organization would qualify for a Finish Line grant.
Exercise and Education Grants
Some organizations provide funds to help kids learn more about exercise and wellness so that they can help carry the message to others. The Special Olympics and Youth Service America, for example, have partnered to form the Get Into It program, which brings together children with and without intellectual difficulties to share ideas and learn more about ways to fight childhood obesity in their communities. General Mills offers Champions grants to schools, health departments and other community organizations that encourage physical fitness and nutrition education.
Member Comments