Best Youth Sports Grants

Nonprofit, school, and government-run programs offering community-based youth sports in low income U.S. communities can access funding through All Kids Play to support K–12 recreational or school sports. Grants from All Kids Play help youth sports organizations serving areas with documented budget constraints and below-average household incomes cover participation costs for local kids.

Collegiate athletic departments in the U.S. that operate new, public tennis facilities can apply for the United States Tennis Association’s Collegiate Community Hub Grant, awarding US $5,000 - US $10,000 for hub development. Programs offering youth tennis lessons, community events, and broad recreational access may be especially relevant for youth sports and recreation goals.

First responder agencies and 501(c)(3) organizations partnering with them can receive up to US $5,000 to support youth-focused programs and first responder families across the U.S. Grants from First Responders Childrens Foundation help youth sports and recreation groups fund community engagement, mental and behavioral health, family support, emergency support, and activities connecting children with local first responders.

Sports Matter Mission

We believe that sports change lives. In addition to physical and mental health benefits, sports have the power to change our perspectives, our character and our communities for the better. This core belief has guided DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation since the beginning – but not everyone has the same access to play. Through grants and other support, The DICK’S Foundation Sports Matter Program helps under-resourced 501c3 organizations, schools and community teams across all 50 states provide opportunities for youth to play sports.

Why It Counts

• Low-Income Kids Play at Half the Rate of Wealthier Peers
• Participation in Team Sports has Declined 4% Since 2017
• One in Three Kids Can't Participate in the Sports They Want 
• Number of Kids Playing Multiple Sports Has Declined

Sports Matter Program

We Believe Every Kid Deserves a Chance to Play

The Sports Matter Program focuses on supporting youth sports in under-resourced communities.

All grant applications are made subject to review of the applying organization’s reputation and activities, and its agreement to comply with applicable terms and conditions. 

Youth sports leagues and organizations in U.S. communities with a DICK'S Sporting Goods store can seek sponsorships and donations to support a wide range of sports programs. Focused on recreation, Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation offers up to US $25,000 in sponsorships or smaller in-kind donations like coupons and in-store gift certificates.

Good Sports provides U.S. schools and youth-serving organizations with brand-new sports equipment, footwear, and apparel to support regular physical activity for kids. Eligible programs must serve ages 3–18 in high-poverty communities, charge fees of $299 or less, and can receive up to eight equipment donations over two years, plus possible additional partnership support.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA: Capital Improvement Grants

Any request to support a project that seeks to improve a facility is considered a capital improvement. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Range improvements
• Berm improvements
• Clubhouse/Classroom facility improvements
• Shelter structures/covered firing lines/pavilions
• Road improvements
• Commercial-grade trap machines (see section regarding trap machines, below)
• Any other permanent improvement to an organization’s property or facility

The Grant Program considers requests for certain trap machines to be a capital improvement to the facility. Specifically, requests for commercial grade trap machines that have a capacity of 300 clays and up.

Organizations that provide sports opportunities for low-income youth can receive support to build custom multi-sport courts in the U.S., including basketball, hockey, and volleyball spaces. KaBOOM! provides these courts along with project management, while applicants handle fundraising, site preparation, permits, and long-term ownership and maintenance of the facility.

Grants from Colburn-Keenan Foundation help U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations improve the health and quality of life of people with chronic illnesses, especially those with bleeding disorders. Nonprofits running youth sports, wellness, or recreation programs that serve this community can request up to US $5,000 for projects like safe sport activities, camps, or facility upgrades.

U.S. nonprofits supporting youth sports, after-school activities, and family services can access funding for community programs, education, and healthy living initiatives. Youth organizations can access funding through Wegmans Family Foundation to advance hunger relief, health, education and economic mobility, youth support, and neighborhood enrichment efforts in their communities.

Nonprofessional youth sports teams connected to North Carolina cities, counties, Pre-K–12 schools, or 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access up to US $5,000 in travel funding to compete in-state or out-of-state events. Grants from North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission cover costs like gas, charter buses, and hotels for youth sports travel each year.

Nonprofits running youth hunting education, shooting sports, or wildlife conservation programs can seek support in the U.S. through grants from Houston Safari Club. Funding may help preserve hunting traditions, promote responsible outdoor recreation, and support research, sustainability, and wildlife management projects that engage young people in the outdoors.

Nonprofit organizations running youth outdoor sports and environmental education programs can apply for US $5,000 - US $15,000 from Mzuri Wildlife Club Foundation to deliver hands-on, conservation-focused activities. Focused on wildlife conservation and outdoor education, the funder supports grassroots projects that engage youth in hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation while promoting environmental stewardship.

Youth sport shooting clubs in the U.S. can receive US $1,000 plus membership and range evaluation benefits to recognize strong operations and public service. Grants from The NRA Foundation help youth-focused shooting organizations that meet NRA club criteria and run active junior programs, which may support broader youth sports and recreation efforts.

State shooting sports associations in the U.S. that serve youth and other shooters can receive support for programs, operations, and public service activities. With a mission to preserve American shooting traditions, The NRA Foundation provides awards, free range evaluations, and a year of club membership to recognize outstanding state associations’ impact.

Youth sport shooting clubs in the U.S. that are current NRA-enrolled youth clubs can receive US $1,000, a free range evaluation, and a year of club membership for outstanding overall operations. The NRA Foundation honors clubs engaging youth through programs like hunter education, shooting competitions, and leadership experiences.

U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities seeking capital support for shovel-ready projects such as park and community areas, educational spaces, artistic installations, wildlife habitats, or Christian mission facilities may be eligible for this funding. The Jandy Ammons Foundation supports project-driven endeavors that create lasting community assets, which can include recreational or youth sports-related environments.

Researchers and institutions studying prevention of musculoskeletal youth sports injuries can access funding through Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation for clinical or social research projects with clear practical application in the U.S. and Canada. New investigators seeking startup or seed funding for clinically relevant studies may receive US $25,000; only one award is made per institution annually.

Youth sports and recreation organizations in the U.S. that support youth shooting sports can access funding through MidwayUSA Foundation to certify new or existing coaches. Grants of US $1,000 - US $5,000 support basic or advanced certifications, including skills training, shooting clinics, train-the-trainer programs, and other coach training for endowment-affiliated teams or organizations.

Tax-exempt organizations and government municipalities in the U.S. that run youth and community golf programs can apply for the American Golf Industry Coalition’s Grassroots Grants Program to expand access for underrepresented groups. Funding can support instruction, course or range access, equipment, transportation, curriculum, and related program costs that encourage inclusive youth sports participation.

Individuals or groups planning adventurous “first” expeditions with scientific elements, including youth-focused teams, can apply for up to £3,000 to support their journey. With a mission to celebrate exploration, The Captain Scott Society provides adventure travel and expedition projects with recognition, funding, and an opportunity to present their achievements to the Society.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting youth ballroom dance training and competitions can receive up to US $5,000 to assist amateur dancers ages 6 to 25 with lessons, coaching, travel, and related costs. These funds, provided via Fordney Foundation, may benefit organizations promoting youth sports, physical activity, and dance-based recreation programs.

U.S. youth shooting sports programs and related organizations can apply for Midway Usa Foundation’s Range Development Grants, awarding US $2,500 - US $75,000 for improvements and expansions to existing shooting ranges. Team and Agency endowment holders, plus some conservation groups, wildlife agencies, and universities, may be eligible to enhance facilities supporting youth sports participation.

Grants from the Herbert E. Parker Charitable Trust help youth sports and recreation nonprofits provide athletic programs, especially for underprivileged children. U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities, particularly those operating in Denver, Colorado, can request US $5,000 - US $10,000, with preference for sporting programs for youth alongside cancer research and services for children with intellectual disabilities.

Youth-serving organizations and research partners can seek US $5,000 - US $15,000 to study and evaluate youth cycling programs, focusing on mental wellbeing, social-emotional learning, and physical benefits. Focused on youth sports and recreation, Outride invites projects that build evaluation capacity, create practical toolkits, and strengthen real-world evidence on bicycling’s impact.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits running youth sports, outdoor recreation, arts, or environmental programs can receive Hydro Flask product donations to support their work. Hydro Flask provides U.S. youth sports and recreation organizations with insulated bottles and gear for participant rewards, incentives, and community or fundraising events that promote active lifestyles, inclusion, and environmental responsibility.

Nonprofit and charitable organizations advancing wildlife conservation, education, or advocacy around well-regulated hunting can seek funding for research, habitat protection, anti-poaching, and public outreach projects. Focused on sustainable use and hunting’s role in conservation, DSC Foundation invites programs that may include youth education or recreation components connected to conservation through hunting.