Time to Gear Up!
By Megan Moyer Wed, 04/20/2011 - 3:08pm
At USA Football the heart of our mission is to improve the game of football, especially youth football. To that end, we develop a lot of great resources, but one of the most direct ways we make the game better is through our equipment grant program. The program – now accepting applications! – gives youth and high school football teams a ton of equipment every year. By the numbers …
$3 Million: Value of grants given away since 2006
$1 Million: Value of grants will be awarded in 2011
2,293: Organizations receiving grants since 2006
60,000: Youth and High School football players benefiting from USA Football grants since 2006
400+: Applications received in the week since the 2011 grant application opened
USA Football awards grants based on a combination of merit and need. We want to make sure that the leagues with the least access to other resources, sources of funding and equipment have a chance to play the game and play it safely. We also look to recognize leagues that work hard to do the most with the resources they have.
As a result, USA Football attracts a diverse group of organizations to our grant program. Here’s a quick snapshot of the 2010 applicant pool:
1,139 youth football organizations applied for grants (in addition to 442 high school football organizations)
49 of 51 stats (plus DC!) were represented (we already have 2011 applications from the two missing states, Montana and North Dakota)
34% of applying organizations have a flag football program
59% of applying organizations also run a cheer program
195 Kids are represented by the average grant applicant (including tackle football, flag football and cheer)
9 national organizations are represented among applicant pool
(Amateur Athletic Union, American Youth Football, Boys & Girls Clubs, Catholic Youth Organization, Jewish Community Centers, National Recreation & Park Association, Police Athletic League, Pop Warner and YMCA)
Applications for the 2011 grants are still open. Click here to register and tell us how an equipment grant would make an impact in your league!
Need more ideas? Check out USA Football’s fundraising resources. Have a great idea to share? Post it on USA Football’s Facebook wall.
USA Football’s online surveys are powered by Survey Gizmo.
