Youth Sports Grants

Grants for youth sports and recreation

6,000+

Available grants

$2383.8M

Total funding amount

$30K

Median grant amount

Youth sports grants provide funding to support athletic programs, equipment, and facilities for children and teens. The following grants help nonprofits promote physical activity, teamwork, and healthy lifestyles through accessible sports opportunities.


Search Instrumentl's Youth Sports Grants Database


Find 6,000+ funding opportunities for youth sports, with $2383.8M available. Instrumentl helps organizations secure funding with deadline alerts, targeted funding searches, and funder intelligence to support active and engaged youth communities.

Last updated: April 7, 2025. Next update: May 4, 2025.

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Grant Insights : Youth Sports Grants

Grant Availability

How common are grants in this category?

Quite common — grants in this category are more prevalent than in others.

6,000+ Youth Sports Grants grants for nonprofits in the United States, from private foundations to corporations seeking to fund grants for nonprofits.

3,000+ Youth Sports Grants over $25K in average grant size

2,000+ Youth Sports Grants over $50K in average grant size

1,000+ Youth Sports Grants supporting general operating expenses

5,000+ Youth Sports Grants supporting programs / projects

200+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Sports & Athletics

2,000+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Youth Services

Grant Deadline Distribution

Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Youth Sports grants?

Most grants are due in the first quarter.

Q1
28.1%
Q2
25.0%
Q3
24.9%
Q4
22.1%

Typical Funding Amounts

What's the typical grant amount funded for Youth Sports Grants?

Grants are most commonly $30,000.

Min.
Median
Average
Max.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who typically funds Youth Sports grants?

You'll often see youth sports grants funded by private foundations like the NFL Foundation and Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation, and also by agencies like the U.S Dept. of Health and Human Services and Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Local governments also fund youth sports grants through education departments & community development grants. Some private organizations focus on expanding access to youth athletics. Some corporate initiatives also fund equipment, training programs, and facility improvements.

What types of nonprofits can qualify for Youth Sports grants?

Youth sports grants give money to nonprofit groups that help kids play sports. Groups can get support if they keep kids active, teach them about sports, or help them with sports jobs. They can also qualify if they fix sports places, help more kids play, or support kids with disabilities.

Based on Instrumentl’s live grant database for youth sports, grant deadlines are most common in Q1, accounting for 28.1% of all submission dates. The slowest period for new grant opportunities in this category falls in Q4, making it a less competitive time for preparation and strategic planning.

Why are Youth Sports grants offered, and what do they aim to achieve?

Youth sports grants help kids play sports, work together, and become leaders. The goal is to keep them active and healthy. The funders want all kids to have a chance to join, no matter what, while also helping local sports programs grow.

On average, grants in the youth sports category provide funding between $25 and $228,500,000, with typical awards falling around $30,000 (median) and $538,225 (average). These insights can help nonprofits align their funding requests with what grantmakers typically offer in this space.

What strategies can nonprofits use to improve their success rate for Youth Sports grants?

To improve grant success, nonprofits should:

  • Align with funder priorities – Show the program's impact in youth development.
  • Use measurable outcomes – Provide data to show how you will make sports accessible to communities and different groups.
  • Build strategic partnerships – Collaborate with educational institutions, and recreation centers, or get professional athletes to strengthen applications.

Struggling to manage multiple grants? Learn how to stay organized with our comprehensive grant tracking spreadsheet guide.

How can Instrumentl simplify the grant application process for Youth Sports grants?

Instrumentl simplifies the search for youth sports grants by providing opportunities that align with a nonprofit’s mission. It also helps in tracking application deadlines, and offering funder insights to strengthen proposals. Learn how to track grants effectively.