Grant Opportunities

The Culture of Safety initiative is a comprehensive and long-term strategy aimed at promoting and prioritizing the safety and well-being of youth athletes. This initiative focuses on three fundamental pillars: injury prevention, abuse prevention, and social and emotional wellness. It seeks to create safe and nurturing environments that empower young athletes to thrive and reach their full potential by engaging stakeholders, including administrators, coaches, parents, and athletes.

NCYS seeks applications from organizations committed to creating a Culture of Safety. The grant bundle includes the following (1 Coach-Mentor Training™, (2, Play Safely Sports™ and (3 AED grant.

  1. Coach-Mentor Training™ Program: Overview and Objectives

The Coach-Mentor Training™ Program draws upon the U.S. Soccer Foundation's 25 years of experience in sports-based youth development. The training aims to equip coaches with mentorship skills, enabling them to strengthen young athletes' social and emotional skills both on and off the field. NCYS can train every coach in your organization. The workshop has a value of $25 per coach.

Training Objectives

  • Train coaches in effective mentorship techniques to positively impact youth participants.
  • Foster a positive team culture that celebrates diversity and inclusivity, ensuring a welcoming environment for all young athletes.
  • Provide mentorship opportunities for coaches to work effectively with youth in and from underserved communities, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.
  1. Play Safely Sports™ Coach Training: Overview and Objectives

The Play Safely Sports™  Coach Training program focuses on injury prevention and creating a safe sports environment for young athletes. It equips coaches with the knowledge and tools to recognize potential hazards and implement safety measures during practices and games. NCYS will offer 30 organization with up to 100 scholarships each, totaling a value of $2,500 per organization.

Training Objectives

Educate coaches on best practices for injury prevention, risk reduction and equipping coaches in nine (9) subject areas including:

  • Coaching The Youth Athlete
  • Mental Health
  • Communicable and Infectious Diseases
  • Concussions
  • Overuse Injuries
  • Conditions Unique to Youth Athletes
  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest
  • Emergencies in Athletics
  • Emergency Preparedness
  1. AED Grants: Overview and Objectives

The AED Grants program aims to make Zoll Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) more accessible to youth sports organizations. AEDs are life-saving devices that can significantly improve the chances of survival in sudden cardiac arrest. NCYS will award one AED per organization. The Zoll AED has a value of $3,950 and will include training.

Objectives

  • Save lives with early intervention, immediate response and restoring heart rhythm.
  • Provide assistance to youth sports organizations to acquire AEDs, reducing the financial burden of procurement.
  • Ensure that coaches and staff can respond swiftly and effectively in emergencies appropriately.
  • Create safer sports environments by increasing the availability of AEDs in youth sports facilities.

Through these three initiatives, the Culture of Safety seeks to assist youth sports organizations in prioritizing safety and well-being in every aspect. By empowering coaches with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources, we aim to create a culture where young athletes can flourish, grow, and succeed both on and off the field.

Criteria for Determining Grant Awards

NCYS will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

  • Program Impact - Potential impact of the Coach-Mentor Training™, Play Safely Sports™ and AEDS on safety, participation, positive youth development and organization capacity.
  • Safety and Well-being - Commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of participating youth, including a demonstration that your organization conducts background screening.
  • Inclusivity - Evidence of efforts to promote inclusivity and provide opportunities for children from diverse backgrounds.
  • Organizational Capacity – Indication of strong administrative leadership, governance, and financial management track record.
  • Financial Need – Preference will be given to organizations with demonstrated financial need or serving underrepresented communities.
  • Sustainability – Indication of a schedule for completing all training.

How to Apply

To apply for a Culture of Safety grant, please click here. Your application should address how your organization aligns with the above criteria and how the Coach-Mentor Training™, Play Safely Sports™ training and AEDs will contribute to your safety program.

Application Timeline

September 8, 2023: Last date for submitting the Letter of Interest Application.

October 3, 2023:  Organizations selected will be notified.

Note

NCYS also reserves the right to make decisions to ensure diversity in program type, size, geographic distribution, etc. 

 

While membership is not a requirement for receiving a grant, it remains an essential part of how NCYS funds its critical work in providing valuable opportunities like the Coach-Mentor Training™, Play Safely Sports™ Coach Training, and AED Grants. We encourage you to consider becoming a member of NCYS as it helps us to continue our mission of improving the safety and quality of all youth sports organizations through curating and disseminating credible resources. If you would like to learn more about how you can be a part of our community, please click here.