NCYS seeks to increase participation in youth sports programs while ensuring a safe environment by training program coaches and administrators. The youth development outcomes we seek cannot be obtained without equipping youth organizations with the resources to help young people develop a sense of safety. Through this effort, we seek to assist organizations financially and provide evidence-based CoachSafely training.
NCYS will award $5,000 grants to sports organizations to support youth sports programs. The NCYS grants may be used to offset program costs and sports equipment. Funding may be used for any organized sport for youth. NCYS will also make available wrap-around resources to assist your program. Consideration will be given to the following priority areas:
- Organizations that increase the number of youth participating in sports
- Organizations that grow participation of underserved youth, including but not limited to, those with disabilities, populations disadvantaged because of their gender, ability to pay, race, religion, language group, or social status
- Organizations operating in communities that are eligible for free and reduced lunch or are in Enterprise Zones
Funded organizations will commit to:
- Have all coaches trained in safety before beginning its program
- Designate a project coordinator
- Provide NCYS/CoachSafely with coach contacts to facilitate training
- Have all employees and volunteers receive background screenings that are consistent with NCYS guidelines
- Have written athlete protection policies or are willing to adopt NCYS recommendations that help keep children safe from sexual abuse by preventing, recognizing, and responding to situations that may compromise their safety
Eligibility
- Organizations must provide structured sports activities for youth ages 6–17
- Must be certified as a 501c3 organization
- Must not be a religious or political cause, individual, scholarship, political campaign, or candidate.
- Must not discriminate against certain groups or individuals in the delivery of programs and services based on race, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, or disability
