Soccer grants help sustain and build new soccer programs.
Starting, growing and maintaining a soccer program takes a great deal of money. In addition to paying league, field, referee and training fees, soccer programs also have to consider the costs of advertising, public relations, insurance, uniforms, and administration. Fortunately, there are a few ways to obtain grant funding for your soccer program, whether it is a youth or adult club. While local municipalities are a potential source of soccer grants, there are a few organizations that offer assistance as well.
US Soccer Foundation
The US Soccer Foundation, an organization that focuses on growing an interest in soccer in the United States, particularly in disadvantaged communities, offers four types of grants. Program grants pay for uniform, equipment, facility rentals, registration fees, travel costs, and training for players, referees and coaches. Field grants assist with the costs of planning and designing playing fields, including installation of fixtures and scoreboards. Footprint field grants can be used to build all-weather, artificial grass playing fields. Planning grants provide up to $8,000 in credit with CHA Sports, a firm that plans and designs soccer facilities.
The US Soccer foundation's grant application deadlines are listed on its website, and typically occur in October of each year. Applications can be obtained and submitted online. Non-profits, public schools, colleges, municipalities and sovereign tribal nations located in any of the 50 US states are eligible to apply.
US Youth Soccer
US Youth Soccer is the largest member of the US Soccer Federation, and aims to provide a safe, fun environment for soccer players ages 5 to 19. US Youth Soccer began awarding grants in 1998, and offers several programs, including: TOPSoccer, a community-based program for young soccer players with disabilities, Soccer Across America, which introduces soccer clubs to young players living in communities that have no existing leagues and a recreation grant program for clubs and leagues that serve soccer players under 12 years old.
The deadline to submit an application is typically in January of each year, though the specific date for each grant cycle varies and is posted on the official US Youth Soccer website. Grant guidelines and requirements are posted each year on the US Youth Soccer website. Those wishing to be notified once the grant cycle opens are encouraged to sign up for the organization's official email newsletter, Kwick Kicks.
Nike
The Nike company offers funding for sports programs in the form of equipment and apparel, but your organization must be a non-profit and not affiliated with a religious organization to be eligible. For 2011, Nike has pledged to give at least $315 million in product donation grants to programs, specifically those aimed at serving youth who have limited access to sports programs.
To submit your application, visit the official Nike corporate website, and click on the link titled "Nike Responsibility". On the next menu, click the link "Nike Giving Guidelines". You can submit a donation request online. Nonprofits and schools located in Portland, Oregon may be eligible for a cash grant from the Nike Employee Grant fund; the deadline to apply for this program is November 15.
Local Funding
If you are part of a non-profit organization and live in a city with a recreation department, they may offer grant money to support your soccer program, especially if it is geared toward youth or serving players in economically disadvantaged areas.
Those with soccer programs in rural areas should also look into city and state rural development grant programs. Many set aside funds for organizations that offer recreational programs which provide safe activities for youth.
