Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association teamed up in 1999 to introduce the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. The goal is to encourage youth involvement in baseball and softball. Money from the fund can be used to improve existing baseball programs within the school (including existing teams), begin a new program or fund facilities or equipment for any programs. Grants go to non-profit and tax-exempt organizations, including school districts. The number of awards and the value of the awards vary by year, but an average of 40 grants per year is provided, valuing about $50,000 each. Eligible programs include those that increase youth participation in baseball or softball (generally for ages 10 to 16), improve the quality of an existing baseball program or expand an existing program. Projects that receive the funds from MLB are expected to generate matching funds, meaning that they are required to get funding for the project from other sources as well.
Baseball Tomorrow Fund
245 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10167
mlb.com
The National Football League's Youth Football Fund provides three opportunities for schools to earn funding for athletic programs:
-The NFL Club Matching Youth Football Field/Stadium Grant Program provides matching funds up to $250,000 for fields or stadium facilities for youth and high school football. The money provided to a particular facility will match what the grant applicants have already raised from other sources. The funds can be used to build new facilities or to refurbish community or school fields to create a better level of quality football for children and youth.
-The NFL Grassroots Field Grant Program provides neighborhood organizations and schools with funding and assistance to create safe, quality fields in underserved areas. The program provides matching funds up to $200,000 for improvement projects, such as field resurfacing or support.
-The NFL Youth Football Fund teams with USAFootball for an Equipment Grants Program, which provides $1 million to youth and high school programs across the United States each year to provide quality safety equipment.
NFL Youth Football Fund
National Football League
280 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10017
nflyff.org
The Ladies Professional Golf Association and the United States Golf Association team up to provide schools and communities the funding and support to require a site for girls to learn to play golf.
The LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program strives to introduce the game and its value to girls, helping them to develop athletic skill, confidence and leadership.
Funds available through LPGA-USGA Girls Golf will match funds raised from other sources. The program will also receive operations manuals, advertisements and helpful informative resources.
Eligible programs must be able to recruit at least 15 girls (ages seven to 17) and must meet at least 10 times over the course of the program. Applicants must have volunteers to coordinate the program, LPGA or PGA professionals to teach and demonstrate a need for the program in the chose area, as well as have a plan to fund the remainder of the program.
The LPGA Foundation
100 International Golf Dr.
Daytona Beach, FL 32124
386-274-6222
lpgafoundation.org