The human instinct to participate in sports is one of the few universal experiences. Mass sporting events like the Superbowl or the Olympics are so popular. Even those who would rather sit on the couch than throw a ball around a field find themselves engrossed in the drama and heart of it all, inspired to examine our lives in contrast. Studies have demonstrated that childhood sports programs play an essential role in building community and ensuring long-term success by instilling the values of teamwork and perseverance. Unfortunately, sports can often be inaccessible for underprivileged communities who lack the funding for proper facilities, equipment, and coaches. Kids who grow up in these communities may fall behind in contrast to their more affluent counterparts who grow up in neighborhoods where resources are more readily available. This is why athletic grants can make a huge difference in leveling the playing field.
Athletic grants can fund community centers and public sports programs and even offer kids a chance at higher education through sports, but how easy are they to come by? Here are four companies dedicated to ensuring that young athletes have what they need to succeed, regardless of their background.
Nike is dedicated to impacting its communities with help from its employees.
Nike may have built their brand on running shoes, but today, they’ve grown into a giant in the athletic apparel industry, casting shadows on smaller brands. Their name is almost synonymous with large endorsement deals with iconic names like Michael Jordan and Serena Williams. When over 10,000 athletes worldwide showed up at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, they each bore the signature Nike swoosh in pride of place beside their country’s flag. With a business as tied into the literal fabric of the games as theirs, it makes sense that Nike would dedicate their efforts to supporting up-and-coming athletes. After all, they’re named after the Greek Goddess of Victory.
The company established its Nike Community Impact Fund (NCIF) in 2010, and since then, it has donated millions of dollars in athletic grants to organizations, community centers, and individuals. The grants range from $5000 to up to $25000, and the NCIF is run by Nike employees who hope to make a difference in their local communities.
DICK’S Sporting Goods has given millions to athletic programs since 2014
In the 1940s, DICK’S Sporting Goods opened its doors as a simple bait and tackle shop. The years have seen them grow into the largest sporting and outdoor equipment retailer in the United States. Beginners and enthusiasts alike all come to DICK’s for equipment. From tents to BB guns to bowling balls, if a sport considers it essential, it can probably be found beneath its signature green awning. DICK’S prides itself on its mission “to make a lasting impact on communities through sport,” and in 2014, it funded a grant program to do just that.
The Sports Matter program headed by the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation offers grants ranging from $1000 to a maximum of $25000. These grants are open to any non-profit organization to provide equipment, facilities, and even league fees for young athletes under 18. The program is open to any sport, from baseball to boxing. The only sports they don’t cover according to their eligibility guidelines are esports.
The NFL is introducing kids to football through various athletic grant programs
Football is the most prominent American sport. The NFL is comprised of 32 different team franchises, and it draws in crowds to rival Taylor Swift concerts. Each year, over a hundred million fans find themselves seated in front of a TV screen or crowded with friends in a dingy sports bar to cheer their team to victory between commercials and stunningly produced half-time shows. When it comes to American sporting events, there is nothing that eclipses the Super Bowl. Their towering reputation among sports makes their contributions to future athletes feel like a natural consequence.
In fact, they have multiple grants. The NFL Foundation, which manages these programs, offers ten different grants that focus on establishing and supporting community athletic programs through non-profit organizations and within public high schools. Players from various teams can choose to sponsor organizations through these grants and lead initiatives in their hometowns to help inspire future footballers. As you might expect, though, most of these grants focus specifically on football.
ESPN is helping kids “Return to Play” after COVID-19
ESPN is the world’s largest multi-sport entertainment channel, broadcasting over thirty different sports, including cricket, basketball, and college water polo. With such a large reach and a reputation dedicated to sports and the love of the game, it’s little wonder that ESPN would be interested in funding programs that inspire kids to get more involved with sports.
In 2021, while we were all just starting to venture out of quarantine after COVID-19, ESPN partnered with Beyond Sport to create the Return to Play Fund, which focuses on addressing racial inequality in sports by increasing access to proper facilities and better equipment for communities with large BIPOC populations. Return to Play funds grants to revitalize community sports programs that focus on providing opportunities for young people of color. Since its establishment, the fund has helped over 20 programs, provided funding for five grantees, and helped establish eight new sports facilities across America where kids can have somewhere safe to play.
Getting involved and making an impact is easier than you think
This past year, the entire world united in front of our screens to watch the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. As we followed along with social media feuds between gymnasts and sent each other Snoop Dog memes, we were also reminded of the genuine impact that sports can have in our lives and, especially, in our kids’ lives. These four companies have decided to contribute to the goal of expanding access to sports for everyone, but they’re far from the only ones. Much of their success relies on the less acknowledged but still genuine work done by local non-profits. While not all of us have the spending power that only a multi-billion dollar company can possess, that doesn’t make our contributions less critical. Ultimately, these companies show us the importance of getting involved and the influence even local organizations can have on the world. Even small actions like volunteering with a local sports club or fundraising for new cheerleading uniforms for public high schools can significantly impact. Let these companies and the athletes they support inspire us all to go the extra mile.
