Grants and in-kind support to USA youth-serving organizations to promote participation in the sport of lacrosse in local communities. Successful applicants will receive a stipend and equipment to be used in the provision of lacrosse playing opportunities in urban or underserved communities. The goal of the program is to increase participation in the sport and provide life-skill enrichment for urban and disadvantaged youth.
Through the Urban Lacrosse Alliance (ULA), USA Lacrosse supports self-sustaining youth organizations and programs with education and resources as they provide playing opportunities in urban communities.
Goals for the Urban Lacrosse Alliance:
Provide resources to support lacrosse introduction and development in underserved areas.
Develop cost effective solutions for entry into the game.
Establish relationships with programs and organizations that are committed to increasing opportunities for urban youth.
Develop a collaborative cross-system effort with other leaders who can identify high-potential individuals both at the youth and adult levels.
Connect underrepresented youth with USA Lacrosse and the benefits of membership.
Applicant Requirements:
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Applicants must be directly associated with the organization for which they are applying.
Organizational Eligibility Requirements:
- Must directly serve youth between ages 6-19 with a priority on youth ages 14 and under.
- Must be located in and serve youth within the United States.
- Must operate an organized sport, recreational activity, or fitness program.
- Must offer consistent/structured opportunity for lacrosse play to large groups of children.
- Must deliver programming through experienced and committed leadership.
- Must deliver a minimum 6-weeks of sports/physical activity programming.
- Must follow the USA Lacrosse Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy, and Mascot Policy.
- Must be willing and able to comply with USA Lacrosse best practices and recommendations.
- Must express organizational goals that align with the USA Lacrosse Strategic Plan.
- Must demonstrate an area of need and a plan utilize USA Lacrosse support to meet that need.
Preferences:
- Organizations emphasizing the women’s game or offering programming for both the men’s game and women's game.
- Organizations demonstrating the ability to reach participants in underrepresented and diverse communities.
- Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation.
- Organizations that require active USA Lacrosse membership/certification of all players and coaches.
Additional Eligibility Requirements:
- Provide lacrosse participation opportunities in which a majority of the participants or intended recipients are urban or underrepresented youth.
- Provide life skills enrichment (tutoring, mentorship, college guidance, character education, nutrition education etc.)
- Demonstrate their ability to deliver lacrosse programming through experienced and committed leadership.
- Deliver a minimum 8-week lacrosse program with preference given to organizations working consistently with participants throughout the year.
- Be in existence for at least two years or season cycles.
- Commit to growing the game effectively and responsibly using US Lacrosse national standards and best practices.
- Organizations provide opportunities for active lacrosse participation in diverse communities.
- Organizations whose activities provide direct services to individuals and produce tangible results, rather than those that are policy oriented. Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation.
- The potential impact of the program/project and the number of people who will benefit.
- The organization's fiscal responsibility and management qualifications.
- The ability of an organization to obtain the necessary additional funding to implement a program or project and to provide ongoing funding and sustainability.
- Preference given, but not limited to, sports-based youth development programs.
Pre-Application Information
2023 Grant Year Timeline:
- Application Open: June 1, 2023 - July 31, 2023
- Usa Lacrosse Panel Review: August 1, 2023 - August 20, 2023
- Notification Date: August 31, 2023
- Acceptance/agreements Due: September 15, 2023
- Order Forms Due: September 30, 2023
- Estimated Fulfillment: Fall 2023
- Post-grant Reflection Due: May 1, 2024
Applicants must provide USA Lacrosse with their organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN).
USA Lacrosse hosts a free annual Urban Lacrosse Alliance Conference for affiliate coaches and program leaders. The conference is designed to develop and support their growing lacrosse programs specifically in urban communities.
ULA Benefits Options include equipment and stipend offerings in accordance with the lists below.
Grant recipients select one item from the equipment package offerings:
- Men’s or women’s lacrosse sticks (up to 30)
- Team uniforms (up to 25 players)
- NOCSAE white or yellow lacrosse balls (1 case), heavy-duty lacrosse bag (1 bag), and lacrosse goal nets (2 nets), and two lacrosse goals
- Team helmets or goggles (up to 25)
Grant recipients select one item from the stipend package offerings:
- Subsidized cost of official fees or transportation costs (up to $1,500)
- Subsidized league or tournament registration fees (up to $1,500)
- Subsidized field rental costs (up to $1,500)
- Free USA Lacrosse membership (up to 30 participants and 2 coaches)
- LaxCon registration, coach education certification scholarship, and travel stipend (limit 2 coaches, $350 per coach)
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