Deadline: 23-Jun-23
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is pleased to announce a call for applications for the Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local athletic spaces.
The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation/LISC Game On-Community Places To Play Initiative is a program designed to provide funding by The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation and technical assistance and program management, provided by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) for the creation and renovation of multi-use youth sport spaces in underserved communities.
Funds will be awarded to outdoor and indoor facilities that enable and demonstrate local community access and usage for all organized youth sports, including but not limited to basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, football, tennis, lacrosse, and volleyball.
What they’re offering?
- The goal is to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local athletic spaces for young people. Grant awards will range from $50,000-$100,000 and will require 1:1 match funding.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for the Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative, organizations applying for grant funds must meet all the criteria listed:
- Be a community-based organization, elementary, middle, or high school serving a neighborhood consisting primarily of low and moderate-income families and individuals.
- Please note:
- Schools must demonstrate the ability of the community to also utilize the facility.
- Universities and college campuses are not eligible to apply and will not be considered for funding.
- Have at least one-full time staff person (all-volunteer organizations will not be considered)
- Be in existence for at least three years.
- Have a proven record in real estate development and/or parks programming.
- Have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status/school status.
Selection Criteria
- Organizations and their projects will be selected for funding based upon the following criteria:
- Feasibility of the proposed project. The project budget must be based upon realistic costs, preferably written contractor’s estimates.
- Project readiness. Sources of funding for the entire budget should be identified. Plans for the renovations should consider the schedule of recreation activities over the course of the year. A project timeline should be specified in the proposal.
- Impact upon neighborhood and support from the community. Only proposals that locate projects in low and moderate-income communities will be considered. The proposal should clearly state how the improvements would benefit the community. It also must clearly detail how many youths make use of the sport space. Moreover, the proposal must also include a projected increase in the number of youth that will use the facility because of the Game OnCommunity Places To Play Initiative improvements. Support letters from other neighborhood and partner organizations and joint use agreements (where applicable) must be included as well as contact information for the youth organizations and programs scheduled to use the facilities.
- Match funding. The Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative requires a minimum local match of one dollar for every dollar (1:1). For example, if the proposal requests $100,000 from the Program, it must demonstrate sources and commitments for at least $100,000 in local funds, however, should demonstrate total funding sources to cover the costs of the entire project. Match funding at a higher ratio will strengthen the proposal. Note: All funding levels require 1:1match.
- Security of future field maintenance and safety. Proposals must have written commitments of maintenance funding for a minimum of three years and a detailed three-year maintenance plan to demonstrate that the applicant will maintain the facility despite projected wear and tear and potential overuse by youth sports participants. As a reminder, Game OnCommunity Places to Play Initiative funds may not be used to maintain facility surfaces, as all grant funds must be used for capital expenditures.
- Capacity of organization and its partners to carry out project. The applicant organization must demonstrate, through its current management team and previous experience, the ability to manage a project of this size and nature.
For more information, visit LISC.