Based on merit and need, more than 300 youth and high school football programs spanning 45 states benefited from $500,000 in grants for new equipment. The program is made possible through the NFL Youth Football Fund and has awarded nearly $1,000,000 in new equipment since 2006.
From last July through September, independent youth leagues and high schools seeking grants applied at usafootball.com.
Independent youth leagues and high school programs can click here to pre-register for a 2008 USA Football equipment grant application.
Youth leagues are eligible for $1,500 grants while high school programs may receive a $2,000 package. Equipment is provided by Schutt Sports and Gilman Gear. The grant application consists of questions about the organization’s football program as well as short essay questions. Awardees are notified by mail.
“Being a non-profit, it is organizations like USA Football that help to keep us going and give the kids the proper equipment to learn the game of football,” says grant recipient Steve Quinn, president of the Naples (Fla.) Gators Youth Football League. “We are already using the practice dummies and hand shields that were on our ‘wish list’ for next year.”
“By receiving your grant, the Columbia Ravens and its mission to enrich the lives of over 450 young people through participation in football are validated,” says C.J. Kupec, executive director of the
USA Football offered equipment grants to high school programs for the first time in 2007 and will continue the support in 2008.
Says head coach Scott Devereaux of
Jenny Hofler is a USA Football marketing coordinator and worked within Virginia Tech University’s athletic department during her time as a student there.