Community Sports Support Grant

The Oakland Athletic League Community Sports Grant Program, managed collaboratively by Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), Eat. Learn. Play. (ELP), and the Oakland Athletic League (OAL), is designed to expand access to inclusive youth sports in Oakland, California. ELP, founded by Stephen and Ayesha Curry, provides funding to support community-based organizations (CBOs) that emphasize equity, community engagement, and youth development. Building on a prior season that introduced sports such as Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, and Cheerleading at middle schools, the Winter/Spring cycle supports Basketball, Softball, Boys Volleyball, Baseball, and Track and Field across Oakland public middle schools. The program offers two tiers of funding. Core grant awards of up to $20,000 support the launch or continuation of high-quality youth sports programming, with applications evaluated in part on per-pupil costs to encourage realistic and equitable budgeting. Microgrants of up to $5,000 are also available for one-time clinics or developmental camps that promote emerging or non-core sports. OAL determines site selection for each sport based on the needs of individual schools. Selected CBOs gain access to PCA’s leadership development tools and coaching resources. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored programs with a minimum of two years of experience delivering youth sports. Applicants must serve Oakland youth in grades 6–8 and demonstrate a capacity for inclusive, culturally responsive programming. Compliance with Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) requirements is mandatory, including insurance, DOJ/FBI background checks, TB testing, CPR and safety certifications, and annual documentation updates through OUSD’s Community Partner Platform. Applicants are also expected to maintain active coordination with school site leaders throughout the programming cycle. The application cycle opens with the release of materials on October 13 and closes on October 31 at 5:00 p.m. PST. Submissions are reviewed by a community board between October 31 and November 14. Grantee notifications are issued by November 20, with an onboarding session scheduled for January 10. Funded programs operate during the Winter and Spring season, from January through May. Applicants are required to download and complete an application packet, which includes a grant worksheet, narrative template, budget template, and FAQ. A completed narrative should outline program goals, equity strategies, and community impact plans. All required materials must be submitted via a single email. Late or incomplete applications are reviewed at the discretion of the committee, without guarantee. PCA does not conduct individual meetings during the application window. Evaluation prioritizes organizations with demonstrated community ties, the ability to serve multiple school sites, and a commitment to inclusive practices, family engagement, and outcome tracking. Selected partners may be added to the OAL Preferred Partner List for future opportunities. Grant funds may be used for coaching incentives, equipment, uniforms, facility rental, and administrative or insurance costs related to program delivery. Grantees are invited to share their impact through OAL communications and to participate in leadership development through PCA.

Prioritize equitable budgeting, inclusive youth programming, and close coordination with school site leaders.