Game On – Community Places to Play Initiative

Game On – Community Places to Play Initiative is a collaborative funding effort between The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). The program is designed to enhance recreational infrastructure in underserved areas by funding capital improvement projects for multi-use sports facilities. LISC is a national non-profit dedicated to community development, and The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the retail sporting goods company. Together, they aim to improve access to safe, modern, and engaging athletic spaces for youth in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. This funding opportunity is part of a broader initiative to foster youth development through sports by supporting facility construction and renovation. Targeting young people between the ages of 6 and 24, the program seeks to create inclusive environments for organized sports activities. Eligible projects may include the development or refurbishment of outdoor and indoor athletic spaces that are accessible to the community. Funding may support facilities for a range of sports such as soccer, football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, and lacrosse. In addition to facility enhancements, applicants are encouraged to link their projects with youth development programming, including civic engagement, academic support, workforce readiness, and life skills education. The initiative will allocate grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. Each award must be matched 1:1 by the recipient. Eligible applicants include non-profit, community-based organizations actively leading facility renovation projects. Collaborations between non-profits and local entities such as schools or parks and recreation departments are also eligible, provided the non-profit is the lead entity. Institutions of higher education are not eligible. All applicants must be based in and executing projects within one of ten designated metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Pittsburgh, and Raleigh/Durham. The 2025 funding round was launched on May 15, 2025. LISC held an informational webinar on June 10, 2025, to assist potential applicants with the submission process. The final proposal deadline is August 29, 2025. The review period will occur in September and October 2025, with award notifications to follow in November. No pre-application or letter of intent is required, but applicants are advised to consult the full Request for Proposals (RFP) for detailed eligibility and selection criteria. Submissions must demonstrate how the funded facilities will serve local youth populations and increase access to organized sports. Competitive applications will clearly outline both physical infrastructure improvements and how these will support broader community goals through structured youth programs. Emphasis will be placed on inclusivity, community access, and the alignment of the sports facility with long-term developmental objectives. All inquiries regarding the grant opportunity should be directed to SportsandRec@LISC.org. No specific contact person or phone number is listed. The program summary and RFP are available for download via the LISC website. Stakeholders are encouraged to prepare early given the competitive nature of the program and the strict geographic and eligibility limitations.