2024 Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative

The Game On-Community Places to Play initiative, a collaboration between The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation and LISC, provides essential funding and technical assistance to community-rooted organizations. The program's core mission aligns with creating and renovating multi-use youth sport spaces for individuals aged 6-24 in underserved communities nationwide. This initiative directly addresses the critical need for safe, accessible, and high-quality athletic facilities, reflecting a commitment to fostering youth development through sport. The primary beneficiaries of this program are youth aged 6-24 in under-resourced communities, as well as community-based organizations, elementary, middle, or high schools serving low and moderate-income families. The impact goal is to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local athletic spaces, thereby promoting organized youth sports and providing youth development program services. These services include, but are not limited to, life skills workshops, civic engagement and leadership, workforce development, and academic support. The program prioritizes proposals that seek to upgrade existing facilities in poor condition or that are underutilized, demonstrate active facility use, attract match funding exceeding the minimum required 1:1 ratio, promote youth sports and community programming, and provide for ongoing maintenance and safety. Funding will be directed towards both outdoor and indoor facilities that ensure local community access and usage for all organized youth sports, such as basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, football, tennis, lacrosse, and volleyball. Expected outcomes include enhanced athletic spaces that are safer and more accessible for youth sports, increased participation in organized sports, and improved life skills, civic engagement, and academic support for young individuals. While specific measurable results like exact participation numbers or academic improvements are not detailed, the focus on "active use" and "community access" implies a goal of increased engagement. The underlying theory of change appears to be that by providing quality physical spaces and supportive programming, youth in underserved communities will have greater opportunities for healthy development and positive life trajectories. Eligibility criteria for organizations applying for grant funds include being a community-based organization or school serving low and moderate-income families, with schools needing to demonstrate community utilization. Universities and college campuses are explicitly excluded. Organizations must have at least one full-time staff person (all-volunteer organizations are not considered), be in existence for at least three years, possess a proven history in real estate development and/or parks programming, and hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or school status. Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $100,000.