Youth and Amateur Sports Grants Program

yasg

2021 Grant funding cycle open

King County Parks is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity for youth sports capital projects and programs.

A new round of grants has opened. Required Letters of Interest (LOI) for this new funding opportunity for capital projects and programs are due by Noon on January 27. Applications for our Activation Grants will also be due on January 27.

Our online grant platform will be available for access on our website on Jan. 4. We strongly encourage you to review the Grant Program Guidelines before you proceed with an LOI.

*Due to technical difficulties, webinar recording cannot be posted at this time. Please find session info below.

Grants FAQ

2021 Info-session (PowerPoint presentation)

The grant application which is due January 27th can be found here.

What we fund

Youth and Amateur Sports Grants (YASG) support fit and healthy communities by investing in programs and capital projects that increase access to physical activity.

We have an annual grant cycle beginning in January with awards usually determined by May. Program grants range from $15,000-$75,000, while capital grants range from $25,000-$250,000.

Funding is only available to organizations serving residents of King County, including non-profit organizations, public schools, park districts, public agencies, tribes and tribal organizations. A small or emerging community organization without 501c3 status is eligible through a partnership with a fiscal agent.

The program is funded and sustained through a 1 percent car-rental tax authorized by the Legislature in 1993. Funds can only be used for programs or capital projects that increase access to health-enhancing physical activities.

Program Goals

Increase youth access to and participation in quality physical activity programs, facilities, and parks
Reach priority populations of low-income youth, youth of color, immigrant and refugee youth, youth with disabilities, and unincorporated area residents
Improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities in low-income communities

Why We Invest in Youth Sports

Physical activity is vital to youth development, physical health, mental health, and social emotional learning, and is also associated with better educational outcomes. The Center for Disease Control recommends that youth get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily to stay healthy. However, only 19% of youth in King County meet this recommendation according to the Healthy Youth Survey.

Disparities in access to physical activity and health outcomes are evident by race, place, and income. By investing in organizations and agencies serving low-income youth and youth of color King County Parks is working to increase youth access to and participation in physical activity.

Resources for Grantees

Visit this link for resources.

2019 Grants

King County Parks awarded 36 grants totaling $2.4 million for projects ranging from free soccer programs for immigrant youth and athletic programs for urban native youth to pool repairs and ballfield improvements. Some 200 applicants submitted applications this cycle, requesting more than $13 million in support.

Our Grantees

We're proud to partner with these organizations through our 2018 and 2019 grant cycles. Learn more about our grantees and their impact.