The Goal — and an Honest Plan
We want cost to never be the reason a kid can't play. Grants help get us there, but they're a floor — realistically ~15–25% of our budget. The bigger, more reliable lever is a corporate sponsorship program that renews every year. So this playbook does both: win the easy equipment grants, and build sponsorships + donors as the real base. Grants reduce what our neediest families pay; sponsorships fund the program.
⭐ The bigger lever — Corporate Sponsorship ProgramTiered, board-run, renews yearly · our highest-leverage move
$15–30K/yr
📋 The Grant PacketDrafted narrative, budget, board list & copy-paste answers
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Next 24–48 Hours
who · what · when- Anyone, this week (15 min): Enroll Jr Pacers with USA Football (free). The IRS determination letter + the 990-EZ financials are now in the board Document Library.
- ✅ Done 6/24: the Delaware County Foundation grant was submitted — $15,000 for "Safe on Every Field." Decision late Nov / early Dec.
- Kevin/Chris, before any submission: confirm our mailing address matches IRS records — a mismatch fails funder verification.
- ✅ Done 6/22: board approved the sponsorship tiers and the "Free/Reduced Lunch?" checkbox for fall registration.
Apply First
best ROI · easiest winsLeveling the Playing Field EasiestFree equipment from the Columbus warehouse · no income test · rolling
Gear
USA Football Grants High winEquipment grants built for youth tackle · needs membership
$500–5K
Delaware County Foundation ✅ Submitted$15K requested 6/24 · "Safe on Every Field" · decision late Nov/Dec
$15K
Rotary & Kiwanis (Delaware) Warm doorPresent at a meeting · no portal · relationship-based
$200–3K
On the Radar
next upGood SportsDonated equipment & uniforms · we likely qualify (fee ≤ $299)
Gear
Walmart Spark Good (Local)Same-zip Walmart · fast turnaround · next cycle ~Aug 1
$250–5K
Honda USA FoundationMarysville-plant local angle · safety framing · apply Sep–Nov
VariesCounty Commissioners — EnhancementLocal gov't · small applicant pool · opens ~June
$5–25KWhat We Still Need
to be fully grant-ready- ✅ 990-EZ financials — now in the board Document Library (unlocks the line-item budget most grants want)
- ✅ Free/Reduced-Lunch checkbox — approved 6/22, being added to fall registration; documents low-income %, unlocks Players Health, DICK'S, Good Sports & more for 2027
- Signed W-9 from an officer — funders need it to cut a check
- Confirm the mailing address on file matches IRS before submitting
- USA Football membership — prerequisite for those grants (~$35–50)
Ruled Out (so we don't waste time)
Players Health & DICK'S Sports Matter (need 15–50% documented low-income — we can't yet); NFL-LISC field grant (requires paid staff); Nike (Pacific NW only). Revisit once we collect income data at registration.