~ Boston, MA - In a continued effort to expand athletic opportunities for Boston Public School (BPS) students and support athletic non-profit organizations, Mayor Michelle Wu announced the launch of the Youth Sports Grant this spring. The grant, which is funded by state funding earmarked for BPS students, will provide up to $5,000 per organization to purchase equipment and offer fee waivers for BPS students applying for athletic programming.

Mayor Wu expressed her commitment to providing equitable access to recreational activities and resources for the city's youth. "Our commitment to the success of our youth involves ensuring that they have equitable access to recreational activities and that they receive the best resources available for them," she said. "I am grateful for these organizations that will help us carry out this vision and help strengthen our communities through youth sports."

The Mayor's Youth Sports Grant aims to remove barriers of entry that can have a significant impact on young athletes and communities who would benefit from increased participation in sports programming in Boston. The funding will assist organizations in purchasing new equipment, improving athletes' skills, and reducing the risk of injury. Typically, local youth sports teams are led by families and volunteers who independently fundraise to ensure effective operations. This often results in organizations charging dues or application fees for youth participation. The grant will alleviate the financial burden of purchasing sports equipment and increase access to sports programming by allowing organizations to waive application fees for BPS students.

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Brianna Millor, Community Engagement Cabinet Chief, congratulated all the organizations awarded with a Mayor's Youth Sports Grant. "I am excited to see how each organization will use the funding to provide fun and impactful sports programming to serve our city's youth," she said.

The list of awardees includes 1 More Rep Athletic Center Inc., All Dorchester Sports & Leadership (ADSL), Beantown Panthers Inc., Boston Chargers Youth Football and Cheer, Boston Hurricanes Athletic Club, Boston Lions Track Club, Boston Showstoppers, Boston Ultimate Disc Alliance, Boston United Track and Cross Country Club, Brookline-Jamaica Plain Patriots Football and Cheerleading Program, Charlestown Lacrosse and Learning Center, Charlestown Movement Lab, Charlestown Youth Soccer Association Inc., Chills Diamond Ring Education Foundation Inc., Community Rowing Inc., Determined Divas, Dorchester Baseball Inc., Dorchester Eagles, East Boston Little League, Girls on the Run Greater Boston, Heavy Hearted Convos Incorporated, Hyde Park Cowboys Football & Cheer, Jason Roberts Challenger League, JP Regan Youth League, Mattapan Patriots Youth Football & Cheer, Neighborhood of Affordable Housing Inc. (NOAH), No Books No Ball Basketball Program, North End Athletic Association, OJFit Foundation Inc., READY Prep Inc., Roxbury Tenants of Harvard Association Inc., Score 4 More Inc., Soccer Without Borders Massachusetts, South Boston Little League, Team Boston Academy, The BASE, Urban Golf Club Inc., Urbanity Dance, Youth Engagement Project of Hyde Park and Youth Enrichment Services Inc. (YES).

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Dorchester Little League Board Member expressed their excitement for receiving the grant. "Dorchester Little League is absolutely thrilled to receive a Mayor's Youth Sports Grant," they said. "This grant will be used to purchase new equipment that will provide several hundred Dorchester youth and BPS students with the best and safest products available to ensure that our kids have a chance at success in a healthy, safe, positive and fun environment."

Executive Director of Boston Hurricanes Wendy Chan also expressed their gratitude for being awarded the grant. "We were very excited to be awarded the Mayor's Youth Sports Grant! The grant money will be used to provide financial support to BPS students attending our summer volleyball clinic six week program," they said. "Thank you to the Community Engagement Cabinet and Mayor Wu for creating this excellent opportunity to keep kids active this summer!"

The grant announcement is a part of the city's ongoing efforts to increase youth sports participation in Boston. The City recently hired Youth Sports Initiative Manager Tyrik Wilson to help make athletic opportunities more easily accessible for all Boston families.

"Involvement in youth sports lays the foundation for youth leaders in our community," said Wilson. "Growing up, my involvement in youth sports helped me establish vital life skills, created lifelong connections, and provided a safe space for me to step outside of my comfort zone. It helped me develop into the person that I am today. I think it is crucial for the City to invest in youth sports programming to help shift the lives of our young people. We can help them grow with what we remember and give them better."

To learn more about the Mayor's Youth Sports Grant, visit their website.

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