2015 Hennepin Youth Sports Program grant applications open

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/18/2014

Contact: Michael Opat, Hennepin County Commissioner, 612-348-7881
Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner, 612-348-7884
Steve Olson, Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, 763-785-3639
Meg Knodl, Public Affairs, 612-348-3735


News release

2015 Hennepin Youth Sports Program grant applications open

The Hennepin Youth Sports Program is currently accepting applications for the 2015 round of facility and equipment grants. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20.  

The Hennepin Youth Sports Program awards facility grants to municipalities, park districts or school districts to create, expand or improve athletic or recreational facilities to enhance opportunities for youth participation in the county. Up to $2 million is available annually; facility grants range from $10,000 - $325,000. There is also $250,000 set aside for equipment grants ranging from $1,000 - $10,000 to purchase capital equipment related to youth sports activities and recreation. 

Facility grants are awarded once each year, and are evaluated on:

  • Creating, expanding or improving athletic or recreational opportunities for youth
  • Partnerships among local government units and between local government units and nonprofit organizations
  • Ratio of the matching funds to the total project cost
  • Community support for the project
  • Number of youth served by the project and the characteristics of the user groups.
  • Inclusion of environmental improvements
  • Sustainability, including the availability of ongoing operating and maintenance funds
  • Equitable distribution throughout Hennepin County

Examples of potential projects for this type of grant include: baseball and softball fields, soccer, football and lacrosse fields, tennis courts, hockey rinks, playgrounds, and  skate parks.

Equipment grants are awarded twice each year, once in spring and again in fall ($125,000 per cycle) and are evaluated on:

  • Number of youth served by the organization and the equipment user’s characteristics
  • Ratio of matching funds to the total cost of the equipment

Examples of potential projects for this type of grant include: field maintenance equipment, pitching machines, goals, backboards, nets, sleds and dummies.

Since 2009, more than $13 million in Youth Sports grants have been distributed to 80 capital projects (facilities) and 122 equipment and small asset projects.

The Twins ballpark sales tax, approved in 2006, funds the Hennepin Youth Sports Program and additional hours at 15 Hennepin County Library locations. Up to $4 million annually is dedicated between the programs. 

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Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.