Community organizations focused on youth development have a significant opportunity ahead. The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) have announced the third funding round of their successful Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative, targeting sports facility improvements in underserved communities across ten major metropolitan areas.
Building on Proven Success
Since its inception, the Game On initiative has demonstrated measurable impact in communities nationwide. The program has successfully deployed nearly $3 million through two previous funding rounds, resulting in the construction and renovation of 35 sports facilities across 28 cities. This track record reflects the program’s commitment to creating lasting change in youth development through improved athletic infrastructure.
Comprehensive Funding Details
The third funding round offers substantial support for qualifying projects:
- Grant Range: $50,000 to $100,000 per award
- Matching Requirement: 1:1 match funding required from recipients
- Target Demographics: Youth ages 6-24 in low-to-moderate income communities
- Facility Types: Both indoor and outdoor multi-use sports facilities eligible
Eligible Sports and Programming Requirements
Successful proposals must demonstrate community access for organized youth sports, including:
- Basketball and volleyball courts
- Baseball and softball fields
- Soccer and football fields
- Tennis courts
- Lacrosse facilities
- Other organized youth athletics
Beyond facility improvements, recipients must integrate comprehensive youth development programming such as life skills workshops, civic engagement initiatives, leadership development, workforce preparation, and academic support services.
Geographic Focus Areas
The initiative targets ten strategic metropolitan markets where community investment can maximize impact:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Chicago, Illinois
- Houston, Texas
- Los Angeles, California
- Miami, Florida
- New York City, New York
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina
Application Process and Eligibility
Who Can Apply: Non-profit community-based organizations leading renovation projects are eligible, including schools and parks and recreation departments collaborating with local nonprofits. Universities and college campuses are not eligible for this initiative.
Key Application Timeline:
- RFP Launch: May 15, 2025
- Informational Webinar: June 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM Eastern
- Proposal Deadline: August 29, 2025
- Review Period: September-October 2025
- Award Announcements: November 2025
Preparing a Competitive Application
Organizations considering application should prioritize proposals that clearly demonstrate how capital improvements will directly support ongoing youth development programming. The selection process gives special consideration to projects that integrate facility upgrades with comprehensive community programming.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the informational webinar scheduled for June 10, 2025. Registration details and the complete Request for Proposals are available through LISC’s official channels.
Making an Impact in Your Community
This funding opportunity represents more than facility improvement—it’s an investment in community development through youth engagement. Organizations with vision for transforming local athletic spaces into comprehensive youth development hubs should carefully review eligibility requirements and begin preparation immediately.
For detailed application guidelines and questions about the initiative, interested organizations can contact SportsandRec@LISC.org.
