Celebrating the visionaries and changemakers shaping the future of youth sports, honorees’ impact will be further fueled by the community-powered platform; Nominations Open Through December 31, 2025 (nomination link below)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, October 8, 2025
[Chicago, Illinois] – October 8, 2025 – The youth sports industry finally has its moment to shine. The Youth Sports Business Report today announced its inaugural Youth Sports Awards. The groundbreaking program is set to recognize the innovators, leaders, and programs that are transforming how young athletes experience sports across the country. With support from GoFundMe, winners will be able to further their impact through GoFundMe Giving Funds, allowing the winning individuals and organizations to donate directly to nonprofit causes they care about.
This first-of-its-kind awards program represents a dedicated celebration of excellence in the youth sports space, bringing together the industry to honor those making a real difference in young athletes’ lives.
A Collaborative Effort for Youth Sports Recognition
The Inaugural Youth Sports Awards are presented through a powerful partnership between GoFundMe and The Youth Sports Business Report. This collaboration brings together expertise in fundraising, youth development, and industry insights to create a comprehensive recognition platform for the youth sports community.
The timing couldn’t be better, as the youth sports industry continues to evolve and grow, creating new opportunities for innovation and positive impact on millions of young athletes nationwide.
“GoFundMe is proud to join Youth Sports Business Report in creating more opportunities for youth to connect and build community through sports,” said Margaret Richardson, Chief Marketing & Corporate Affairs Officer at GoFundMe. “Since 2010, more than $250 million has been raised on GoFundMe to support athletes and youth sports programs across the country. From uniforms and equipment to helping with travel costs so families can cheer them on, that generosity has empowered young athletes to dream big and have fun.”
Timeline and Selection Process
The awards program follows a structured timeline designed to ensure thorough evaluation of all submissions:
- Nominations Period: October 8, 2025 through December 31, 2025
- Finalist Announcement: February 15, 2026 (five finalists per category)
- Winners Revealed: April 1, 2026
An expert panel of industry leaders will carefully review all submissions following the nomination deadline. Entrants will be evaluated based on impact, innovation, integrity and alignment with community values for consideration against 10 total categories.
Ten Categories Celebrating Youth Sports Excellence
The Youth Sports Awards recognize achievement across 10 distinct categories, each highlighting different aspects of the youth sports ecosystem:
- Best Youth Sports Tech honors innovative platforms, tools, or products that drive measurable change in how young athletes train, compete, and develop.
- Best Youth Sports Podcast celebrates creators who educate, inspire, and spark meaningful conversations within the community.
- Best Youth Sports Facility recognizes venues that set the standard for athlete experience and development, creating environments where young athletes can thrive.
- Best Youth Sports Operator (for profit and nonprofit) acknowledges organizations delivering exceptional programs and pathways for youth development through sports.
- Best Youth Sports Innovation highlights breakthrough programs, campaigns, or initiatives that redefine what’s possible in the industry.
- Best CVB (Convention & Visitors Bureau) honors a CVB that drives youth sports tourism and creates exceptional event experiences for athletes and families.
- Rising Star Award spotlights young or emerging figures making an outsized impact in the youth sports industry.
- Youth Sports Person of the Year honors individuals making a transformative difference across the entire youth sports landscape.
- Youth Sports Coach of the Year recognizes coaches who embody leadership, mentorship, and positive impact in their athletes’ lives.
- Youth Sports Parent of the Year celebrates parents who exemplify support, encouragement, and commitment to the youth sports community.
Please Fill Out the Nomination Form Here
Meaningful Recognition for Winners
In recognition of Youth Sports Business Report’s inaugural “Youth Sports Awards”, GoFundMe is supporting the winning athletes and organizations in their impactful endeavors. To help celebrate this accolade, GoFundMe will be providing a $250 or a $500 donation to a Giving Fund for each winner, allowing the individual or organization to support nonprofit causes of their choosing on the platform. Through their Giving Fund, which is a personal donor-advised fund (DAF), winners will be able to do even more good for communities and help inspire others to do the same. GoFundMe Giving Funds are a simple, powerful way to plan and manage all aspects of your charitable giving. Users can discover more than 1.4 million nonprofits on the GoFundMe platform, which range from local foodbanks to global institutions helping with recovery efforts after natural disasters. All winners will be featured in stories published by the Youth Sports Business Report, providing valuable exposure and recognition for their contributions.
Empowering the Community
The youth sports industry has long deserved dedicated recognition for the incredible work happening at every level. From innovative technology solutions to inspiring coaching and parenting, countless individuals and organizations are making a difference in young athletes’ lives every day.
The Youth Sports Awards create a platform to celebrate these contributions while inspiring others to pursue excellence in youth sports. By highlighting best practices and innovative approaches, these awards can help elevate standards across the entire youth sports industry.
As nominations remain open through December 31, 2025, now is the time for the youth sports community to come together and nominate the people, programs, and innovations that deserve recognition. The inaugural Youth Sports Awards represent more than awards; they represent a commitment to celebrating and advancing excellence in youth sports for generations to come.
Please Fill Out the Nomination Form Here
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About Youth Sports Business Report:
Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.
Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.
Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:
- Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
- Youth Sports events and tournament management
- NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments and compliance
- Youth sports coaching and sports recruitment strategies
- Sports technology and data analytics innovation
- Youth sports facilities development and management
- Sports content creation and digital media monetization
Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.
Join our growing community of 50,000+ industry leaders who depend on our trusted youth sports business analysis to drive success in the youth sports industry.
Stay connected with the pulse of the youth sports business – where industry expertise meets actionable intelligence.
Sign up for the biggest newsletter in Youth Sports – Youth Sports HQ – The best youth sports newsletter in the industry
About GoFundMe:
GoFundMe is a community-powered fundraising platform dedicated to helping people help each other. GoFundMe combines storytelling and fundraising to make it easy for people and nonprofits to share their stories, connect with supporters, and reach their fundraising goals. GoFundMe empowers individuals and organizations to make a meaningful difference for the causes and communities that matter most to them. GoFundMe has enabled more than $40 billion of help for communities across the globe. GoFundMe launched Giving Funds in partnership with the GoFundMe Giving Fund, an independent 501(c)(3) public charity and DAF sponsor.
Contact:
admin@youthsportsbusinessreport.com
jplatt@gofundme.com
*Individuals must be at least 18 and located in the United States to open a GoFundMe Giving Fund.They must also comply with the terms outlined in GoFundMe Giving Funds User Agreement and Program Guidelines [https://www.gofundme.com/c/givingfunds-terms]. Funds can only be used to benefit qualified 501(c)(3) public charities and not for any personal fundraisers, including the account holders.
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase or payment will not increase chances of being selected. Open to eligible nominees located in the United States. Employees of Youth Sports Business Report, GoFundMe, and their respective affiliates are not eligible. Void where prohibited. Winners are solely responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes. Monetary value of prizes may constitute taxable income. Sponsors reserve the right to modify or cancel program.
OFFICIAL RULES AND ELIGIBILITY
1. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN
Submission of a nomination does not require any purchase, payment, or donation. Making a purchase or payment will not increase chances of being selected as a finalist or winner.
2. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Nominees must be legitimate individuals, organizations, or entities operating within the United States
- Self-nominations are permitted unless otherwise restricted by category
- Employees, officers, directors, and immediate family members of Youth Sports Business Report, GoFundMe, and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising/promotional agencies are not eligible for nomination or selection
- Previous winners (if program continues beyond inaugural year) may be subject to waiting period restrictions
- All nominees must comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations
3. SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
- Finalists and winners will be selected by an independent panel of industry experts based on stated criteria: impact, innovation, integrity, and alignment with community values
- Selection decisions are final and binding
- Sponsors reserve the right to verify eligibility and compliance with these terms at any time
- Sponsors are not responsible for incomplete, late, misdirected, or illegible nominations
4. PRIZE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Winners will receive a donation to a GoFundMe Giving Fund in the amount of $250 or $500 (amount determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion)
- IMPORTANT TAX NOTICE: The monetary value of the Giving Fund donation may constitute taxable income to the winner. Winners are solely responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes, fees, and other charges associated with prize acceptance. Sponsors will issue IRS Form 1099-MISC or other appropriate tax documentation if required by law
- To receive and utilize the Giving Fund, winners must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be located in the United States
- Comply with GoFundMe Giving Funds User Agreement and Program Guidelines (https://www.gofundme.com/c/givingfunds-terms)
- Giving Fund donations can only be directed to qualified 501(c)(3) public charities and cannot be used for personal fundraisers or personal benefit
- Prizes are non-transferable, non-assignable, and cannot be redeemed for cash
- No prize substitution except at Sponsors’ sole discretion
- Winners must claim their prize within 60 days of notification or prize will be forfeited
- Failure to comply with official rules or prize acceptance requirements will result in disqualification and forfeiture of prize
5. PUBLICITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
By submitting a nomination (whether self-nomination or third-party nomination), you grant Youth Sports Business Report, GoFundMe, and their respective affiliates a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable license to:
- Use, reproduce, publish, and display the nominee’s name, likeness, biographical information, statements, and submitted materials
- Feature winners in stories, articles, press releases, and promotional materials across all media platforms (print, digital, social media, etc.)
- Create derivative works based on submitted content for promotional purposes
Nominees waive any claims to compensation or approval rights related to such usage. Winners may be required to execute additional publicity release documentation.
6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
By submitting a nomination, you represent and warrant that:
- All information provided is true, accurate, and complete
- You have obtained all necessary permissions and rights for any submitted materials
- Submitted content does not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or other legal rights
- You have authority to submit the nomination on behalf of any third-party nominee (if applicable)
- No submitted content contains defamatory, obscene, or unlawful material
7. RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
To the fullest extent permitted by law, by submitting a nomination, you release and hold harmless Youth Sports Business Report, GoFundMe, their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, employees, officers, directors, agents, and representatives (collectively, “Released Parties”) from any and all liability, claims, demands, causes of action, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or related to:
- Participation in this awards program
- Acceptance, use, or misuse of any prize
- Any technical failures, errors, or malfunctions
- Any injury, death, or property damage related to prize acceptance or program participation
- Any disputes regarding eligibility, selection, or prize fulfillment
You agree to indemnify and hold Released Parties harmless from any claims arising from your breach of these terms.
8. PRIVACY AND DATA USAGE
Submitted information will be used in accordance with Youth Sports Business Report’s Privacy Policy and GoFundMe’s Privacy Policy. By submitting a nomination, you consent to the collection, use, and processing of your personal information for purposes of administering this awards program and related promotional activities. Personal information may be shared between Youth Sports Business Report and GoFundMe for these purposes.
9. MODIFICATION, CANCELLATION, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
- Sponsors reserve the right to modify, suspend, or cancel this awards program at any time for any reason, including but not limited to insufficient nominations, technical difficulties, fraud, or circumstances beyond their reasonable control
- Sponsors reserve the right to disqualify any individual or entity from participation or prize eligibility if fraud, technical issues, or violation of these terms is suspected
- These terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to conflicts of law principles
- Any disputes arising from this awards program shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Chicago, Illinois, in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association
- By submitting a nomination, you waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration
10. ADDITIONAL TERMS
- This awards program is void where prohibited by law
- Submission of a nomination constitutes acceptance of these Official Rules
- Failure to enforce any provision of these terms does not waive Sponsors’ right to enforce such provision in the future
- If any provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect
- Sponsors’ decisions regarding all aspects of this awards program are final and binding
11. WINNER NOTIFICATION
Winners will be notified via the contact information provided in the nomination form within 10 business days of the winner announcement date (April 1, 2026). If a winner cannot be contacted within 10 days of initial notification attempt, or if prize notification is returned as undeliverable, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner may be selected.
CONSENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT
☐ I have read, understood, and agree to these Official Rules and Terms & Conditions
☐ I consent to the publicity and intellectual property rights grant described above
☐ I acknowledge that I am responsible for any tax obligations associated with prize acceptance
