Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $19.6 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 4-6 weeks post-approval
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $175,000
• Geographic Focus: National (all 50 states), with focus markets in 9 major cities

Contact Details

Website: www.sportsmatter.org
Main Address: 345 Court St, Coraopolis, PA 15108-3817
Foundation President: Lauren R. Hobart

To join the Sports Matter Community and receive notifications about grant opportunities, visit sportsmatter.org and register your organization.

Overview

Founded in 2011, The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to inspiring and enabling youth participation in sports. Since launching the Sports Matter program in 2014, the foundation has committed over $100 million to support more than 2 million youth athletes across all 50 states. The foundation's mission focuses on combating four key barriers to youth sports participation: registration fees, equipment access, infrastructure improvements, and league operational costs. In 2024, the foundation distributed $19.6 million in grants through 1,659 awards. The foundation operates both through invitation-only grant programs and national partnerships with organizations like Every Kid Sports, Good Sports, LISC, and DonorsChoose. In 2024, the foundation celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Sports Matter with a $2 million grant initiative and launched a new multi-year partnership program distributing $1.575 million over three years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Sports Matter Grants: $1,000 - $25,000 (invitation only)

• Equipment donations
• Registration fee assistance to families
• Infrastructure renovations
• League fee support (unrestricted funds for operational needs)
• Application method: Invitation only; organizations join Sports Matter Community for notifications

Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative: $50,000 - $100,000 (through LISC partnership)

• Funding for creation and renovation of multi-use youth sport spaces for ages 6-24
• Supports basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, football, tennis, lacrosse, and volleyball facilities
• Requires 1:1 match funding from applicants
• Application method: Competitive process administered by LISC

Multi-Year Partnership Program: $175,000 per organization over 3 years

• Tiered grant structure: $100,000 (Year 1), $50,000 (Year 2), $25,000 (Year 3)
• Supports youth sports organizations in major U.S. markets
• Application method: Invitation only

Priority Areas

• 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving communities with 15% or higher poverty rates
• Public/charter schools where at least 40% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch
• Organizations operating at the local level or as affiliates/chapters serving specific communities
• Under-resourced youth sports leagues and public-school athletic programs
• Projects supporting organized sports for youth under 18

Nine Focus Markets (for partnerships with Good Sports and LISC): Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Durham, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Pittsburgh

What They Don't Fund

• Playground creation or refurbishments
• Fundraisers
• E-sports
• Non-charities including 501(c)(4)s, (c)(6)s, and (c)(19)s (e.g., homeowner's associations)
• Private schools
• Religious organizations
• Colleges and universities
• Individual athletes

Governance and Leadership

President: Lauren R. Hobart serves as President of The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation in addition to her role as President and CEO of DICK'S Sporting Goods Inc.

Director of Sports Matter and Community Relations: Kristen Garmey has held leadership roles related to the Foundation's programs.

Lauren Hobart has stated: "We believe youth sports instill important character traits and teach life lessons that people carry with them throughout their lives." She has also emphasized: "We are thrilled Sports Matter was able to draw nationwide attention to this important funding crisis, while enabling more than 180 teams to keep playing. We believe sports teach valuable lifelong lessons, and we have seen firsthand through this program the powerful impact athletics has on children, parents and communities."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Grant opportunities are available by invitation only. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications directly through a public portal. Instead, interested organizations should:

1. Join the Sports Matter Community at sportsmatter.org
2. Share contact information and organizational details
3. Receive email updates about potential grant opportunities, events, and other Sports Matter announcements

Game On-Community Places to Play Initiative: Applications are administered through LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) when funding rounds are announced. Organizations must secure 1:1 match funding as part of the application requirements.

Required Information (when invited to apply):

• Basic personal and team/league information
• EIN number and documentation for the nonprofit or school affiliated with the application
• Specifics concerning the funding request
• Budget for equipment requests with list of items needed
• Vendor quote for requested services (transportation, lodging, facility rentals)
• Registration form with applicable fees (pay to play, sports camps, tournament fees)

Important Restrictions:

• Employees of DICK'S Sporting Goods and their family members cannot submit applications
• Organizations must agree to comply with DICK'S and The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation's anti-discrimination policy
• Submission of an application does not guarantee funding
• An organization/school cannot receive more than one Sports Matter grant in a calendar year
• Grants are not automatically renewed; there is no guarantee of continuous funding

Decision Timeline

Review Process: All new sponsorship and donation requests are reviewed on a monthly basis, with decisions typically made within 60 days of submission.

Notification: Organizations will be notified of any decision via email. All funding decisions are final.

Post-Approval Timeline: If approved, a grant agreement must be signed by the recipient contact included in the application. Grant checks are mailed directly to the recipient's address as listed in the application. Applicants should allow four to six weeks for delivery after approval.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation demonstrates substantial reach:

• In 2024, the foundation distributed 1,659 grants
• In Q3 2023 alone, the foundation distributed 523 grants worth over $2.5 million to help over 187,000 youth athletes
• Over the past decade, the foundation has committed over $100 million to support more than 2 million youth athletes

Reapplication Policy

Specific policies regarding unsuccessful applicants' ability to reapply are not publicly disclosed. Organizations that have not received funding should remain part of the Sports Matter Community to receive notifications about future opportunities. Note that organizations cannot receive more than one Sports Matter grant per calendar year, suggesting that successful applicants may reapply in subsequent years.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Stated Priorities

The foundation specifically seeks to "support, sustain, and enrich community sports programs, especially those facing financial hurdles, with the Sports Matter program supporting youth sports programs in communities with demonstrated need."

Recent Grant Recipients as Examples

Q1 2024 Recipients that illustrate the foundation's priorities:

• Beat the Streets Cleveland: $100,000 to renovate their new building with a classroom and tutoring space alongside the gym
• Girls Play LA: Supporting girls' sports participation
• New Haven Soccer Club: Community soccer access
• Angel City Sports, KEEN LA, and Stride Adaptive Sports: Supporting athletes with disabilities
• Peace Players: Using sports for community building
• Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League (girls' division): $25,000 for girls' hockey

Game On Initiative Recipients (2024) demonstrate focus on infrastructure:

• Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs (AR): Installing HVAC units and new basketball goals in multiple gym locations
• East Oakland Youth Development Center (CA): Renovating wellness wing with basketball court, dance studio, and gym upgrades
• San Diego Parks Foundation (CA): Resurfacing outdoor sports court and upgrading lighting at Southcrest Recreation Center
• United States Association of Blind Athletes (CO): Transforming unused football field into facility for visually impaired athletes
• Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School (DC): Replacing damaged bleachers and renovating gymnasium floor

Strategic Approach

The foundation operates through dual distribution model: deep, localized impact in nine focus markets (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Durham, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Pittsburgh) while maintaining broad national reach through established distribution networks.

Key Partnership Channels

Organizations may increase their visibility by working with the foundation's national partners:

• Every Kid Sports: Registration fee assistance (nationwide)
• Good Sports: Equipment provision (focus on 9 priority markets)
• LISC: Field and court development (focus on 9 priority markets)
• DonorsChoose: Support for educators and coaches in equity-focused schools (nationwide)

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Based on grant award patterns, successful applications typically demonstrate:

• Clear evidence of serving economically disadvantaged communities
• Specific, measurable impact on youth sports participation
• Well-documented need for equipment, fees, or infrastructure
• Alignment with one or more of the four key barriers the foundation addresses
• Strong local community presence and direct service delivery
• For infrastructure grants: commitment to 1:1 matching funds

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only process: Join the Sports Matter Community immediately at sportsmatter.org to be notified when grant opportunities open; there is no public rolling application
• Economic need is paramount: Priority given to organizations serving communities with 15%+ poverty rates or schools with 40%+ free/reduced lunch eligibility
• Four funding categories: Focus requests on registration fees, equipment, infrastructure, or league operational costs—these are the foundation's stated priorities
• Annual limit: Organizations can only receive one Sports Matter grant per calendar year, so ensure requests are comprehensive
• Partnership pathway: Consider working with the foundation's national partners (Every Kid Sports, Good Sports, LISC, DonorsChoose) as alternative or complementary funding routes
• Nine focus markets receive priority: Organizations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Durham, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Pittsburgh should highlight their location
• Employee connection matters: While employees and their families cannot apply, organizations nominated by DICK'S Sporting Goods teammates appear to receive favorable consideration (in 2024, the Foundation committed $1,030,500 to teammate-nominated organizations)

References

• DICK's Sporting Goods Foundation Official Website: www.sportsmatter.org (Accessed January 2025)
• Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/27-4516157 (Accessed January 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/274516157 (Accessed January 2025)
• "The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation Launches Multi-Year Partnership Program to Drive Long-Term Community Impact" - CSRWire (2025)
• "The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation and LISC Award $1.7 Million to Upgrade Under-Resourced Community Sporting Spaces in 20 Cities and Towns" - LISC (2024)
• "The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation Celebrates the 10 Year Anniversary of its Sports Matter Program with New $2 Million Grant Initiative" - PR Newswire, April 2024
• "The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation Quarterly Giving Series: Q1 2024" - CSRWire (2024)
• "DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation Launches $25 Million Youth Sports Initiative" - Philanthropy News Digest
• Candid Foundation Directory Profile: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=DICK117 (Accessed January 2025)