← Back to US Funders Directory

USA Hockey Foundation

Annual Giving
$10.6M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10.6 million (2023-2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (applications due March 1 or June 1 depending on program)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - from small program grants to major institutional support ($8+ million to USA Hockey, Inc.)
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States)
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 100% (Four-Star rating)

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
The USA Hockey Foundation
1775 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Primary Contact:
Sheila May, Director of Donor Relations
Phone: (719) 538-1107
Email: sheilam@usahockey.org

Website: https://www.usahockeyfoundation.com/

Overview

Since 1989, The USA Hockey Foundation has served as the charitable non-profit arm of USA Hockey, providing long-range financial support for USA Hockey's strategic initiatives of sustaining and growing the sport of hockey in the United States. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Foundation awarded $10,564,460.99 in grants. The Foundation holds a Four-Star rating (100% score) from Charity Navigator, indicating strong financial health and accountability. Under Executive Director Pat Kelleher's leadership since 2017, the Foundation has focused on growth, safety, international success, and significantly increased donor engagement—with donations to the Foundation's Circle of Champions increasing five-fold over a five-year span. The Foundation's strategic priorities include supporting new members trying hockey for the first time, assisting members during times of need, and growing membership among disabled, female, and racially diverse individuals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grant Program (Deadline: March 1)
The Foundation's primary grant program supports USA Hockey affiliates and charitable organizations promoting ice hockey. Grant amounts vary widely based on the project scope and organizational need. Applications submitted via email or mail.

Brianna Decker Endowment for Girls Hockey (Deadline: June 1)
Created in 2019 by three-time Olympian Brianna Decker, this program provides grants to 8U and 10U girls hockey programs across all USA Hockey associations nationwide. Grants are used exclusively to develop programs focused on increasing female youth participation in hockey by alleviating costs around ice and equipment, advertising and marketing, and overall development.

Hockey Hispana Fund (Deadline: June 1)
Provides grants to 8U and 10U female hockey players of Hispanic heritage who are residents of Colorado and registered with a USA Hockey sanctioned association. The goal is to make hockey more inclusive for Latina youth hockey players in Colorado.

Boston Bruins Assistance Fund (Deadline: June 1)
Supports youth hockey members (18 years and younger) affiliated with Massachusetts Hockey.

Wisconsin Affiliate Assistance Fund (Deadline: June 1)
Supports youth hockey players of color in Wisconsin.

Membership Relief Fund
Helps youth players by covering the cost of their USA Hockey membership. Online application available on the Foundation website.

Additional Grant Types:

  • Block Grants to state amateur hockey associations
  • HIFE (Hockey Is For Everyone) Grants
  • Disabled Grants
  • Military Youth Grants
  • Goaltending Grants
  • Starts With A Stick Grants

Priority Areas

The Foundation's primary focus areas include:

  • Player Development: Financial assistance for world-class training programs as the U.S. strives for international excellence
  • Safety: Grants to entities focused on hockey safety, including concussion research leadership
  • Opportunity: Programs providing access for disabled and disadvantaged athletes to the game of hockey
  • Participation: Supporting new members trying hockey for the first time
  • Education: Hockey education initiatives
  • Commemoration: Honoring hockey heritage and achievements

The Foundation primarily supports USA Hockey, Inc., USA Hockey Affiliate Associations, and 501(c)(3) charitable organizations that promote ice hockey.

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation has explicit restrictions and will NOT award grants for:

  • Individuals (all grants are paid to qualifying USA Hockey associations or organizations, not individuals)
  • Individual team expenses such as jerseys, ice time, hockey equipment, rink divider boards, travel, etc.
  • Organizations that redistribute funds to other organizations
  • "Brick and mortar" projects including building new rinks, remodeling existing rinks, locker room additions, Zamboni purchases, or other construction/infrastructure
  • Debt elimination
  • Resale or self-promotion projects
  • Organizations without fiscal responsibility
  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations
  • Primarily government-funded agencies

Governance and Leadership

Officers

  • Michael Trimboli - President (Massena, NY)
  • Donna Guariglia - Vice President (Morristown, NJ)
  • Paul E. George - Treasurer (Wellesley, MA)
  • Donna Kaufman - Secretary (Gig Harbor, WA)

Board of Directors

  • Keith Barrett (Northfield, VT)
  • John Fleming (Palm Springs, CA)
  • Blair Hall (Bloomfield, MI)
  • Stan E. Hubbard (Albuquerque, NM)
  • Charlie Jacobs (Boston, MA) - CEO of Boston Bruins and Delaware North, joined February 2025
  • Peter Karmanos, Jr. (Birmingham, MI)
  • Kris Knauss (Anchorage, AK)
  • Craig Leipold (Racine, WI)
  • TC Lewis (Richmond, TX)
  • Lane MacDonald (Weston, MA)
  • Bryant McBride (Lexington, MA)
  • John L. Tobin, Esquire (Charlestown, MA)
  • Ellen Weinberg-Hughes (Canton, MI)

Staff Leadership

  • Pat Kelleher - Executive Director (also Executive Director of USA Hockey, Inc.)
  • Tamara Tranter - Chief Development Officer
  • Sheila May - Director, Donor Relations
  • Riley Sielaff - Coordinator, Donor Operations
  • Kelly Mahncke - Assistant Treasurer

Pat Kelleher, who assumed leadership in 2017, established a Trustee program to actively engage high net-worth donors in supporting USA Hockey's mission. When discussing his appointment, Kelleher stated: "I am humbled and honored to have this opportunity."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

General Grant Program (March 1 deadline):

Applications require the following materials:

  • Organization's tax-exempt status documentation
  • Organization history and mission
  • Detailed project description
  • Organizational budget
  • Project budget and funding sources

Submission Methods:

  1. Email completed application and documents to: sheilam@usahockey.org
  2. Mail to: The USA Hockey Foundation, 1775 Bob Johnson Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Note: Late submissions will not be accepted.

Special Programs (June 1 deadline):

  • Brianna Decker Endowment for Girls Hockey
  • Hockey Hispana Fund
  • Boston Bruins Assistance Fund
  • Wisconsin Affiliate Assistance Fund

Grant requests for these programs must be submitted annually by June 1 to the same contact information.

Membership Relief Fund: Online application available at usahockeyfoundation.com

Decision Timeline

The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific decision timelines or notification methods. Applicants should contact Sheila May at (719) 538-1107 or sheilam@usahockey.org for information about when decisions will be announced.

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation awarded $10,564,460.99 in grants during the 2023-2024 fiscal year to numerous organizations including state hockey associations, youth hockey organizations, disability hockey programs, medical/research centers, and military youth programs.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation's grant programs require applications to be submitted on an annual basis, which indicates that organizations may reapply each year. However, the Foundation does not publicly disclose specific policies regarding unsuccessful applicants, waiting periods, or reapplication restrictions. Organizations seeking clarification should contact Sheila May at (719) 538-1107 or sheilam@usahockey.org.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and grant-making patterns, the following factors appear important for successful applications:

Alignment with Foundation Priorities: The Foundation emphasizes support in six areas: Participation, Safety, Education, Player Development, Opportunity, and Commemoration. Applications should clearly demonstrate how the proposed project aligns with one or more of these priority areas.

Focus on Underserved Populations: The Foundation has demonstrated commitment to growing membership among disabled, female, and racially diverse individuals. Several special grant programs specifically target these populations (Brianna Decker Endowment for girls, Hockey Hispana Fund, Disabled Grants, HIFE grants). Projects serving these communities may have strong alignment with strategic priorities.

Organizational Structure: Grants are only paid to qualifying USA Hockey associations or 501(c)(3) organizations—never to individuals or individual teams. Applicants must have proper organizational structure and tax-exempt status.

Program Development vs. Capital: The Foundation explicitly does not fund "brick and mortar" projects or individual team expenses. Successful applications focus on program development, accessibility initiatives, safety research, training programs, and growing participation rather than infrastructure or equipment for single teams.

Clear Budget and Fiscal Responsibility: Applications must include both organizational and project budgets. The Foundation requires demonstration of fiscal responsibility and does not fund organizations primarily supported by government funding.

Connection to USA Hockey Network: The Foundation's primary interest is assisting USA Hockey, Inc., USA Hockey Affiliate Associations, and organizations promoting ice hockey. Being part of the USA Hockey network or having clear connections to USA Hockey sanctioned associations appears beneficial.

Annual Reapplication: Even successful grant recipients must reapply annually. This suggests the Foundation values ongoing demonstration of program success and continued alignment with strategic priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply early and respect deadlines: March 1 for general grants, June 1 for special programs. Late submissions are not accepted.
  • Organizations only: The Foundation does not fund individuals or individual teams. Structure your request through a USA Hockey association or 501(c)(3) organization.
  • Focus on programs, not infrastructure: Do not request funding for construction, equipment purchases for single teams, or capital projects. Emphasize program development, accessibility, and participation growth.
  • Target underserved populations: The Foundation has demonstrated strong commitment to female, disabled, and racially diverse participants. Projects serving these groups align well with strategic priorities.
  • Demonstrate fiscal responsibility: Include comprehensive budgets and documentation of your organization's financial health and tax-exempt status.
  • Contact Sheila May with questions: The Foundation encourages applicants to reach out to Director of Donor Relations Sheila May at (719) 538-1107 or sheilam@usahockey.org before applying.
  • Annual commitment: Even if successful, be prepared to reapply annually with updated information about program success and continued alignment with Foundation priorities.

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory