Academic Athletic Coach Grant

Overview:
The AthLife Foundation provides grant funding to High Schools and Middle Schools to create and develop a professional student-athlete development staff position known as an Academic Athletic Coach. Once established, the Academic Athletic Coach will create, develop, and implement effective programming that promotes the ideals of Positive Youth Development through Sport, and utilize the sport experience as a powerful vehicle to promote academic achievement, strengthen life & leadership skills, develop holistic programming, and prepare deserving kids to compete in their future careers beyond sport.

Eligibility

• Eligible Applicants: Schools and School Districts only
• Not Eligible: Non-profit organizations, CBOs, or any 3rd party organizations
• Requirements: The school or district must lead and manage the account, and designate a school or district administrator as the account lead or manager
• Priority: Schools that traditionally serve students from:
  • Lower socioeconomic public, non-public, Tribal/BIE schools
  • Schools with statistically lower graduation rates
  • Schools with lower post-secondary matriculation rates
  • Schools with higher percentages of students from single or no-parent households

Geographic Scope

• Grant funding made available through strategic geographic partnerships and Board of Directors led fundraising

Application Timeline

• 2026-27 Grant Funding Applications: Available March 1, 2026
• Application process is competitive

Administrative Requirements

• School administrative support (building level and district level) is required
• Minimum of two (2) staff should attend AthLife Foundation's 3ACE National Conference
• Recommended: Register pertinent coaches, educators, and athletic department personnel for 3ACE Connected Community (no cost)

Contact

• Phone: 631-385-1946
• Website: athlifefoundation.org

Application Process

1. Create Account: Visit the Grant Application Portal and click 'Apply for a Grant' to set up a NEW ACCOUNT
2. Required Document Review: Before applying, review the following documents:
   • General Overview for Schools & Districts
   • Guide to Creating the AAC Professional Staff Position
   • Positive Youth Development through Sport Framework
   • 3ACE Connected Community Overview
3. Reporting (Post-Award): Schools receiving grants must complete a Discretionary Fund Reporting Form that includes:
   • High School Name
   • Name and Title of authorized school administrator/athletic director
   • Email and Phone contact
   • School Address
   • 2020-21 Grant Award Amount (select from: $500, $1,000, $1,500, $2,000, $2,500)
   • Total Amount of Expenses for grant period
   • Summary and anecdotes on funding impact (maximum TWO paragraphs)
   • Itemized list of expenses (Word Document or PDF format)
   • Invoices & Receipts (up to 5 PDF files)

Key Notes

• Do not inquire to staff directly unless you have thoroughly reviewed required documents
• The grant process is competitive
• Staff attendance at 3ACE National Conference is strongly recommended