Justin J. Watt Foundation Grant

The Justin J. Watt Foundation Grant supports after-school athletic opportunities for middle school children, focusing on programs that promote teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. Applications are accepted at specific times throughout the year, depending on the sport. Funding is available for essential uniforms and equipment but excludes non-essential items. Organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria, ensuring they serve students in need and provide safe environments for athletic activities.

NOTE: Please use the schedule below to determine when to apply for your particular sport(s). Applications must be received by the end of each application period above in order to be considered for review that quarter. Review meetings typically occur on the 4th Monday of January, April, and September.
Sports Starting in: March, April, or MayApply Sept 16 through Jan 15, 5pm CSTSports Starting in:  August, September, or OctoberApply Jan 16 through April 15, 5pm CSTSports Starting in:  November, December, January, or FebruaryApply April 16 through Sept 15, 5pm CST
Background
While growing up, JJ Watt, now #99 for the Houston Texans, was able to participate in track, baseball, soccer, hockey, and football. However, during his junior year at the University of Wisconsin, JJ came to the life-changing realization that many kids are not afforded the same access to after school athletic opportunities that he was given. In that moment, JJ decided he wanted to do something to fix this problem while he had such an overwhelmingly supportive fan base to assist him.
With the help of the University of Wisconsin Law Department Research Team, the Justin J. Watt Foundation was born.
Before submitting an application for funding, ensure that your organization meets the Foundation’s criteria listed below and you’ve read through the entire FAQ section.
Funding
Some examples of items for which funding would be approved:
Game jerseys & one set of game pants with school name, numbers, & JJWF logo on uniforms tops only. These uniforms cannot be personalized with student names.Safety equipment like helmets expiring within 2 years (reconditioning report must be submitted with application), pads, and wrestling or cheerleading mats.Balls, bats, nets, and other equipment vital to the sport.Reasonable storage equipment. For example, we will not fund ball carts, as mesh bags would serve an equal purpose.
We request that the JJWF logo be added to all uniforms.
We also request that the uniforms not be personalized with student names. Please have your uniform vendor include the cost or list it as N/C to add the JJWF logo into their quote before submitting your application. The JJWF logo can be screen printed in one color that matches your school colors.

Eligibility

You must able to answer "yes" to all of the questions below: Does your school's athletic program: Meet between 3:00-5:30 p.m. and serve kids in 6th – 8th grades?Operate in a school district where 60% or more of students are eligible for the Free/Reduced Lunch program?Have outdated, worn out uniforms and vital equipment that need to be replaced and will be reused year after year?Provide staff, transportation, space for the activity, and have a secure place to store uniforms and equipment?We are currently only accepting applications from programs that have not previously received funding from our foundation.

Ineligibility

Some examples of items that would not be approved: Video recorders, electronic timing equipment, electronic scoreboards, and most other electronic equipment.Warm-ups, socks, shoes, mouth guards, girdles, and other non-essential or non-reusable clothing.Student duffle bags, automatic ball returns, weight room equipment, and other non-essential or non-reusable equipment.Helmets not expiring within 2 years (reconditioning report must be submitted with application).Coaching fees, transportation, fields, gyms, and storage locations. We only provide essential uniforms and equipment necessary to participate.Equipment that will be used by students in P.E. or outside of 6th – 8th grades.We provide exclusively for 6th – 8th after school programs.