Return to Play Fund
Funding Amount
Not stated
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Overview
Founded by: Beyond Sport & ESPN
Focus: Using sports to positively impact Black and Brown communities and promote equitable access to play.
Geographic Scope: United States (Florida, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and other states)
Program Impact:
- 20+ organizations engaged to increase youth play opportunities
- 5 grants awarded to nonprofits empowering youth through athletic programs rooted in cultural identity and wellness
- 8 new safe spaces to play created
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits using sports to positively impact Black and Brown communities
Key Focus Areas:
- Youth play opportunities
- Athletic programs rooted in cultural identity
- Wellness initiatives
- Equitable access to sports
Recent Grantees Include:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, Illinois
- Harlem Lacrosse – Boston, Massachusetts
- Heart of Los Angeles, California
- Inter Tribal Sports, California
- love.fútbol (various locations)
What Beyond Sport Foundation Inc actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 43
- Total given
- $838K
- Median grant
- $15K
- Range
- $10K–$67K
- By dollars: California 36%, New York 25%, Illinois 21%. Top recipient cities: New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Example grants
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation · Los Angeles, CA
Promote youth mental wellbeing and encourages youth to proactively take steps to…
$67K
Chicago Fire Foundation · Chicago, IL
Promote youth mental wellbeing and encourages youth to proactively take steps to…
$45K
San Francisco Forty Niners Foundation · Santa Clara, CA
Promote youth mental wellbeing and encourages youth to proactively take steps to…
$45K
Love Futbol · Washington, WA
Supporting basketball court refurbishments, coach education and youth programming to…
$35K
Soccer Without Borders · Baltimore, MD
Promote youth mental wellbeing and encourages youth to proactively take steps to…
$31K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Youth sports
- BIPOC
- Recreation
Categories
Browse similar grants by category
Related Grants
Open grants from this funder and similar programs
Head in the Game
Beyond Sport Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Rexona Breaking Limits Program
Beyond Sport Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Sport Together Fund
Beyond Sport Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Tourism Infrastructure & Amenity Support
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc
Amount
$5,000 - $24,000
Deadline
Expected ~November
Based on past cycles
Microgrants From Brooklyn Org Grant
Brooklyn Community Foundation
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
November 30, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Event Support
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Inc
Amount
$500 - $3,000
Deadline
Expected ~November
Based on past cycles
Ready to apply for Return to Play Fund?
Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.
You found Return to Play Fund. Now let's win it.