Players Health Foundation Awards $100,000 in Grants to 20 Youth Sports Organizations Nationwide

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — September 3, 2026 — The Players Health Foundation today announced the 20 recipients of its 2026 grant program, awarding $5,000 each to youth sports organizations across the country for a total of $100,000 in funding.

The grants support a range of athlete safety and development priorities, including equipment, coaching education, safety protocol development, and injury prevention programming. The Foundation directed this round of grants to organizations where the investment can create measurable, scalable impact across entire communities of youth sports participants.

Recipients were selected from a nationwide pool of applicants representing a wide range of sports, from soccer and lacrosse to squash, baseball, and adaptive recreation.

"Every young person deserves the opportunity to enjoy the life-changing benefits of sport in an environment that is safe and supportive. We're proud to invest in the organizations and leaders who are creating stronger, safer sports experiences for young people in communities across the country."

"Every kid deserves the chance to find out what sport can do for them. That's what sport gave me growing up, and it's why access has always been at the heart of this Foundation. This first class of grantees is already doing that work in their communities, and we're excited to see the impact they're making today, and even more excited to see what this grant helps them do next."

Grant recipients will participate in Foundation-provided safety training and will share updates on how funding translates into impact for their athletes and communities. The Players Health Foundation plans to open its next grant cycle in 2027. Organizations interested in future funding can learn more at playershealthfoundation.com.