Suffolk Opens Youth Sports Grants Of Up To $50K

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Suffolk County organizations can apply for grants of up to $50,000 per program to support youth sports and physical recreation activities, County Executive Ed Romaine said.

Applications for the county’s 2026-27 Youth Sports Grants program are open through Aug. 15. The one-time funding will be administered by the Suffolk County Youth Bureau through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

The program includes two funding categories. Youth Team Sports grants are available to local nonprofits and community-based organizations that provide team sports activities for people younger than 18 in under-resourced communities.

Youth Sports and Education Funding is available to local nonprofits, municipalities and youth bureaus that provide sports or physical recreation programs for children ages 6 to 17.

Grant money may be used for expenses including:

• Coaches, instructors, mentors and direct-service staff
• Referee fees
• Sports equipment and uniforms
• Facility or field space
• Educational programming
• Automated external defibrillators

Capital projects, elite or private sports programs, fundraising activities, endowments, research and project planning are among the expenses that are not eligible.

The Youth Bureau will evaluate applications based on factors including cost-effectiveness, measurable outcomes, the applicant’s financial capacity and the program’s ability to reach youth who face barriers to participating in sports.

Priority will be given to programs serving historically under-resourced communities and young people with limited access to recreational opportunities, including youth with disabilities.

The contract period will run from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027. The grants use a reimbursement model, meaning recipients must first pay approved expenses through their organization’s bank account before submitting claims to the county. Personal funds cannot be used for purchases.

Applications can be submitted through Suffolk County’s youth sports funding webpage.

For more information, contact the Suffolk County Youth Bureau at SCOfficeofYouthServices@suffolkcountyny.gov or 631-853-8269.