U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation

An annual grant awarded to both Team USA athletes who embody the Olympic values of Excellence, Respect, Friendship and the Paralympic values of Determination, Inspiration, Equality and Courage, as well as charitable organizations whose missions are focused on youth sport, physical activity, or health and well-being.

Organizations selected by the athletes must be tax-exempt United States organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The 2023 application period is now open. Athletes may apply via the online form. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. MT on April 17, 2023. Download the application preparation file to review required application materials.

The application will include: 

• Basic demographic, contact and eligibility information for both the athlete and organization
• Three short answers from the submitting athlete describing how their work upholds the Olympic and Paralympic ideals, and how they serve and inspire their community 
• A letter of recommendation from the organization detailing the impact of the athlete’s work on the organization and the population it serves 

Award finalists will undergo SafeSport, WADA and USADA checks prior to the selection committee’s final award determination. In addition, each nonprofit organization will be screened to ensure it meets eligibility requirements and is in good standing to receive the award funding.

 

March 15, 2023 – application opens

April 17, 2023 – application closes

Up to four $25,000 grants will be awarded on a yearly basis, with half of each award being directed to the award recipient’s nonprofit of choice. The remaining half will be awarded to the selected athlete to support their continued pursuit of excellence as they represent the Olympic and Paralympic ideals.

Team USA Community Champions in partnership with Comcast is funded in part by Comcast as well as USOPF donors.

Eligibility 
All U.S. Olympians, U.S. Paralympians, and Team USA 10-year athletes who have contributed a significant number of volunteer or working hours to a single nonprofit organization that focuses on youth sport, physical activity, health and well-being in the past 18 months are eligible to apply. 

Applicant Eligibility Requirements 

• Applicants must be a: 
  • U.S. Olympians and Paralympian, or 
  • Team USA 10-year athletes who has been selected by their NGB to represent the U.S. in a Delegation Event or International Qualifying Competition from 2013-2023. International qualifying competitions include: 
    • Olympic or Paralympic Games 
    • World Championships or Operation Gold Events 
    • Pan American or Parapan American Games 
    • World Cup, Grand Prix, or equivalent international protected competition 
• Applicants must have contributed a significant number of volunteer or working hours to a registered nonprofit organization 
• Applicants may not be under a suspension or period of ineligibility - temporarily or otherwise - from USADA, WADA, the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the USOPC, a National Governing Body (NGB), or International Federation.  
• Applicants must agree to the terms and conditions of the grant, which include agreeing that their likeness may be used by the USOPC, USOPF, Comcast and its affiliated brands** in promotion of the program and to participate in activities to promote the initiative and their selection as an awardee in perpetuity. 
• Applicants may not be employed or otherwise directly benefit from any funds awarded to the organization they nominate. 
• Applicants may not be employed by the USOPC. 
• Individuals may not complete an application on behalf of/submit a nomination for a deserving a Team USA athlete. 

Nonprofit Organization Requirements 

• The organization must be a tax-exempt United States organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is based on U.S. soil. 
• The organization’s mission focuses on youth sport, physical activity, or health and well-being. 
• The organization must administer programming and events that support its mission. 
• The organization must be in good standing to receive award funding. 

A selection committee will convene each year for meetings throughout the year to review applications, make determinations on grant award recipients, and announcement of such award recipients. This selection committee will consist of the following:

 

• One (1) NGB representative, to be selected by the NGB Council

• Two (2) AAC athlete representatives, to be selected by AAC leadership

• One (1) USOPA athlete representative, to be selected by USOPA leadership

• No more than five (5) USOPF Directors or Trustees

• One (1) Comcast representative, to be selected by Comcast

• At least one (1) non-voting USOPF staff liaison

 

*The committee will be chaired by at least one USOPF Director or Trustee and the total number of voting committee members shall not exceed ten (10).