MICRO-GRANTS TO HELP YOUTH
SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY
As proud recipients of a grant from The Allstate Foundation, the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program supports youth committed to improving youth sports. Inspired by our School Sports Equity Toolkit, Service Learning through Sports is a one-year program that provides micro-grants and mentorship programming to select U.S. high school students who lead, or aim to lead, a project or initiative that improves the youth sports experience and/or increases opportunities for sport and play.
2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS
AYANNA SHAH
San Diego, CA | Del Norte High School
Project: Overseeing youth-led equipment donations for Title I high schools through Second Serve, a not-for-profit organization Ayanna co-founded to break down barriers of entry to tennis
“We are working to change the face of tennis from a rich, white man’s sport to a race, income and gender-inclusive sport. We hope to empower children to use tennis as a vehicle to rise and reach their full potential.”
DEAN BUTLER
New York, NY | The Groton School
Project: Expanding an inline skating curriculum in the Bronx by adding floor hockey and including more public school students, in partnership with Public School 86 and Go! Sports USA
“My SLS project will develop and provide access to an engaging program that prioritizes the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, the development of self-esteem, and the acquisition of lifelong academic, fitness, and social skills.”
JOSie PORTELL
St. Louis, MO | Parkway South High School
Project: Leading a new wheelchair basketball camp for disabled elementary school girls in greater St. Louis, with support from the Disabled Athlete Sports Association
“The change I wish to bring about through my camp is to help elementary aged female wheelchair basketball players gain confidence in themselves and their skills on and off the court.”
BRIANNA ZHANG
Portage, MI | Portage Central High School
Project: Miles 4 Smiles, a charity 5K race that uses proceeds to make youth sports more accessible. Organized through Aid 4 All, a youth-led organization Brianna co-founded.
“Youth sports can have an extensive costs, making these critical and developmental activities out of reach for many families. Our mission is to lower the financial barrier between children and sports and help kids explore a passion for sports, learn important skills, and engage in healthy physical activity.”
ARDEN PALA
San Diego, CA | Francis Parker School
Project: Expanding youth-led, after school sports clinics in low-income elementary schools through Sports4Kids, a not-for-profit organization founded by Arden
“Through using youth volunteers who are motivated, we want to carry on the Sports4Kids sports clinic to low-income schools outside of San Diego. Using this chapter program we will be able to grow our impact among the low-income youth while still providing quality coaching and athletic opportunities.”
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Service Learning for a better future
For school-age youth, service learning begins with organized acts of service for real-world challenges. The more that act of service can meet a recognized need and improve systems or lives at scale, the better. Leaders are born from such work.
IMPROVING YOUTH SPORTS ACROSS COMMUNITIES
Through Project Play, the signature initiative of its Sports & Society Program, the Aspen Institute learned that sport opportunities were not meeting youth needs. As illustrated in our School Sports Equity Toolkit, motivated high school students like Noor Abukaram, Ashley Badis, Matt Diaz and Rishan Patel have shown that young people can take it upon themselves to improve sports in their communities. Their stories make clear that not only do youth want quality sport experiences, but the act of bolstering access and quality for others can produce meaningful service learning.
a program FOR youth COMMITTED TO IMPROVING YOUTH SPORTS
Service Learning through Sports is a one-year program that will identify and support a small number of U.S. high school students who lead, or aim to lead, a project or initiative that addresses an issue in sport in their community. Recipients will receive a micro-grant and mentorship programing to support their project and develop them as future service leaders. The program includes:
$2,000 micro-grant
Through an affiliated non-profit host organization, students will receive a $2,000 grant for a sports-focused project or initiative that they actively lead.One-day learning retreat at the Project Play Summit
Students will travel for discussion and brainstorming with the full cohort, a set of peer mentors and Aspen staff. Costs for travel and hotel will be included.Ongoing peer mentorship and guidance
Over a one year period, students will receive periodic feedback and guidance from peer mentors and program staff through virtual meetings for themselves and the full cohort.
program details
Deadline to apply: December 1, 2024
Current U.S. high school students can apply, including those in U.S. territories.
Parent/guardian consent is required for youth under 18. See application for details.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Finalists will be invited to interview.
Program period: January 2025 to December 2025
With support from:
The Allstate Foundation empowers youth ages 5 to 25 to serve and improve communities.