Empowering student success through athletics, arts and music
Helping students succeed on and off the field
Communities are stronger when students succeed. Studies show that students who participate in extracurricular activities perform better in the classroom and are more likely to graduate from high school. Our Power to Play grant program offers three types of grants to expand opportunities and promote student participation in athletics, arts and music.
There is one Power to Play Grant application cycle:
The application for up to $2,500 in funding opens July 27, 2026, and closes August 28, 2026.
How we evaluate Power to Play Grant candidates
- Those applying for athletics support can be schools or 501(c)3 organizations that aim to eliminate barriers in student participation serving students ages K through 12.
- Those applying for support with arts or music programs should be educators in grades K through 12.
- Priority will be given to Title I public schools, or schools with 50% or more of its full-time students receiving free or reduced meals.
- For schools applying for athletic support, the school be a member in good standing of AHSAA/AISA, where applicable
- Awards are paid to the school or the 501(c)3 organization and not to individuals.
- Recipients will submit a six-month and a final report documenting how the funds were used in accordance with the grant purpose.
How we’d like to see Power to Play Grants used
Examples of permitted uses for Power to Play athletic grants include:
- Offering a new sport at the high school
- Offering a new team (freshman team, JV team) in an existing sport
- Increasing the number of students carried on the roster of an existing team
- Purchasing sport-specific equipment and/or uniforms for new teams or new players
- Payment of expenses for the new program (referees, umpires, tournament entry fees, etc.)
- Improvement to a sports venue that increases its capacity for handling new teams
Examples of permitted uses for the Power to Play arts grants include:
- Offering a new arts program
- Increasing participation for an existing fine or visual arts program
- Purchasing new uniforms for a dance team
- Enhancing or upgrading supplies or equipment
Examples of permitted uses for the Power to Play music grants include:
- Creating a new music program
- Purchasing new instruments, sheet music, equipment or uniforms for an existing music program
- Supporting competitions, festivals, or performances
- Professional development for music educators
- Integrating technology into music instruction (e.g., recording equipment or music software)