DEIA Sport Development Grant Program
The USAWP Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Sport Development seeks to further growth of sport by providing financial support for programming that brings water polo to new and underserved communities across the United States. USAWP recognizes that the long history of socioeconomic discrimination leads to the underrepresentation of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), low-income, LGBTQIA+, and disabled communities in all aquatic sports. USAWP is committed to supporting the equitable expansion of aquatics to all communities and encourages all interested and qualified applicants to submit grant applications.
For more information on USAWP's broader commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, click here.
Grant Application Process
Want to Apply for a DEIA Grant? Here’s how:
1. Go to
usawp.org and click on our Sport Development Grant page (if you’re reading this, you’ve already made it this far).
- Have a dream of advancing DEIA in aquatics but no firm plan? Email
slauritano@usawaterpolo.org for a FREE community envisioning session.
2. Apply for a DEIA grant by providing information about your programming goals, structure, and needs. You can use some of the reporting methods and curriculum provided by USAWP or name your own goals and measures of success. Click the “Grant Application Requirements and Submissions” tab for more information and the application form.
- Need help? Have questions? Schedule a FREE grant application inquiry meeting by emailing
slauritano@usawaterpolo.org.
3. Submit your application! Applications are reviewed quarterly and grants awarded four times a year. The application periods are as follows:
- Q1 January 1st - March 31st (Awarded on April 15th)
- Q2 April 1st - June 30th (Awarded on July 15th)
- Q3 July 1st - September 30th (Awarded in October 14th)
- Q4 October 1st - December 31st (Awarded January 13th)
USAWP highly recommends applying for programming that starts around 1 month AFTER the approval date to allow for processing.
4. Receive your award and run your program.
5. Submit a program summary within a year of receiving funding to demonstrate your use of funds. See
this link for more information about reporting requirements.
Please note: prior grant awardees must wait at least a year before re-applying.
Grant Application Requirements & Submission
All qualified Applicants shall complete a Statement of Program as outlined below and submit official grant request documents to USA Water Polo. Grants will be awarded on the ability of the statement of program to meet the goals and Evaluation Criteria set forth herein to the greatest extent possible. At a minimum the Statement of Program shall include, but may not be limited to:
- Name of Applicant, either individual or organization, submitting
- Background on the requesting organization
- Description of Program including dates, locations, and participants expected to take part
- Detailed description of the goals of the program
- Specific use of grant funds/resources
- Program Budget including itemized breakdown of the projected costs
- Identify the personnel who will administer Program and include a brief biographical statement of the key individuals
- Amount of funds or items being requested (caps, balls, goals)
- Any other funding sources and the amount
- Sustainability of the program
- What evidence of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility success are you expecting and how will it be measured?
If you would like review, assistance, and/or support with your grant application, please email
slauritano@usawaterpolo.org with the subject [DEIA Grant Assistance]. To read a sample successful application, please click
HERE.
Clubs applying for the Grant Development Program will fill out the Google form attached
HERE. Within the Google form, clubs will have to attach their Statement of the Program for review.
Evaluation Criteria
The Proposal will be evaluated by USAWP on the following basis:
- Completeness of request
- Quality of Program
- Probability of Program attracting new athletes to the sport of water polo
- Potential for program to sustain water polo activity following the term of the grant
- Qualifications of Applicant in providing a successful program
- The extent to which requestor is involved in any fund raising efforts to augment the grant
- Ability of Program and associated fundraising to promote and increase public awareness of USA Water Polo and the sport of water polo in general
Additional Requirements
Program shall be in conformance with all applicable USAWP Codes and all applicable Local, State and Federal Laws.
All Grants shall be for a finite amount and a finite period of time. Priority will be given to those requests that can demonstrate planning for subsequent financing to continue the Program at the conclusion of Grant.
As a condition of accepting the Grant, Applicant agrees to provide written updates of Program's progress and a Financial Reports of Program as requested.
USA Water Polo reserves the right to reject any and all Request for Proposals