First Stick Program 2019 Application

Important Directions

DO NOT fill this form out online!

Please make sure you follow these steps to complete the PDF application:

STEP 1: Download and save a blank version of this application to your personal computer. Please save the file as the name of your non-profit organization.

STEP 2: Open the blank version from your personal computer and begin filling out the form. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. Applicants may begin completing the PDF form, save their progress, and come back at a later time to finish their application.

STEP 3: Send an e-mail to sportdevelopment@uslacrosse.org with the following documents attached:

1.) your completed First Stick application 2.) a copy of your IRS designation letter

Application Timeline

Open Rolling Application Process

Monthly Application Cycle Last day of each month: deadline to submit completed applications for the upcoming

grant cycle 15th of each month: US Lacrosse will notify applicants via email

2019 Application Timeline: The First Stick application will opened on Monday, September 10, 2018 and will close on Friday, February 15, 2019. US Lacrosse will award equipment grants every month starting in October 2018 and ending in February 2019.

*Note: the deadline changed. Please submit an application by COB February 15, 2019 if you are looking for equipment assistance for the spring 2019 season. US Lacrosse will accept applications submitted over that weekend, but any application submitted after 2/17 will not be accepted or reviewed; refer to the updated timeline below. Late applicants will have to resubmit an application for the 2020 spring season (exact dates TBD).

2018-19 Application Deadlines: • Applications submitted on 9/10 - 9/30 will be reviewed during the October cycle• Applications submitted on 10/1 - 10/31 will be reviewed during the November cycle• Applications submitted on 11/1 - 11/30 will be reviewed during the December cycle• Applications submitted on 12/1 - 12/31 will be reviewed during the January cycle• Applications submitted on 1/1 - 2/15 will be reviewed during the February cycle

*Note: February cycle only - final notification will be sent on 2/28

Eligibility Criteria

All interested programs must submit a First Stick application in order to be considered for an equipment grant. Applications must be filled out accurately and with as much detail as possible; while approval is not guaranteed, the more detail you provide, the greater your chance is of being approved.

We do ask that all applicants meet each of the following criteria: • Your organization directly serves youth between the ages of 5-18 years old• Your organization serves youth in an economically disadvantaged area• Your organization is located in the United States• Your organization operates an organized sport, recreational activity, or fitnessprogram that offers consistent and structured opportunity for lacrosse play to largegroups of children

Who is eligible to apply for the First Stick Program? Programs must: • Demonstrate their ability to deliver sports/physical activity programming to kids 5-18through experienced and committed leadership.• Deliver a minimum 6-week sports/physical activity program with preference given toorganizations working consistently with both boys and girls throughout the year.• Be nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation. All grant proposals must beaccompanied by a copy of the current IRS determination letter indicating 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Additionally, US Lacrosse is NOT able to provide a First Stick grant to the following: • Short-term events such as camps and tournaments• Individuals• For-profit organizations

*Please contact your US Lacrosse Regional Manager if you have any questions orconcerns. Click here to find their contact information.

Application Requirements

• Only one application per organization.

• The organization can apply to receive a Starter Kit Package, Youth Team Grant, orHigh School Team Grant. The organization cannot apply for a Starter Kit Package and aTeam Grant. The organization cannot apply for a Youth Team Grant and a High SchoolTeam Grant.

o The Starter Kit Package provides 30 lacrosse sticks, two dozen soft practiceballs, and two 3’x3’ goals to help organizations introduce the sport to new participants! Organizations may select the combo package option on the application, which provides 15 boys’ sticks and 15 girls’ sticks.

o The Youth Team Grant provides enough equipment for 20 field players and 1goalie. Organizations may select the combo package option on the application, which provides a boys’ team grant and a girls’ team grant, as long as the youth participants from both teams are in the same age bracket; 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, or 14U.

o The High School Team Grant provides enough equipment for 20 field playersand 1 goalie. Organizations may select the combo package option on the application, which provides a boys’ team grant and a girls’ team grant.

• Application form must be typed. Handwritten application forms will not be accepted orreviewed.

• Send in your completed application, and a copy of your IRS determination letter, ase-mail attachments to sportdevelopment@uslacrosse.org. One email with bothdocuments attached, please!

• DO NOT mail or fax your completed application. Your answers may be cut off on theprinted version of the application due to the format of the Adobe file. We will NOTACCEPT printed applications.

• Once your application is e-mailed to US Lacrosse, you can expect to receive aconfirmation e-mail from a Sport Development representative within 72 hours ofsubmitting your application (it is not an automated e-mail). Contact us if you did notreceive the confirmation e-mail within 72 hours of submitting your application.

• Please contact your US Lacrosse Regional Manager if you have any questions orconcerns throughout this process. Click here to find their contact information.

Terms of Agreement

Upon submitting an application, please understand that you are agreeing to the following terms (if awarded):

1. Awarded organizations will participate in the US Lacrosse Member Program. Awardedorganizations may take advantage of the complimentary membership for up to 20 youthor high school players (30 youth players for starter kit recipients), and up to 2 adultcoaches. Additional memberships will cost the full amount as indicated on the USLacrosse Membership webpage.

2. Any organization that receives a Youth of High School Team Grant is required tocomplete an Equipment Order Form and submit their roster of participants and coachesprior to US Lacrosse placing equipment orders. The Equipment Order Form and rostertemplate will be e-mailed to all grant recipients.

3. The granted lacrosse equipment is to be used and maintained properly for thecontinued use by the awarded organization. US Lacrosse National Headquartersreserves the right to terminate this grant agreement at any time for improperequipment usage or sale of grant equipment. If the awarded organization ceases tooperate, all equipment must be returned to your US Lacrosse Regional Manager at theprograms own expense for redistribution to another local program in need.

4. The awarded organization agrees to provide photos, anecdotes and/or quotes uponrequest so that US Lacrosse can promote the grantee and showcase our programs tothe national lacrosse community.

5. The awarded organization agrees to submit a report detailing the organization'sactivities since receiving the grant, progress summary, and evaluation of this program.Survey to be completed via Survey Monkey unless otherwise specified by US Lacrosse.If awarded, US Lacrosse will provide further instructions to the primary contact listed onthis application.

Starter Kit Package

The Starter Kit is designed to help you introduce the sport to participants with little to no prior lacrosse experience. Non-profit organizations that serve youth at the elementary and middle school levels are eligible to receive a Starter Kit grant. This is a great option for Rec. Departments, Boys & Girls Clubs, or any before and after-school lacrosse programming! *Note: if the intended use for this equipment, if awarded, is to introduce lacrosse to kids in grades K-2, than US Lacrosse can order shorter lacrosse sticks that are better suited for this age group.

Starter Kit Includes: • 30 field player sticks (Combo package includes 15 boys' sticks and 15 girls' sticks)• 2 dozen soft practice balls• 2 goals (3’x3’)• Complimentary US Lacrosse ‘youth level’ membership for up to 30 new players• Complimentary US Lacrosse ‘coach level’ membership for up to 2 adult coaches

Approximate retail value of each Starter Kit Package is $1,300.

Timeline to receive Starter Kit Package (if awarded):

If your organization applies to the First Stick Program and you are awarded a Starter Kit package, than US Lacrosse will place your equipment order as soon as you receive the final notification email regarding your award. All orders should arrive direct from participating manufacturers within 10-14 business days of US Lacrosse placing your order.

Team Grants

The Youth or High School Team Grant provides enough equipment for 20 field players and 1 goalie. Organizations may select the combo package option on the application, which provides a boys’ team grant and a girls’ team grant, as long as the participants from both teams are in the same age bracket; 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, or high school.

Requirements (if awarded):

Any organization that receives a Youth or High School Team Grant through the First Stick Program is required to submit a Roster and Equipment Order Form to US Lacrosse, prior to receiving your equipment. Recipient organizations can expect to receive the following documents in the notification email regarding your award:

1.) Roster Template: US Lacrosse Membership is a requirement if awarded a Team Grant. The Roster Template is an Excel spreadsheet that US Lacrosse will use to process memberships for your players and coaches. *Please contact your US Lacrosse Regional Manager if you have any questions or concerns about Membership for your program.

2.) Equipment Order Form: Participating manufacturers will fill your order based on the information provided in this form.

Timeline to receive equipment (if awarded):

If you apply to the First Stick Program, and your organization is awarded a Team Grant, than US Lacrosse will place your equipment order after receiving the required paperwork. All orders should arrive direct from participating manufacturers within 10-14 business days of US Lacrosse placing your order.

Girls' Team Grant Includes: • Items for Field Players:

o 20 Field Player Stickso 20 pairs of Protective Eyewear (Goggles) that meet the current ASTM Standard

• Items for the Goalie:o 1 Goalie Sticko 1 Chest Protectoro 1 pair of Gloveso 1 NOCSAE Approved Lacrosse Helmet with Facemask and Chinstrapo 1 Throat Guardo 1 pair of Leg Padso 1 pair of Shin Pads

• Complimentary US Lacrosse ‘youth or high school level’ membership for up to 20new players• Complimentary US Lacrosse ‘coach level’ membership for up to 2 adult coaches

Approximate retail value of each Girls' Youth Grant is $2,000. Approximate retail value of each Girls' High School Grant is $2,000.

Boys' Team Grant Includes: • Items for Field Players:

o 20 Field Player Stickso 20 pairs of Shoulder Padso 20 pairs of Arm Padso 20 pairs of Gloveso 20 NOCSAE Approved Lacrosse Helmets with Facemask and Chinstrap

• Items for the Goalie:o 1 Goalie Sticko 1 pair of Gloveso 1 NOCSAE Approved Lacrosse Helmet with Facemask and Chinstrapo 1 Throat Guardo 1 Chest Protector

• Complimentary US Lacrosse ‘youth or high school level’ membership for up to 20new players• Complimentary US Lacrosse ‘coach level’ membership for up to 2 adult coaches

Approximate retail value of each Boys' Youth Grant is $7,000. Approximate retail value of each Boys' High School Grant is $10,500.

Equipment Grant Request

Directions: Please specify the desired equipment package. Select one option from each drop down menu below.

Step 1: Select the desired equipment package if awarded.

Step 2: Select the desired type of equipment if awarded.

*For Starter Kit applicants, thiswill determine the sticks inyour package (if awarded).

*For Youth or High SchoolTeam Grant applicants, thiswill determine the type ofteam grant (if awarded).

****Step 3 applies to Youth Team Grant applicants only. Skip this question if you selected the Starter Kit or High School Team Grant under Step 1.****

Step 3: if awarded a Youth Team Grant, please select which level package you are requesting:

Applicant Organization

Directions: Please type an answer in each field below. If awarded, the lacrosse equipment will become property of this legal entity.

Full Legal Organization Name:

Organization's Address:

City:

ST:

Zip Code:

Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN):

Primary Contact

Directions: Please type an answer in each field below. The person completing this application will serve as the primary contact regarding this grant. This person must serve a role within the organization that is applying for a First Stick grant. Only one person should be listed as the primary contact. US Lacrosse will use the applicant’s contact information for all correspondence regarding this grant.

Primary Contact Name:

Phone Number:

E-mail Address:

Title/Relationship to Applicant Organization:

Short Answer Section

Directions: Please answer each question below. You can type more than the box allows; a scroll will appear on the right side of each text box.

History/Background Tell us about this organization. Examples of what to include in your response: year established, reason for establishment, mission statement and purpose.

Geographic Area Describe the community from which you draw participants. You may want to include the names of specific counties, schools and school districts. Demographic information is helpful.

Reason/Need Reason or need for equipment.

Equipment Plan Please tell us how you plan to use the granted equipment if awarded.

*Remember this equipment isfor the continued use of theorganization to grow lacrossein your community; it is notintended to go home withplayers at the end of theseason.

Contact List Who is involved in the lacrosse program? Include a list of names of volunteers and staff members, along with their roles within the program (i.e. coordinators, coaches, board members, etc.).

Program Length & Cost What is the intended start date and length of the lacrosse program? What is the cost to participate in your program?

Final Thoughts: Why do you believe this organization deserves an equipment grant from US Lacrosse?

Application Submission Date (mm/dd/yyyy):

Final Step: Send an email to sportdevelopment@uslacrosse.org with two documents attached:

1.) your completed First Stick application 2.) a copy of your IRS Designation Letter

We look forward to receiving your application!