The Nike Community Grants program—officially known as the Nike Community Impact Fund—is a powerful funding initiative designed to energize community organizations at the neighborhood level.
Through an employee-led, localized approach, Nike commits to investing in groups that use sports and physical activity to drive positive change and build inclusive spaces.
Whether you’re a small nonprofit seeking resources to expand youth programming or an established organization tackling broader social challenges, this grant offers flexible support tailored to meet local needs.
With awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, the program emphasizes both sports access (75% of grants) and innovative solutions to community issues (25% of grants).
From urban neighborhoods to rural towns, the Nike Community Grants program fuels lasting impact by empowering those closest to the action.
In this post, you’ll discover how to align your mission with Nike’s vision, navigate the application timeline, and learn best practices from real-world examples.
Let’s explore how this program can become a catalyst for your next phase of growth.
Program Overview: Purpose, Vision, and Reach
The Nike Community Grants program aims to make play possible for all youth by supporting local organizations that promote sports, wellness, and inclusion.
Operated under the Nike Community Impact Fund (NCIF), it’s an employee-driven, neighborhood-focused approach where team members nominate and help select grantees in regions where they live and work.
Key features:
- Employee Engagement: Nike teammates—across retail stores, offices, and logistics centers—serve on volunteer committees to assess applications and share local insights.
- Geographic Focus: Available in North America, Japan, and Europe, the program invests where Nike employees have the strongest ties.
- Dual Priorities:
- 75% of awards bolster projects that increase youth sports participation and physical activity.
- 25% of awards fund community-centered initiatives addressing challenges like social justice, education, or health inequities.
This structure ensures balanced funding between athletic opportunities and broader community resilience, making it one of the most versatile grant programs for grassroots leaders.
Eligibility and Application Process
Understanding the grant cycle and criteria is crucial for a successful proposal. Here’s a breakdown:
- Who Can Apply
- Tax-exempt U.S. nonprofits, schools, and community-based organizations.
- Projects must serve children, teens, or families, with measurable impact in physical activity or community development.
- Timeline
- Application Opens: January 9
- Info Session: January 21 (recording available online)
- Deadline: February 14 at 5 p.m. PT
- Notifications: Mid-May
- Funding Distribution: Summer (Oregon Community Foundation)
- Submission Requirements
- Project summary and objectives.
- Budget outlining how funds will be allocated.
- Community demographics and expected reach.
- Letters of support or partnership endorsements (optional but encouraged).
- Selection Criteria
- Alignment with Nike’s vision for active, inclusive communities.
- Feasibility and clear milestones.
- Potential for lasting impact beyond the funding period.
- Local insights provided by Nike volunteers.
Pro tip: Attend the info session and review the SCI Grantmaking Guide for detailed FAQs and sample applications to strengthen your proposal (media.about.nike.com).
Funding Structure and Impact Metrics
The funding range—$5,000 to $25,000—allows organizations of various sizes to participate.
Here’s how grants typically break down:
- Equipment & Gear: Purchase of sports equipment, uniforms, or facility upgrades.
- Programming Costs: Stipends for coaches, training workshops, and event logistics.
- Outreach & Inclusion: Marketing materials, translation services, and transportation for underserved youth.
- Evaluation Tools: Surveys or staff time allocated to track participation rates and outcomes.
When crafting your budget, map expenses directly to impact metrics such as:
- Increase in weekly participant numbers
- Improved physical fitness benchmarks
- Enhanced community engagement rates
- Long-term retention in sports or wellness programs
Use clear, quantifiable goals—“Grow basketball league attendance by 20% within six months”—to demonstrate accountability.
Employee Engagement: A Unique Selection Model
One standout feature of Nike Community Grants is the employee-led selection process. Here’s why it matters:
- Local Expertise: Nike volunteers bring firsthand knowledge of neighborhood dynamics, cultural nuances, and pressing needs.
- Collaborative Review: Committees convene to discuss applications, ensuring diverse perspectives shape funding decisions.
- Community Unity Events: In some regions, store-based athletes and local partners host “Community Unite” gatherings where final grantees are celebrated and receive feedback directly from Nike teams.
This model fosters transparency, builds relationships between Nike and grassroots leaders, and allows community voices to influence program direction—not just corporate headquarters.
Practical Examples: Real-World Success Stories
Example A: The Urban Youth Soccer Collective
In 2023, a small nonprofit in Detroit used a $7,500 grant to renovate a public soccer field and launch an after-school league for 120 kids. By tracking absentee rates and fitness assessments, the Collective reported a 30% increase in weekly physical activity—surpassing their goal—while also securing local media coverage.
Example B: Girls Who Lift
Based in Los Angeles, this organization secured $12,000 to expand weightlifting workshops for teen girls, including mentorship from female coaches. Attendance doubled in two months, and participants reported higher self-confidence scores in post-program surveys.
Example C: Healthy Cookouts Initiative
A community group in Chicago used $5,000 to host weekend sports clinics followed by healthy meal demonstrations. By partnering with local chefs, they combined sports and nutrition education, engaging over 200 families and collecting feedback for future iterations.
Each story underscores how tailored support and clear measurement plans can translate modest grants into transformative programs.
Best Practices for a Winning Application
To elevate your proposal, incorporate these strategies:
- Tell a Compelling Story: Use concise narratives and data snapshots to show need and potential.
- Demonstrate Collaboration: Highlight partnerships with schools, local governments, or other nonprofits.
- Prioritize Inclusion: Outline how you’ll lower barriers for underrepresented youth—consider language access, sliding-scale fees, or transportation stipends.
- Leverage Nike’s Assets: Mention how you’ll use any Nike volunteers, gear donations, or co-branding opportunities to amplify reach.
- Plan for Sustainability: Show how this grant will catalyze long-term growth—whether through volunteer recruitment, revenue-generating events, or future fundraising.
By aligning with Nike’s commitment to an active, inclusive world, your application can stand out as a true catalyst for change.
Nike Community Grants: Fueling Local Impact and Grassroots Growth
As you embark on your grant journey, remember that Nike’s investment is more than just financial—it’s a partnership rooted in shared passion for sports, wellness, and community.
The Nike Community Grants program offers flexible funding, local expertise, and a proven model for driving impact where it matters most.
Whether you’re kick-starting a youth league, training tomorrow’s coaches, or tackling systemic challenges through physical activity, this program can provide the boost you need.
Review the guidelines, craft a clear budget and timeline, and leverage the insights of Nike volunteers to position your organization for success. Together, we can ensure every child has the chance to play, grow, and thrive.
Useful Links
- Nike Community Impact Fund Overview: Championing Our Nike Community Impact Fund
- SCI Grantmaking Guide & FAQs: Download PDF
- Application Timeline & Details: Oregon Community Foundation
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well
as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a great
blog like this one these days.
Hey There. I found your blog the usage of msn. This is a
really smartly written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra of your useful information. Thanks for the
post. I will definitely return.
I always used to study paragraph in news papers but now as I am a user of web therefore from now I am
using net for articles or reviews, thanks to web.
Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your post seem to
be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with
browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.
The design look great though! Hope you get the issue resolved
soon. Cheers
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and
would like to find out where u got this from. thanks a lot
I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality
articles or weblog posts on this kind of area .
Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site.
Studying this info So i’m satisfied to show that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed.
I so much indubitably will make certain to don?t omit
this site and provides it a look on a constant basis.
Link exchange is nothing else except it is simply placing the other person’s
weblog link on your page at appropriate place and other person will
also do same in support of you.
Peculiar article, exactly what I was looking for.
Ahaa, its pleasant discussion on the topic of this article at this place at
this webpage, I have read all that, so at this time
me also commenting here.
Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article plus the
rest of the site is really good.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and
wanted to say that I have truly loved surfing around your blog posts.
In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and
I am hoping you write once more very soon!
Hey! I understand this is sort of off-topic
but I had to ask. Does operating a well-established website such as
yours take a massive amount work? I’m completely new to running a blog however I do write in my diary
daily. I’d like to start a blog so I can share my personal experience and thoughts online.
Please let me know if you have any recommendations or tips for new aspiring bloggers.
Thankyou!
I am really inspired with your writing abilities and also
with the format in your blog. Is that this a paid subject or did you modify it your self?
Anyway keep up the nice high quality writing, it is rare to look a nice
blog like this one nowadays..
I am not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for great info I was looking for this information for my
mission.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert
that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
Great post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I’m impressed!
Very helpful information specially the final section 🙂 I take care of such information a lot.
I was looking for this certain info for a very long time.
Thanks and best of luck.
Simply desire to say your article is as amazing. The clearness to your post is
simply nice and that i could suppose you’re a professional in this
subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to clutch your RSS feed to
keep up to date with coming near near post. Thanks
a million and please carry on the rewarding work.
Hello! I’ve been following your site for a while now and finally got the
courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Houston Texas!
Just wanted to mention keep up the fantastic job!
This post will assist the internet people for creating new
webpage or even a weblog from start to end.
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added”
checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get
three emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people
from that service? Many thanks!
For most up-to-date news you have to go to see web and on world-wide-web
I found this site as a most excellent site for newest updates.