The AthLife Foundation in conjunction with 3ACE (The Alliance for Academic Athletic Coaches & Educators), is seeking high school or middle school grant applicants looking to establish a professional Academic Athletic Coach staff position or position(s).
All high schools that compete interscholastically, and middle schools with established athletic programs are eligible to apply. Schools that traditionally serve students from lower socioeconomic areas with statistically lower graduation rates, lower postsecondary matriculation rates, and higher percentages of students from single or no-parent households are strongly encouraged to apply.
High school grant applicants can apply for up to $10,000 for the academic year to support the initial creation and development of a year-round professional Academic Athletic Coach staff position (part-time minimum). There are certain geographic locations with funding partners that provide up to $25,000 in grant funding, those schools are contacted directly by AthLife Foundation staff.
FIRST STEP: Create a NEW ACCOUNT by visiting our Grant Application Portal by clicking the 'Apply for a Grant' above.
Once the position is in place, schools work to implement programming that will drive academic achievement, develop life and leadership skills, and better prepare their student-athletes for post high school success.
The traditional deadline for an upcoming academic year is July 31st. The deadline for 2023-24 has been extended to August 11th, 2023. Applications will be reviewed typically in 4-6 weeks from submission date.
Before you begin, we would recommend you review the following documents:
Guide to Creating the AAC Professional Staff Position
General Overview for Schools & Districts
Positive Youth Development through Sport Framework
3ACE Connected Community Overview
This grant process is highly competitive. It is recommended that the school plan to send two staff members to the 3ACE National Conference at The University of Maryland, July 17-19, 2024. It is recommended that the school plan to budget accordingly for this professional development. Registration rates fall between $275-$300 typically and hotel accommodations $145/night (before taxes). If you are unable to commit to the professional development and training for staff, it may impact your ability to renew grant funds in the future.
An additional recommendation is to have pertinent coaches, educators, and athletic department personnel register for the 3ACE Connected Community (Click). There is no cost to participate in this valuable network. Thank you for your interest in this opportunity.