2021 MSYSA Affiliate Grants & Scholarships
Quantifiable Impact:
The Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) invested $45,000 via scholarships and grants during the 2020-21 seasonal year. The funds were made available to properly registered clubs, leagues, and participants who were in good standing and were specifically designed to grow the game.
The MSYSA Scholarships & Grants Committee allocated $28,500 for the Affiliate Grants and $16,500 for the Presidential Scholarships. After receiving and reviewing 41 MSYSA Affiliate Grant requests, a total of 29 grants totaling $28,500 were awarded. Furthermore, after receiving and reviewing 78 MSYSA Presidential Scholarship requests, a total of 59 scholarships totaling $16,428 were awarded.
Figure 1. 2021 MSYSA Affiliate Grant and Presidential Scholarship Contributions
The MSYSA Affiliate Grants were provided to affiliates to further grow the game of soccer within Maryland and DC and were designed to help cover the costs of equipment required to start or maintain a soccer program.
Figure 1. 2021 MSYSA Affiliate Grant Awards by District
*East District did not have any applications submitted.
53% of all awarded Grant funds were to help secure needed equipment. Equipment typically included cones, pinnies, and soccer balls. Some also included goals and benches. Outreach included creating more opportunities for individuals to participate at a reduced price point.
Figure 2. 2021 MSYSA Affiliate Grant Awards by Category
The majority of grants awarded were going to be used within minority and under resourced communities within the MSYSA jurisdiction.
Figure 3. 2021 MSYSA Affiliate Grant Awards: Under resourced & Minority Communities
Figure 4. 2021 MSYSA Presidential Scholarship Awards by Recipient Category
The ways in which the scholarship funds were proposed to be used ranged from paying club fees to buying equipment and covering the cost of coach and referee education.
Figure 5. 2021 MSYSA Presidential Scholarship Awards by Category
Lastly, for at least four (4) of the scholarship recipients, it was specifically noted that receiving the award was the difference between the individual being able to afford continuing to participate, or not.
Impact:
Based on the amount of monies awarded and the specific ways in which the funds are to be utilized, it is estimated that over the next 12 months, nearly 5,500 children will have their soccer experiences improved by having greater access to newer soccer balls, cones, pinnies, and goals. Furthermore, their soccer experience is anticipated to be even more enjoyable as dozens of coaches and referees will have received enhanced education. Lastly, with the purchase of multiple AED’s, thanks to the MSYSA Affiliate Grants, the entire participation experience will now be even safer.
Everyone from the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association looks forward to tracking the long-term impact of these contributions both at the individual and at the community levels.
If you would like to help MSYSA to grow the game and transform lives, then please consider making a financial contribution today! 100% of all donations are used to fund the scholarship and grant programs!
