Six years ago, LeagueApps and our FundPlay Foundation set out to change how youth sports gets funded in America. Today, that work reached Congress. A bipartisan bill was introduced that would use tax revenue from legal sports betting to fund youth sports programs across the country, at no new cost to taxpayers. It was developed and championed by FundPlay, alongside a coalition of youth sports leaders. It started in 2020, when we co-founded the PLAY Sports Coalition and Jared Cooper set out to turn a simple belief, that every kid deserves the chance to play, into real policy. FundPlay grew out of LeagueApps to carry that forward, and Jared has led it the whole way, from a blank piece of paper to a bill on the House floor.
FundPlay Foundation is proud to have helped develop and champion the STRONG Kids Act, bipartisan legislation from Rep. Michael T.W. Carey (R-OH-15) and Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44) to expand youth sports access for families and communities nationwide. The bill is backed by a broad coalition, including YMCA of the USA , the National Recreation and Park Association, the Afterschool Alliance, and our FundPlay coalition partners LeagueApps, TeamSnap, Under Armour, Players Health, and Triple Crown Sports. Here's how it works: - Directs 50% of federal excise tax revenue on sports wagering to youth sports programs each year - Funded entirely through existing tax revenue at no new cost to taxpayers Requires regular reporting to Congress on program outcomes and effectiveness Youth sports access has become increasingly out of reach for many American families. The organizations that have long run local sports, including grassroots sport-for-development nonprofits, Little Leagues, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and parks and recreation department, often lack the funding, resources, and infrastructure to keep up. That's exactly why FundPlay Foundation began - to support these vital, community-building local sports organizations through technology, professional development, and resource generation. To date, we've unlocked $60 million to date in local and state funding to help close the gap. We believe that every child should have access to quality sports experiences, no matter their income or zip code. This bill would dramatically increase the impact of local youth sports organizations across the country, giving kids the chance to benefit from play regardless of their circumstances. This is the culmination of a six-year effort for our coalition, and we're grateful to Rep. Carey and Rep. Barragán for carrying it forward, and to every partner who helped get us here. Nonprofit and industry leaders across youth sports agree on the need to increase access and participation. Now it's Congress's turn to act. Read more and join our advocacy efforts: https://lnkd.in/eh6aYNC9 #STRONGKidsAct #YouthSports #FundPlayFoundation