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Let's Play Boston Community Sports Grant Supports Youth Athletics

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the Human Services Cabinet have announced applications for the Let's Play Boston Community Sports Grant, a $250,000 program aimed at increasing access to youth sports programming in the city. The grant seeks to provide high-quality, engaging athletics opportunities for Boston youth ages 8-18 and aligns with the Mayor's Connect, Learn, Explore program. This initiative aims to increase participation of historically underrepresented youth in sports, improve coaching quality, and enhance the variety and quality of sports offered by city departments.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Let's Play Boston Community Sports Grant program will provide up to $5,000 in grants to support community-based sports organizations that offer out-of-school sports programs across Boston neighborhoods.
  • A total of $250,000 has been allocated for the program in the fiscal year 2026 annual operating budget.
  • The grant funding will support fall, winter, and spring sports and must be used by June 30, 2026.
  • In the previous year, the Let's Play Community Sports grants funded 55 grantees, serving 7,274 youth, including over 1,600 youth who were first-time program participants.
  • The majority of grantees used the grant funds to reduce the cost of registration for families, with others using the additional resources to pay for equipment, uniforms, or program space.
  • Programs in every neighborhood received awards, with many organizations praising the grant's positive impact on their youth sports programs.

Statistics:

  • $250,000 allocated for the Let's Play Boston Community Sports Grant program in the fiscal year 2026 annual operating budget.
  • Up to $5,000 in grants available to support community-based sports organizations.
  • 55 grantees funded in the previous year, serving 7,274 youth, including over 1,600 first-time program participants.
  • A 60% majority of grantees used grant funds to reduce cost of registration for families.
  • 1,600 youth were first-time program participants in the previous year.
  • 7,274 youth were served by the 55 grantees in the previous year.

Sources:

  • City of Boston news release, July 14, 2025
  • Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's statement regarding the Let's Play Boston Community Sports Grant
  • Human Services Cabinet, "Let's Play Boston Initiative Aims to Increase Participation of Historically Underrepresented Youth in Sports"

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