The Iron Mike Youth Sports Foundation is accepting grant proposals from qualified entities. Our mission is to make participation in youth sports programs a reality for all children in a community, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. We believe that all children deserve to experience the positive and potentially life-changing benefits of playing sports. No child should be left on the sidelines due to the cost barrier of participation.

Children benefit physically from playing sports in countless ways including improved cardiovascular health, development of coordination, and the maintenance of healthy body weight. However, as research has clearly shown, the non-physical benefits are just as impactful. Participation in youth sports leads to higher academic performance, reduced behavioral issues, and higher self-esteem. There are innumerable life lessons learned from playing on a team at a young age that eventually translate into positive social skills and leadership ability later in life.

“Iron” Mike Snyder was a dedicated husband, father, friend, and coach. A Philadelphia native, he made his home in Princeton, NJ for 30 years before his untimely death in 2019. Mike was a lifelong athlete and fitness fanatic who, throughout his life, played competitive sports ran several marathons and made exercise part of his daily routine. He was a pillar of the youth sports community in NJ. Mike’s friends coined the moniker “Iron Mike” to illustrate his indomitable strength, both physically and emotionally.

Mike was passionate about sports as fan, a participant, and a coach. One of his greatest joys came from coaching youth sports and watching his own 4 children participate in countless youth sports organizations. Mike believed strongly in the transformative nature of playing sports. He felt strongly that lessons learned from playing on a team at an early age lay the foundation for strong character development and leadership throughout life.

Mike forged countless enduring friendships on the sidelines, creating a true sense of community among parents and their children. With his friendly, outgoing demeanor and generous spirit, he never let any child or team within this community miss out on these special experiences due to an inability to pay fees or buy equipment. The Iron Mike Youth Sports Foundation seeks to make this his enduring legacy, providing individual and institutional grants to enable participation in youth sports for children of families demonstrating need.

Qualified grant applicants will demonstrate financial need to support a program that serves children from low-income families and/or underserved communities. Grant requests will be entertained for specific programs, ie tournament expenses, clinics, uniform drives, special programs. Applications from qualified 501c3 organizations that work with children and families are encouraged. We will also entertain applications from other entities if the requested funds support children from low-income families or underserved communities.

To apply, please submit a written 1 page proposal to Barbara Snyder at ironmikefoundation@gmail.com. Please include the following:

• Name, address, phone, email of organization including point of contact.
• Name and description of program for which funds are needed-please include as much detail as possible about population the program serves and their financial hardship.
• Number of children that will be supported through use of the requested funds.
• Specific amount of money requested.
• A description of current and other additional sources of funding for the program.

Once the application is received, the applicant can expect an email within 1 week to schedule a phone consultation to discuss the viability of the grant. Applications are accepted year-round.