Grant Application

YFC Community Grant

Grant Overview

The Youth Fencing Chicago Community Grant Program was established in 2023 to help further clubs’ efforts to support community charitable programs, organizations, and to promote youth fencing as a developmental tool in underserved communities. Selected fencing clubs must demonstrate a high commitment to their communities, through their leadership and their youth programs. Up to three clubs may be awarded, and awards may be up to $1,500.

All Applicants Must:

Be in good standing as of the application deadline date. This includes all financial, reporting and IRS tax requirements.
Beneficiary organization/program must have a valid and active 501(c)(3) or equivalent federal tax status.
Complete the online application in full by June 12. The application is online only. Information required to complete the application includes club contact information, beneficiary contact information and EIN, description of intent of use, years club has supported the program, number of people impacted by the program, estimated annual budget of the program, and how much the club will donate toward the program.
Clubs in good standing are eligible to apply for one (1) grant each fiscal year.

Application Dates

This application opens after Junior Olympics, February 18, 2025, and closes on June 12, 2025.

Are you a student fencer? Click here to apply to our En Garde Merit Scholarship program..

The YFC Community Grant Application

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Applications for a Youth Fencing Chicago Community Grant will be accepted starting after the Fence-A-Thon at Junior Olympics. Clubs will be contacted directly should they be selected. This grant is meant for fencing clubs. If you are a student fencer, please Click here to apply to our En Garde Merit Scholarship program..

Applications with requests for funding for coaching and/or administrative salaries will not be accepted. Examples of allowable expenses are as follows: equipment, uniforms, meet fees, travel, facility rental, staff and volunteer training and outreach.

Organization Information

Organization Name*

EIN*

Mailing Address*

City*

State*

Zip Code*

Contact Person

Contact Person*

Email address*

Day Time Phone*

Tell Us About Your Participants

Number of Participants

Number of Participants*

Percentage females:

Percentage females:*

Percentage males:

Percentage males:*

Percentage of participants elementary school age:

Percentage of participants elementary school age:*

Percentage of participants middle school age:

Percentage of participants middle school age:*

Percentage of participants high school age:

Percentage of participants high school age:*

Percentage of participants below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL):

Percentage of participants below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL):*

Is there anything else you would like us to know about the kids your organization serves?

Tell Us About Your Program

Mission/Vision Statement of your program*

Please summarize what distinguishes your program both in your community and, when appropriate, on a national basis. Please assess the impact your program will have on the sport of fencing and outline the components that will measure your impact.*

Please tell us a story about your program or an athlete in your program. Feel free to elaborate as you would like. We are simply trying to personalize your program and learn something that you are particularly proud of.*

Please Describe the Project You are Asking YFC to Financially Support

What need are you seeking to address?*

How will your project address that need?*

Who will your project serve?*

You are encouraged to describe your target base through such characteristics as gender, age and socio-economic level.

Should you receive the grant, how will the money provided by YFC be used?*

Youth Fencing Chicago Agreement

Eligible projects should:

Involve hands-on service
Address an unmet humanitarian need in the community or region
Be visible and increase the community’s awareness of fencing and Youth Fencing Chicago
Involve collaboration between Youth Fencing Chicago

Non-eligible projects:

Pay club membership dues, establish reserve funds, support fundraising activities or start new clubs
Give to another organization
Award scholarships, give direct cash awards or giveaways address individual needs for financial assistance
Address individual needs for financial assistance
Fund ongoing expenses or reoccurring fees of existing projects
Support projects that have no hands-on involvement beyond purchasing items with grant funds and delivering them

Thank you for applying to receive a Youth Fencing Chicago Community Grant. Please review the Agreement below and verify your understanding and commitment to the requirements of the Agreement by acknowledging below. By signing this form, and receiving the Youth Fencing Chicago Community Grant funds (the “Grant Funds”), this Agreement is a contract between you and Youth Fencing Chicago (“YFC”).

1. COMMITMENT TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. Club will actively promote and role model good sportsmanship, the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and strong school performance, and the avoidance of substance abuse.

2. COMMUNITY GRANT USES.

2.1 Allowable Expenses. Club shall use Grant Funds only for the following expenses:
- (a) equipment, (b) uniforms, (c) meet fees, (d) travel, (e) facility rental, (f) staff and volunteer training and (g) outreach.
2.2 Accounting. Club shall cooperate with any requests by the Foundation to verify that Club has used the Grant Funds in accordance with this Agreement. Such requests may include, but are not limited to receipts, invoices, evidence of payment, and such other documentation sufficient to confirm that Grant Funds have been used for Allowable Expenses.

3. TAX REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY. Upon receipt of the Community Grant Funds, Club assumes “paymaster” responsibility for such funds, including responsibility for tax reporting and related obligations imposed by law upon a recipient of such funds.

4.TERMINATION AND GRANT REVOCATION.

4.1 Misuse of the Community Grant Funds. YFC may terminate this Agreement immediately upon a determination, in its sole discretion, that Club has violated Sections.

acknowledgment*

I acknowledge and agree to all of the foregoing and certify that all of the information that I have provided to Youth Fencing Chicago is true and correct. I hereby authorize Youth Fencing Chicago and its Community Grant Committee to verify the information, statements and representations made in this application. I also authorize Youth Fencing Chicago to contact third parties to verify the information that I have provided herein.

Digital Signature

This field should be left blank