MESA, Ariz. – Legacy Cares Inc., the 501c3 organization that owns Bell Bank Park, announced today a partnership with Bell Bank to help make youth sports and activities available to underserved families and communities thru a new initiative, the Play it Forward Grants Program Powered by Bell Bank.
Play it Forward provides funding to 501c3 non-profit organizations who lack the resources to pay for youth sports and activities for the populations they serve. Grants are available to qualifying organizations in low-income areas within Maricopa County, serving large numbers of families and children. Individual grants can be used by each organization for where it is needed most.
“Legacy Cares and Bell Bank recognize that the rising cost of youth sports has left many families and communities not financially able to participate in sports. Our vision for this program is to provide an opportunity for organizations to run at full capacity with general operating support so they may use these dollars where it’s needed most,” said Douglas Moss, President of Legacy Cares. “Legacy Cares is grateful for our partnership with Bell Bank as our primary objective is always to give back to our local communities and to support children of all abilities.”
There are two different grant opportunities that organizations can apply for, a Rookie Grant and an MVP Grant. The Rookie Grant is for qualifying organizations who have demonstrated true impact in the communities in which they serve through strategic partnerships and engagement with local at-risk youth through sporting events, athletic engagements, clubs, leagues, volunteer opportunities and other activities empowering the community to be active in youth sports.
The MVP Grant is for an exemplary organization who has fostered relationships with organizations throughout Arizona and served an outsized impact in the development of youth sports and programs. This grant award is for an organization who has truly shown how leadership and collaboration promotes success in our state’s most vulnerable communities by lifting kids out of the status quo and ushering them into extracurricular activities challenging them to be better leaders, stewards of positive character and team comradery.
Grant applications will open on November 1 online at Play It Forward Grants Program – Legacy Cares, Inc. (legacycaresinc.org). The deadline for grant submissions is Dec. 1, grantees will be notified on Dec. 15, and a check signing ceremony will take place at Bell Bank Park on Dec. 20. Letters of recommendation will be requested for either grant during the application process.
“At Bell Bank our Core Values are simple – Take care of our Employees, let them Take Care of our Customers, and then all of us Take Care of our Community,” said Kyle Kennedy, Phoenix President and Arizona Banking Director at Bell Bank. “We are partnering with nonprofits who will leverage our Play it Forward funds to help promote youth athletes who demonstrate leadership, character and teamwork. These athletes are our future leaders, and what a great way for Bell Bank to Pay it Forward.”
To qualify for a grant, organizations must be a non-profit in good standing with the IRS with operations based in Maricopa County, Ariz. Play it Forward will look for organizations who are in low-income communities providing community-based recreational level or school sports for kids in grades K-12. Organizations must provide proof of budget constraints and must operate in an area in which the local school district has a higher percentage of low-income students than the state average or the average household income in the community is lower than 60% of the estimated state median income by household size based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. For more information on income guidelines, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program State Median Income by Household Page or Legacy Cares at info@legacycaresinc.com to determine if your organization qualifies. Legacy Cares reserves the right to make exceptions to eligibility guidelines for reasonable extenuating circumstances.
ABOUT LEGACY CARES
Legacy Cares is a 501c3 non-profit organization (#84-3520422) provides athletes and non-athletes alike of all ages, economic backgrounds and levels of athletic proficiency, the opportunity to participate in sports while fostering the enjoyment and camaraderie of teamwork and perseverance, key components in athletic competition and lifetime success. Its mission is to provide families a safe, friendly, high-quality environment in which to experience different sporting, artistic, educational, and entertainment amenities. Legacy Cares serves the community by providing opportunities to explore, learn and develop new and existing skills and to extract untapped abilities, while promoting a healthy lifestyle. All contributions to Legacy Cares are tax deductible. For more information visit https://www.legacycaresinc.org.
ABOUT BELL BANK
Bell Bank is the largest family-and employee-owned bank in the upper Midwest, and one of the largest in the nation, with assets of more than $10 billion – thanks to our many loyal customers, whose confidence in us has led to growth and opportunity.
When Bell Bank opened its doors in 1966 with a single location in a north Fargo shopping center, our founders couldn’t have dreamed of the growth the company would have. For decades, having happy employees and happy customers has been at the heart of the organization. Our values – being a family, treating our customers well and making our community a better place – are at the core of all we do.
ABOUT BELL BANK PARK
Bell Bank Park, a 320-acre world class family sports and entertainment complex, fulfills the mission of Legacy Cares. The one-of-a-kind complex features a 5,000 seat Outdoor Stadium, 2,800 seat Indoor Arena, (35) Soccer/Lacrosse/Football Fields, (57) Indoor Volleyball Courts, (8) Baseball and Softball fields, (20) Basketball Courts, (41) Pickleball Courts, (12) Beach Volleyball Courts, Obstacle Course Racing Park, (22) Futsal Courts, Gymnastics Center, Dance Studio, Cheer Center, Sports Performance Center, Family Fitness Center, Wellness & Fitness Center, esports Center, Kids Play Center, two zip lines, a 2.7 acre Yard for concerts and events, The G.O.A.T Sports Bar and Restaurant, and so much more. With numerous playing fields, Bell Bank Park serves as a major hub for professional, club and recreation competition at various levels of expertise and proficiency. The Park expands beyond sports. The team at Bell Bank Park will create festivals, signature experiences and live concerts that feature national touring acts. The Park will create a thriving entertainment destination in Mesa and the Greater Phoenix region.