Empowering Athletes
The Coach Kevin Foundation gives children and young adults across Tennessee the opportunity to pursue their dreams in sports, removing financial barriers, building confidence, and creating pathways to success. We fund equipment, camps and clinics, and registration costs for every young athlete who needs a hand, including at-risk youth and children with disabilities. Because no kid should sit out because of cost.
THE PLAYING FIELD ISN'T LEVEL.
Sports don't just build athletes. They build students. Researchers who tracked 4,000 children from age 4 to 21 found that kids who stuck with sports had better attendance, sharper memory, higher test scores, and greater odds of attending university. A Canadian study following 1,400+ kids found regular sports from kindergarten through fourth grade meant better grades and lower dropout rates all the way through high school.
But opportunity isn't equal. Children from the lowest-income homes play organized sports at half the rate of the wealthiest homes. At-risk youth face the same locked door: the kids who most need a team, a coach, and somewhere to belong are too often the ones left without one. And for children with disabilities, the gap is widest of all. Aspen Institute research found youth with disabilities are 4.5 times less active than their peers, and more than half don't participate in any organized school sport. By age 13, 70% of U.S. kids have quit sports entirely. Cost is the barrier. That's the gap the Coach Kevin Foundation exists to close.
WHAT WE DO
Everything we do comes back to one thing: removing the cost barrier between a young athlete and their sport. Here is how we show up for Tennessee kids.
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Direct grants for Tennessee athletes. We cover equipment, camps and clinics, and registration and program costs, up to $1,000 per child per calendar year. Parents, guardians, coaches, and school staff can apply. Applying is free and confidential.
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Membership is how Tennessee communities keep athletes in the game all year. Your recurring support funds grants season after season, so the next athlete gets the same chance. Membership tiers are coming soon.
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You don't need to be a coach to change an athlete's season. Volunteers help review applications, run events and game days, capture athlete stories, support fundraising, and mentor young athletes. Tell us how you'd like to help and we will match you with the right opportunity..
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Give once or give monthly. Every gift helps a Tennessee athlete gear up, attend camp, or pay registration. Giving is secure through Zeffy with zero platform fees, so more of your gift goes directly to athletes. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
HOW IT WORKS
Apply
Complete the application form on the Apply for Grant page. Tell us about the athlete, the sport, and the specific costs you need help with. Applying is free and confidential.
We Review
Our team reviews every application carefully and may contact you for supporting documents.
Funds Go Directly
Approved grants are paid directly to the sports organization, camp, or retailer whenever possible, so the money goes exactly where it is needed. We will confirm the details with you first.
Athletes Play
Recipients submit proof of use within 30 days of funding. Then it is game time. With your permission, we may share a short update so donors can see their impact.
CONTACT US
Questions about grants, memberships, donations, or volunteering? Reach out. A real member of our team will get back to you.