Greeley Recreation Receives $20,000 Grant to Support Youth Activities for Low-Income Families
Greeley Recreation secured a $20,000 grant from the Weld Community Foundation's Littler Youth Fund to help low-income families access sports and educational programs through November 2026, officials announced November 10.
The funding represents nearly one-third of the Youth Assistance Fund's $65,000 annual budget and will serve children ages 18 and younger whose families qualify for federal nutrition assistance programs.
"Making recreation accessible to everyone is at the heart of what we do," said Daniel Lawrence, recreation division manager. "We're grateful for the support from the Littler Youth Fund—it helps open doors for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate."
The grant covers program costs from November 2025 through October 2026. Applications for 2026 assistance will open in mid-December.
Income-Based Assistance Program Serves 200 to 350 Youth Annually
The Youth Assistance Fund provides financial support for sports and educational activities to families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, according to the Weld Community Foundation.
For SNAP eligibility in 2025, a family of four cannot exceed $5,000 in monthly gross income, or $60,000 annually. WIC limits families of four to $4,625 monthly, while CCCAP allows up to approximately $7,100 monthly for similar household sizes.
The program typically serves 200 to 350 youth each year, providing an average of $100 to $150 per participant to cover partial or full registration fees for recreation activities. Demand consistently meets or exceeds available funding, with the program operating on a first-come basis until resources are exhausted.
Greeley Recreation's total department budget is approximately $7.5 million across all operations and community services in 2025. The Youth Assistance Fund represents a small but critical component supporting equity of access for families facing financial barriers.
Littler Youth Fund Focuses Exclusively on Weld County Youth
The Littler Youth Fund operates through the Weld Community Foundation, which manages $60 million in assets and distributed more than $3.2 million to 312 recipients in 2023. The fund awards grants twice annually, with a spring cycle opening December 1 and a fall cycle beginning June 1.
The foundation restricts Littler Youth Fund grants to nonprofits serving Weld County youth exclusively, with program grants capped at $20,000 and general operating grants reaching up to $35,000 depending on organizational budget. Schools and school foundations are not eligible for operating grants.
Past recipients include Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County, A Kid's Place in Greeley, and Arc of Weld County, which received awards ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 for youth programming in recent years.
The Littler Youth Fund has contributed between $10,000 and $20,000 annually to Greeley Recreation's Youth Assistance Fund over the past five years, supplemented by smaller grants from United Way of Weld County and local business sponsors. City general fund allocations and community donations comprise the remaining program budget.
Applications for 2026 Youth Assistance Fund support will be available in mid-December at GreeleyRec.com. Families can contact Greeley Recreation Administration at 970-350-9400 for information about eligibility and the application process.