Chargers Champions School Grant Program

The Chargers Champions School Grant Program is an initiative of the Los Angeles Chargers Impact Fund, a philanthropic arm associated with the professional football organization. Established in 2000, Chargers Champions has a long-standing history of supporting educational institutions throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. Over more than two decades, the program has distributed over six million dollars in funding to schools, contributing to improved physical fitness infrastructure and programming. The initiative reflects a sustained commitment to youth health, wellness, and education, particularly through investments in physical literacy and activity-based learning environments. The primary purpose of the grant program is to enhance the physical literacy of students by expanding access to physical fitness, nutrition, and athletic programs. Physical literacy is defined as the combination of motivation, confidence, knowledge, and understanding necessary for lifelong engagement in physical activity. Schools applying for funding are expected to design programs that directly support this goal, whether through equipment purchases, facility improvements, or curriculum enhancements. Funded projects historically include outdoor fitness trails, gym upgrades, running tracks, and specialized monitoring or training equipment. Funding is awarded based on school enrollment tiers, with schools of up to 500 students eligible for up to 25000 dollars, schools with 501 to 999 students eligible for up to 40000 dollars, and schools with 1000 or more students eligible for up to 75000 dollars. Applicants must request funding that aligns with their enrollment category and must propose a project that fully utilizes the requested amount. The program reserves the right to partially fund proposals if elements do not fully meet funding guidelines. There is no mention of matching requirements, and funds are intended strictly for programmatic or capital improvements related to physical education, nutrition, or athletics. Eligibility is limited to public and private schools located within San Diego and Imperial Counties. Public schools must demonstrate compliance with California Education Code requirements related to physical education instructional minutes, specifically 200 minutes every ten days for elementary schools and 400 minutes every ten days for secondary schools. Additionally, public school programs must align with California Model Content Standards for Physical Education, and high schools must provide evidence of instruction across required curricular areas. Private schools must demonstrate comparable physical education programming. All physical education classes must be taught by appropriately credentialed teachers. The application process requires electronic submission of a fully completed application along with all required supporting documentation. Schools must provide clear justification of need for the proposed project and ensure that all materials are submitted in proper order. Only complete applications are considered, and incomplete submissions are not accepted. The deadline for submission is May 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. The selection process involves review by a committee composed of community leaders, educators, and organizational representatives. Finalists are expected to be notified in late June 2026 following the review process. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed, the requirements indicate that need, compliance with educational standards, and alignment with program goals are critical factors. The program operates on an annual cycle, continuing its legacy of grantmaking to support youth physical development and wellness across the region. No direct contact information is provided within the materials, and applicants are directed to submit through the official electronic application system.

Ensure proposal fully aligns with physical literacy goals and uses entire requested funding amount; provide clear evidence of need; verify compliance with physical education standards before submission