San Jose Sharks’ Community Assist Grants

The Sharks Foundation Community Assist Grant is a philanthropic initiative administered by the San Jose Sharks Foundation, a charitable organization affiliated with the National Hockey League team. The Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life for youth and families in the Bay Area through targeted investments in health, education, and community development. This grant program operates on a rolling basis and is designed to support nonprofit organizations delivering impactful programs aligned with youth wellness, education, and access to hockey. The Foundation emphasizes community engagement and equitable access to resources, particularly for underserved populations. The primary purpose of the Community Assist Grant is to fund programs that promote healthy living, TK-12 education, education equity, and inclusive access to hockey. Healthy living initiatives may include programs addressing physical fitness, nutrition, mental health, and access to healthcare services such as dental and vision care. Educational programs must focus on STEAM or literacy development for students in transitional kindergarten through grade 12. Education equity efforts are targeted at young adults aged 18 to 26 and emphasize workforce readiness, career pathways, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment opportunities. Additionally, the Foundation supports initiatives that expand access to hockey in alignment with the broader Hockey is for Everyone principle. These efforts aim to increase participation among underrepresented groups, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, BIPOC communities, and individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities. The program is structured to drive social inclusion while fostering skill development and community belonging through sports participation. Funding must be directed toward specific programmatic elements or projects rather than general operating expenses. The Foundation explicitly excludes funding for political organizations, fundraising events, endowments, individual assistance, and organizations operating outside designated Bay Area counties. Faith-based organizations may apply only if their proposed programs are secular, inclusive, and do not involve religious instruction or activities. Programs must demonstrate a clear alignment with at least one of the Foundation’s focal areas and provide direct benefits to youth populations within the eligible service regions. Eligible applicants must be established nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for at least five years and must maintain good standing with both the Internal Revenue Service and the California Department of Justice Registry of Charitable Trusts. Organizations must operate within Santa Clara, Alameda, San Mateo, or Santa Cruz counties and be prepared to host a site visit if selected. Additionally, the program being funded must have been in existence for a minimum of three years and must primarily serve youth within the eligible geographic area. The application process begins with the submission of an interest form. If the Foundation determines that a proposal aligns with its priorities, applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed narrative for further review. Due to the high volume of submissions, only applicants advancing to the next stage will be contacted. The program operates without a fixed deadline, reflecting its rolling review structure, and applicants are advised not to request status updates. Award timelines and funding amounts are not specified, and selection is based on alignment with program priorities, demonstrated impact, and organizational capacity.

Ensure strong alignment with one focal area and demonstrate measurable youth impact to advance beyond initial screening