Application for assistance

Who Should Apply

The Jennifer E. Benner Foundation offers support to families and youth in Michigan who face financial barriers to participating in sports. If you’re a parent, guardian, coach, or young athlete in need of help covering the cost of team fees, equipment, or other athletic expenses, we encourage you to apply. Our mission is to make sure cost never keeps a child off the field, court, or track.

What to Expect After You Apply

Once your application is submitted, our team will carefully review the information to ensure it aligns with our mission of helping youth access athletic opportunities. We may follow up by email or phone if we need any additional details or documentation. All information is kept confidential and used solely for the purpose of determining eligibility. You’ll receive an update on the status of your application within 2–3 weeks. If approved, we’ll work with you directly—or in some cases with your program or team—to provide the appropriate support, whether it’s funding assistance, equipment help, or connecting you with local resources. Our goal is to make the process as smooth and supportive as possible so your athlete can stay focused on what matters most: playing the game they love.

Youth sports should be a right, not a privilege. But across Michigan, more and more families face the tough reality that sports participation is simply too expensive—whether it’s equipment, registration fees, travel, or even school pay-to-play costs.
The Jennifer E. Benner Foundation was created to change that. Inspired by a passion for youth development and equal opportunity, our foundation works to ensure that no child is sidelined because of financial hardship. From helping with team dues to covering the cost of gear or physicals, we’re here to make sports more accessible for all.

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

This foundation is committed to making youth sports accessible to all children, including those with disabilities. We strive to ensure that our programs and events are inclusive and accommodating to individuals with diverse needs.

What youth sports accessibility means

Youth sports accessibility means creating an environment where children with disabilities can participate in sports activities with the same level of ease and enjoyment as their peers. This includes providing necessary accommodations and support to ensure equal access and opportunities for all.

Accessibility initiatives at the foundation

Our foundation has implemented various initiatives to make youth sports programs and events accessible to all children. We have tailored our programs to align with inclusive practices and have made accommodations to ensure that children with disabilities can participate fully.

Our initiatives include providing adaptive equipment, offering financial assistance for participation fees and collaborating with community partners to enhance accessibility.

Declaration of commitment to inclusive youth sports

While we strive to ensure full accessibility, we acknowledge that certain aspects may need further improvement. We are dedicated to ongoing efforts to enhance the accessibility of our programs and welcome feedback from the community.

Feedback and inquiries

We are committed to addressing any accessibility concerns or inquiries. If you have feedback, suggestions, or require assistance related to the accessibility of our youth sports programs, please reach out to us.

Jennifer E. Benner
[Email address of the accessibility coordinator]
[Additional contact details if available]