If your soccer league currently runs or hopes to run a TopSoccer program for special needs children or you are part of a group looking to bring youth soccer into an area with lower income families that is not served by existing leagues, check out the USYSA 2009 Grant Program:

US Youth Soccer announces the 2009 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer and Soccer Across America (formerly known as Soccer Start) grant applications are now available on USYouthSoccer.org. The deadline for both grants has been set for March 17, 2009.

Last year, as a part of the 11th grant cycle and in partnership with adidas, US Youth Soccer awarded $85,000 in grants. Grants were first made available in 1998 with over $2 million given to date.  US Youth Soccer has issued 408 awards to groups of various sizes across the United States. Specifically for TOPSoccer and Soccer Across America programs, these grants continue to assist in developing soccer programs and furthering The Game for ALL Kids!®.

Seed grants like this can often be the difference in getting people motivated to help further a program, when they see if has some funding and chance at success.

Grant applications are due March 17th, 2009