All Year-Round Soccer Pilot Program Grant - Research Proposal Example

THINK TANK GRANT PROPOSAL All Year Round Soccer Pilot Program Grant Proposal Developed by April 15th, 2012. The Project Officer, The Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan; 333 W. Fort Street, Suite 2010 Detroit, MI. 48226-3134 Dear, Sir/Madam Think Detroit PAL is humbly requesting for a grant of $ 18621 from Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan to fund its All Year Round Soccer Program Pilot Project for the inner city youths. Think Detroit Police Athletics have been positively touching lives of about ten thousand children annually by use of athletics and leadership mentorship programs. In order to continue touching the lives of youths in the city, Think Detroit PAL intends to implement an All Year Round Soccer Program. Through the program, 75 participating youths will be mentored academically in addition to participating in soccer tournaments thereby fostering a sense of pride, raise awareness of a better life, help youths learn to set achievable goals and ensure better physical and mental health. More information about Think Detroit is provided in the subsequent document. Additionally, we have enclosed supporting documents which include a list of the board members, program budget, financial statements and our organization’s 501(c) (3) letter. We look forward to getting an opportunity to discuss the activities of our organization and the funding request in detail with you. Free feel to contact Dana Cooper, Think Detroit PAL Soccer Commissioner, at (313) 833-1600 or through fax at (313) 833-1616 for further clarifications or comments. The proposal has been developed and is being presented with approval of Think Detroit PAL board of directors and we look forward to your response. We also appreciate this chance to submit our proposal to Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. Sincerely, Tim Richey Chief Executive Officer Enclosures Executive Summary Think Detroit PAL, a private non-profit organization that has been positively touching the lives of thousand youths through sports and leadership development programs. The organization mission’s is to develop character in youths through athletics and leadership development programs and academics. The program has been developing mentors and training volunteer coaches. Presently, Think Detroit offers fall and spring soccer to youths, however following increased prevalence of obesity, diabetes and hypertension due to inactivity; Think Detroit wishes to expand is program to become an all year soccer competition. To implement the year round soccer program for youths in the inner city, Think Detroit requires to raise 18621 dollars. These funds will be used to purchase player’s uniforms, balls and ball bags. Moreover the money will be used in rewarding teams and organizing celebrations. The organization will use some of volunteer coaching staff to aid in administration of the club affairs and parents will have to pay 40 dollars for their parents to participate. The organization has adequate and well experienced professionals to initiate such a program. The program will target youths leaving in Wayne County and those in the inner city. However, those in Detroit will be given priority. There will be five coed teams and the program will run from November 2012 to August 2013 with two seasons; summer and winter tournaments. Children in the program will have to show their report cards to the coaching staff as an indicator of any improvement. The contact point with the organization is Dana Cooper who is the soccer commissioner. Organizational Information Our organization; Think Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) is a non-profit organization that has been positively touching lives of about ten thousand children annually by use of athletics and leadership mentorship programs. The organization was formed following a merger of Think Detroit and Detroit PAL in 2006. The organization empowers the society by educating volunteer coaches and developing safe areas that our kids can play. Annually, Think Detroit PAL trains over one thousand four hundred caring members of the community on how to become effective in encouraging and offering effective mentorship. Our mission statement is that in collaboration with community volunteers and the Detroit Police Department, Think Detroit (PAL) develops character in the youth through athletics, leadership development programs and academics. The organization is motivated by studies that show that youth sports programs promote positive character in the youths participating; promote development of positive life skills, healthy lifestyles and physical fitness. Furthermore, health programs increases the chances of children growing into healthy adults. Presently, Think Detroit PAL also offers fall and spring soccer and is planning to develop a pilot summer soccer program between June and August and winter indoor soccer to run between November and March in the next two years. To implement a year round soccer program for inner city youths, the organization is seeking funding from The Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. The physical contact of Think Detroit PAL is 111 W. Willis Detroit, MI 48201 and the phone number is (313) 833-1600. The organization Fax is (313) 833-1616 and its website is www.thinkdetroitpal.org where information about the organization’s programs, funding and activities can be accessed. The point of contact with Think Detroit (PAL) during the funding period is Dana Copper, the Assistant Director of Athletics and Soccer Commissioner. Think Detroit PAL runs one of the largest inner-city youth sports programs in the country with over 80 teams and 21 organizations. Currently, the annual programs budget of Think Detroit PAL is over $ 2 million with majority of funding being sourced from program fees contributing to about 15 percent of the total budget, donations from foundations in the area contributing 30 percent while the program sponsorship contributes 10 percent. Additionally, about 30 percent of our budget comes from special events. Need Statement Detroit MI is predominately African Americans and Hispanics; representing groups at the greatest risk of obesity, diabetics, and hypertension. The city has the highest youth fatality rates and make up the greatest percentage of the prison system. Additionally, the organization has realized that there are more than 160,000 young people aged 5 to 18 living in the inner city of Detroit who are not involved in any type of after-school activity. Statistic shows through active participation in after school programs, positive mentorship and sports program, the probability of youths falling prey to such violence is lessened greatly. The test pilot age group of 9-18 was chosen as this has become the epidemic of the youth falling victim to the violence. Objectives Think Detroit PAL aims to serve one out of every ten Detroit children. Through a regular exercise, the organization envisions to alleviate the suffering of the youth from the vicious cycle of health problems. Through an All Year Program; 75 youth participating youths will be mentored academically in addition to competing in soccer games and tournaments thereby helping to; foster a greater sense of pride; raise awareness of a better life; teach the youths to establish achievable goals; and promote better physical and mental health Project Description Think Detroit PAL has proposed to prioritize implementation of a year round soccer program for inner city youths so that we can continue touching the lives of youths in the city. This new project is inline with our mission of positively touching the lives of young people. The organization realized that many children are becoming obese since they do not participate in after school activities but rather spend most of their time glued on T.V. The program therefore seeks the issue of obesity by giving the youths of this city a chance to participate in more sports. The objective of the project is to promote positive skills, physical fitness and healthy among the youths thereby reducing prevalence rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension. The project is building on the current program where the organization has been offering fall and spring soccer. Think Detroit PAL all year round soccer program for inner city youths currently receives support from the media, political figures and civic leaders. Recently, Think Detroit programs were showed on Fox 2 news, Detroit Free Press newspaper. Moreover, the city councils have acknowledged the work done by the organization. To implement the proposed program, Think Detroit will rely on the trained coaching staff within the community. As the program develops, more coaching staff will be added. As per now, the organization has more than a hundred trained and certified volunteer coaches who have been trained via the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYA). The organization has expertise in developing such a program where Tim Ritchey co-founded Detroit Youth Soccer league. Moreover, our soccer commissioner; Dana Cooper has been able to host spring and fall soccer championships for the last eight. Think Detroit hopes to continue using the large pool of volunteers that have been aiding it in the daily activities. Evaluation The outcomes of the project will be evaluated based on physical fitness of the participants and their academic performance. To assess physical fitness of the youth, their body mass index will be measured as they join the program and this will evaluated after every six months which will act as an indicator whether the participation is having a health effect on the youth. Geographic Coverage of the Program Participation will only be open to youths living in Wayne County and those residing in the inner city. Those living in Detroit city will be given priority over other youths. Financial Information The total budget for implementing the program is $ 18621 that will be used to purchase uniform for the players, pay the coaching staff and to give rewards and organize celebrating. In budgeting, quality and prices charged by various suppliers were compared from local and online sources and Epic sports offered the best bargain in terms of prices and quality. To offset part of the expenses, parents will be asked to pay $ 40 dollars for the players to meet the costs of snacks. Program Budget Item Price Per Unit Sub total Total 75 uniform packages $18.77 1407.75 20 goalie shirts (4 goalie shirts per team $ 15.99 $319.80 20 goalie gloves (4 goalie gloves per team $15.99 319.80 Total uniform cost $2047.35 50 Soccer balls from Epic Sports(10 balls per team $9.99 $499.50 10 all sports ball bags from Epic Sports(2 bags per team) $5.09 $50.90 Total Cost of balls and Bags $ 550.40 40 practice vest from $3.45 $138.00 75 Trophies $10.50 $750 Food and games $800 Total cost of celebration and awards $1550 Tournament fees summer rush kick off Northville MI $2250 Tournament fees winter Rochester MI $2000 Meet and greet refreshments (pastries and drinks) $200 Summer League Fees per team $75 $375 Winter League Fees per team $80 $400 Coaching staff (10 coaches) 900 9000 Total Program Budget $18620.75≈ $18621 Detailed Work Plan The soccer program is expected to start in November, 2012 and will consist of 5 coed teams; under 10 boys and girls team will have children aged between 9 and 10 years, there will be under 12 team, under 14 boys and girls team, under 16 boys and girls team and under 18 team. The program will run for two seasons for one year. The winter season will run from November to March 2013 while the summer season runs from June 2013 to August 2013. Work plan Date Activity May, 10th, 2012 to 16th May, 2012 Team coaches to submit recommended team players who will be part of the pilot program May 18th, 2012 Drawing up the schedule for the games and invitee to the games May 26 to 2nd June, 2012 Introduction of the players and their family members into the program 15th July, 2012 Sending of acceptance letters to the players’ homes 15th August, 2012 to 17th September, 2012 Collection of public opinions by the public relations department for drawing up of first program newsletter November, 2nd, 2012 Meet and greet parents and players event where refreshments will be served in information packets 3 days weekly Team practices; 2 teams daily. During winter the teams will use the gym and while in summer the practices will be in field All Saturdays Summer tournament games will be played March 2013 Teams will play a tournament at Rochester Hills Velocity where each team will play at least three games based on their standings August, 2013 Northville Summer tournament each team plays at least 4 games. 1 week of summer session will be used for soccer camp before the start of the summer league. Board Member Names Name Place of Work Al Avila The Detroit Tigers, Inc John Bush UBS Ralph L. Godbee Jr. Detroit Police Department Anthony McCree UHY, LLP Damon Tooles Tooles Contracting Group Terence A. Thomas Thomas Group Consulting, Inc Michele Lewis Watts Michigan Womens Foundation Bertram L. Marks Litigation Associates P.L.L.C. Ron May DTE Energy Arthur M. Horwitz Renaissance Media/Detroit Jewish News Maurice Morton Simpson, Morton & Cross, PLLC George S. Rogers WPP Team Detroit. Michelle Sherman Barden Companies, Inc. Michael F. Tenbusch United Way for Southeastern Michigan Andy HetzelBlue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Van Dyke Ford Motor Company Percy Wells Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. Deborah Windey Ford Motor Company Darryl Hazel John McCandless Bibliography Ager, Susan. "Detroit Free Press Susan Ager Column: In Search of Calumets Lost Soldier." McClatchy - Tribune Business News, Sep 03, 2006. Barnas, Jo-Ann. "Developing Soccer in the City: More and More Detroit Kids are Getting to Play the Worlds Game." McClatchy - Tribune Business News, Jun 30, 2006. Barnas, Jo-Ann. "Developing Soccer in the City: More and More Detroit Kids are Getting to Play the Worlds Game." McClatchy - Tribune Business News, Jun 30, 2006. Begin, Sherri. "Nonprofits Think Detroit, PAL to Merge." Crains Detroit Business 21, no. 50 (Dec 12, 2005): 22-22. Benedetti, Marti and Constance Crump. "Power Pipeline." Crains Detroit Business 26, no. 51 (Dec 13, 2010): 9-9. Cooper, Desiree. "Detroit Free Press Desiree Cooper Column: A Lesson is Learned in Death." McClatchy - Tribune Business News, Feb 06, 2007. Krager, Aaron. ”More minorities in prison than in college” By Thursday, September 27th, 2007 at 12:14 pmhttp://www.faithfullyliberal.com/?p=747 Rossiter, Joe. "D. Duane Hurtt: Dedicated to Helping Young People through Think Detroit PAL." McClatchy - Tribune Business News, Jan 26, 2007. Rothenberg, Alan and Foster-Simeon Ed. ‘’Play, Learn, grow.’’ (2010) http://www.thinkdetroitpal.org/about/faq.asp "The 2010 Paul W. Smith Golf Classic Achieves the Highest Funds Raised in Tournament History." PR Newswire, Aug 25, 2010. "2006 Paul W. Smith Golf Classic Benefits Think Detroit PAL." PR Newswire, Apr 05, 2006. Read More