Quick Grant Program

The Quick Grant program offered by the Arizona Sports & Tourism Authority (AZSTA) supports youth and amateur sports initiatives within Maricopa County, Arizona. The Authority was established under Arizona state law to promote tourism and youth sports, and one of its objectives is to facilitate equitable access to recreational resources throughout the region. The Quick Grant initiative serves as a streamlined funding opportunity intended to quickly meet equipment-related needs of qualifying organizations that promote youth and amateur sports and physical activity in the community. Quick Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the fiscal year until the designated funds are depleted. The Authority sets aside five percent of its annual Youth & Amateur Sports (YAS) funding for this program. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants who meet the eligibility and funding criteria. Preference is given to first-time applicants, while those who have received previous AZSTA funding may be deprioritized. Applicants are limited to one Quick Grant every 12 months and must not have received a Biennial Grant in the previous two fiscal years. Applicants must be agencies, municipalities, or school districts within Maricopa County, or incorporated public entities or nonprofit organizations operating under IRS 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status. Organizations must demonstrate that they have operated for at least one calendar year and that the proposed project is located in Maricopa County. All projects must serve youth and amateur sports activities and present a compelling statement of need, program sustainability, and community benefit. Notably, Quick Grant funding is specifically targeted at equipment-related expenses and will not cover salaries, administrative overhead, rent, travel outside Maricopa County, capital campaigns, or any activity not directly supporting youth or amateur sports in the region. Grant requests are based on submission of the AZSTA Quick Grant Funding application and a project budget template. Awards are limited to a maximum of $5,000 and may not exceed two-thirds of the total project cost. Applicants are required to contribute at least one-third of the total cost from other sources. All awarded equipment or materials must remain with the organization and cannot be transferred to individuals. The evaluation of applications includes a review of several qualitative factors: the stated need, sustainability of the program, and its demonstrated benefit to a local school or the wider community. Projects that fail to meet these requirements or attempt to fund previously purchased items or already-expended monies will not be considered. All funds for the FY2026 cycle have been expended, and the application portal is scheduled to reopen on July 1, 2026, for the next round. Applicants are encouraged to prepare their materials in advance of that date. For questions, interested parties can reach out to Heather Quinlan via email at [email protected].