World Cup Dreams Foundation Announces 2024-25 Grants – Applications Now Open
The World Cup Dreams Foundation (WCDF), a nonprofit organization supporting snow sports athletes who demonstrate financial need, athletic merit, program or external support, leadership, and character, is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 season.
WCDF aims to support the nation’s best rising and top-level athletes through financial support and mentorship. To execute the mission, they have developed a sustainable pipeline of giving model to ensure athletes receive support at every crucial stage of their development, from U16 to Top-25 World Cup ranking.
World Cup Dreams Foundation’s Sustainable Pipeline of Giving
ARCO U16 Grant (14-15 years old) – Initiating Support: The launch point by providing vital support through the ARCO program, a gateway to our On the Rise (OTR) initiative. Aiming to identify athletes with “World Cup” potential and support passionate, high-character athletes who require assistance to participate in the sport.
The T2 On the Rise Grant (16-20 years old) – Propelling Talent Forward: The second phase of support, propelling talented athletes through the FIS years. To combat this, this grant provides the necessary resources and support to bridge the gap and propel athletes toward the U.S. Ski Team (USST) or Division I teams.
T2 World Cup Grant (USST D-B teams + Independent WC racers) – Sustained Support: The third phase, continue aiding athletes through the T2 WC grant until they achieve a top 25 ranking. This ongoing support ensures that financial constraints do not hinder their ascent to international success.
T2 Cross Country Team Grant: This grant aims to support XC teams to allow athletes to train as a group, elevating the team’s performance. The grant is based on the team’s values of giving back to the local community, ability to achieve success, and inspiration to develop talent.
This past season, the World Cup Dreams Foundation allocated $791,000 across 124 athletes in all its programs, supporting athletes’ travel expenses, race entry fees, plane tickets, physical therapy, coaching fees, U.S. Ski Team D Team fee, and club fees to ensure they stay in the sport. WCDF’s support resulted in 6 U16 national podiums, 4 athletes named to the USST from the T2 On the Rise program, 6 national titles, 4 NorAm titles, 3 World Cup podiums, 580 scored World Cup points, and 17 athletes requalifying for the US Ski Team.
The Critical Inflection Point: Why Now?
Currently, the United States is experiencing a historic low in young talent, resulting in a low transfer to elite performance. Despite being a leading nation in youth participation at the U14-U16 levels, we are witnessing a concerning decline in the transition of young talent (16-20 years old) to elite performance (top-30 ranked). This decline can be attributed to two critical challenges:
- Financial Barriers: The cost of sport is a significant barrier for talented athletes. From training fees to equipment and travel expenses, many promising skiers struggle to access the resources they need to excel.
- Lack of Development: The lack of financial resources leads to insufficient days on snow, race opportunities, and equipment necessary for development.
Why WCDF Strategy Matters
Over the past 25 years, there has been a gradual decline in elite young American skiers between the ages of 16 and 20. This critical inflection point highlights the urgency of investing in our talent pipeline.
WCDF’s sustainable giving pipeline is strategic and data-driven. Analyzing performance data to refine the approach and focus within the giving strategy aims to maximize impact and success. Together, we can keep talent in the pipeline and create a legacy of champions, turning dreams into reality by empowering the next generation of skiing stars. Our time is now!
Applications are due by July 31, 2024, for all grants. Any application submitted after this date will not be eligible.
U16 ARCO Grant Application: CLICK HERE
On The Rise Grant Application: CLICK HERE
T2 World Cup Grant Application: CLICK HERE
T2 Cross Country Team Grant Application: CLICK HERE
The mission of the World Cup Dreams Foundation is to further the growth and development of the nation’s best athletes by helping them realize their athletic goals and dreams through career financial support and mentorship.
For more information, visit World Cup Dreams Foundation or contact Executive Director Thomas Biesemeyer at tommyb@worldcupdreams.org.
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