Open Ice Youth Hockey Program

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Executive Summary

Open Ice Youth Hockey Program is a nonprofit in Michigan that gives children ages 6 to 16 from families with low incomes a free path into hockey. Hockey teaches teamwork, discipline, balance and how to get up after a fall. For too many families in our area it is also out of reach, because the equipment alone can cost several hundred dollars before a child ever steps on the ice.

We provide everything: ice time at a partner rink, a full equipment loan, USA Hockey certified coaches and transportation for children who cannot get to practice on their own. Families pay nothing to participate.

With this grant we will serve about 60 young players in Year 1, running twice-weekly practices and two seasons of league play at a partner rink. We do not promise that any player will reach a professional or college level. We promise a safe program, a real coach and a team to belong to.

Our Year 1 budget is about $179,000, growing to about $266,000 by Year 5 as we add players and coaches. Each year's budget is planned to balance, with a small surplus each year.

We are asking the Great Lakes Youth Sports Foundation for $66,000 for a head coach and assistant coach stipends, hockey equipment and ice time and transportation, for July 2027 through June 2028. NHL community funding, the city parks department, family supporters and other grants also give, so this grant is one part of a shared funding plan.

I am Marcus Webb, the Executive Director. The numbers in this proposal are estimates based on the assumptions listed at the end, not promises.

Company Description

Open Ice Youth Hockey Program is a nonprofit organization in Michigan. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors, with a written conflict-of-interest policy and a yearly budget the board reviews and approves.

Our mission. Every child who wants to play hockey should have that chance, whatever their family's income.

How we started. Three years ago a retired professional hockey player began running a free Saturday skills clinic at a partner rink for children from low-income families who had never played. The clinic filled every week. Families asked for more, and our board formed to build a real program.

What we do.
- Run a full hockey season with twice-weekly practices and organized league games at a partner rink.
- Loan a complete set of equipment to every player for the duration of the season: helmet, skates, pads and stick.
- Provide transportation for players who cannot get to the rink on their own.
- Run a summer skills camp during the off-season.
- Help players who want to continue into travel or school hockey navigate that process.

What we do not do. We do not guarantee a roster spot on a travel team or a scholarship. We do not allow any adult to be alone with a player outside of program hours. We do not share player information with outside coaches or recruiters without written family permission.

Where things stand today. We have a signed ice time agreement with a local rink partner. Our head coach holds a USA Hockey certification and ran the original clinic. Letters of support from two elementary school principals and a school counselor are in hand.

Problem & Opportunity

Hockey is one of the most expensive youth sports to enter, and the cost puts it out of reach for many families.

Equipment. A complete beginner set of hockey gear can cost from $300 to $600 or more. Skates alone can cost $100 or more for a growing child. Most families with tight budgets simply cannot absorb that before a child has tried the sport.

Ice time. Rink time is expensive and scarce. Without an organization like ours to negotiate block ice time, families pay per-session prices that add up quickly.

Transportation. Many families in our community do not have reliable vehicles or cannot take time off work for early-morning or evening practice schedules. Without a ride, a player cannot participate.

Awareness. Many children who would love hockey have never been offered a clear path in. Youth hockey in Michigan is popular, but it has traditionally been concentrated in communities where families can pay.

What we hear.
- A grandmother raising her grandson says she would sign him up today if equipment were provided.
- A school counselor says three of her students showed up in hockey jerseys every day last winter and never mentioned that they played.
- A local rink manager says he would like to see more diverse youth in his building but does not have the program to make it happen.
- A teenager says she watched the women's gold medal game four years ago and has wanted to play ever since.

We do not claim hockey is the solution to every challenge a young person faces. We say it is a sport worth having access to.

Products & Services

Open Ice gives players the gear, the ice time, the coach and the ride, so nothing but the desire to play stands between a child and hockey.

How the program works.
1. Recruitment. We work with school counselors, community centers and the city parks department to identify and invite eligible players.
2. Equipment loan. Every player receives a complete set of hockey gear on loan for the season: helmet with cage, skates fitted by our equipment manager, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin pads, hockey pants, gloves and a stick.
3. Practice. Twice-weekly practices at the partner rink, run by a USA Hockey certified head coach and two part-time assistant coaches. Sessions are organized by age and skill level.
4. Games. We enter players in a recreational league appropriate for each age group. We cover entry fees and travel within the league.
5. Transportation. We arrange rides for players who cannot get to the rink. Families sign a transportation agreement that names approved pick-up and drop-off contacts.
6. Skills camp. A four-week summer camp runs during July, with daily on-ice sessions for players who want to stay sharp.

Safe program. Every coach passes a background check and completes USA Hockey SafeSport training before working with players. Two adults are present at every session and practice. Players are released only to adults named by their families.

What we do not promise. We do not promise a travel roster spot, a college scholarship or any competitive result. We promise equipment, ice time, a trained coach and a safe team.

Market Analysis

Who we serve. Children ages 6 to 16 from families with low incomes who live near our partner rink and want to play hockey. We use school lunch status or family income guidelines our board sets to determine eligibility. No player is turned away for lack of experience.

How we estimate need. We cannot count every child who could benefit, so we plan from what we can see. Our Saturday clinic averaged 28 children per session in its second year, and families called asking for a full program. Our Year 1 plan is for about 60 players. By Year 5 we plan to serve about 140 players.

Who else benefits.
- Families, who gain a safe structured activity for their children.
- Schools, which gain a positive program to recommend to students who need one.
- Our partner rink, which gains new young players and community goodwill.
- The sport, which gains participants from communities that have rarely been part of it.

How players find us.
- Referrals from school counselors, family liaisons and community center staff.
- Outreach at libraries, community centers and churches.
- Word of mouth from families whose children are in the program.
- The city parks department, which we partner with for recruitment and facilities.

Competitive Landscape

What young players can find today, and how we are different.

1. Travel and select hockey programs. They offer excellent coaching and require significant fees, equipment purchases and travel. We offer a free alternative for families who cannot afford those costs.

2. School and recreational hockey leagues. Some exist, and they often require the family to provide equipment and pay registration fees. We remove both barriers.

3. Other youth sports. Basketball, soccer and football are more accessible in our community. We are not competing with them. Some players will play hockey in the winter and another sport in the fall or spring.

4. No program at all. Many children in our community simply have no option. We are not replacing anything. We are starting something.

What makes us different.
- Free participation with a full equipment loan at no cost to the family.
- Transportation for players who cannot get to the rink.
- USA Hockey certified coaching and SafeSport training for every adult.
- A partnership with an established rink that gives us reliable, scheduled ice.

What we will not do. We will not ask a family to pay any fee to participate, and we will not run a session without a certified coach.

Marketing & Sales Strategy

How players and families will find us.

Reaching players and families.
- Schools. We will meet with counselors and family liaisons at six schools to share sign-up information in English and Spanish.
- Community centers. We will hold information nights and equipment fitting days.
- City parks department. Our partnership includes co-promotion through their newsletter and social media.
- Families. We will hold a parent meeting before each season, with an interpreter when needed, so families understand the program and its schedule.
- Word of mouth. Players who join tell siblings and neighbors. We will invite each current player to bring a friend to a free skills day.

Reaching partners and funders.
- NHL community programs. We will apply for NHL and NHLPA community outreach funds and maintain the relationship year over year.
- Local businesses. We will invite businesses to sponsor a player's season or a set of equipment by name.
- Individual donors. We will hold a family showcase after each season and send a short outcome report to every donor.
- Foundations. We will apply for grants that match our goals and send honest, specific reports.

How we will know it is working. We will track players enrolled, practices completed, games played, equipment returned in good condition, transportation trips and family feedback.

Operations Plan

How the program will be carried out.

Timeline for Year 1:
- Months 1 and 2 (July and August): Hire coaches, buy equipment, complete background checks, finalize consent and transportation forms and confirm our ice schedule with the partner rink.
- Month 3 (September): Hold equipment fitting days and begin the fall season.
- Months 3 to 7: Twice-weekly practices and league games.
- Month 8 (April): End-of-season showcase and equipment return. Survey families.
- Months 9 to 12 (May to June): Summer skills camp in July. Plan for Year 2.

Where we practice. Our partner rink provides ice time at scheduled windows in exchange for a block ice time agreement. We bring additional cones, pucks and training aids.

Safety. Every coach passes a background check and completes USA Hockey SafeSport training before the first session. Two adults are present at every practice and game. Players wear helmets and full protective gear at all times on the ice. Families sign a consent form, medical release and transportation agreement. We follow USA Hockey concussion protocol for any head contact.

Privacy. Player names, grades and contact information are kept in a secure system that only staff can see. We never share photos or names without written permission.

Measuring results. We track practices completed, games played, equipment returned, transportation trips and family feedback surveys at the end of each season. We share results with funders each quarter.

Staffing. In Year 1 we have an Executive Director, a USA Hockey certified head coach and two part-time assistant coaches. We add a part-time family and school liaison in Year 2 and a program coordinator in Year 4.

Management & Organization

Marcus Webb, Executive Director. I lead the organization, report to the board and am responsible for budgets, partnerships and reporting to funders. I played and coached hockey for many years and watched this program grow from a Saturday clinic into something families depend on. I will complete the same background check and SafeSport training we require of every coach.

USA Hockey Certified Head Coach. Our head coach holds a USA Hockey certification, ran the original clinic and knows our players and their families. He stays on as the on-ice lead.

Assistant Coaches. Two part-time assistants run drills, manage equipment during sessions and help with transportation logistics. They are chosen for their patience, hockey knowledge and care for children, then complete our background check and SafeSport training.

Our board. Our volunteer board includes a former NHL player, a school principal, a parent of one of our players, a nonprofit finance volunteer and an attorney. The board meets monthly and approves all budgets and policies.

Outside help. A bookkeeper keeps our books by the hour. An accountant reviews them each year. Our attorney helped write our consent, medical release and transportation forms. An insurance agent helped us choose the right coverage for a youth contact sport.

Pay. I am paid $46,000 a year, and the head coach is paid $34,000. Both are included in the budget.

Milestones Narrative

Our goals, how we will measure them and when we plan to reach them.

Year 1 outcomes (July 2027 through June 2028):
- Serve about 60 players.
- Complete at least 60 twice-weekly practices and enter league play for both age groups.
- Provide at least 200 transportation trips to players who need them.
- Return at least 90 percent of loaned equipment in usable condition.
- Receive positive feedback from at least 80 percent of families on safety and communication.

How we measure. Practice attendance, game schedules, transportation logs, equipment return records and end-of-season family surveys.

Year 2 (about 75 players):
- Add a part-time family and school liaison.
- Begin a summer skills camp in July.
- Partner with a second school for recruitment.

Year 3 (about 90 players):
- Add a third assistant coach.
- Hold a family showcase and skills exhibition after each season.

Years 4 and 5 (about 115 and 140 players):
- Add a program coordinator in Year 4.
- Report results publicly each year.
- Build donor and sponsor support so no single grant covers more than 40 percent of the budget.

Funding Request

What we are asking for, and how the money will be used. Our request: $66,000 from the Great Lakes Youth Sports Foundation for a head coach and assistant coach stipends, hockey equipment and ice time and transportation, for July 2027 through June 2028.

The request is spread across these budget lines:
- Personnel: Head coach salary and assistant coach stipends, $40,000 (other funds add $18,000).
- Supplies: Hockey equipment loan fund (helmets, skates, pads, sticks), $14,000 (other funds add $6,000).
- Other: Ice time at partner rink and participant transportation, $12,000 (other funds add $5,000).

Other money in the program. This request is about 63% of our Year 1 grant income. NHL community and hockey foundation funding, a city parks and recreation contract, family supporters and other grants pay for everything it does not cover. If we receive less than we ask for, we will reduce the number of practice sessions and ask for in-kind equipment donations to close the gap.

Year 1 budget: about $179,000, planned to balance with a small surplus (about $10,000 after the yearly wear on equipment). Year 1 money coming in: grants $105,000; NHL Community and Hockey Foundation Funding $38,000; City Parks and Recreation Contract $20,000; Family Fees and Individual Donors $16,000. Year 1 costs: Executive Director $46,000; USA Hockey Certified Head Coach $34,000; Assistant Coach and Equipment Manager (part-time) $32,000; Ice Time at Partner Rink about $28,000; Equipment Loan Program Upkeep about $8,000; Coach Training and Background Checks about $5,000; Transportation for Participants about $5,000; Administration and Insurance about $9,000; about $3,800 a year for the wear on equipment.

One-time startup costs. Startup costs of $22,000 are paid once from startup money, not from the yearly budget: $10,000 for starter hockey equipment set for 20 youth (helmets, pads, sticks, skates); $3,000 for attorney review of consent forms, medical release and safety policy; $4,000 for background checks and first insurance payment; $3,000 for USA Hockey registration and safety certification fees; $2,000 for outreach materials and a simple website.

How we got our startup number. The Funding Need Calculator in this plan adds the startup costs ($22,000), the cash the program uses before it balances (about $0) and a cash cushion of about $41,800, which is about three months of Year 1 costs. In all, that comes to $64,000. We start with $12,000 from our founding board and $68,000 in startup support from a hockey foundation and a corporate donor, $80,000 in all, which covers that amount with room to spare.

The next five years. Our budget grows from about $179,000 in Year 1 to about $266,000 in Year 5. Grants are planned at $105,000, $116,000, $124,000, $132,000 and $140,000 in Years 1 to 5. Other income grows as well: NHL community and hockey foundation funding from $38,000 to $62,000, the city parks contract from $20,000 to $34,000 and family fees and individual donors from $16,000 to $30,000. We grow from about 60 players to about 140, adding a family liaison in Year 2 and a program coordinator in Year 4. Our surplus is planned at about $10,000 in Year 1, about $10,200 in Year 2, about $9,300 in Year 3, about $2,200 in Year 4 and about $4,900 in Year 5.

Savings. We plan to keep several months of costs in savings. The lowest year-end balance in the plan is about $74,800, at the end of Year 1. Some grant payments and partner payments arrive after we bill, so we plan for about $7,160 owed to us at the end of Year 1.

Cost per player. In Year 1, our total costs are about $2,800 per player, which includes equipment, ice time and transportation. By Year 5, with more players sharing the cost base, that falls to about $1,800 per player.

After the grant. NHL and hockey foundation partners have renewed support for programs like ours when they see real results. Players who stay with the sport become ambassadors and sometimes donors. We are building a program the community will sustain.

Risks and how we will handle them:
- A player injury on the ice. Helmets and full protective gear required, USA Hockey concussion protocol, certified coaches, insurance and two adults at every session.
- A coach leaves. We keep a list of USA Hockey certified backup coaches and share all practice plans in writing.
- The partner rink changes its schedule. We have a written block ice time agreement and have identified a backup rink.
- Low attendance or equipment no-shows. We address transportation barriers early and follow up with families before each practice.
- Equipment damage or loss. We track every item on loan and charge no fees, but we inspect gear before re-lending it.
- A grant ends. We keep savings, grow NHL, city and donor support each year and avoid taking on costs we cannot cover.

If you are just starting. A new organization can begin before it has its own 501(c)(3) status through a fiscal sponsor: an established nonprofit that receives grants for you and passes them to your program, usually for a fee (commonly around 5% to 10% of the grant, sometimes more; ask before you agree). Another way is to start smaller: one neighborhood, a handful of participants and a small team, tracked carefully. Strong results from a small start make larger grants easier to win.

Appendix Notes

Documents to attach with this proposal:

- Your IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, or your fiscal sponsor agreement.
- Your most recent financial statements and your current year budget.
- A list of your board members and what each one does.
- Signed letters of support from schools and your rink partner.
- Your rink partner ice time agreement and insurance certificate.
- Your player consent form, medical release and transportation agreement.
- Your safety plan, USA Hockey SafeSport certificates and background check policy.
- Your equipment loan policy and inventory list.
- Resumes for your Executive Director and head coach.
If you don't have any of this yet, no worries - let's continue.

The assumptions behind our numbers (change them in the Financials section to match your own):
- Grant Revenue: $105,000 in Year 1, growing to $140,000 in Year 5.
- NHL Community and Hockey Foundation Funding: $38,000 in Year 1, growing to $62,000 in Year 5.
- City Parks and Recreation Contract: $20,000 in Year 1, growing to $34,000 in Year 5.
- Family Fees and Individual Donors: $16,000 in Year 1, growing to $30,000 in Year 5.
- Pay (a full year, per person, including payroll taxes and workers' compensation): Executive Director $46,000; USA Hockey Certified Head Coach $34,000; Assistant Coach and Equipment Manager (part-time) $16,000; Family and School Liaison (part-time) $22,000; Program Coordinator (part-time) $26,000.
- Other yearly costs in Year 1: Ice Time at Partner Rink $28,000; Equipment Loan Program Upkeep $8,000; Coach Training and Background Checks $5,000; Transportation for Participants $5,000; Administration and Insurance $9,000. These grow between 4% and 5% a year.
- Equipment: $10,000 at the start, then $2,000 to $3,000 a year.
- Startup costs: $22,000, paid once from $80,000 in startup money.
- Players served: about 60 in Year 1, growing to about 140 in Year 5.
- Ice time: twice-weekly practices and league games at a partner rink, two seasons per year plus a summer camp in Year 2 and beyond.
- About 4% of each year's income is still owed to us at year end.
- Tax: none, as a nonprofit.
- Every dollar amount is an estimate. Replace them with your own quotes and real budget.

Startup Costs