The Road Runners Club of America is accepting applications for its Kids Run the Nation Grant Fund.
Donor Name: Road Runners Club of America
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/01/2026
Size of the Grant: Less than $1000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The RRCA’s Kids Run the Nation Grant Fund provides financial support to running clubs, schools, and community-based nonprofits that are launching or currently offering inclusive youth running programs—welcoming children of all genders and abilities.
Since 2007, the RRCA has proudly:
- Awarded over $385,000 in grants to 495+ youth running programs across the U.S.
- Helped more than 198,500 kids get moving and embrace running as part of a healthy lifestyle
- Donated over 93,000+ copies of the Running Guide for Kids to support youth programs nationwide
The Foundation Funds
- Marketing materials, brochures, posters, fliers, and other printed or digital materials informing grown-ups about the program
- Advertising the program in a community newspaper or website
- Hosting a program website
- Permit or usage fees to use a local park or running track
- Hydration supplies, including water bottles, cups, or coolers
- Snacks and meals for program participants
- Shoes, apparel, and accessories for program participants
- Incentives and awards such as Toe Tokens®, ribbons, shirts, water bottles, backpack tags, patches, etc.Mileage logs, worksheets, and other written and digital materials for program participants
- Agility, training, and timing equipment such as cones, hurdles, stopwatches, etc.
- Other items that the RRCA Grant Selection Committee sees fit to fund.
Funding Information
Grants ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Small grants will be awarded to youth running programs throughout the U.S.
- Running clubs, events, or other organizations with the IRS 501(c)(3) designation are eligible to apply
- Elementary, middle, and high schools that provide an organized running program (before school, during school, or after school) are eligible as well
- All applicants must be an official 501(c)(3), school, parent booster club, PTA, or a similar entity
- No grants will be given to individuals under any circumstances.
Review Criteria
- Your program should have kids running regularly, more than once each week for multiple weeks, as opposed to participating in a one-time event. The program may culminate in a goal fun run or other organized running event.
- Your program should be a structured running program incorporating educational topics and running activities, ideally utilizing the RRCA’s Kids Run the Nation curriculum.
- Your program may be a startup program or an established program.
- Your program must be gender-inclusive, encouraging and welcoming participation by children of all genders. The program may not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnic origin, or economic status. The program may outline age groups and may indicate a minimum and maximum age for participation.
- Your program must meet federal SafeSport Act requirements, including completion of sexual abuse awareness and reporting training and ideally requiring criminal background checks on all adult program staff and volunteers.
For more information, visit RRCA.
