The Greater Salina Community Foundation is accepting grant applications for the Youth Baseball Fund and the Sunflower Softball Fund.

These funds support local youth who would otherwise not be able to participate in baseball or softball due to limited financial resources. Grants may be used to cover registration fees, tournament fees, equipment, uniforms and clinics.

According to the organization, as a local youth baseball coach, Jason Wells has seen families struggle to support their child’s love of the game, due to the rising cost of youth sports.

“Equipment, uniforms, league fees and tournament fees can make baseball an expensive youth sport,” said Wells. “Our team does whatever it can to keep costs reasonable, yet there has always been a significant fee per player to participate.”

The Youth Baseball Fund was established in 2000 by longtime youth baseball coach Larry Britegam, who wanted to help families who struggle with the financial demands of organized sports.

“I would like to thank all those who put forth the time and money to keep this fund going,” Wells said. “Thanks for helping kids in Salina have an opportunity to be a part of these teams.”

This season, $16,000 is available for baseball and more than $3,000 is available for softball.

Applications open February 1, with deadlines of February 15, March 15, April 15 and May 15, 2026. Funding will be awarded on a first come, first served basis and decisions will be announced after each grant deadline. Apply online at http://gscf.org/search-apply-for-a-grant/.

Since the baseball and softball funds were started, 364 young baseball and softball players in the Salina area have received a combined total of $99,018.12.

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