Champaign Park District Celebrates a Year of Support for Sports Activities

In 2025, Champaign Park District received the $20,000 DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation “Sports Matter” Grant. The grant helped provide free access to several sports activities, including the First String Basketball League, swim lessons through the Project Swim initiative, and CU Special Recreation’s Mustang basketball, cheerleading, and bowling.  

Over the past 10 months, the grant covered costs for 188 youth in the First String Basketball league, 42 participants in various CU Special Recreation Mustang athletics programs, and 40 youth swim lessons through Project Swim. In total, “Sports Matter” gave 270 community members access to sports activities, empowering them to stay active without their families worrying about financial burden. 

“Being able to increase access to such a diverse array of sports activities has been a privilege,” said Shannon Morber, Champaign Park District Development Manager. “We are deeply grateful for DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s support for making this possible.” 

More information about the “Sports Matter” grant can be found at: https://champaignparks.org/champaign-park-district-receives-grant-to-offer-free-sports-programming/