Grants
Guidelines
Grant requests should be submitted to The Maize and Blue Fund on or before the grant deadline date. Grant deadline dates will be published by the Maize and Blue Fund. There will be three grant rounds per school year, tied to the three MHSAA and SJPS seasons (fall, winter, and spring). The deadline dates to submit grant applications will be established to allow grant submission, grant decisions, and grant funding to occur in advance of the season of which the grant is targeted for utilization. - All grant requests should be submitted by the varsity coach of the appropriate sport. Grants may, however, be targeted for use at any grade level for the specific sport. For example, a grant request to support a specific need/activity for middle school basketball should be submitted by the varsity basketball coach. - All grant requests will be reviewed and supported by the Athletic Director of SJPS prior to submission to The Maize and Blue Fund. - Grants are intended to support needs/activities that enhance and elevate the SJPS athletic experience. Grant requests may be for equipment to improve training, development, and “game day” activities; for personal and/or team mental, emotional, and physical health education; or for overall school spirit needs/activities. - Grants to fund uniforms, food, or basic equipment such as bats, balls, shoes, or hats may be considered on a selective and infrequent basis. A grant to purchase golf balls for a golf team will not be prioritized (basic equipment), but a grant to update the golf simulator software would qualify (enhancing the experience for all golfers). - Grant requests should support needs/activities that cannot be supported from other sources such as booster clubs or the SJPS athletic budget. - Grant requests should benefit entire programs or teams, not individuals. - There is no minimum or maximum dollar amount for grant requests. The Maize and Blue Fund will provide funds for qualified and approved grants as funds are available. - Multi-year grant requests may be considered, but in general they are not recommended as they create additional challenges relative to approval. - Approved grant requests must be used within 12 months of approval.
Cycle
Grant requests will be considered by The Maize and Blue Fund three times annually, aligned to the school athletic schedule of fall sports, winter sports, and spring sports. Annually, the Maize and Blue Fund will establish specific grant request timelines, however, the timelines will generally be two or three weeks, beginning shortly after the completion of the sports season. The grant cycles provide coaches time after the completion of sports seasons to access program needs and develop grant requests, with grants supporting off-season and/or “next season” needs. Fall Sports – grant cycle approximate timeline of November/December Winter Sports – grant cycle approximate timeline of March/April Spring Sports – grant cycle of approximately June/July The Maize and Blue Fund may also consider grant requests that are not specifically tied to a specific sports program throughout the year. Examples of such grants are free student admission to all home sporting events, maize craze T-shirts, athletic wellness events, and Bear mascot costume.
Process
Grant requests will be submitted by varsity coaches or SJPS athletic administration, based on the grant schedules established by The Maize and Blue Fund. All grant requests will be reviewed by the SJPS Athletic Director with the Athletic Director endorsing or providing comments related to the grant request. The Fund Distribution committee will review all grant requests and recommend to the Maize and Blue Fund board of directors approval or denial of grant request, inclusive of the specific dollar amount recommended for all approvals. The board of directors will provide final approve of all recommended grant requests.
Wrestling
$5,630
Spring 2026
Recondition Wrestling Mats
Partnered with SJPS and wrestling boosters to fund the reconditioning and markings of two 42’ x 42’ wrestling mats.
Girls Softball
$3,349
Spring 2026
Protective Screens
New protective screening for student athlete safety and various training equipment for enhanced individualized training and development.
Girls Soccer
$400
Spring 2026
Nutrition Education
A series of educational presentations by a local Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for parents, student athletes, and coaches on topics such as nutrition, strategic snacking, competitive fueling, parental partnering, recovery, and hydration.
Boys & Girls Golf
$1,960
Spring 2026
Indoor Training/Coaching Equipment
This equipment allows for practice and coaching during winter months and inclement weather.
Boys Baseball
$4,095
Spring 2026
Pitching Machine
Creates reliable game-like pitching repetition, allowing coaches to work with athletes on their swing. Safe regulation-compliant bats were also acquired for the baseball program.
Girls Basketball
$3,250
Winter 2026
Travel Bags
St. Joe Bears travel bags for each team member to use for gameday apparel and equipment. The travel bags replace old worn bags and result in a consistent maize and blue look for the basketball team.
Boys & Girls Cross-Country/Track & Field
$2,000
Fall 2025
Team Tent
The 10'x20' maize and blue tent will proudly include “St. Joseph Bears” graphics and will serve as a “home base” at meets. The tent will also house all gear for 100+ student athletes, cross-country teams during the fall season and track & field teams during the spring season.
Boys & Girls Volleyball
$3,550
Fall 2025
Acuspike Trainer
The Acuspike Trainer enables proper training for the very important and difficult skill of a volleyball spike. Training begins with proper footwork, jump, and arm swing without a ball. Adding the ball through the Acuspike Trainer completes the training process and increases spiking skills and confidence of the student athletes.
All Sports
$7,964
2025
Maize Craze T-Shirts
Offered at a discounted price to all SJPS students, staff, and administrators, these shirts help unite the school community with a bold show of pride at athletic events and Maize Craze days. Whether on the field or in the classroom, everyone can wear their spirit and be part of something bigger.
All Sports
$3,300
2025
Positive Coaching Alliance Program
The Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a national nonprofit that trains coaches to create positive, empowering experiences for student-athletes. A generous donor funded the first year, and The Maize and Blue Athletic Fund committed to years two and three.
All Sports
-
2025
Free Student Admission
Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, all SJPS students will receive free admission to home athletic events, thanks to support from The Maize and Blue Athletic Fund. Previously, students were required to pay the full $7.00 admission fee, which often limited attendance and placed a strain on families.
Girls Softball
$3,349
2025
Field Bullpen Upgrades
Dickinson Park fields received major upgrades thanks to a generous seven-figure gift from Bob and Carol Gerbel, and a donation to The Maize and Blue Athletic Fund later funded the addition of professionally designed bullpens at the softball field.