The MOVE Fund 2026 is inviting eligible coalitions and collectives working at the intersection of sport, play, youth development, equity, and community systems to participate in its 2026 funding opportunity. The fund is designed to support collaborative groups seeking to strengthen sport-based youth development, advocate for increased investment in sport and play, and help create local sports systems that are more equitable, positive, and inclusive.
Eligible coalitions and collaboratives can apply for two-year operating grants ranging from $40,000 to $150,000. The opportunity is particularly relevant for organizations and collaborative groups that are working to use sport and play as tools for youth development and broader community change.
Applications for the MOVE Fund 2026 opened on August 24, 2026, and eligible applicants must submit their applications by September 16, 2026.
In addition to the funding opportunity, the MOVE Fund is hosting a MOVE Fund 2026 Webinar on September 2, 2026, where prospective applicants can learn more about the fund and its priorities.
MOVE Fund 2026 Opportunity Details
- Opportunity: MOVE Fund 2026
- Category: Grant
- Grant Type: Two-year operating grant
- Grant Amount: $40,000 to $150,000
- Application Opening Date: August 24, 2026
- Application Deadline: September 16, 2026
- Webinar Date: September 2, 2026
- Webinar Time: 8:30 PM Nairobi time
- Application Structure: One application per coalition or collective
- Lead Applicant Requirement: The lead organization must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
What Is the MOVE Fund?
The MOVE Fund is focused on supporting collaborative efforts that recognize the role that sport and play can play in youth development and community transformation.
Rather than focusing exclusively on individual sports organizations, the fund is intended to support coalitions and collectives working together around broader systems-level goals. These collaborations may bring together organizations, community groups, youth development organizations, advocates, and other stakeholders seeking to improve how sport and play are supported and delivered within their regions.
The fund’s priorities center on three major areas:
- Advocating for public and private investment in sport and play
- Building the capacity of sport-based youth development organizations
- Creating equitable, positive, and inclusive local sports systems
This makes the opportunity potentially valuable for collaborative initiatives that want to move beyond individual programs and contribute to longer-term changes within their local or regional sports ecosystems.
What Will the MOVE Fund Support?
The MOVE Fund will support coalitions and collectives whose work aligns with its stated priorities. Applicants should demonstrate how their collaborative efforts contribute to strengthening sport and play as important tools for youth development and community development.
1. Advocacy for Investment in Sport and Play
One of the key priorities of the MOVE Fund is supporting coalitions that advocate for increased public and private investment in sport and play.
This may be particularly relevant to collaborative groups working to influence:
- Government investment in sports infrastructure and programming
- Private-sector investment in sport and youth initiatives
- Funding for community-based sports programs
- Policies that improve access to sport and play
- Investment in youth-focused sports development
- Greater recognition of sport and play as tools for positive youth development
- Community-level or regional strategies for strengthening sports ecosystems
Coalitions involved in advocacy should be able to demonstrate how their collective efforts can contribute to stronger investment and support for sport and play.
2. Capacity Building for Sport-Based Youth Development Organizations
The MOVE Fund also seeks to support work that builds the capacity of sport-based youth development organizations.
Capacity building can involve strengthening the ability of organizations to design, implement, manage, evaluate, and sustain programs that use sport and play to support young people.
Collaboratives working in this area may focus on strengthening organizational systems, improving leadership, developing partnerships, enhancing program quality, or building the long-term sustainability of organizations serving young people through sport.
The emphasis on capacity building means that the opportunity is not necessarily limited to organizations delivering sports activities. It can also be relevant to collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening the organizations and systems behind youth sports development.
3. Building Equitable, Positive and Inclusive Local Sports Systems
A third major priority is supporting coalitions that work to create local sports systems that are equitable, positive, and inclusive.
This recognizes that access to sport and play can be influenced by factors such as resources, community infrastructure, organizational capacity, inclusion, and opportunities available to young people.
Coalitions applying to the MOVE Fund should therefore consider how their work contributes to creating sports environments where young people and communities can participate meaningfully and benefit from positive sporting experiences.
How Much Funding Is Available?
Successful applicants can receive two-year operating grants ranging from $40,000 to $150,000.
The operating-grant structure is important because it indicates that the funding is intended to help support the broader work of eligible coalitions and collectives rather than being limited to a narrowly defined one-time activity.
Depending on the approved grant amount and the needs of the collaborative, funding could provide important support for activities related to advocacy, capacity development, coalition coordination, systems strengthening, and other work aligned with the MOVE Fund’s priorities.
Applicants should carefully review the fund’s official guidance and application requirements before determining the appropriate funding request.
Who Can Apply for the MOVE Fund 2026?
The opportunity is specifically designed for coalitions and collectives/collaboratives whose work aligns with the MOVE Fund’s priorities.
Importantly, the fund states that coalitions or collaboratives at various stages of development are encouraged to apply, provided that their work aligns with the fund’s priorities.
This means that an applicant does not necessarily have to be an established, highly developed coalition to be considered. Emerging and developing collaborative efforts may also be encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate alignment with the fund’s objectives.
Lead Organization Requirement
Although the opportunity is designed around coalitions and collectives, the application must be submitted through one lead organization.
The lead organization must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status designation.
This is a key eligibility requirement that prospective applicants should consider before beginning the application process.
Coalitions that do not themselves have the required nonprofit status may therefore need to identify an eligible lead organization that can formally submit the application on behalf of the collaborative.
One Application Per Collaborative
The MOVE Fund has established an important application restriction:
Only one application per collaborative or collective can be submitted.
This means that members of the same coalition should coordinate internally before submitting an application.
A coalition should avoid having multiple participating organizations submit separate applications for the same collaborative effort. Instead, the coalition should agree on its lead organization and coordinate the submission as a single collective application.
This makes internal planning and communication particularly important.
Coalitions at Different Stages Are Encouraged to Apply
Another notable feature of the MOVE Fund 2026 opportunity is that coalitions and collaboratives at various stages of development are encouraged to apply, as long as they align with the fund’s priorities.
This can be particularly relevant to emerging partnerships that have begun working together but may not yet have the institutional maturity of long-established networks.
Prospective applicants should therefore focus on demonstrating:
- A clear collaborative purpose
- Alignment with the MOVE Fund’s priorities
- The problem or opportunity the coalition is addressing
- The role of each participating organization or stakeholder
- How the collaboration contributes to sport and youth development
- The potential for positive, equitable, and inclusive change
- Why the coalition is well positioned to advance its proposed work
MOVE Fund 2026 Webinar
The MOVE Fund is also organizing a webinar for prospective applicants.
Webinar Date and Time
Date: September 2, 2026
Time: 8:30 PM Nairobi time
The webinar can provide an opportunity for interested organizations and coalitions to learn more about the funding opportunity before the application deadline.
Prospective applicants should consider attending if they have questions about the fund, eligibility, application process, priorities, or expectations.
Information Required for Webinar Registration
The registration form asks participants to provide several details, including:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Email Address
- City
- Organization
- Job Title
- Coalition Name
- Questions and Comments
Applicants and interested participants should ensure that the information provided during registration is accurate.
The registration information is shared with the account owner and host and may be used and shared according to the applicable terms and privacy policy.
Important MOVE Fund 2026 Dates
Prospective applicants should keep the following dates in mind:
August 24, 2026 — Applications Open
The MOVE Fund 2026 application period officially opened on August 24, 2026.
Applicants can use the period between the opening and closing dates to understand the requirements, coordinate with coalition members, identify the appropriate lead organization, and prepare their submission.
September 2, 2026 — MOVE Fund Webinar
The MOVE Fund 2026 webinar is scheduled for September 2, 2026, at 8:30 PM Nairobi time.
This is an important date for prospective applicants who want to learn more about the opportunity.
September 16, 2026 — Application Deadline
The application period closes on September 16, 2026.
Applicants should not wait until the final day to prepare their submission. Coalition members may need time to agree on priorities, gather organizational information, develop the proposal, and ensure that the lead organization meets the nonprofit-status requirement.
How to Prepare a Strong MOVE Fund Application
Although the fund welcomes coalitions and collaboratives at different stages of development, applicants should clearly demonstrate why their work aligns with the MOVE Fund.
1. Clearly Define the Coalition
Begin by explaining who makes up the coalition or collaborative.
Describe:
- The organizations involved
- Their respective roles
- The communities they serve
- How the organizations complement one another
- Why collaboration is necessary to achieve the intended results
A strong application should make it easy for reviewers to understand the collective’s structure and purpose.
2. Demonstrate Alignment With MOVE Fund Priorities
Applicants should clearly connect their proposed work to one or more of the fund’s three stated priorities.
Explain whether the coalition is primarily focused on:
- Advocating for investment in sport and play
- Building organizational capacity among sport-based youth development organizations
- Creating equitable, positive, and inclusive local sports systems
If the work addresses more than one priority, applicants should explain how the different components are connected.
3. Explain the Problem Being Addressed
Clearly describe the challenge facing the communities, organizations, or sports system the coalition is seeking to address.
Avoid simply describing the problem in general terms. Explain why it matters and how it affects young people, sports organizations, communities, or the broader local sports ecosystem.
4. Explain Why a Collaborative Approach Is Necessary
Because this is a coalition-focused opportunity, applicants should demonstrate the value of working collectively.
Explain what can be achieved through collaboration that individual organizations would struggle to achieve independently.
This could include:
- Combining expertise
- Coordinating advocacy
- Sharing resources
- Strengthening organizational capacity
- Connecting different stakeholders
- Influencing systems
- Increasing community participation
- Creating more sustainable solutions
5. Develop a Clear Two-Year Vision
Since the grants are structured as two-year operating grants, applicants should think beyond short-term activities.
A strong proposal should demonstrate what the coalition hopes to accomplish during the two-year funding period and how its work can contribute to longer-term change.
Consider outlining:
- The current situation
- The desired change
- The activities that will contribute to that change
- The organizations responsible for different components
- The expected results
- How progress will be assessed
- How the work can continue beyond the grant period
6. Choose the Lead Organization Carefully
Since only one application can be submitted per collaborative, the coalition should carefully select its lead organization.
The lead organization must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status designation.
The coalition should ensure that the lead organization is prepared to coordinate the application and meet any administrative, financial, and reporting responsibilities associated with the grant.
Why This Opportunity Matters
The MOVE Fund 2026 could provide substantial financial support to collaborative initiatives using sport and play to promote youth development and strengthen local sports systems.
The potential benefits include:
- Significant funding: Eligible coalitions can seek two-year operating grants of $40,000 to $150,000.
- Systems-level support: The fund focuses on strengthening broader local sports systems rather than only individual activities.
- Capacity development: Funding can support efforts to strengthen sport-based youth development organizations.
- Advocacy opportunities: Coalitions can advance efforts to increase public and private investment in sport and play.
- Equity and inclusion: The fund specifically highlights the importance of equitable, positive, and inclusive sports systems.
- Collaborative development: The opportunity is designed for coalitions and collectives working collectively toward shared objectives.
- Support for developing collaborations: Coalitions at different stages of development are encouraged to apply when their work aligns with the fund’s priorities.
Who Should Consider This Opportunity?
The MOVE Fund 2026 may be particularly relevant to:
- Sport-based youth development organizations
- Coalitions of nonprofit organizations
- Collaborative youth development initiatives
- Community organizations working through sport and play
- Organizations advocating for greater investment in sports
- Networks seeking to strengthen local sports systems
- Groups working to improve equity and inclusion in sport
- Organizations building the capacity of youth sports programs
- Emerging and established collaboratives aligned with the MOVE Fund priorities
However, prospective applicants should carefully review the official MOVE Fund requirements, particularly the requirement that the application be submitted through a lead organization with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status designation.
Frequently Asked Questions About the MOVE Fund 2026
What is the MOVE Fund 2026?
The MOVE Fund 2026 is a grant opportunity supporting coalitions and collectives working to advance investment in sport and play, strengthen sport-based youth development organizations, and create equitable, positive, and inclusive local sports systems.
How much funding can applicants receive?
The grants are two-year operating grants ranging from $40,000 to $150,000.
Is this a one-year grant?
No. The opportunity provides two-year operating grants.
Can more than one application be submitted by the same collaborative?
No. Only one application per collaborative or collective can be submitted.
Does the coalition need a lead organization?
Yes. The coalition or collective must apply through one lead organization.
What status must the lead organization have?
The lead organization must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status designation.
Are only established coalitions eligible?
The MOVE Fund states that coalitions or collaboratives at various stages of development are encouraged to apply, provided their work aligns with the fund’s priorities.
When did applications open?
Applications opened on August 24, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is September 16, 2026.
When is the MOVE Fund webinar?
The webinar will take place on September 2, 2026, at 8:30 PM Nairobi time.
Where can applicants find more information?
Visit HERE to learn more about the MOVE Fund 2026.
Final Thoughts
The MOVE Fund 2026 presents an opportunity for coalitions and collectives seeking to use sport and play as mechanisms for youth development, organizational strengthening, advocacy, and community-level systems change.
With two-year operating grants of $40,000 to $150,000, the opportunity could provide meaningful resources for collaborative groups working to increase investment in sport and play, strengthen sport-based youth development organizations, and build sports systems that are more equitable, positive, and inclusive.
One of the most important requirements to remember is that only one application can be submitted per collaborative, and the application must be submitted through a lead organization with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status designation. Prospective applicants should therefore coordinate early with their coalition members and ensure that the lead organization is prepared to submit the application.
The September 2, 2026 webinar at 8:30 PM Nairobi time also provides an important opportunity for prospective applicants to learn more about the fund. Interested coalitions should use the remaining application period to review the requirements, strengthen their collaborative proposal, and submit their application before the September 16, 2026 deadline.
For more global grant opportunities visit OFY HERE
