Team S.A.M.
(Sports And Mentoring)
About
Team S.A.M. (Sports. And. Mentoring) is a sports mentoring program administered by the Washington State Leadership Board, designed to enable eligible nonprofit community-based organizations to provide opportunities through grant-based funding for underserved youth to join local sports teams or otherwise participate in the area of sports.
The goals of this program are to:
Support youth in building self-confidence by developing skills in the areas of goal setting and collaboration
Promote healthy lifestyle choices through forming positive relationships with peers and family
Achieve educational success through leadership and mentoring
As of November 2025, the Team S.A.M. (Sports And Mentoring) is no longer accepting applications.
Congratulations to these incredible organizations that are providing access to sports for underserved youth in Washington State! Your commitment to empowering young people through sports is truly commendable, and we are proud to support your work.
Team S.A.M Grant Recipients
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Ballard FC Foundation
The Ballard FC Foundation is the social impact initiative of Ballard FC, Seattle’s USL League Two soccer club and 2023 national champion. It oversees the club's community engagements, including free soccer camps and an innovative multi-sport academy focused on holistic youth wellness in Western Washington.
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Glacier Peak Institue
Glacier Peak Institute empowers youth to create sustainable rural communities and ecosystems throughout the Glacier Peak region through action-based education programs that integrate Science, Technology, Recreation, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, and skill-building (STrEaMs).
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Upower
Upower builds positive relationships through trauma-informed coaching using movement and play to empower and educate youth who are underserved.
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NW Association for Blind Athletes
NWABA’s adaptive sports and youth development programming offer individuals who are blind or visually impaired opportunities to participate in more than 20 year-round sports and physical activities. These weekly events serve as opportunities for youth to build confidence, self-esteem, independence, and community among their peers
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Spokane Youth Sports Association
The mission of Spokane Youth Sports Association is to provide sports activities for all youth where everyone plays, develops skills, is taught good sportsmanship, and learns the value of being a team player.
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Rainier Athletes
The mission of Rainer Athletes is to affirm our youth’s sense of purpose and belonging by intentionally connecting their core community of teachers, coaches, families, and mentors.
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One Roof Foundation
One Roof Foundation works to advance equity and sustainability by increasing opportunities to thrive for our most vulnerable young people and communities.
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Dylan Jude Harrell and Community Center
DJH Kids and Community Center is designed to strengthen the foundations of our community by offering developmental programs that connect our youth with mentors and leaders, by providing access to facilities which allow our community to engage in recreational, sports-related, and community-driven activities in a fun environment, and to foster, nourish, and provide for the safety, health, and welfare of our youth.
History
In 2018, the Washington State Legislature approved a sports mentoring program through the Washington State Leadership Board with the successful passage of SB 5746 and HB 2062, sponsored by Sen. Patty Kuderer and Rep. Vandana Slatter, respectively. The Leadership Board was charged with administering a sports leadership program for underserved students that was designed “to enable eligible nonprofit community-based organizations to provide opportunities for underserved youth to join sports teams or otherwise participate in the area of sports.”
In 2024, the Washington State Legislature passed SB 5444 (2025)—which pertains to special and personalized license plates— its passage diverted all funds from the Mariners’ license plates away from the WSLB and directed them to the Mariners Foundation. Additionally, it included provisions that led to the statutory repeal of the WSLB’s Sports Mentoring (Team S.A.M.) program, effective November 2025.