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Q1: What is the Florida Sports Foundation?
A1: The Florida Sports Foundation, a 501(C) 3 non-profit corporation, is the official sports promotion and development organization for the State of Florida. It is charged with the promotion and development of professional, amateur, recreational sports, and physical fitness opportunities that produce a thriving Florida sports industry and environment. With a seemingly endless list of sporting ventures and venues, the Florida Sports Foundation strives to promote Florida’s unique sports industry. The Foundation’s staff is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of Florida’s sports community and assists with all questions concerning Florida sporting activities and issues.

Q2: What is the mission of the Foundation?
A2: To create the thriving sports industry and environment, the Florida Sports Foundation: provides grants to support sporting events that bring out-of-state visitors to Florida; produces and distributes annual golf, fishing and boating, and baseball spring training guides for both in-state and out-of-state tourists; and organizes the annual Sunshine State Games, an Olympic-style festival for Floridians of all ages, and the Florida Senior Games State Championships for senior athletes, age 50 and over.

Q3: How have sports impacted the state of Florida’s economy?
A3: Florida’s sports industry has grown to an estimated $57.4 billion per year industry, supporting more than 588,000 jobs for Floridians while attracting more than 16 million international and out-of-state visitors annually.2Since 1999, the Florida Sports Foundation has helped to increase the number of sports industry partners in Florida from 12 to 31. The sports industry partners are primarily responsible for Florida’s sports event economic development. Through more than 2,800 sporting activities across Florida, the 31 partners attract more than 5.3 billion non-resident visitors annually, expending more than $3.3 billion.

Q4: What is the FSF Grant Program and how do I get involved or apply?
A4: The Florida Sports Foundation’s Grant Programs were established in 1996 to assist communities and host organizations in attracting sports events to the state of Florida. • Since the grant program’s inception in fiscal year 1995-96, Florida Sports Foundation has provided more than 1,634 major and regional grants (amounting to more than $35 million) to support sporting events in Florida, resulting in more than $6 billion in new out-of-state economic impact. The Foundation’s Board of Directors awards grants on a quarterly basis, and places emphasis on out-of-state economic impact, return on investment, community support and image value to the state. Events that will be considered for grant funding include amateur events, collegiate events, or professional all-star games and championships, or other categories approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. To apply for grant opportunities, click here.

Q5: What programs does the Florida Sports Foundation have to get involved athletically?
A5: Since the 1999 Sunshine State Games and the Florida Senior Games State Championships transition to Florida Sports, amateur sports opportunities have been provided for more than 555,000 athletes of all ages through the annual Olympic-style Sports Festivals. The in-state Amateur Sports programs provide almost $10 million annually in economic impact to more than 30 local communities. Click each program’s respective link for more information.

Q6: I love all the Florida Sports Specialty plates that I see on cars throughout the Sunshine State. How do I get one for my vehicle?
A6: We love our professional sports teams. And one way to show that love is to buy a specialty license plate for the team or sport of your choice.But did you know that by buying a Florida sports license plate, you are also supporting youth and amateur athletes, as well? Through grants made possible by the sale of these license plates, young athletes are able to gain the tools and experience they need to perhaps become professional athletes one day … and amateur athletes of all ages are given the opportunity to become more well-rounded individuals.A portion of each tag fee (between $15-$25, depending upon the license) goes either to your team’s designated youth charity, is given out in grants by the Florida Sports Foundation to support sporting events across the state, and helps support the Sunshine State Games and other sports development opportunities. Better news for you is that this extra tag fee is tax deductible! Click here to contact your local tag office to purchase a tag today!

Q7: What is the Florida Grapefruit League?
A7: During the months of February and March, the State of Florida plays host to 15 Major League Baseball teams for their annual Spring Training. It is a tradition dating back more than 100 years and more than 1.5 million fans attend games annually throughout the state. Florida Spring Training Information is available on the Florida Grapefruit League Website, www.floridagrapefruitleague.com and through our Mobile Phone App for Android and iPhone. Download the app on Apple Smart Phones and download on Android Phones. The app features team schedules, park information and the latest updates on the Florida Grapefruit League. The Florida Grapefruit League’s Spring Training lends an economic impact of $687.1 million. Of this, nearly $480.6 million in sales were driven by non-resident visitor spending, generating more than 7,152 jobs. Florida is home to 15 of the 30 MLB club’s spring training programs