Sandy-area youth sports nonprofits have until Sept. 1 to register for Utah Youth Sports Giving Day, a two-week fundraising campaign backed by more than $1.5 million in matching dollars from the 2034 Olympic organizing committee and major Utah donors.

The campaign runs Sept. 12–26 and aims to raise $3 million statewide for organizations working to make youth sports more accessible, according to the Deseret News. Donors will match the first $1 million raised dollar-for-dollar.

At least one Sandy organization is already in. Wasatch Adaptive Sports, a nonprofit based in Sandy that serves Utahns with disabilities through outdoor sports, is participating in the campaign, according to a post on the organization's Instagram page. Sandy SCHEELS and its employees recently contributed more than $15,000 to the group, funding that will help 100 Utahns with disabilities try skiing, biking or paddling for the first time at no cost to them or their families.

Utah 2034, the organizing committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, announced its financial backing of the initiative at a press conference Saturday, Aug. 22, at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan. The partnership marks Utah 2034's first community impact program.

"This really isn't about winning medals in 2034 for us," Utah 2034 CEO Brad Wilson said at the event. "It's about just helping kids across the state experience sport, winter or summer, in any way."

The initiative was inspired by Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day, launched by the Denver-based Daniels Fund in 2024. That effort has raised nearly $9 million and engaged more than 240 Colorado youth sports nonprofits. At a June announcement event, Luke Ragland, chief impact officer of the Daniels Fund, said the average cost to a family for one child in a primary sport now exceeds $1,100. A 2025 Aspen Institute survey found a 46% increase in what American sports families spent on their child's primary sport between 2019 and 2024.

The cost squeeze matters here. More than 100 nonprofits statewide had already registered as of Aug. 22, surpassing organizers' initial goal. Organizers expect the number to grow before the campaign opens, according to the Deseret News.

Donors backing the matching fund include America First Credit Union, SME Industries, Mountainland Supply, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the Huntsman Family Foundation, Maverik, Ken Garff for Good, The Boyer Company, the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation and the Forever Young Foundation.

Olympic speed skater Austin Kleba, who began playing youth hockey in Chicago at age 3, spoke at the Aug. 22 press conference about what early access to sports meant for him. Paralympic gold and silver medalist Kate Delson, a Para snowboarder who grew up playing soccer and tennis in California, described the confidence she gained competing alongside her peers.

How Sandy organizations can participate:

• Nonprofits focused on youth sports can register at utahyouthsportsgivingday.com before the Sept. 1 deadline.
• Donors can browse registered organizations and give starting Sept. 12 at utahgives.org.
• The campaign closes Sept. 26.