Sandy-based Miller Sports + Entertainment is leading a statewide push to raise $3 million for youth sports. Donations open Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m.

The inaugural Utah Youth Sports Giving Day runs through Sept. 26 on the UTAHGIVES platform. Donors can choose from 146 participating nonprofits, and matching funders will match contributions dollar-for-dollar until the first $1 million of a match pool exceeding $1.5 million is exhausted. Each nonprofit can receive up to $150,000 in matched funds. The remaining $500,000 will be split proportionally among all participants.

The match pool is first-come, first-served.

Miller Sports + Entertainment president Michelle Smith said at an Aug. 22 press conference that rising costs mean "too many children are still being left on the sidelines," as reported by the Deseret News.

An Aspen Institute survey found the average U.S. sports family spent $1,016 on a child's primary sport in 2024, a 46% increase since 2019. Families paid nearly $1,500 total across all sports for one child that year.

Miller Sports + Entertainment, parent company of Real Salt Lake and operator of America First Field in Sandy, launched the campaign with the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and the Daniels Fund. The initiative was modeled after Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day, which the Daniels Fund said has raised nearly $9 million and engaged over 240 nonprofits since 2024.

Utah 2034, the organizing committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, announced its partnership and financial support in August. Gov. Spencer Cox said in a June press release that the campaign gives Utahns a chance to help ensure every child can participate in sports.

Corporate and foundation backers of the match pool include America First Credit Union, SME Industries Inc., Mountainland Supply Co., the Forever Young Foundation, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the Huntsman Family Foundation, Maverik, Ken Garff for Good, The Boyer Company and the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation.

Participating nonprofits include organizations such as Rad Canyon BMX in West Jordan and Refugee Soccer. The full list is available at utahgives.org.

To donate, visit utahgives.org, select a nonprofit and give once the campaign opens.