Athlete Competition Sponsorships

    Helping athletes compete when cost creates a barrier

    Athlete Competition Sponsorships

    Zenith Community Program may provide financial assistance to eligible martial arts athletes who would otherwise have difficulty participating in an approved competition.

    Assistance is intended to reduce financial barriers, not to fully fund every competition expense. Sponsorships depend on available funds, the athlete’s circumstances, the event, and the strength of the application.

    Athletes and supporters at a martial arts competition

    What Sponsorship May Cover

    Approved assistance may be applied to reasonable competition-related expenses.

    Registration Fees

    Full or partial payment of an approved tournament or competition registration fee.

    Required Membership Fees

    Limited assistance with a required federation or event membership when it is necessary to compete.

    Travel Expenses

    Limited assistance with fuel, transportation, or lodging when travel costs would prevent participation.

    Required Equipment

    Limited assistance with required competition equipment or uniform items when an athlete does not have access to them.

    Multiple-Athlete Needs

    Support may be considered for families or teams with more than one eligible athlete competing at the same event.

    Other Approved Costs

    Another necessary competition expense may be considered when clearly explained and approved in advance.

    Sponsorship does not include prize money, routine training fees, recreational travel, optional merchandise, or expenses that have not been approved in advance.
    Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes competing at a local tournament

    Who May Be Considered

    Sponsorships are intended for athletes who demonstrate a legitimate financial barrier and a meaningful commitment to training and competition.

    ZCP may consider:

    • Youth or adult martial arts athletes
    • Athletes training with an established school or instructor
    • Athletes preparing for a specific approved competition
    • Applicants with a demonstrated financial need
    • Athletes who show consistent effort and responsible conduct
    • Residents of Clarion County or nearby communities

    Preference may be given to athletes who have fewer alternative funding options and whose participation would be significantly affected without assistance.

    How Requests Are Considered

    ZCP may review several factors when determining whether and how much assistance to provide.

    Financial Need

    Whether the requested expense creates a genuine barrier to participation.

    Commitment

    The athlete’s attendance, preparation, effort, conduct, and demonstrated commitment to training.

    Event Appropriateness

    Whether the competition is legitimate, appropriate for the athlete, and consistent with ZCP’s charitable purpose.

    Available Funding

    The amount of sponsorship funding currently available and the number of pending requests.

    Requested Amount

    Whether the request is reasonable and limited to necessary competition-related expenses.

    Other Resources

    Whether the athlete, family, school, team, or another sponsor can contribute part of the cost.

    Athletes and community members gathered at a local event

    Requesting Assistance

    Contact ZCP before registering or committing to expenses whenever possible.

    Be prepared to provide:

    • The athlete’s name and age
    • The martial arts school and instructor
    • The name, date, and location of the competition
    • The specific expenses for which assistance is requested
    • The total amount requested
    • A brief explanation of the financial barrier
    • Any amount the athlete, family, school, or team can contribute
    • Relevant registration deadlines

    ZCP may request verification from the athlete’s instructor or additional information before making a decision.

    Important Conditions

    • Submitting a request does not guarantee sponsorship.
    • Assistance may be full, partial, or declined.
    • Funding is limited and may not be available for every event.
    • Approval applies only to the stated athlete, event, and expense.
    • Whenever possible, payments may be made directly to the event or provider.
    • Receipts or other documentation may be required.
    • Unused or refunded sponsorship funds must be returned to ZCP.
    • False or misleading information may result in denial or loss of eligibility.
    • ZCP may prioritize local events or lower-cost opportunities.
    Athletes and families should not assume that reimbursement will be available for an expense that was incurred before receiving approval.

    Help an Athlete Compete

    Donations designated for athlete competition assistance help reduce registration, travel, equipment, and other approved participation barriers.

    Businesses, martial arts schools, event organizers, and individual donors may also contact ZCP about sponsoring a specific opportunity or supporting the program generally.

    Currently we have the following opportunities:

    Thanks to the generosity of Grappling Industries, we are able to offer one entry per event.

    We award the entry based on a combination of factors including financial need, how much the competitor needs to compete to continue their journey through the art, and whether or not you have recently received help from us.

    Check out the full Grappling Industries website here.

    NBJJF Sponsorships

    Thanks to our partnership with the Nevada BJJ Federation (NBJJF), we have a limited number of sponsorships available per event.

    We award NBJJF sponsorships based on a combination of factors including financial need, how much the competitor needs to compete to continue their journey through the art, and whether or not you have recently received help from us.

    Learn more about NBJJF at: https://nevadabjjfederation.com