Reducing Barriers. Building Self-Sustaining Athletes.
Grove Athlete Development serves Utah's youth and collegiate mountain bike community through individual athlete awards that reduce financial barriers to competition — and by cultivating athletes who actively pursue their own sponsorship relationships and long-term financial self-sustainability.
The Athlete Development Fund
Grove Athlete Development exists to keep talented young riders on the trail, regardless of their family's financial circumstances. We do that through direct scholarship awards to individual athletes — reducing the financial barriers that stand between them and competition.
Just as importantly, GAD seeks to cultivate athletes who actively pursue their own sponsorship relationships and work toward long-term financial self-sustainability in their athletic careers — a mindset and skill set that serves them well beyond their competitive years.
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Individual Athlete Scholarships
Athletes qualify for admission, fundraise for their own season, keep 75% of every dollar raised, and earn fixed milestone bonuses — added to their award balance as credits — at $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000 raised.
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Self-Sustainability
Encouraging athletes to build sponsorship relationships that support their career long after any single award.
How Funding Works
Grove Athlete Development encourages athletes to actively pursue their own sponsorship relationships as part of their development as competitive athletes. Because GAD is a registered 501(c)(3), it can serve as the charitable vehicle for that support. Here's exactly how that support turns into season funding.
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Qualify & get admitted
Meet the six eligibility requirements and apply any time of year — applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The awards committee reviews applications holistically, within up to 30 days, to determine admission into the program.
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Raise your own funds
Once admitted, fundraise for your season through sponsors and community supporters, who make tax-deductible donations to GAD in support of your competitive season.
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Keep 75%
You retain 75% of all funds you raise for your athletic season. GAD's retained 25% funds operating costs and seeds future scholarships.
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Earn milestone bonuses
When your fundraising crosses $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000, GAD adds fixed milestone bonuses from its retained share to your award balance as credits — no re-application, no case-by-case review. Like all other funds, you receive them by submitting eligible expense reimbursements.
| Scenario | Funds raised | Athlete's 75% | Milestone bonus | Total earned award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below the first milestone | $1,000 | $750 | — (no bonus yet) | $750 |
| First milestone crossed | $2,000 | $1,500 | $250 | $1,750 |
| Second milestone crossed | $5,000 | $3,750 | $500 | $4,250 |
| Third milestone crossed | $10,000 | $7,500 | $1,000 | $8,500 |
These examples are illustrative — the milestone bonuses are fixed, so the math is always the same: the athlete keeps 75% of funds raised, plus the bonus credited to their award balance for each threshold crossed. No threshold triggers a direct payment — every dollar, bonuses included, is received through eligible expense reimbursements.
Principle of progression: You don't have to start big. GAD encourages newer or younger athletes to start small in their first year, learn how to confidently pitch and secure local business sponsors, then scale up their fundraising in future seasons as experience, need, and their sponsor network all grow — and each threshold crossed adds a fixed bonus as a credit on top of the 75% you keep.
For help finding sponsors, see Finding Sponsors — who to approach, the step-by-step pitch, and printable templates.
What Your Funding Can Cover
Award funds may be applied to any reasonable, documented expense directly associated with an athlete's approved competitive season. Funding is reimbursement-based — families pay for approved expenses first, then submit receipts to be reimbursed; funds are not disbursed upfront.
Race & travel costs
Entry fees, travel, and lodging tied to an approved event.
Equipment & coaching
Gear, structured coaching fees, and training camp enrollment.
Associated medical costs
Reasonable medical expenses tied to the competitive season.
Athlete meal allowance
Up to $50/day for the athlete on each day of an approved event, including travel days.
Parent/guardian travel (minors)
Reasonable transportation and lodging for one accompanying parent or guardian.
Accompanying adult meals (minors)
A separate $50/day meal allowance for the accompanying parent or guardian.
Reimbursable expenses come from your retained 75% plus any earned milestone bonuses — total reimbursements (including both meal allowances) can't exceed that amount per calendar year. All expenses must be reasonable, customary, and supported by receipts. Full documentation requirements are listed on the Eligibility & Apply page.
Scholarship athletes need their own medical insurance. GAD's general liability insurance policy does not cover individual award recipients' competitive activities — it provides no medical or injury coverage for individual athletes. Families are responsible for their own medical insurance.
Expanding Who Gets to Compete
Grove Athlete Development is committed to expanding access to competitive mountain biking for athletes who face additional barriers to participation. The following groups receive additional favorable weighting when comparing otherwise similarly situated applicants. Self-identification is voluntary and treated with discretion.
Girls & women in cycling
In recognition of their historic underrepresentation in the sport.
Racial & ethnic minority athletes
Athletes underrepresented in competitive mountain biking.
Lower-income households
Where financial barriers to participation are most acute.
See if you're eligible
Review the full eligibility criteria, evaluation process, and application requirements.