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 team development programs that provide structured training, skills development, and educational opportunities to athletes across the state.
Two Complementary Functions
Grove Athlete Development exists to keep talented young riders on the trail, regardless of their family's financial circumstances. We do that in two ways: direct scholarship awards to individual athletes, and structured team development programming delivered in partnership with local NICA-affiliated teams.
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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01
Individual Athlete Awards
Tiered scholarships of $2,000, $5,000, or $10,000 that offset the real cost of competing.
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02
Team Development Programs
Training camps, skills clinics, wellness workshops, and trail stewardship activities for Utah teams.
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03
Self-Sustainability
Encouraging athletes to build sponsorship relationships that support their career long after any single award.
Grants & Scholarships: 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. GAD uses two precise terms — Grant and Scholarship — to describe how that support turns into funding. The definitions below matter, so read them before you apply.
Business Sponsor
A corporate or community business entity that pledges — and then donates — a tax-deductible contribution to GAD on your behalf.
Grant
A standard payout available to any qualified athlete, in any dollar amount, derived entirely from that athlete's own sponsor donations. No tier, no competition, no cap.
Scholarship
A competitive award that includes a direct supplemental contribution from GAD's own scholarship fund, on top of your Grant, to reach one of three set tiers.
Sponsorship Tiers
The three strict funding targets a Scholarship can reach: Tier 1 ($2,000), Tier 2 ($5,000), Tier 3 ($10,000). Grants aren't tied to these tiers at all.
The Grant
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Any qualified athlete who brings a Business Sponsor automatically earns a Grant — no application review or ranking required to earn it.
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Worth 75% of whatever your sponsors actually deliver to GAD, in any amount — there's no minimum or maximum.
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No supplemental GAD funds are added, and none are needed — it's yours by definition.
The Scholarship
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Your Grant, plus a flat supplemental contribution from GAD, bringing your total to a full Sponsorship Tier ($2,000 / $5,000 / $10,000).
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Not guaranteed — GAD's supplement depends on funds available and how your qualifications, experience, and race trajectory compare to other applicants.
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Bigger, more credible pledges improve your odds, all else equal — but don't guarantee a tier is reached.
| Scenario | Sponsorships raised | Your 75% share | GAD supplement | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom amount, no tier reached | $1,000 | $750 | $0 | $750 Grant |
| Tier 1 reached | $400 | $300 | $1,700 | $2,000 Scholarship |
| Tier 3 reached | $8,000 | $6,000 | $4,000 | $10,000 Scholarship |
| Pledge shortfall — $4,000 pledged, $2,000 delivered | $2,000 | $1,500 | $0 (rescinded) | $1,500 Grant (reclassified) |
These examples are illustrative only — GAD's supplemental amount for any Scholarship is set case-by-case at the time of the award notice, not by a fixed formula.
Pledges must convert to real dollars. You apply by listing your sponsors' pledges, not verified funds. If you're offered a Scholarship, GAD's supplemental portion is conditional on your sponsors actually delivering their pledged donations. If a pledge falls through, GAD's added portion is rescinded and your award is reclassified as a Grant based on funds actually received — GAD will track pledge fulfillment through a confirmation process during the Activation step (see the timeline on the Eligibility & Apply page).
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 to larger Grants and Scholarships in future seasons as experience, need, and their sponsor network all grow.
What Your Funding Can Cover
Whether you receive a Grant, a Scholarship, or both, 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 Grant (75% of funds your sponsors actually deliver — no cap) plus, if applicable, GAD's Scholarship supplement (capped at your awarded tier). 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 specifically excludes scholarship recipients' competitive activities — it does not provide medical or injury coverage for individual athletes. Scholarship families are responsible for maintaining their own health insurance. (GAD's policy does cover team development program activities organized through the 501(c)(3) — see below.)
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.
Programming Beyond the Individual Award
GAD facilitates team development programming for Utah youth and collegiate mountain bike athletes — training camps, skills clinics, nutrition and wellness workshops, mental performance education, and trail stewardship activities.
Local Teams Organize
Programs are open to any local NICA-affiliated team that undertakes to organize an event. The organizing team sets its own participation fee, if any.
Donation-Funded
Funded through general operating funds and donations, treated as unrestricted funds allocated at board discretion.
Insurance & Waivers
Team development activities run through GAD's 501(c)(3) are covered under GAD's general liability insurance policy. Participants are required to sign a waiver to take part.
See if you're eligible
Review the full eligibility criteria, evaluation process, and application requirements.