Get the funding and resources you need to leave a legacy for bridge and encourage others to follow suit.
Application Process
Email [email protected] prior to submission to review the grant concept and receive supportive input.
Be prepared to provide clearly thought-out performance measures connecting objectives aligned with ACBLEF’s mission. Performance measures should provide clear activities, short-term and long-term outcomes that you plan to accomplish, and intended follow-up.
Complete our grant application form.
Grant Metrics for Success
We’re always looking for applications that match our goals, but we’re keeping an eye open for great initiatives with positive results, evaluating their potential for test marketing in multiple areas, turning them into major programs, or even partnering with ACBL or other organizations to address the challenges you are facing/audience you hope to reach and retain.
What We Expect From You
We will be looking to you to provide the emails of those who enroll in the program at its onset (including teachers/mentors) and, in the case of underage children, their parents’ email addresses.
At the end of the program, we would like to know which of the participants followed the program through to its conclusion and their plans for continuing with bridge, as we may wish to follow up with them to evaluate the program they have just completed.
How to Increase Your Application Success
A successful applicant typically has 50% cash or in-kind match. Opportunities for match providers may be found within your local unit, club, and among members who are supportive. Additionally, matching marketing support may be found within the BOOST or CAP programs.
Grant FAQs
Find answers to common questions about our grant process. Still have questions? Contact us.
What program expenses DO you fund?
We DO fund program expenses such as facility usage, subsidies for teachers, teaching materials like books, workbooks, flipcharts, and those things directly related to running your educational program. On a case-by-case basis, we will determine whether transportation charges for teachers are applicable.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
The Grant Administrator can help you determine if you meet our criteria. We are here to help, so please contact us if you have an idea of how to help promote the learning and playing of bridge.
What is the purpose of your grantmaking?
The American Contract Bridge League Educational Foundation provides grants to people and organizations to help meet the goals of educating, promoting, and supporting the game of bridge.
What do you NOT fund?
We DO NOT fund equipment such as card tables and chairs, machinery like computers, bridgemates, or dealing machines, or refreshments and snacks for adult programs. It is our belief that this last category can be underwritten by a local restaurant or convenience store for your event.
Will you consider scholarship and travel grants for junior players?
Scholarships and travel grants for Juniors (up to age 31) WILL be considered when they are linked to subsequent community service within the bridge community. These include, but are not limited to, promoting, mentoring, and teaching/co-teaching other Juniors the game of bridge, or providing pre-approved support services to organizers of ACBL-sanctioned games and tournaments.
We WILL consider the inclusion of refreshments and snacks as part of a request for Junior bridge program funding.
Do you fund marketing expenses?
ACBL may be able to help offset the costs of advertising newcomer lessons with its Cooperative Advertising Program, which offers 50% reimbursement on up to $500 for qualifying ad campaigns. Contact us.
Our Commitment to Applicants
Clear Communication
Applicants will receive timely information about the decision making process for their grants, including details on the foundation’s strategy, grant procedures, and the level of time and assistance they can expect post-award.
Open Feedback
We highly value the input of our applicants, providing them with avenues to share feedback. Actively leveraging your feedback, we continuously strive to make improvements in our process.
Personalized Input
Prior to submission, our Grant Administrator will review the grant concept and provide feedback to strengthen your application and promote connectivity and long-term impact.
“In Bridge, I’ve realized that you don’t just learn Bridge, but you also discover valuable life lessons.“
– Alddon Saugstad, 4th Grade
“Bridge has taught me a lot. It has helped me think quickly because you always need to be ready with a card to play. How to work well with others, because you need a strong relationship with your partner to play well. It has also helped me become more independent, since you can’t talk or help each other during the game.”
– Dawson Barker, 6th Grade
“Playing Bridge is a really fun past time for me. It involves thinking, working together, calculations, and risk. Lots of risk. It’s awesome. I love Bridge.”
– Kate Rogers, 6th Grade
“Bridge is a fun and exciting game, and it takes a lot of concentration. I love Bridge because it challenges me to think carefully during every play. I enjoy it, and it is my favorite part of Monday.”
– Marley Weber, 4th Grade
Your Donations Contribute Toward Grants
Contributions from individuals, families, and corporations support all of our grants. We couldn’t foster the joy of bridge without your help.
Donate NowHow We Help
Explore Our Programs
Get involved in the game of bridge! View our current programs and get inspired to start your own bridge event or program.
Our Programs
ACBL and ABTA Partners
We make grants to people with good ideas for fulfilling our mission, sometimes on our own, and sometimes in partnership with the American Contract Bridge League and the American Bridge Teachers Association.
2024 ACBL Educational Foundation Grant Recipients
Tech Matters Consulting
Supporting the Bridge Discovery Program, aimed at increasing the number of schools participating in bridge clubs, and the Mentoring Program, designed to train experienced bridge students as Teaching Assistants (TAs).
JumpStart Bridge
Providing outreach and resources to gifted teachers to incorporate bridge into school programs
United States Bridge Foundation
Supporting university students competing for the USA at the FISU World University Mind Games in Entebbe, Uganda.
Lake Charles Duplicate Bridge Club
Learn Bridge in A Day and Teacher Follow Up program
Mo-Kan Summer Youth
Supporting an 8-week summer session for students ages 8-18 to learn and grow in bridge.
Bridge4Youth
Youth bridge education through a unique hybrid camp offering a combination of online and in-person education and gaming opportunities.
ACBL Collegiate Bowl
Providing full and partial stipends for college students to compete in an intercollegiate atmosphere.
2024 World Youth Transnational Bridge Championships
Supporting junior players under 31 in competing in world championships while developing more advanced players into the game’s biggest future advocates.
Lanierland Duplicate Bridge Club/Boys and Girls Club Partnership
Bringing bridge into the lives of children at the Boys and Girls Clubs and building a replicable model for similar partnerships.
American Bridge Teachers Association
Supporting the annual ABTA convention to provide growth and development to bridge teachers and to promote the game of bridge.
