United We Row Grants 2026: Program Overview and Application Timeline

The 2026 United We Row Grants are designed to support rowing organizations that are actively breaking down barriers and expanding access, inclusion, and belonging across the sport. Through targeted funding and strategic partnerships, the program invests in initiatives that open rowing to more people, especially those historically underrepresented or underserved.

Eligible applicants must be a rowing club or organization that holds 501(c)(3) nonprofit status (or works with a fiscal sponsor) and is a current USRowing member organization. Grants are awarded to programs with strong, actionable plans to create meaningful opportunities in rowing. This includes, but is not limited to, youth development, adaptive and para rowing, LGBTQ+ inclusion, veteran programs, girls’ and women’s initiatives, and efforts that serve athletes from under-resourced communities.

A Two-Stage Application Designed for Impact

To respect applicants’ time and focus on high-impact partnerships, the United We Row Grants use a two-stage application process:

• Stage 1 is a short, high-level application designed to assess alignment with the program’s mission and identify potential impact.
• Stage 2 invites selected organizations to submit a more detailed proposal outlining program plans, outcomes, and sustainability.

This streamlined approach helps ensure that organizations with the strongest alignment can focus their energy on developing thoughtful, effective proposals.

2026 Grant Cycle Timeline

The 2026 cycle officially kicks off with a virtual Town Hall and moves quickly through the spring:

• Town Hall: Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
  A live overview of the grant program, eligibility requirements, application timeline, and best practices—plus time for Q&A. Register here.
• Stage 1 Applications Open: Friday, March 27, 2026
• Stage 1 Applications Close: Sunday, April 12, 2026
• Stage 2 Applications Open: Friday, April 17, 2026
• Stage 2 Applications Close: Sunday, May 3, 2026
• Grant Review: Mid–May 2026
• Funds Distributed: End of May 2026
• Grantee Announcement: Early June 2026