The Michael Phelps Foundation provides water safety education integrated with mental and physical wellness programs to give children and families the skills and confidence to stay safe in the water and thrive in life.
The Michael Phelps Foundation’s largest recent grants show a clear operating model: it channels major support into the IM Program through national intermediaries and partner organizations. In 2025, Boys & Girls Clubs of America received a $510,000 grant for IM Program implementation, following a $400,000 grant in 2024 and a $200,000 grant in 2023 for the same purpose. That pattern points to sustained support for a program that combines water safety education, swim instruction, mental and physical wellness, and youth development. The foundation also backs Special Olympics through the IM Program, including a $130,323 gift in 2024 to support local teams. Across the recent grant list, the same program structure appears in club networks, summer camps, and community organizations, often with training and materials attached. Other funding reaches athlete support and aquatics professional development, but the recurring center of gravity is the IM Program and its delivery through established partners. The grants suggest a foundation that works through program partnerships rather than one-off event sponsorships, with a consistent emphasis on children, youth, and inclusive aquatic access.
Water safety and swim instruction sit at the core of the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $510,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2025 and described the award as support for IM Program implementation across clubs nationwide. A similar grant of $130,323 to Special Olympics in 2024 supported the IM Program with local Special Olympics teams. The foundation also funds inclusive programming for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Its IM Program partnership with Special Olympics includes coach training, and the grant list shows support going to Special Olympics Arizona and Special Olympics as program partners. Youth wellness is another repeated theme. The foundation awarded $5,000 to The Nemours Foundation for the Raising Resilient Kids series, and $15,000 to Mental Health Association in Forsyth for mental health programming. For summer settings, Girl Scouts of Maine received $16,000 in 2025 for the IM Program at summer camps.
Typical grants cluster at modest-to-mid levels: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $20,000. The recent list also includes several larger program grants, with a few six-figure awards tied to national IM Program delivery. The pattern is repeat funding rather than isolated gifts: Boys & Girls Clubs of America appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Special Olympics appears multiple times as well. The foundation is a regular funder and not a donor-advised fund, with program-specific grants, pass-through disbursement, and direct service support all visible in the record. Unsolicited applications are accepted for several IM Program pathways.
$528K
$1.7M
$1.5M
$1.3M
Most grants fall between $5K and $20K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$20K
About 17% of grants go to recipients in GA.
MICHAEL F PHELPS II
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Grantmaking is national, and every recent grant in the list went to a U.S. recipient. Arizona is the top state by grant count, with Special Olympics Arizona and Southwest Valley Family YMCA both appearing in Goodyear. Atlanta appears twice through Boys & Girls Clubs of America, while South Portland shows up through Girl Scouts of Maine and Level Field Fund. Other repeated recipient cities include Washington, DC and St. Charles, IL, reflecting a mix of national intermediaries and local community partners.
It funds community and program partners that can deliver the IM Program, including Boys & Girls Clubs, Special Olympics affiliates, summer camp organizations, and other youth-serving nonprofits. The recent grant list also includes support for athlete assistance and aquatics professional development through partners such as Level Field Fund and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.
The main areas are water safety education, swim lessons and learn-to-swim programming, youth mental and physical wellness, youth development, coach training, and capacity-building. The grant list shows these themes through IM Program awards, summer camp support, mental health programming, and support for aquatics professionals.
Yes, for several IM Program pathways. The program descriptions state that clubs and community organizations can apply for partnership support, and unsolicited applications are accepted for IM Program grants and partner grants. The Level Field Fund partnership does not accept unsolicited applications.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $20,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes larger awards, including $510,000 and $400,000 grants tied to IM Program implementation.
Giving is national, but Arizona is the top state by grant count. Recent recipients there include Special Olympics Arizona and Southwest Valley Family YMCA in Goodyear. The recent grant list also includes repeated awards to organizations in Atlanta, South Portland, Washington, DC, and St. Charles, IL.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA | ATLANTA, GA | $378,000 | 2026 | GRANT PROVIDED TO THE NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF IM PROGRAM |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE SPORT OF SWIMMING IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS THROUGH SPECIALIZED SWIM COACH TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA | ATLANTA, GA | $510,000 | 2025 | GRANT PROVIDED TO THE NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF IM PROGRAM |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF MAINE | SOUTH PORTLAND, ME | $16,000 | 2025 | GRANT FOR IM PROGRAM AT SUMMER CAMPS |
| NATIONAL DROWNING PREVENTIVE ALLIANCE | TUSTIN, CA | $7,500 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO AQUATICS PROFESSIONALS |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS ARIZONA | GOODYEAR, AZ | $6,500 | 2025 | DONATION TO SUPPORT LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAMS |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA | ATLANTA, GA | $400,000 | 2024 | THE FOUNDATION DELIVERS A GRANT TO THE NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IM PROGRAM IN BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE NATIONAL OFFICE DISBURSES THE GRANT TO EACH CLUB TO HELP CLUB MEMBERS LEARN HOW TO SWIM, SET GOALS AND LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE. |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS | WASHINGTON, DC | $130,323 | 2024 | DONATION TO SUPPORT THE IM PROGRAM WITH LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAMS |
| LEVEL FIELD FUND | SOUTH PORTLAND, ME | $20,000 | 2024 | DONATION SO ORGANIZATION CAN PROVIDE GRANTS TO COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS WITH FINANICAL NEED |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF MAINE | SOUTH PORTLAND, ME | $10,500 | 2024 | DONATION TO SUPPORT THE IM PROGRAM AT TWO SUMMER CAMPS |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS ARIZONA | GOODYEAR, AZ | $5,000 | 2024 | DONATION TO SUPPORT THE IM PROGRAM WITH LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAMS |
| NATIONAL DROWING PREVENTION ALLIANCE | INDIANA, PA | $5,000 | 2024 | DONATION TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TOWARDS THEIR WATER SAFETY PROGRAMMING AND DROWNING PREVENTION ADVOCACY |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA | ATLANTA, GA | $200,000 | 2023 | THE FOUNDATION DELIVERS A GRANT TO THE NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IM PROGRAM IN BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE NATIONAL OFFICE DISBURSES THE GRANT TO EACH CLUB TO HELP CLUB MEMBERS LEARN HOW TO SWIM, SET GOALS AND LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE. |
| LAZARUS HOUSE | ST CHARLES, IL | $20,000 | 2023 | DONATION TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING. |
| TRICITY FAMILY SERVICES | ST CHARLES, IL | $20,000 | 2023 | DONATION TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING. |
| MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IN FORSYTH | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $15,000 | 2023 | DONATION TO FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING. |
| CAL'S ANGELS | ST CHARLES, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | DONATION TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING. |
| JARRETT PAYTON FOUNDATION | ROLLING MEADOWS, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | DONATION TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING. |
| SOUTHWEST VALLEY FAMILY YMCA | GOODYEAR, AZ | $7,500 | 2023 | IM PROGRAM GRANT |
| NATIONAL DROWING PREVENTION ALLIANCE | INDIANA, PA | $5,000 | 2023 | DONATION TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TOWARDS THEIR WATER SAFETY PROGRAMMING AND DROWNING PREVENTION ADVOCACY. |
| LEVEL FIELD FUND | SOUTH PORTLAND, ME | $5,000 | 2023 | DONATION SO ORGANIZATION CAN PROVIDE GRANTS TO COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS WITH FINANICAL NEED. |
| THE NEMOURS FOUNDATION | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $5,000 | 2023 | DONATION TO SUPPORT THE RAISING RESILIENT KIDS SERIES (MENTAL HEALTH) |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2023 | DONATION TO SUPPORT THE IM PROGRAM WITH LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAMS |
GRANT PROVIDED TO THE NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF IM PROGRAM
SPECIAL OLYMPICS INTERNATIONAL
$150,000TO SUPPORT THE SPORT OF SWIMMING IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS THROUGH SPECIALIZED SWIM COACH TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
GRANT PROVIDED TO THE NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF IM PROGRAM
GIRL SCOUTS OF MAINE
$16,000GRANT FOR IM PROGRAM AT SUMMER CAMPS
NATIONAL DROWNING PREVENTIVE ALLIANCE
$7,500TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO AQUATICS PROFESSIONALS
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA
$400,000THE FOUNDATION DELIVERS A GRANT TO THE NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IM PROGRAM IN BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE NATIONAL OFFICE DISBURSES THE GRANT TO EACH CLUB TO HELP CLUB MEMBERS LEARN HOW TO SWIM, SET GOALS AND LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE.
DONATION TO SUPPORT THE IM PROGRAM WITH LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAMS
LEVEL FIELD FUND
$20,000DONATION SO ORGANIZATION CAN PROVIDE GRANTS TO COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS WITH FINANICAL NEED
GIRL SCOUTS OF MAINE
$10,500DONATION TO SUPPORT THE IM PROGRAM AT TWO SUMMER CAMPS
DONATION TO SUPPORT THE IM PROGRAM WITH LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAMS
NATIONAL DROWING PREVENTION ALLIANCE
$5,000DONATION TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TOWARDS THEIR WATER SAFETY PROGRAMMING AND DROWNING PREVENTION ADVOCACY
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA
$200,000THE FOUNDATION DELIVERS A GRANT TO THE NATIONAL OFFICE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IM PROGRAM IN BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE NATIONAL OFFICE DISBURSES THE GRANT TO EACH CLUB TO HELP CLUB MEMBERS LEARN HOW TO SWIM, SET GOALS AND LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IN FORSYTH
$15,000DONATION TO FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING.
JARRETT PAYTON FOUNDATION
$10,000DONATION TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING.
SOUTHWEST VALLEY FAMILY YMCA
$7,500IM PROGRAM GRANT
NATIONAL DROWING PREVENTION ALLIANCE
$5,000DONATION TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TOWARDS THEIR WATER SAFETY PROGRAMMING AND DROWNING PREVENTION ADVOCACY.
LEVEL FIELD FUND
$5,000DONATION SO ORGANIZATION CAN PROVIDE GRANTS TO COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS WITH FINANICAL NEED.
DONATION TO SUPPORT THE RAISING RESILIENT KIDS SERIES (MENTAL HEALTH)
DONATION TO SUPPORT THE IM PROGRAM WITH LOCAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAMS
Current and upcoming funding from Michael Phelps Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations interested in bringing the IM Program to their communities may apply. Applications are reviewed for alignment with the Michael Phelps Foundation’s mission, community need, organizational readiness, current programming, and available resources.
Deadline: No deadline stated; organizations are invited to submit an online application.
Who can apply: Organizations that can meet the program's partnership criteria and bring the IM Program to their club or community. Eligibility details are not yet provided on the site.
Deadline: No deadline stated; eligibility details are coming soon.
Who can apply: The applicant must be a charitable organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status and must be the organization receiving the auction item. Fundraisers benefiting an individual or family and individuals raising funds on behalf of an organization are ineligible. The organization must provide mental health or water safety services, provide opportunities to grow swimming, or encourage healthy active lives, particularly for underserved or at-risk communities. A complete application must be submitted at least three months before the event.
Deadline: Complete applications must be submitted at least three months before the fundraising event. Awards are made monthly.
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