Funding and Support for Leaders Driving Grassroots Growth
The USA Field Hockey Bessant Grow the Game Grant supports leaders committed to growing the game at the grassroots level and strengthening a community’s field hockey ecosystem.
Thank you to Cathy Bessant and Bank of America for creating and funding this grant!
Look for more information about the 2027 Grant Application window in mid-2026.
The application window for the USA Field Hockey 2025 Bessant Grow the Game Grant closed on March 15, 2025. Thank you to all who applied. A total of $50,000 will be distributed in 2025, building on the $50,000 distributed in 2024. The Bessant Grow the Game Grant Committee will be reviewing applications and will notify 2025 awardees and all applicants in April.
The 2026 Bessant Grow the Game Grant application window will be January 5, 2026 to March 15, 2026. A total of $50,000 will be awarded in 2026.
The USA Field Hockey Bessant Grow the Game Grant is open to all field hockey leaders, including club administrators, coaches, umpires, State Chapters, schools, and others who share USA Field Hockey’s mission to Grow the Game, Serve and Inspire Membership, and Succeed Internationally and are members in good standing of USA Field Hockey.
Applicants should be individuals who:
Recipients of the grant are given funding and customized mentorship to support and sustain field hockey leadership within the field hockey community. The initial $200k for this grant was provided by Cathy Bessant, supported by the Bank of America Foundation, in 2024 to be awarded in the quadrennial starting after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and ending with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
USA Field Hockey desires to continue the Bessant legacy by extending the grant beyond 2028. Its future is in the hands of our community. Donation to the Bessant Grow the Game Grant are accepted through the USA Field Hockey Foundation and are tax-deductible. Give today to support this important grow the game initiative.
The Bessant Grow the Game Grant Committee exists to create grant criteria, review applications, award grants, and assist with the cohort and mentorship program.
Thank you to the following voting members who serve on the Bessant Grow the Game Grant Committee in 2025:
Staff Non-Voting Members:
South County Royals FHC
California
Lewisburg YMCA/Bison FHC
Pennsylvania
Tidewater/Undertow FHC
Virginia
Sandwich Middle High School
Massachusetts
Cardinals FHC
Connecticut
Buffalo FHC
New York
Somers Youth FH
New York
Overtime Athletics of Greater Lexington
Kentucky
Charleston FH
South Carolina
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey is excited to announce that the application window is now open for the USA Field Hockey 2025 Bessant Grow the Game Grant. This grant will support leaders in building “Field Hockey Hot Spots”, which are defined...
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The USA Field Hockey Bessant Grow the Game Grant was established in 2024 when Bank of America honored Cathy Bessant and her remarkable 40 years of service to the company by supporting a $1 million leadership grant to USA Field...
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey is excited to announce the launch of the USA Field Hockey Bessant Grow the Game Grant. This grant will support leaders in building “Field Hockey Hot Spots”, which are defined as places where field hockey is an...
