SALT LAKE CITY (Aug. 22, 2026) – The Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games announced its participation and financial support of Utah Youth Sports Giving Day. It’s the first step by Utah 2034 to support youth sport as part of its community impact programs.
From September 12-26, 2026, Utah Youth Sports Giving Day will rally individuals and community groups across the state to support nonprofit sports organizations working to expand access to youth sports, including Olympic and Paralympic Winter and Summer Games sports. This program, spearheaded by multiple Podium34 Captains, gives Utah youth sports organizations an opportunity to secure additional funding to match donations they raise in September.
The initiative is led by Miller Sports + Entertainment, with major support from Podium34 Founding Captains, the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, and the Daniels Fund, as well as Utah 2034 and a broad group of community, corporate, and philanthropic donors.
“A key priority for our Organizing committee at this stage is community impact across Utah,” said Utah 2034 CEO Brad Wilson. “Sport is a powerful tool to help young people develop life skills while staying healthy, active and engaged. We are appreciative of the initiative of Utah Youth Sports Giving Day founders and proud to support. By expanding access to Olympic and Paralympic sports, we are already working to create a meaningful legacy for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. This is central to our Games Vision that includes building Utah’s youth sport participation, and instilling lifelong habits of healthy, active living and passion for winter sport.”
Wilson also noted that despite Utah’s strong sports culture, including Olympic and Paralympic sport, too many kids are being left on the sidelines. Underserved youth face significant obstacles to participation.
As outlined in Utah 2034’s Games vision to elevate communities, Utah’s youth are central to the Games legacy. Utah 2034 wants to help build Utah’s youth sport participation through support of sport and outdoor programs to instill lifelong habits of healthy, active living and passion for winter sport, while sharing successes across the United States
“We are proud to have Utah 2034 partner with us for Utah Youth Sports Giving Day,” said Steve Starks, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Company and vice chair of Utah 2034. “As we look toward 2034, investments like this will help ensure the legacy of the Games is measured not only by what happens during those few weeks, but by the opportunities we create for Utah’s young people for generations to come.”
In addition to Utah 2034, major financial support has come from two Utah 2034 Podium34 Founding Captains, the Larry H. Miller Family Foundation and the Daniels Fund.
Additional matching funding support has been donated by America First Credit Union, SME Industries, Mountainland Supply, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Huntsman Family Foundation, Maverik, Ken Garff for Good, The Boyer Company, the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation, and Forever Young Foundation. In-kind donation support for Utah Youth Sports Giving Day will be provided through YESCO with media support being provided by Deseret News and KSL.
Together, these supporters have committed over $1.5 million in matching funds, including a dollar-for-dollar match on the first $1 million raised. Utah Youth Sports Giving Day aims to generate $3 million in total support during this year’s campaign for Utah nonprofits serving youth through sports, including both funds raised by nonprofit sports organizations and the fund created through campaign partners.
The Youth Sports Giving Day campaign was first launched in Colorado in 2024 by the Daniels Fund to help expand access to organized sports for young people statewide. To date, Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day has raised nearly $9 million and engaged over 240 Colorado nonprofit organizations to help support youth sports. The efforts of the Daniels Fund have helped purchase equipment and uniforms, grow programming and support new facilities in new communities.
“Every child deserves the chance to discover what sports can teach beyond the scoreboard,” said Hanna Skandera Grady, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund. “Sports help young people build confidence, resilience, teamwork and skills that stay with them for life. Through Utah Youth Sports Giving Day, we’re proud to join Utah 2034 and all the generous support across the state to help ensure that cost never keeps a child on the sidelines.”
For more information about Utah Youth Sports Giving Day, including how to register as a participating nonprofit, becoming a match-pool donor, or to view other resources provided through the Utah Nonprofits Association, visit utahyouthsportsgivingday.com or utah2034.org.