Utah 2034 Teams Up with Utah Youth Sports Giving Day to Boost Access to Youth Sports Across the State
Utah 2034 has announced its participation and financial support for Utah Youth Sports Giving Day, a campaign aimed at raising $3 million to make youth sports more accessible across the state.
The organizing committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games has partnered with Miller Sports + Entertainment to financially back the initiative. Utah Youth Sports Giving Day hopes to raise $3 million from September 12-26 for nonprofits working to make youth sports more accessible.
A 2025 survey from the Aspen Institute reported a 46% increase in the amount the average American sports family spent on their child's primary sport from 2019 to 2024. The rising costs mean "too many children are still being left on the sidelines," and missing out on the lessons learned from participation in sports, according to Michelle Smith, the president of Miller Sports + Entertainment.
Utah 2034 joins donors 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. Those organizations pledged over $1.5 million in matching funds, including matching dollar-for-dollar the first $1 million raised.
The initiative has already reached its goal of 100 nonprofits registering to participate, and Smith thinks "we're going to be well over that by the time we get to the actual campaign." Utah Youth Sports Giving Day was inspired by the Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day, which the Denver-based Daniels Fund launched in 2024.
Utah 2034's support is seen as a "perfect example" of how the state has embraced Utah Youth Sports Giving Day, according to Smith. The campaign aims to raise awareness and funds for nonprofits working to make youth sports more accessible in Utah.
Austin Kleba, an Olympic speed skater and team sprint world-record holder, spoke during a press conference to announce the partnership. Kleba's athletic career began when he was 3 years old playing youth hockey in his hometown of Chicago. "I really just wanted community," he said. "I wanted friends, people to talk to."
The press conference was held at the Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan on Saturday, August 19, 2026.
Utah 2034's participation in Utah Youth Sports Giving Day is a significant step towards making youth sports more accessible across the state. The campaign aims to raise awareness and funds for nonprofits working to make a difference in the lives of Utah's youth.
Source: Yahoo Sports