PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Coco Gauff and LeBron James, Flagbearers of Team United States, are seen on ... [+] a boat waving their flag along the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images) Getty Images The United States Olympic team has announced a grant of $100 million for athletes. The grant representing the largest donation received by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee so far will provide $200,000 in funding to U.S. Olympians starting next year. The donation comes from Ross Stevens, founder and CEO of a finance firm, Stone Ridge Holdings Group. The main aim behind the unprecedented initiative will be to provide long-term financial support to the future Olympic athletes. “I do not believe that financial insecurity should stop our nation’s elite athletes from breaking through to new frontiers of excellence,” said Stevens. Breakdown Of The Funds From the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians will receive $100,000 in payments and also matching benefits. The athletes will have the access to $100,000 over the course of four years. As the main aim of the funding remains to provide support after retirement, the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians can use the money “for any purpose,” 20 years after qualifying for the Olympic Games or after reaching the age of 45, whichever comes later. The grant will also provide support to the family members of eligible athletes. The remaining grant, $100,000 will be recieved by the chosen beneficiaries after athletes’ death. Furthermore, there is no maximum limit set for this initiative, as the grant will be paid for every Olympic game the athlete competes in. Meaning an Olympian who participates in two Olympic games will receive a total of $200,000 in payments and an additional $200,000 in benefits, thereby claiming a total of $400,000. MORE FOR YOU Trump Delays Mexico, Canada Auto Tariffs For One Month—Here’s How The New Levies Could Impact Prices Supreme Court Orders Trump To Pay Out $2 Billion In USAID Funds: Here’s Where Trump’s Winning—And Losing—In Court Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Wednesday, March 5th The program that hopes to fund till 2032 and beyond as well has, however, been reserved for the athletes who make less than $1 million in a year. ForbesDiamond League Increases Its Pay Structure To $9.24 Million For 2025 SeasonBy Paras J. Haji How Will It Help? The work done by the U.S. Olympic Committee is fully privately funded. 75-80% of the team’s revenues come from sponsorship and media deals, while fundraising brings about 10-20% of the fund to the Olympic committee. Despite being one of the strongest teams, with no government funding, the U.S. Olympians face many financial struggles while pursuing their dreams. Unlike other countries with goverment funding including New Zealand, Australia, or countries like Hong Kong, which provide a prize money of more than $750,000 to Olympic gold medalists, “last year 57% of the U.S. athletes only earned $50,000 or less a year.” Apart from some Olympic athletes who earn millions through endorsement deals, this system has left the majority of the athletes with a lack of funding, especially after retirement. “There’s no salary that comes along with these roles; there’s certainly no retirement program,” said Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the USOPC. Now, following the new grant launched by Stevens, it will be more than double what the committee was able to raise in 2023. However, despite the “incredible gift,” as per Hirshland, the USOPC will continue to “generate philanthropic funds” in order to support the athletes. Follow me on LinkedIn. Check out my website. Editorial StandardsForbes Accolades