LANSING - A nonprofit youth and community sports organization in metro Detroit is at the center of a debate over state funding after lawmakers included millions of dollars for the group in the Michigan budget. State Representative Jim Desana (R) called the alarm in a social media post.
State budget documents show that the HYPE Athletics Center a nonprofit based in Dearborn Heights that offers youth sports academic support and community programming is slated to receive a 3 million dollar appropriation from the Michigan School Aid Fund for the current fiscal year. The money is designated for after school literacy STEAM athletic and mental health programs offered by the organization. Yet the location also charges monthly membership fees comparable to other higher end heath clubs.
Supporters in the Legislature including area representatives and senators backed the funding as part of a broader education and
community investment package that passed both chambers and was included in the budget agreement.
Senator Camilleri (D) has publicly supported community programs and investments in youth services across his district including initiatives tied to expanding opportunities for children and questions are arising on this standalone 4.5 million dollar state grant to HYPE Athletics.
Critics of the funding mechanism argue that earmarking taxpayer dollars for specific nonprofits without competitive grant processes raises questions about transparency and accountability. Past reporting has highlighted concerns with how certain budget line items including those for community organizations like HYPE Athletics are shaped and approved Lansing.
HYPE Athletics which has operated since 2001 and serves thousands of youth across Wayne County with athletic and educational programs says it relies on a mix of private donations program revenue and public funding to carry out its mission. The organization offers fitness training mentorship tutoring and life skills programming.
What the public record shows is that 3 million dollars has been officially allocated to the HYPE Athletics Center in the Michigan state budget for community programming.
As the debate over public funding priorities continues in Lansing HYPE Athletics and similar nonprofits remain in the spotlight for their role in providing after school and enrichment services to children particularly in underserved neighborhoods even as questions persist about how legislative funding decisions are made.
