WELCOME

The Stillwater Starz is a developmental summer swim team and a member of the Naperville Swim Conference (NSC). A volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission is to develop confident, capable young swimmers and foster a love of competitive swimming in a safe, supportive, and fun environment.

Our swimmers range from 4-18 years of age, and most are residents of the Stillwater subdivision and other nearby communities in southwest Naperville, Plainfield, and Oswego. For our youngest swimmers, their time on the Starz is often their first experience with competitive swimming. It’s also where many of our returning swimmers, some of whom now swim year-round in club and school programs, got their start. Join us this summer, and find out what fun you can have when we shoot for the Starz together!

The Stillwater Swim Team ("Stillwater Starz") are committed to promoting inclusivity and ensuring that all children can participate in our team regardless of their families’ financial situation. The guidelines and procedures below outline our procedure for providing financial assistance to families in need as a tax-exempt organization under Illinois state law.

 

Eligibility

 

Financial Need

Financial assistance is available to families who demonstrate financial need through a brief written statement. Need is primarily determined based on household income levels and the federal poverty guidelines, but other financial hardships may also be considered.

 

Residency

Applicants for financial assistance must be residents of Illinois.

 

Commitment to Participation

Families receiving financial assistance must commit to attending at least 75% of scheduled practices and swim meets (barring illness or extenuating circumstances).

 

Types of Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may cover up to 100% of the swim team fees depending on the level of need demonstrated. 

 

Application Process

1.    Request for Assistance: Families seeking financial assistance must send an email to [email protected] requesting support. The email should briefly describe the family’s financial situation and the need for assistance. Requests will remain confidential.

2.    Documentation: After initial contact, families will be asked to provide supporting documentation, which may include proof of income (e.g., recent tax return, pay stub, or similar).

3.    Documentation of Illinois residency (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement, etc.).

4.    Any other relevant documents that support the claim of financial hardship.

 

Review and Decision

Applications for financial assistance will be reviewed by the Board of Directors. Decisions will be made based on documented need and availability of funds. All information will be kept confidential.

 

Notification

Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision via email within 30 days of submission of all required documentation.

 

Responsibilities of Recipients

Recipients of financial assistance are expected to:

  • Maintain active participation in swim practices and events.
  • Fulfill the seasonal parent volunteer work obligation as indicated during the registration process.

 

Confidentiality

All financial information received as part of the application process will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and will be reviewed by members of the Board of Directors for the sole purpose of determining eligibility.

 

Appeals

Families whose applications are denied may appeal the decision by submitting a written request for reconsideration to the Board of Directors. The appeal should include any additional information not included in the original application that might affect the initial decision.

 

Non-Discrimination

The Stillwater Starz adhere to a strict non-discrimination policy. Eligibility for financial assistance is considered without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. This policy is intended to support the mission of the Stillwater Starz by removing financial barriers to participation, thus allowing a more diverse group of young athletes to benefit from our program.