Like the name implies, the goal of the boater-funded BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is to educate boaters about safe and clean boating. The Foundation is looking to fund Grassroots Grant projects that utilize new, innovative approaches that encourage safe and clean boating among the boating public. Organizations with the best ideas will be awarded grants of up to $10,000 to implement their project. However, applications need to be submitted by January 15, 2015, and public online voting on the applications will take place in early Spring 2015.
The Foundation’s Grassroots Grants Program has funded over $1.3 million in boating safety and clean water projects over the past 25 years. “The program is still for small local groups, organizations and non-profits, but we’re getting away from awarding funds for items like signs, brochures, or boat show giveaway items,” said BoatUS Foundation Outreach Manager Alanna Keating. “Now, we’re looking to tap into the many exciting interactive and innovative ways to encourage behavior changes, including social media, the Web or unique hands-on activities.”
Groups wishing to apply for one or more Grassroots Grants may go to www.BoatUS.org/grants to view the guidelines and begin their application. Grant application submissions may include videos, photos or graphics or anything to potentially help increase the chances of funding. The applications that best meet guidelines will be posted to the Foundation’s website, BoatUS.org, as well as its Facebook page for public voting in the spring. Projects with the most votes will receive funding and will have one year to complete the grant project.
To be the first to learn when voting for grant projects begins, “like” the BoatUS Foundation on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BoatUSFoundation. A short video on the Grants program and how to apply is at BoatUS.org/Grants.
