09-27-2007, 05:10 PM
As the BoatU.S. Foundation's annual Boating Safety Grant program kicks off today, the national 501©(3) nonprofit education and research organization announced that it has reached a significant milestone - a total of $750,000 in Safety Grant funding has been given to 452 organizations in the past 17 years to develop innovative projects that promote safe boating on local waterways. The Foundation is making an additional $50,000 available in its latest grant cycle, providing up to $4,000 each to local community organizations and non-profit groups for programs designed to help make our waterways safer.
While all applications will be considered, the Foundation will give preferential consideration to grant proposals that incorporate new and innovative ideas that educate boaters about the need to wear life jackets.
"Three-quarters of a million dollars is a significant investment in boating safety," said BoatU.S. Foundation Grant Coordinator Alanna Keating. "But there is more work to do. We need to educate boaters about the fact that today's modern vest-style and inflatable life jackets are much more comfortable to wear than the bulky orange 'Type-IIs' we all grew up with," she added.
The deadline to apply is November 1, 2007 and grants will be awarded in late January 2008. Interested groups such as boat and yacht clubs, flotillas and squadrons can download an application at http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation
Past projects have ranged from creating literature on the effects of boating under the influence of alcohol, life jacket exchanges, educational demonstrations and boat ramp signage informing users about free vessel safety checks, among others.
To get more information about the Boating Safety Grants or to get an application go to http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation or call 703-461-2878, ext. 8354.
The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a primarily funded by the voluntary contributions of 650,000 members of BoatU.S. The Foundation operates more than a dozen programs including the only accredited, free, online general boating safety course, a low-cost EPIRB rental program, the "Help Stop the Drops" national clean fueling campaign, and a free kid's Life Jacket Loaner Program.
For more information on making a tax-deductible donation to help keep programs like these afloat, go to http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation
Media Contact:
Alanna Keating, AKeating@BoatUS.com, 703-461-2878 ext. 8354
While all applications will be considered, the Foundation will give preferential consideration to grant proposals that incorporate new and innovative ideas that educate boaters about the need to wear life jackets.
"Three-quarters of a million dollars is a significant investment in boating safety," said BoatU.S. Foundation Grant Coordinator Alanna Keating. "But there is more work to do. We need to educate boaters about the fact that today's modern vest-style and inflatable life jackets are much more comfortable to wear than the bulky orange 'Type-IIs' we all grew up with," she added.
The deadline to apply is November 1, 2007 and grants will be awarded in late January 2008. Interested groups such as boat and yacht clubs, flotillas and squadrons can download an application at http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation
Past projects have ranged from creating literature on the effects of boating under the influence of alcohol, life jacket exchanges, educational demonstrations and boat ramp signage informing users about free vessel safety checks, among others.
To get more information about the Boating Safety Grants or to get an application go to http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation or call 703-461-2878, ext. 8354.
The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a primarily funded by the voluntary contributions of 650,000 members of BoatU.S. The Foundation operates more than a dozen programs including the only accredited, free, online general boating safety course, a low-cost EPIRB rental program, the "Help Stop the Drops" national clean fueling campaign, and a free kid's Life Jacket Loaner Program.
For more information on making a tax-deductible donation to help keep programs like these afloat, go to http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation
Media Contact:
Alanna Keating, AKeating@BoatUS.com, 703-461-2878 ext. 8354