BoatUS Foundation Offers Clean-Up Grants to $10,000

Residents team up to make a difference at a cleanup event organized by the One Million Stewards Program at White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The program is offered by Recycled Fish, a 2011 BoatUS Foundation Grassroots Grant winner.

ANNAPOLIS, Md., – Like the name it implies, the goal of the boater-funded BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is to educate boaters about safe and clean boating. Now, 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 grant applications will be awarded individual grants of up to $10,000 to implement their plan. However, applications need to be submitted by January 15, 2014, and public online voting on the applications will take place in early Spring 2014.
The Foundation’s Grassroots Grants Program has funded over $1.3 million in local boating safety and clean water projects over the past 25 years. Last year, the national 501(c)(3) nonprofit more than doubled its individual maximum grant size to $10,000. “While the program is still for small local groups, organizations and non-profits, we’re getting away from awarding funds for traditional 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.com/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 projects with the most votes 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. To watch a short video on the Grants program and how to apply visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Grants.