Funding Opportunities
Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation Grants
www.ripkenfoundation.org/programs/grants/
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation provides a variety of grants to community groups and schools that meet our eligibility requirements,
in order to support the growth of youth baseball and softball, as well as promote character growth in children. Please visit the
title link for information about the grants and downloadable applications.
Tony Hawk Foundation Offers Support for Skateparks in Low-Income Communities
www.tonyhawkfoundation.org/grant_application.asp
The primary mission of the Tony Hawk Foundation is to promote high-quality, public skateparks in low-income areas throughout the United States.
Foundation grants are awarded to encourage and facilitate the design, development, construction, and operation of new skateboard parks and
facilities in low-income communities. Grants may be requested in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. The foundation's grantmaking
program is extremely competitive. Proposed skateparks that are not located in low-income areas and that do not have strong community and
grassroots support are unlikely to receive a significant grant from the foundation. To be eligible, applicant organizations must be a
public charity, organized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and qualified under section 170(b)(1)(a), or a state
or local agency, including public school systems or public projects. The foundation will consider assisting start-up organizations.
Arizona and California Schools Eligible for School Garden Grants
http://www.wga.com/public/active/siteBuilder/showPage.php?id=397
The Western Growers Charitable Foundation, the public outreach and research arm of Western Growers, invites educational facilities in
Arizona and California to apply for Growing With Children grants to fund a school garden. Schools, youth groups, community centers,
clubs, and any organization that supports gardening with children (ages 0-18) throughout Arizona and California are eligible to
apply for a grant. Selected schools will receive a grant of up to $1,500, gardening supplies, and a gardening curriculum.
Funds must be used for materials related to starting or maintaining a garden.
NIKE Bowerman Track Renovation Program
www.nike.com/nikebiz/nikebiz.jhtml?page=26&item=bowerman
The Bowerman Track Renovation Program provides matching cash grants to community-based, youth-oriented organizations that seek to refurbish or construct
running tracks. The program distributes approximately $200,000 in matching grants each year. This 10 year, $2 million program, administered by Nike's
Community Affairs department, provides matching funds of up to $50,000 to youth-oriented nonprofit organizations anywhere in the world. Organizations
applying for the grant must demonstrate a need for running track refurbishment or construction.
Grant recipients will provide track access to neighboring communities. Bowerman Track Renovation Program funds must be matched in some amount by other contributors by an agreed upon deadline. Recipients of a Bowerman Track Renovation grant are encouraged, but not required, to use Nike Grind technology to resurface their track. Nike Grind material is made of recycled athletic shoes sliced and ground into rubber granules, providing a superior, environmentally conscious all-weather track surface. To date, nine Bowerman track projects have used Nike Grind in state-of-the-art track surfaces each consisting of approximately 75,000 recycled athletic shoes.
Athletics and Wellness Support Grants
www.finishline.com/store/corporate_info/youthfoundation.jsp
Finish Line, an athletic retailer specializing in brand name footwear, apparel and accessories, supports athletic and wellness programs located in communities where their
stores are located. The foundation funds projects registered as 501 (c) (3) organizations; have a primary focus on assisting children and young adults 18 and under;
concentrate on athletics or wellness; and benefit communities in which Finish Line stores are located. Finish Line has over 480 stores in 45 states. To find a store
near you, visit www.finishline.com/store/index.jsp.
Community Health Improvement in Michigan
www.bcbsm.com/foundation
The Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Michigan Foundation has announced the Community Health Improvement Matching Grants Program to support nonprofit organizations
addressing significant health issues in Michigan. The foundation has allocated $750,000 for this program and is offering matching fund grants up to $25,000
per year for up to two years to implement programs designed to address one or more key community health issues; enhance consumer awareness and change unhealthy
behavior; and enhance quality, contain costs, and promote appropriate and necessary access to care. While consideration will be given to any initiative designed
to provide innovative solutions to important community health issues, priority will be given to proposals that focus on the following: clinical depression;
domestic abuse; patient safety; and access to health care for the uninsured. The BCBSM Foundation's Community Health Improvement Matching Grants Program
closely aligns with the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network's Social Mission Health Initiatives' focus on depression, domestic
abuse, physical activity and nutrition, and access to healthcare.
Touchstone Energy Co-op's Education Grants for North Carolina Teachers
www.ncbrightideas.com/Nav.asp?NavId=63
North Carolina's Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have dedicated at least $500,000 for classroom-based projects through
funding of the Bright Ideas Education Grant Program. All North Carolina-certified K-12 teachers are eligible for a Bright Ideas grant.
The program has financed a variety of hands-on projects, including activities in music, art, history, language, reading, science,
career-planning, and information technology. Grants of up to $2,000 are available.
Other Sources
- www.ed.gov/programs/21stcclc/index.html The
21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative is a component of the
No Child Left Behind Act. The purpose is to provide expanded academic enrichment
opportunities for children attending low performing schools. Funds may be
used to support recreation programs, among other purposes.
- www.pepgrant.info The Carol M. White Physical Education Program provides funds for local educational agencies ( LEAs ) to initiate, expand, and improve physical education programs and assist them in meeting state standards for physical education.
