The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has awarded nearly $50,000 in grants to 23 nonprofit groups from Alaska to Florida (see list below) to spread the message about safe boating practices. Since 1988, the Foundation has awarded over three quarters of a million dollars in boating safety grants to fund projects that promote responsible boating at the local level. Funds are derived from the voluntary contributions of the 670,000 members of Boat Owners Association of The United States, (BoatU.S.).
"Visit any marina or waterfront community and you'll find volunteers working hard to keep our waterways safe for boaters. This grant program helps these volunteers continue their good work," said David Carter, Program Manager for the BoatU.S. Foundation.
The BoatU.S. Foundation, a national nonprofit education and research organization, received a record 148 applications for its 2007 Boating Safety Grant cycle. Projects ranged from life jacket exchange programs and the building of a "tugboat" for educational purposes to a flying blimp adorned with boating safety messages, development of radio and TV public service announcements, advertising campaigns, and billboard signage.
To encourage excellence in boating safety grant performance, these groups will be eligible for an additional honor, the Leadership in Boating Safety Outreach Award, which will be bestowed to the group that completes the most innovative, resourceful and effective grant project.
Groups providing the Foundation a final report at the completion of their project will be eligible for the Outreach Award, which gives the winner an additional $1000 to use toward their project. "We'll evaluate how successful each group was in terms of effectiveness, professionalism, innovation and the use of positive messages," said Carter. "This is a way for us to say, 'job well done', and supplement a successful program with extra funds," he continued.
2007 BoatU.S. Foundation Boating Safety Grant Recipients
Alaska: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 17-02-01 of Homer, AK, for the purchase of safe boating kits and life jackets to be distributed to local boaters.
Alabama: Dog River Clearwater Revival of Mobile, AL for the production of 700 sets of eight different laminated cards containing various boating safety topics.
California: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 11-10-06 of Visalia, CA, for the purchase and installation of three outdoor bulletin boards that will provide boating safety information.
Redwood Empire Public Television of Eureka, CA for the production of five public service announcements on various safety topics.