West Marine will award “BlueFuture” grants to 25 nonprofit organizations focused on education, stewardship or teaching watersports to children.
The marine outfitter, based in Watsonville, Calif., encouraged community-based sailing, powerboating, fishing, surfing and paddling programs to apply for the grants worth $1,500 each. Winning organizations have wide leeway to use the money “as they see fit to operate their respective programs,” according to West Marine spokeswoman Laura Barry.
West Marine began accepting grants March 1 and closes the application period March 31. Awards will be announced in April.
“(W)e believe it’s our responsibility to teach new generations the benefits of spending time on the water,” Barry said. “All of our BlueFuture grants go to nonprofit organizations that provide kids with the opportunity to engage with boating, fishing, marine sciences and conservation.”
Visit westmarine.com/BlueFuture for more info.
