Frequently Asked Questions - BSG

About the BoatU.S. Foundation and the Boating Safety Grant Program

Q: What kind of groups is the Foundation looking to fund?
A: We want to work with small, local, volunteer-based nonprofits.
We will fund volunteer boating groups, clubs, and associations, as well as local nonprofit organizations including chapters of national organizations.

Q: What kind of groups doesn’t the Foundation fund?
A: We will not give grants to government agencies, national or international organizations, for profit businesses or individuals, or private clubs not open to the general public.
We have received requests in the past from nonprofits that have multi-million dollar budgets and dozens of staff members. While these nonprofits are clearly successful, our focus is more towards the small groups who couldn’t do this outreach without our grant.

Q: What kind of projects does the Foundation fund?
A: The Foundation is looking for new and innovative ideas, which reach local recreational boaters with safety or environmental messages. Key components of the project must be designing the information for the boater, and getting it to the boater; they shouldn’t be an afterthought. In addition, the project should be designed to get wide exposure in the local community, and should be able to be duplicated by others.

Q: What kind of projects does the Foundation prefer to fund?
A: The Foundation prefers to fund projects that use positive messages. We would like to work with groups that use positive do messages rather than negative don’t messages.

Q: What is a focus topic?
A: A focus topic is an issue we believe needs more public awareness. Through our Grant Programs, we will be able to reach more people at the local level educating them about an issue that affects all recreational boating.

Q: Where do I get information on the focus topic?
A: The Foundation has provided a background sheet with the application giving some of the basics of the focus topic. Further investigation should be done in order to completely understand the focus topic.

Q: What happens if I want to do another project?
A: All applications that have boating safety or environmental education will be accepted. Applications with a majority of the project devoted to the focus topic will be given preferential treatment.

Q: Is there a place where I can get ideas for possible projects?
A: Yes. A list of funded projects from past years can be seen by visiting the BoatU.S. Foundation Web Site. Please use this list as a starting point, but remember that we are looking for innovation, not duplication of a past project in a new location.

Q: If I apply, do I automatically receive a grant?
A: No. Each year hundreds of organizations apply for this limited funding. As a result, it is a highly competitive grant application process.

Q: If my grant proposal is accepted, will I receive all the funds I asked for?
A: Not necessarily. Although you are free to request the maximum available under the grants, in order to increase the number of grants funded each year, the Grant Committee may choose to fund parts of your grant, or specific items listed in your budget.

Q: Are there any expenses that are NOT allowable under the grant guidelines?
A: Yes. The BoatU.S. Foundation does not fund:

• Salaries, transportation expenses, meals, or lodging
• The purchase of boating equipment, unless it is used for instructional or outreach purposes.
• Computers, cameras, or other audio/visual equipment such as PowerPoint projectors
• Lobbying or political action
• Promotional or membership drives, capital improvements or general operating funds, or money to start an organization
• Debt repayment or multi-year projects.

Q: What’s the timetable?
A: The Boating Safety Grant applications must be sent by email or postmarked by midnight November 1, 2004. Applications will be reviewed, and final decisions will be announced by January 15, 2005. If your group receives a grant, you will be expected to complete all grant related work by March 1, 2006.

The Clean Water Grant applications must be sent by email or postmarked by midnight February 2, 2005. Applications will be reviewed, and final decisions will be announced by April 1, 2005. If your group receives a grant, you will be expected to complete all grant related work by March 30, 2006.

Q: Does the Grant Administrator decide whether or not I get funding?
A: No. The Grant Administrator oversees the grants themselves, but does not decide who is accepted. The Grant Administrator is there to answer questions from applicants and will handle your application when you apply. The Grant Administrator is also the person you will work with if you do receive funding for a grant.

Q: Who decides what groups will get funded then?
A: Grant applications are carefully reviewed by a committee of about 12 people, made up of members of the BoatU.S. Foundation and BoatU.S.

Q: What kind of paperwork and accounting is required to apply?
A: You must properly fill out our application in order to apply for a grant. Once you have submitted the application, within several days we will confirm with you by e-mail or a phone call that your application has been accepted.

Q: We’ve submitted a grant application, what happens next?
A: About 10 weeks after the grant deadline, you will receive written notification of whether or not your group was accepted. All groups will be notified.

Q: We were accepted! Now what?
A: Congratulations! If your grant application is successful, you will be sent a contract, which you must sign and return. Over the year, the following will be expected from you:

• You will need to provide us proofs of your project for approval before you have anything printed.
• You will stay in close communication with the Grant Administrator.
• We must provide a short six month written report including fund allocations

At the end of the year, you will provide a final 12 month written report, copies of your products (if applicable), and an expense sheet detailing your purchases. Remember to save all receipts. Any surplus funds must be returned to the Foundation unless you receive prior approval to spend the funds on other projects.

Q: We were not accepted? What did we do wrong?
A: Because the grants are competitive, only a portion of those who apply will receive funding. If you would like guidance on why your proposal was not funded, you may e-mail or call the Grant Administrator.

Q: Are there limits on funds?
A: Applicants for either grant may request up to $4000. In general, the Foundation tries to help as many applicants as possible--so, as an example, the preference would be to fund 4 $1000 applications rather  than 1 $4000 application.  Applicants who are realistic in their funding requests stand a much better chance of receiving funds!

Q: What about matching funds?
A: Matching funds are not required. However, the Foundation requires that its grant represent at least 50% of a project’s budget. Proposals that include in-kind donations of product and/or time are encouraged. Please make sure that your budget is as complete and detailed as possible.

Q: What are matching funds and in-kind donations?
A: Matching funds is the money your organization is putting into a project. An in kind donation is the goods or services that your organization will add to the grant, like graphic design skills, products, or staff time spent distributing brochures, etc.

Q: What is a “proof” and why does the Foundation want to see it?
A: A proof is a draft of your project before it is printed. With your application, we’d like to see a proof that is as close to the final design of your project as possible so we can visualize your project, and so we know you have thought out your message.

Once you receive a grant, we must then approve a final proof before printing. We have a lot of experience educating boaters, so we want to help make sure the information you are conveying is accurate and complete.

Q: The application says I should get permissions from “controlling authorities?” What does that mean?
A: If your project will require the cooperation or permission of others, we’ll like you to obtain that before you apply. For instance, if you want to hang signs at a marina or a park, get the permission of the property owner or manager, or the agency that oversees the park. You may also need permission to hold public events, distribute brochures in a state or national park, post signs at public launch ramps, etc.

Q: Still have questions?
A: We suggest that you read these questions and answers thoroughly and print out a copy of the application and read it before beginning the application. If something is unclear, please contact the grant administrator.

If you have questions for the Boating Safety Grants, contact us at boatingsafety@boatus.com or (410) 897-0943.

If you have questions for the Clean Water Grants, contact us at cleanwater@boatus.com or (410) 897-0514.