Outdoor Nation, Paddle Industry, Outdoor Retailer & National Park Service Rally to Support Paddle Nation Grant Program. Partners award $40,000 to increase paddle participation among America’s youth.
Washington DC –-(Ammoland.com)- This summer, for the first time, many people across the country will have the opportunity to get outside and explore America’s waterways, thanks to the Paddle Nation Grant Program, an initiative connecting young people to their rivers, streams, lakes and oceans.
The Outdoor Foundation’s signature program, Outdoor Nation, joins with top paddle-sport manufacturers, retailers and stakeholders, Outdoor Retailer and the National Park Service to award $40,000 to the best, most effective, projects that introduce paddling to a new generation.
Unique in the outdoor industry, the Paddle Nation Grant Program was launched in 2012 with financial support and leadership from Outdoor Retailer and many companies in the paddle-sport industry including Confluence Outdoor, Johnson Outdoors, Rutabaga Paddlesports, OARS, BIC Sports, Glenbrook, Advanced Elements, River Sport Outfitters and ACK. Leveraging this industry support, the National Park Service joined as a major funder in 2013, significantly expanding the grant program.
Since its inception, the partners have awarded more than $125,000 in support of 55 innovative projects. The results speak for themselves. By year’s end, the program will engage more than 8,000 people in paddle sport activities — resulting in more than 25,000 hours spent on the water.
“This program is a testament to the leadership and support of the paddle-sport industry,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation, the organization that started Outdoor Nation. “Thanks to the generosity of Outdoor Retailer and the National Park Service, thousands of young people across the country will explore rivers, lakes and streams through a variety of activities – resulting in a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts and environmental stewards.”
The latest round of grants were awarded to 17 projects from a pool of 159 applications. Read on for the full list of the 2014 recipients. For more information visit outdoornation.org.
About Outdoor Foundation & Outdoor Nation
The charitable arm of Outdoor Industry Association, The Outdoor Foundation is taking the lead nationally to inspire and empower a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts through its signature program Outdoor Nation. Launched in 2010, Outdoor Nation is the only national initiative that is engaging, empowering and investing in next-gen outdoor champions and outdoor projects – ensuring the future of outdoor participation.