$50,000 in grant support is awarded for regional boathouses in the Pacific Northwest
November 30, 2023 – Seattle, WA – For the second year in a row, the George Pocock Rowing Foundation (GPRF), awarded $50,000 in grant funding to eight boathouses in the Pacific Northwest region to increase access to rowing for young people.
Since 1984, the GPRF has provided over $500,000 in financial aid support through scholarships, transportation, swim lessons, and more.
In 2022, the George Pocock Rowing Foundation launched a regional grants program to empower organizations that are committed to driving inclusivity in and access to the sport of rowing, ensuring that more young athletes are able to find, start, and stay rowing within their community.
“The goal of the grant funding is to invest in projects and programs that will impact young people’s lives now and in the years to come,” Jenn Gibbons, Executive Director of the George Pocock Rowing Foundation shared.
With a robust application screening process, the Pocock Foundation reviewed fifteen applications that requested over $175,000 in support for boathouses around the Pacific Northwest rowing community. After the Grants Program Committee scored each applicant using a rigorous rubric, the top ten applicants were interviewed using a fourteen-question panel. The goal was to determine which projects held the highest chances of success, the most impact in their communities, those adding opportunities for access to rowing for youth from under-represented populations, and those that align with the Foundation’s mission and vision.
List of 2024 Grantees:
$7,100 was awarded to Tacoma Rowing in support of purchasing a trailer to transport ergometers to outreach events. This program reached 150 students in 2023. With these additional financial resources, Tacoma Rowing aims to reach 300 youth in 2024.
$4,500 was awarded to Vancouver Lake Rowing Club to support funding the construction of a barge to facilitate a safe, comfortable, and positive introduction to rowing, focusing on youth moving from Erg Ed® (indoor rowing) to the water (outdoor rowing).
$7,500 was awarded to Green Lake Crew in support of transportation and coaching for youth from Seattle Parks and Recreation Child Care programs to join the Stem to Stern Program.
$4,500 was awarded to Olympia Area Rowing in support of purchasing equipment to run ERG ED® in four school districts in Thurston County, increasing access to the sport of rowing in the Olympia area.
$8,500 was awarded to the Renton Rowing Center in support of purchasing a coaching launch to increase capacity at the boathouse.
$8,000 was awarded to Rose City Rowing in support of repairs to a bus to facilitate ERG ED® field trips and transportation for athletes from underserved schools.
$7,400 was awarded to Whatcom Rowing Association in support of replacing equipment to improve the quality of the Erg Ed® experience in Bellingham, WA.
$2,500 was awarded to North Cascades Crew In support of a free introductory program for underserved youth in Snohomish County.
“We are grateful to the GPRF for the regional grant award of ten new indoor rowers!” Jim Bertollini from Olympia Area Rowing shared. “This award will allow us to introduce Erg Ed in four Thurston County school districts and reach youth who may not otherwise have an opportunity to learn about rowing. By bringing rowing to the classroom, our goal is for OAR to reflect the diversity present in our local community. This award, and the application and planning process, is helping us to develop and strengthen relationships with other members of the community who support youth athletic development. In particular, to engage school administrators and educators who share the values of the GPRF and OAR and are energized by the many benefits of rowing for young athletes: an appreciation for health and fitness and the gift of a lifetime sport, the value of teamwork, the importance of setting goals and of hard work and discipline to achieve them, enjoying the natural beauty of Budd Inlet, developing enduring friendships, experiencing the support of caring adults, and having fun!”
About the George Pocock Rowing Foundation
Everyone deserves a team. One that will challenge them, change them, and lead them to strive for excellence. The mission of the George Pocock Rowing Foundation is to help young people access and experience the life-changing sport of rowing.
About the Regional Grants Program
This program supports youth rowing in the Pacific Northwest. With this grant program, the Pocock Foundation strives to support regional boathouses committed to increasing rowing access for young people. The Foundation strives to positively impact a grantee's ability to support current and future athletes.
Grants of up to $10,000 were awarded. In addition to the financial support, the Pocock Foundation will provide training in partnership with the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport on Trauma-Informed coaching, as well as Anti-Racism training in partnership with A Long Talk. Each grantee is required to send at least one coach and one person in leadership to these trainings.
Contact Nell Aiello, George Pocock Rowing Foundation, nell@pocockfoundation.org, 773-351-9834
