A grant program that will help nonprofit groups promote recreational boating has been launched by the Seattle-based Northwest Marine Trade Association. The association, which says it has spent more than $1 million promoting boating in the Pacific Northwest in the past 10 years, will offer grants of up to $9,000 to groups working to increase the number of boaters and encouraging those who now own boats to spend more time on the water.
Formed in 1947, the association has more than 700 members representing all aspects of the region’s boating industry. It partners with the Northwest Yacht Brokers’ Association in sponsoring the annual Seattle Boat Show. A portion of show space rental fees support the trade association’s Grow Boating program.
“We are very excited to make these grants available,” said John Thorburn, the association’s vice president for communications and marketing. “Our own efforts and programs have introduced boating to well over a million people since 2003. These grants should help us build new partnerships to spread the benefits and joys of boating even more.”
Grants will be made in three areas: increasing youth participation in boating activities; introducing new people to boating, and educating current and new boaters in boating safety.
The association said proposals are due by March 3 and that grants will be awarded by May 1. For more information and an application: www.NMTA.net/grant of call John Thorburn at 206-634-0911.
