COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Swimming, the national governing body for swimming in the United States, has announced its next round of Community Impact grant recipients. Building upon the success of this program and its commitment to further making a difference in the community, the USA Swimming Foundation is providing 10 additional programs with $5,000 grants to provide programming to underserved communities, support diverse coaches and create even more competitive opportunities.
In 2020, USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation introduced the Community Impact grant program with the goal to increase competitive opportunities within USA Swimming clubs. The inaugural class of 12 recipients each received $5,000 grants, eligible for renewal annually for up to three years.
“The recipient clubs were selected by a panel of USA Swimming Staff members, using a number of factors including long-term impact, improving access to the sport, and community engagement,” said Joel Shinofield, Managing Director of Sport Development for USA Swimming. “We had so many deserving clubs apply this round, and we look forward to working with the Foundation to strategically increase support for this program annually through LA 2028.”
Through these grants, USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation hope to grow the pipeline of champion athletes and to create more opportunities to broaden community access to USA Swimming.
The Community Impact grants focus on three areas of support:
- Creating partnerships between USA Swimming teams and a facility or recreational organization that doesn't currently have a team;
- Supporting USA Swimming Clubs led by women and/or diverse individuals; and
- Partnering USA Swimming clubs with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to create competitive programs for youth in campus pools.
The following programs have been awarded grants:
- Metro Aquatics
- Greenview Dolphins Swim Team
- Quicksilver Swimming Santa Cruz
- Bulldog Swimming
- Detroit All Star Aquatics
- Mission Valley Aquatics
- Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center
- Mid Hudson Aquatics
- Heal Swim Club
- Oaklantis Swim Team
A separate 10-year, $1 million initiative to develop learn-to-swim and competitive opportunities in communities served by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) was announced late last year.
For more information on USA Swimming’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, please visit www.usaswimming.org/diversity.