Feature Story

October 2021

Grants Available for Youth & Adult Swim Lesson Providers

The 2022 USA Swimming Foundation Learn-to-Swim Grant applications for lesson providers are now open. Grants are available for those providing youth swim lessons, and for the first time in 2022, grants will be available for those focused on adult learn-to-swim programs as well.. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 15, 2021.

The USA Swimming Foundation, the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming, has awarded more than $6.6 million since 2007 to help fund youth learn-to-swim programs across the country via more than 1,500 verified swim lesson providers. In 2021, the USA Swimming Foundation awarded $509,913 to 69 youth learn-to-swim programs. For the first time in 2022, the USA Swimming Foundation will also award grants to programs focused on adult learn-to-swim efforts.

Earlier this year, U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) moved its fundraising efforts for adult learn-to-swim programs from its Swimming Saves Lives Foundation to the USA Swimming Foundation, bringing all learn-to-swim fundraising efforts under the USA Swimming Foundation. USMS will continue to own and administer adult learn-to-swim curriculum and certification for instructors, as well as provide resources to programs offering adult lessons throughout the United States.

To be considered for the 2022 Youth Learn To Swim Grant, applicants must be an approved USA Swimming swim lesson provider in good standing and provide a detailed project budget and program narrative within the grant application. Funding will be provided to programs directly benefiting children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn to swim.

To be considered for the 2022 Adult Learn To Swim Grant, applicants must be willing to register as a USMS club or workout group, provide opportunities for eligible adults to participate in USMS programs upon readiness, and present a detailed project budget and program narrative within the grant application.

USA Swimming will host a series of webinars to walk applicants through the process of applying for a grant. The Youth Application Webinar takes place Oct. 27, while the Adult Application Webinar takes place Oct. 28. Recordings of these webinars will be made available online.