Four times each year, SCCA Foundation offers the Club’s 115 Regions the opportunity to apply for grants that help turn fantastic public outreach opportunities into reality – and one of those times is fast approaching. The next application deadline for the Region Development Grant is May 31, 2024, with the SCCA Foundation ready to assist Regions in their efforts to grow their programs through community engagement or promote safety (or more) to members and non-members alike.
A few weeks back, we brought you several examples of the most recent Region Development Grant recipients. Highlights include Lake Superior Region receiving $2,500 in grant funding to educate the public and lower barriers to participation in its RallyCross program, Central Florida Region receiving $500 in grant funding to help grow the Region’s Women on Track program, and New England Region being presented with up to $800 to assist in CPR and AED training.
Before applying for the Region Development Grant, there are things you should know – but once your idea becomes a full-fledge plan, you’re encouraged to send in an application. And should your Region not be awarded a Region Development Grant this round, your Region is welcome to apply again during the next round.
How to Apply
The Region Development Grant program supplies Regions with up to $2,500 in assistance and is designed to provide supplemental funding by the SCCA Foundation for qualified programs. An eligible Region program must have an educational or charitable purpose consistent with the mission and purpose of the SCCA and typically must be available to members and non-members alike.
For example, a Region may need funding for an exhibit space at an auto show to educate the public about teen safe driving and SCCA activities. In addition to or as an alternative to promoting the Tire Rack Street Survival program, there might be educational flyers providing safe driving tips, suggestions for ways parents might help their teens to learn to drive safely, and opportunities to build driving skills at local SCCA events. Generally speaking, applications for the purchase of equipment or facilities that are not dedicated to the charitable or educational program are unlikely to qualify.
In evaluating a grant, the selection committee will give the most attention and focus to projects which meet the following criteria:
- Educational or charitable purpose.
- Open to or benefiting the general public and not just Club members.
- It is innovative or demonstrates need.
- It is backed by a detailed project management plan that includes a description of the request, a project schedule, and specific project management.
- The majority of project funding is coming from other sources.
Region Development Grants are not intended to fully fund a Region project. Regions should be prepared to indicate in their application the cost of the project, the Region investment in the project, other contribution sources, and the amount needed from the Foundation.
Regions not ready to apply this time around will have quarterly opportunities throughout the year, with application deadlines being Feb. 28, May 31, Aug. 31, and Nov. 30 of each year.
