In no time at all, the November application deadline will be upon us for the SCCA Foundation Region Development Grant. If your Region isn’t ready to apply just yet, fear not, as this grant is awarded quarterly, so there will be four more opportunities in the coming year. But if your Region is ready to apply for financial assistance now, you’ll want to start the process soon, because come Nov. 30, the time for this application round will be up.
So what is the SCCA Foundation Region Development Grant? This program supplies Regions with up to $2,500 in assistance and is designed to provide supplemental funding by the SCCA Foundation for qualified charitable or educational 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.
Not long ago, the Foundation’s Region Development Grant was awarded to Colorado and South Jersey Regions, and with the right proposal, your Region could be one of the next recipients of the SCCA Foundation Region Development Grant.
In evaluating a grant, the SCCA Foundation 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 such that the Foundation grant is helping to close the gap.
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.
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.
If your Region has been searching for a financial assist that meets these requirements, the next Region Development Grant deadline is Nov. 30, 2024.
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.
About SCCA Foundation
A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, SCCA Foundation’s mission is to support the Sports Car Club of America® by providing inclusive opportunities for motorsports competition, safety, education, and historical preservation.
Proceeds from donations and sweepstakes support the SCCA Foundation’s participation in the Tire Rack Street Survival program (offering life-saving advanced training for teen drivers), SCCA Women on Track (empowering women in motorsports), American veterans engaging in motorsports activities through SCCA events, and more. The Foundation also preserves the history of American Motorsports through the SCCA Archives housed at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, NY.
Learn more about the SCCA Foundation, and consider becoming a donor.
