Over the last year, SCCA Foundation awarded more than $16,000 in grants via the Foundation’s Region Development Grant program. These grants have supplied SCCA® Regions with supplemental funding for qualified charitable or educational programs, and are part of a larger swath of grants that have been awarded since the Region Development Grant’s creation in 2022. Most recently, a total of $7,275 was awarded to three Regions to assist in projects that span from emergency training to motorsports education and women in motorsports.
It should be noted that the Region Development Grant is presented quarterly and is open to all SCCA Regions to apply. The next grant application deadline is Feb. 28, 2025.
Three More Fantastic Programs Funded
The three most recent Regions to receive funding via the SCCA Foundation Region Development Grant are the Saginaw Valley Region, Neohio Region, and Blue Ridge Region.
Saginaw Valley Region’s program came about due to the unexpected loss of a Club member from a heart attack while at an SCCA event. This incident made the Region leaders research obtaining AEDs to be kept on hand at events in case of emergencies, as well as CPR training for certain members. The Foundation agreed that this was a good cause, and has committed $2,500 in grant money to help achieve this goal.
Neohio Region is planning a one-day introduction to all motorsport opportunities afforded by the Sports Car Club of America. The event will be held at Nelson Ledges Road Course in Garrettsville, OH, and will feature SCCA program booths for autocross, Time Trials, road racing, RoadRally and RallyCross, with explanations for each participation opportunity. There will also be behind-the-scenes looks at all of the volunteer specialties. The Foundation will assist the Region in hosting this event with a $2,500 grant.
Meanwhile, Blue Ridge Region has requested (and will receive) up to $2,275 in grant funding to support the launch of a new, one-day, ladies-only autocross school in Salem, VA. The school will be taught by 15 women instructors and offered to 30 women drivers who may be new to the sport of autocross or who would like to get additional seat time and instruction in a low-stress, supportive environment.
Your Region Can be Next
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 Feb. 28, 2025.
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.
