SaSC

As part of its mission to foster lasting improvements in society with an emphasis on supporting and empowering youth, the Tony Hawk Foundation provides grants to encourage and facilitate the design, development, construction, and operation of high-quality public skateparks serving at-risk youth in low-income areas across the United States.

Beginning with the winter 2012 grant cycle, the foundation has announced new eligibility requirements designed to encourage applicants to aim for higher quality skateparks. Ramp-style parks made from wood, steel, or polymer structures will no longer be eligible for a grant. Previously, these structures offered a less expensive, though temporary, solution to the immediate need to create skateparks. But a wider range of more durable concrete solutions has recently made the option of a permanent concrete skatepark possible with even the most modest skatepark budget. To be eligible for a grant under the new guidelines, skatepark projects must feature cast-in-place concrete (shotcrete) or permanent precast concrete designs (that do not feature steel transition plates).

Furthermore, the previous foundation policy of only allowing each community to apply for a grant a total of two times has been rescinded. Communities that have not previously been awarded a Tony Hawk Foundation grant may now continue to apply. Each applicant will receive detailed feedback about their projects from Tony Hawk, foundation staff, and the board of directors.

The foundation favors grassroots projects that involve skaters in the planning and design of the skatepark and that seek to build quality, permanent skateparks that do not require fees or memberships to use them.

The applicant must be a 501(c)(3) public charity or a state or local agency (including public school systems or public projects).

Grants will range from $1,000 to $25,000. The foundation awards grants to about a dozen communities during each of its two annual grant seasons. The foundation also may offer technical assistance on design and construction, promotional materials, training materials, and safety information, and may facilitate support from vendors, suppliers, and community leaders.

Visit the Tony Hawk Foundation Web site for complete program information, grant criteria, and the application form.