AYC Foundation Receives Record Number of Grant Requests
Applications Will Be Reviewed With Fund Raising Campaign in Full Swing
Annapolis, MD November 19, 2008-The AYC Foundation received a record number of applications for its final funding cycle of the year. This is the highest number of requests ever received in the fourth quarter, and the second highest ever after the record-breaking applications received in the second quarter of this year. Applications for all of 2008 are higher in number of applicants and amount of requests than any previous year. Grant requests from 61 applicants in 2008 totalled over $190,000. This final grant cycle of the year coincides with the Foundation's annual fund raising campaign. Applications were due on November 15 and grant decisions will be announced on December 18.
"The large number of applications illustrates that awareness of the Foundation is growing and demonstrates the relevance of our mission," commented Molly Hughes Wilmer, president of the Foundation. "We are very pleased to be able to possibly participate in so many worthy organizations, clinics, amateur sailing campaigns and programs. We would be thrilled if we had received more scholarship applications-we need to work more closely with program heads to make sure candidates know they are available."
"This will be a tough decision-making round for our advisory committees," according to John While, Foundation vice-president. "The applications are very competitive." Mr. White servers as liaison to the independent advisory committees, which vet the applications and recommend funding decisions to the Board.
"These requests far exceed what we had budgeted to allocate this quarter, and this is the last quarter of our fiscal year," said Craig Seibert, Foundation treasurer. "Typically, we do not have a large number of requests in the fourth quarter. We will need to evaluate whether these applications merit dipping into reserves. Our decision to do so may be influenced by how well our annual fund raising campaign is tracking compared to previous years." The Foundation maintains a reserve in order to be able to consider accommodating unanticipated requests.
"It is our hope that the fabulous response we have had this grant cycle will influence donors as they consider their annual contribution to the Foundation. There is a need in our community, as evidenced by these applications, and we need to rise to the occasion to meet it," said Ward Anderson, the Foundation board member who oversees the annual fund raising campaign.
Successful applicants will be notified personally of their grant amount shortly after December 18th. Successful grantees will also be listed on the website. Information about grants previously awarded in 2008 is on the Foundation's website.
The annual fund raising campaign runs through the end of the year. Contributions can be mailed to AYCF, PO Box 908, Annapolis, MD 21403.
ABOUT AYC FOUNDATION
The AYC Foundation was founded in 2000 as the charitable arm of the Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) and its members. AYC members and the community make contributions to this charitable foundation for the purposes of growing the sport of sailing and giving back to the local maritime community.
The AYC Foundation has four grant application deadlines per year and announces its grant awards quarterly. Applicants are encouraged to submit questions and apply online. Questions will be responded to as promptly as possible, well before application deadlines.
Contributions to the AYC Foundation are deductible as charitable contributions as provided in the Internal Revenue Code. Information about making contributions can be found online.
|