Giving Big to Our Community's Future: Funding Opportunities for Grand County Youth Activities, Programs, and Sports
We know our community's youth are the future of Grand County, and access to high quality primary and secondary education as well as early childhood education and care is paramount in developing the future leaders of our beautiful mountain community. And opportunities to develop outside of a formal childcare or education setting give kids unparalleled experiences as part of a team, working toward an individual goal, exploring the arts, and taking advantage of the abundant outdoor experiences here in Grand County.
For a small, rural community, Grand County offers some amazing opportunities for our kids: from summer theater, circus arts, mountain biking, and sports camps to recreational and club sports to Winter Park Resort's Competition Center to school-sponsored river trips, Washington D.C. weeks, and Costa Rica excursions, we couldn't be more grateful for the big opportunities available for all ages of kids here. But not all Grand County families have the means to pay for the opportunities their kids choose to pursue. Enter the Grand Foundation, our local nonprofit leader that works tirelessly to improve the lives of Grand County residents. They administer four funds to help make extracurricular activities available to all youth in the county: the G.A.P. Fund, the Winter Park Competition Center Support Fund, the Opportunity for Youth Fund, and the Blue Valley Ranch Opportunity for Youth Fund.
G.A.P. Fund
The Grand Activities + Programs Fund (G.A.P) exists to help full-time Grand County families with participation fees for non-academic activities (sports, the arts, and more). The fund provides assistance for kids from birth to 18 years old, utilizing the Grand County Census to determine an average household income for a single child family (currently $79,300) as a gauge for funding. They take into account all the factors with each application, including family dynamics and unforeseen circumstances. So if you or someone you know might benefit from the G.A.P. fund, it's definitely worth filling out an application to see if it might cover part or all of an activity for a child who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Learn more details, find the quarterly application deadlines, access the application here. the And if you want to tangibly support the fund, head on over to the annual Winter Park Brewfest - all proceeds from the event go to the G.A.P fund, helping our youth have access to amazing opportunities outside of the classroom!
WP Competition Center Athlete Support Fund
Participating in any sport has its cost, and the mountain sports programming offered by the Winter Park Competition Center (in both winter and summer!) is no different. While we believe it is one of the best "bangs for your buck" as far as high-quality coaching and time on the snow or mountain bike trail goes, we're well aware the price tag can make participation in the program out-of-reach for many. The Competition Center Athlete Support Fund helps bridge the gap with an entire fund dedicated to Comp Center athletes and their families, providing both merit and need-based support to athletes. This fund is a true gift to families and is just another testament to the beauty of the community and the way we support each other. Keep in mind - applications are due on September 15th for winter sports and June 1st for summer sports each year!
Opportunity for Youth Fund
Similar to the G.A.P. Fund, the Opportunity for Youth Fund provides assistance for opportunities outside the classroom; however, it gears its giving to single events and those to which students earn the right to participate. Students have received support to travel on educational and exchange trips to Costa Rica, Washington DC, Greece, Italy and France. The fund also has provided scholarships to Brain Bowl, athletic activities, camps and clinics, arts and culture as well as AP testing fees. The Opportunity for Youth Fund can even been used to pay school activity fees. What a gift for students and their families!
BLUE VALLEY RANCH YOUTH FUND
The Blue Valley Ranch Fund is yet another opportunity for our local kids to receive financial support for education and activities. The Blue Valley Ranch generously donated the funds to be made available for Grand County youth. With quarterly opportunities to apply and funding decisions based on family income and circumstances (similar to the G.A.P. Fund), the Blue Valley Ranch Youth Fund is another avenue for helping kids be a part of a program or activity that would otherwise be out of reach!
GET INVOLVED
You can attend one of the Grand Foundation events that raises money for these funds, and they're always looking for volunteers to help run them. It's a fun way to give back to the community - we love the vibe when we volunteer to work Grand Foundation events! Or you can always donate to a specific fund right on the Grand Foundation website or sponsor a specific event. It's easy to support a cause that loves our local kids so well!
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