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Jun 20, 2024
United We Row
USRowing is delighted to announce the awarding of $70,000 in 2024 United We Row grants to nine community rowing organizations that will impact over 400 rowers collectively. Over 100 grant applications were received during a three-week application window that opened in April of this year. Over the next four years, USRowing is dedicating $1 million to programs working to improve access to rowing in their community.
The grantees are as follows:
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta Rowing Club welcomes athletes from a diversity of backgrounds and a variety of interests. The grant will support expanding its programming for rowers with disabilities and to provide travel support for Para rowers to compete in regattas.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Training Center uses the sport of competitive rowing to create opportunities for Chicago youth to challenge themselves to achieve their athletic and academic potential. The grant will support coaching, equipment, transportation, and swimming lessons in their youth program.
Seattle, Washington
Green Lake Crew enables participation by minimizing participation costs and reshaping their culture to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion. The grant will support its STEM to Stern program and to provide opportunities for athletes who have not yet tried rowing to participate in their youth team.
Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) Rowing Club
New Orleans, Louisiana
This grant will support Xavier University Rowing Club, the first-ever co-ed rowing program at a Historically Black University. It will cover regatta costs, travel for coaches, and recruitment events to grow the program. The XULA Rowing Club is made possible through collaboration with the New Orleans Rowing Club.
Oakland, California
Oakland Strokes Rowing Club provides student athletes of all backgrounds and abilities with the opportunity to row, develop and commit to a team that competes at a national level. The grant will support the organization’s summer pilot program with the East Bay Regional Park District and allow more youth athletes to try rowing and join the team for the first time.
Chicago, Illionois
Recovery on Water supports breast cancer patients and survivors with the unique opportunity to interact, become active in their recovery, and gain support from their peers. The grant will increase outreach and accessibility efforts in their novice program to impact a more diverse population of breast cancer survivors in the Chicago area, especially women of color.
Rockland, New York
Rockland Rowing is dedicated to improving people’s lives through rowing. This grant will help expand program capacity through the purchase of new equipment and the ability to hire and train two assistant adaptive coaches.
Newburgh, New York
San Miguel Academy is breaking the cycle of poverty through education. 100% of students at San Miguel row, and the grant will support scholarships, transportation, and administrative expenses of running their rowing team.
Waco, Texas
Providing Waco’s youth opportunity and bridging the community together through the sport of rowing. The grant will help fund a van to transport their youth athletes and break down the transportation barrier of participation.
“We were amazed at the response to this inaugural round of grants, with over 100 applicants that were thoughtful, specific, and impactful. While it was not easy to select the final awardees, we are thrilled to support the nine grantees that exemplify the commitment, inclusion, and excellence of the United We Row Program” said Jennie Trayes, Chief Community Engagement Officer at USRowing.
All applications were carefully reviewed by a Selection Committee composed of Molly Moore (Para National Team Athlete), George Wilson (USRowing Trustee and Director of Partnerships, NBA), Napoleon Griffin (Educator, and Masters Athlete), Steve Ciraolo (Board Member, Educator, and Coach) and the Community Team at USRowing. An application's alignment with USRowing’s organizational values, impact, sustainability and growth, leadership, and professionalism were the main criteria considered by the committee. Facets such as program size, geographic location, and the communities served in each application were factored into the review and decision-making process for grantees.
“The growth of rowing relies on the passion and expertise of leaders across the country to attract and retain new people into the sport – whether they are a young person who hasn't thought about picking up an oar, a cancer survivor, college student or person with differing abilities – and empowering such leaders across the country with grants allows us to support and recognize their efforts” added Trayes.
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About United We Row
A Seat in the Boat for Everyone: USRowing’s United We Row initiative focuses on supporting rowing programs, coaches, athletes, and anyone interested in advancing the sport of rowing to diversify and grow their programs. It represents the power of rowing to bridge divides, unite athletes across differences, and push the community forward.
