The USA Swimming Foundation announced today that it has awarded $436,515 to 78 learn-to-swim programs across the country through its 2018 Make a Splash grant fund. The grants will go towards swim lesson programs, providing over 16,000 children the opportunity to learn how to swim in underprivileged communities.

The USA Swimming Foundation vetted 200 applications through a competitive annual review process and chose 78 programs to receive funding, 36 of whom are first time USA Swimming Foundation grant recipients. Since 2007, the USA Swimming Foundation has awarded more than $5 million dollars to help fund learn-to-swim programs across the country. 

“We are thrilled to be awarding this funding and so proud that it will be used to create a valuable swimming experience for thousands of children who may not have had the opportunity to learn how to swim,” USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director Debbie Hesse said. “These exciting and lifesaving opportunities would not be possible without the support of our USA Swimming Foundation partners and donors, who continue to help us make a difference across this country.”

More than 850 Make a Splash Local Partners promote water safety education in their communities and provide scholarships and transportation for children to participate in their swim lesson programs.  

The following USA Swimming Foundation Make a Splash Local Partners will receive grant funding: 

For more information on Make a Splash Local Partner grant opportunities, visit www.usaswimmingfoundation.org/MakeaSplash