NMTA Offering Grants to Promote Boating in the Pacific Northwest

The Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) is seeking applicants for the 2019 Grow Boating program grants. The association will award multiple grants up to $20,000 to nonprofits seeking assistance to promote boating in the Pacific Northwest.

Applications are awarded under several categories. The Youth Boating Grant provides funding to support an event or program aimed at increasing youth participation in boating activities. The Discover Boating Grant supports an event or program designed to introduce new people to boating. The Boater Education/Safety Grant provides money for events or programs that educate new or current boaters on how to be safe on the water. Applications are due February 1 with awards announced in April. Interested organizations can apply online at http://www.nmta.net/grow-boating/.

The grants are awarded through the NMTAs Grow Boating program that has a mission to increase the number of boaters and encourage current boaters to boat more often. The program is funded by a portion of space rental fees collected by the association at its Seattle Boat Show. Since 2003, NMTA has spent more than $1.5 million to promote boating in the Pacific Northwest through events such as the Northwest Salmon Derby Series and by offering sailboat rides at regional sailing events.

NMTA represents more than 700 companies in the recreational boating industry including boat dealers, boat brokers, marinas, boatyards, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers of boating accessories and services.