Grant supports efforts to offer free or reduced-cost swim lessons
Des Moines, Iowa – (May. 24, 2024) – The YMCA of Greater Des Moines was chosen as one of 124 youth programs from the USA Swimming Foundation’s nationwide network of swim lesson providers to receive grant money in 2024. The grant award will go toward The Y's continued efforts to provide free or reduced-cost swim lessons. This year, the USA Swimming Foundation has awarded a total of $780,000 in its initial round of funding to programs across the country.
For more than 100 years, the YMCA has been known as America's Swim Instructor and has helped individuals to develop skills that provide lifelong benefits. With funding from the USA Swimming Foundation, the Y will expand access for more youth from low-income backgrounds to engage in Safety Around Water instruction at no cost to their families. Participants will develop aquatic safety and swimming skills, which are critical for helping youth learn to be safe around bodies of water.
The USA Swimming Foundation vetted more than 400 applications through a competitive annual review process and chose 124 youth and 38 adult programs to receive funding.
“The USA Swimming Foundation is proud to continue providing Learn-to-Swim opportunities at the local level for both adults and youth,” said USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director Elaine Calip. “With the excitement surrounding U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming and the Olympic Games, we anticipate an increased interest in our sport. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with lesson providers nationwide to keep kids and adults safe in and around the water.”
Millions of individuals have received the lifesaving gift of swim lessons through the USA Swimming Foundation’s network of swim lesson providers, comprised of more than 1,500 qualified lesson providers across the nation. To learn more, visit www.usaswimming.org/foundation.
Click here for a full list of 2024 USA Swimming Foundation grant recipients. Click here to donate to the Foundation.
For more information on swimming at the Y, visit www.dmymca.org/swimming.