Grant supports efforts to offer free or reduced-cost swim lessons
The YMCA of Greater Des Moines was chosen as one of 74 youth programs from the USA Swimming Foundation’s nationwide network of swim lesson providers to receive grant money in early 2023. The grant award will go toward the Y's continued efforts to provide free or reduced-cost swim lessons. The USA Swimming Foundation has awarded a total of $707,172 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. The USA Swimming Foundation grant will allow the Y to continue to drown-proof the Greater Des Moines community by providing accessible and affordable swim lessons and enabling youth to pursue a fun and healthy fitness activity. Through this grant, 144 youth from the Y’s After School program can participate in Safety Around Water classes and swim lessons. 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 345 applications through a competitive annual review process and chose 74 youth and 35 adult programs to receive funding.
“The USA Swimming Foundation is thrilled to provide funding to 110 swim lesson providers across the United States,” USA Swimming Foundation Senior Director of Development Elaine Calip said. “Over 14,000 individuals will now have the opportunity to learn the lifesaving skill of water safety across the country. We owe a tremendous thank you to our partners and donors who continue to make a difference in our mission of saving lives and building champions.”
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.