2015 Better Beaches Program Grants

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is now accepting proposals for Better Beaches Program Grants to support free events and activities on the Boston Harbor Region’s public beaches in 2015.

This year, at the recommendation of the Metropolitan Beaches Commission, the Legislature appropriated funds to support free events and programs on the beach in Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy, Hull and in the Boston Harbor Islands. The Department of Conservation and Recreation has asked Save the Harbor/Save the Bay to invest these funds along with the proceeds from this year’s Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash as part of our Better Beaches Program.

 Download a copy of the Metropolitan Beaches Commission Report

As a result, we are delighted to announce that this year Save the Harbor/Save the Bay will distribute more than $190,000 to support free events and programs on the region’s public beaches in 2015!

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay launched the Better Beaches Program in 2008 to help friends groups in Boston’s waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities from Nahant to Nantasket create and sustain free events and activities on our region’s public beaches. Each year, Save the Harbor hosts its annual Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash pledge fundraiser during which hundreds of participants show their support for their beach by “splashing” into the cold water to raise funds to support these free, family-friendly events. 

 Download a copy of our 2014 Better Beaches Program Report

Over the last seven years, thanks to the support of our funding partners and the success of the Harpoon Helps Cupid Splash, our Better Beaches Program has invested more than $205,000 in small grants to beaches friends groups in Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull.  Our partners, in turn, have leveraged our funds with additional cash and in-kind support for a total investment of $1,020,722 to fund 214 free events and programs.

Better Beaches Program Grants range from $500 - $10,000, with a typical grant of $3,500. In rare cases we may consider a larger grant. All these great events have one thing in common: They bring people together to strengthen their communities and enjoy our region's most stunning natural resources,  the 19 miles of public swimming beaches that connect us to each other and to Boston Harbor, Mass Bay and Broad Sound.

It is easy to apply for a grant – all you have to do is send us a brief letter outlining your request.

The DEADLINE is end of day on MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015. 
Please email your request to info@savetheharbor.org

Please be sure to include the following information in your request:

1. The name of your organization (include website and Facebook page) 
2. The beach (or beaches) where you propose to hold your event(s) or program(s) 
   
3. Contact information for the event(s) or program(s) leader  
4. The title, description and tentative date(s) of your proposed event(s) or program(s) 
5. The total estimated cost of your event(s) or program(s), including in-kind support. 
6. The amount of money you are requesting 
7. Other partners and funders that support your event(s) or program(s) 
8. Plans to promote your event(s) or program(s)
9. Be sure to tell us what excites you about your proposed event(s) or program(s)
10. Feel free to include other materials that support your request. 

In May, the Better Beaches Grants Committee will review the proposals. We may have additional questions for you, so please be sure to include up to date contact information for the event or program leader. We expect to notify recipients of our decisions by the end of May.

We will present the checks at our annual BETTER BEACHES AWARD RECEPTION on Saturday, June 6, 2015 on Boston’s Fish Pier at 10:30 am, which all grant recipients are expected to attend. If you receive a grant, you will also be required to complete a closeout report after your event, and send us copies of event materials, photographs and news clips. 

In the past we have supported events that are as diverse as the beachfront communities and waterfront neighborhoods that host them. They include concert series, kite festivals, sand-sculpting competitions, campfires, art festivals, neighborhood beach parties, and family reading and movie nights on the beach.

We look forward to hearing from you about your ideas for 2015.

All the best,

Patty Foley & Bruce Berman

Patricia Foley and Bruce Berman

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

P.S. Please feel free to distribute this Request for Proposals widely, and to contact Bruce Berman by email at bruce@bostonharbor.com or on his cell at 617-293-6243 with any questions about the Better Beaches Program or your request.