Tony Hawk Foundation continues its work and announces nine new skatepark grants.
Springville, New York is the latest community to receive a large matching grant through the Built to Play Skatepark Program.
Vista, CA (4/24/20) – The Tony Hawk Foundation responded to the Coronavirus threat by relocating staff to work from home more than a week before local authorities issued directives to do so. As America shut down, THF staff reached out to skatepark advocates across the country to check in, offer support, and assess what they planned to do in light of the challenges posed by the worldwide shut down and economic crisis.
After connecting with several leaders of local skatepark projects, THF staff found the majority were continuing their work. In response, THF has been hosting various online forums, interviews, and events to connect and inform skatepark advocates, and help them plan strategies for these challenging times.
Nine new THF Grant recipients represent $340,000 in new skatepark-project funding during the Worldwide pandemic.
THF is also continuing its Skatepark Grant program, and has announced ten new grant awards to projects spanning the breadth of the Lower 48. Among them are the latest Built to Play matching-grant award in New York, and this semester’s special Alex LeVasseur Memorial Grant recipients in Kansas and North Carolina for the projects that best demonstrate a strong commitment to local youth and exemplary community outreach efforts.
“We’re very excited about this semester’s projects,” said THF Programs Director Peter Whitley. “These skatepark efforts have all demonstrated excellent community engagement and have drawn terrific local support. The skatepark effort in Atchison, Kansas, was inaugurated by a local 15-year-old and will be this town’s first skatepark. And Sioux Falls, South Dakota, promises to be one of the nation’s largest skateparks—the project is recognized by the Mayor as having a role to play in their city’s efforts to retain young people in the area. We’re very proud of these teams!”
Spring 2020 THF Skatepark Grants
Springville, New York ($300,000 Built to Play matching grant)
Plainville, Georgia ($5,000)
Atchison, Kansas ($5,000 Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund Grant)
Baltimore, Maryland ($5,000)
Quincy, Massachusetts ($5,000)
Boone, North Carolina ($5,000 Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund Grant)
Pacific City, Oregon ($5,000)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota ($5,000)
Fort Worth, Texas ($5,000)
For more information about future grant opportunities from the Tony Hawk Foundation, visit www.skatepark.org. To get a skatepark project started in your town, visit THF’s skatepark-resource site at www.skatepark.org.
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Tony Hawk Foundation
A charitable, non-profit organization, the Tony Hawk Foundation was established in 2002 by its namesake, professional skateboarder Tony Hawk. THF promotes and provides advocacy training and funds for high-quality public skateparks in low-income areas throughout the United States that promote healthy, active lifestyles, and to International programs that enrich the lives of youth through skateboarding.
Domestically, the Foundation’s Skatepark Grant programs have awarded over $10-million to 637 communities in all 50 States, including $4.3-million through its Built to Play Skatepark Program in partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. THF focuses on working with local officials and grassroots, community-based organizations that plan to hire designers and contractors with strong experience designing and building skateparks.
The Foundation’s International Program has provided technical support to skatepark projects on every continent and awarded $150,000 to assist youth through the Skateistan educational programs in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa (www.skateistan.org).
The Tony Hawk Foundation was established by a gift from Tony Hawk. Its directors raise additional funds through events, donations, and continuing contributions from Tony and other entities. For more information, visit the Foundation’s Web site at www.skatepark.org. You can also visit THF on facebook and Instagram @tonyhawkfoundation, and on Twitter @THF.
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his Buffalo Bills franchise. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson requested that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. The Foundation has a grantmaking capacity of $1.2-billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.
