Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutR.J. Mcelroy Trust Application-10.15.2007 w-1S- 07 Page 1 of 2 �p 2-W7 R.J. MCELROY TRUST GRANT APPLICATION Application is for_grants requests $15,000 and less Requests over$15,000 must be submitted in proposed form, please see our guidelines at www.mcelroytrust.org DO NOT SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION UNTIL YOU HAVE TALKED TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TRUST Date: October 9, 2007 Organization/Agency Requesting Funding: City of Waterloo Leisure Services Project: Baseball/Softball 101 @ Cunningham School Fed. Tax ID# 42-6005327 Address: 1101 Campbell Avenue City: Waterloo State: IA Zip: 50701 Contact Person and Title: Mark Gallagher, Sports Manager Telephone: 319/291/4370 Fax: 319/291/4297 E-mail: mark.gallagher@waterloo-ia.org Total Annual Amount Requesting: $4,725.00 Total Project Budget: $6,637.50 Agency Budget: $3,172,147.00 Timeframe for Project: March 2008-July 2008 Preferred payment date: February, 2008 Type of Request: rA4 New Program/Project ❑General Operations Support Capital 1 Equipment/Materials 0 Ongoing Support [D Other: Organization A. Briefly describe the purpose of your organization: The City of Waterloo's Leisure Services Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens by providing the best possible recreational activities, special events, facilities and services that encourage lifelong learning, fitness and fun. The Commission strives to provide an enjoyable outdoor environment with top quality parks, preserves, golf course and a healthy urban forest reserve. B. Organization's utilization of volunteers. 1. Number of volunteers annually: 200-250 2. How are these volunteers utilized? The Leisure Services Department could not survive without the extensive use of volunteers. During the last fiscal year over 200 volunteers dedicated over 10,000 volunteer hours. The Kiwanis Club volunteers for the Katoski-Kiwanis Pee Wee Golf Classic and the Mayor's Downtown Fun Rug. The Metropolitan Tennis Association and a group of high school tennis players volunteer each spring to pick up litter and rake the grounds in preparation of the tennis season. The Gates Park Optimist Club volunteers in assisting with our popular Hershey Track Meet every May. As every sports season rolls around we recruit numerous volunteer coaches to lead our young sports teams. Our department also co-sponsors a number of youth sports tournaments with various volunteer sports organizations throughout the calendar year. Simply put, we would not be able to offer affordable recreational programming without these critical volunteers. II. Project A. Describe the Community Need/Problem being addressed by this project. Bob Hellman, from Hellman Design, is spearheading efforts to build a top of the line youth baseball/softball field at the Walter Cunningham School for Excellence. Construction on the field has begun and plans call for the field to be playable by the 2008 season. Over the past decade the number of minority children participating in youth baseball/softball programming has been stagnant. Our department has made numerous recruiting efforts to encourage more minority participation in these programs. The problem we have found is that only a few of these children have parents that grew up playing baseball/softball in the Cedar Valley, therefore they do not have an adult at home to assist them with instruction of the basic skills of the sport. We also know that children generally have the need to fit in to activities. If they do not have the same skills (and often times same level of equipment) as counterparts in a sport, they will tend to shy away from that sport. That is where this program would fit in. There is newfound excitement about baseball & softball in this neighborhood due to the construction of the new field. The timing is definitely right to offer an introductory program for some students of this school to engage them is this safe and structured recreational activity for years to come. B. Project Description. 1. Briefly describe the project. This program would be a collaboration of our department and the Walter Cunningham School for Excellence staff. Our initial plan is to have the Principal and Physical Education Teacher select 40 students (preferably 20 boys and 20 girls) to participate. These selections would be based on interest as well as need. The program would begin during Spring Break in the School Gymnasium with 5, two-hour sessions on the basics of baseball and softball. Staff would include 2 Leisure Services full time employees as well as 3-4 minority metro high school baseball/softball players. Following this week of instruction, all players that choose to continue on will receive a scholarship into our baseball/softball programs (normally a $50-$60 value) as well as a brand new baseball glove. The program would then resume in mid-April at an outdoor field prior to our league try-outs. Participants that attend this session will receive a new pair of cleats. This would be a time to refresh the skills taught to the participants prior to taking part in the league try-outs. Participants that attend this session will receive a new pair of cleats. Participants that report to their team's first practice after the try-out will receive a bat bag. 2. Describe expected outcomes. (How will you know if the project has been successful?) • Improve the talent level of participants • Keep children engaged throughout the summer • Improve self esteem of children with improved skill levels • Meet new friends from throughout the Cedar Valley (teams are drafted, not assigned) • Learn teamwork C. Targeted Population. 1. Number of youth to be served: 40 Age Group: Ages 7-12 2. Number of Adults: NA 3. Geographic Area: primarily Cunningham School neighborhood D. Briefly describe how this project addresses Cedar Valley's Promise (if the project is a youth program located in Black Hawk County), and Opportunity Works Strategic Plan(s) (if the project is located in Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Grundy or Tama county, or the Mesquakie Nation). See Metro Funders website for information on these strategic plans. This project addresses all five of the Cedar Valley's Promise's five central promises at some level. • Caring Adults Instructors in the program will serve as positive role models to participants. Their volunteer coaches will also serve as role models throughout the summer. • Safe Places This program will give the students safe places to participate in structured recreation activities during the spring intersession and throughout the summer months. • A Healthy Start Participation in the program will encourage the children to participate in fairly strenuous athletic activity for years to come. • Marketable Skills As with all sports, there are numerous skills and lessons learned throughout participation. Children learn the value of teamwork, practice, work ethic, and honesty. • Opportunities to Serve All participants in the youth baseball and softball program are required to assist the local Optimist Club with their annual fundraiser. III. Financial Information. A. How will the funds you are requesting be used? Funding received form the McElroy Trust would be used to fund part time staff and the equipment that will be given to participants that complete the program. B. Other Funding Requests. Please list all other sources you are requesting funding from,the amount you are requesting and if funding has been approved. Please include general fundraising activity and in-kind services information. The Waterloo Schools have agreed to supply the gymnasium space at no cost and the City of Waterloo will pay all full time staff costs, the cost of all clinic equipment and a portion of the registration fee. A local sporting goods dealer has assured us of below cost pricing on all items. C. Plans for On-Going Funding. We plan to evaluate this program after the first year prior to addressing funding for the future. WATERLOO LEISURE SERVICES "Baseball/Softball 101" Grant expenses Gloves 40 @ $20.00 800.00 Cleats 40 @ $25.00 1,000.00 Bat Bags 40 @ $15.00 600.00 Part Time Staff 4 employees @ $7.25/hour x 25 hours 725.00 Reduced rate registrations 40 @ $40.00 1,600.00 4,725.00 In-Kind Expenses Reduced registration fees 40 @ $15.00 600.00 Full Time Staff 2 @ $17.50/hour x 25 hours 875.00 Gym Rental 12.5 hours © $35/hour 437.50 1,912.50 SN" )