West Marine BlueFuture Deadline Approaches

Watsonville, California-based West Marine will begin accepting online applications for its next round of 2016 BlueFuture Fund grants from September 1 through October 1, with the names of grant recipients to be announced in early November.

Nonprofit, youth-focused, community-based organizations that teach boating, sailing, fishing or boatbuilding skills are invited to apply for funding, along with groups who foster aquatic sustainability and conservation practices or encourage learning in the marine sciences.

The $1,500 grants are awarded without restriction, allowing recipients to use the funds as they see fit.

West Marine created its nonprofit BlueFuture Fund in May 2015 to provide critical grant funding to charities across North America. The company conducts three annual in-store fundraisers at its retail locations across North America to support the fund’s growth, including National Safe Boating Week in May, World Oceans Day in June, and the Month of Giving in December. It also encourages year-round donations through its website at westmarine.com/BlueFuture.

“We seek to broaden BlueFuture’s reach so we can help even more nonprofit organizations across the country as they pursue their ongoing missions in their communities,” said Lindsey Johnson, West Marine’s director of communications. “And, working together, we can have an even greater impact in the lives of our children.”

To learn more about West Marine’s 2016 BlueFuture grants, or for detailed information about the company’s BlueFuture initiative, visit www.westmarine.com/BlueFuture.