YOUTH - defined as ages six to twenty-one, kindergarten through college.  Projects must focus on young people as the primary participants or beneficiaries. 

     Athletics

What We Believe

Athletics include a wide range of individual and team sports, with an emphasis on the value of sports for lifelong participation. School-sponsored intramural and after school sports programs have been greatly reduced, and middle-school aged youth have been most affected. After school athletics can be the incentive that gets kids involved in programs that also have educational and cultural components. Demand is increasing for athletics programs and facilities in rural areas and inner cities. More girls are getting involved in sports, requiring additional programs and space. Coaches are key to a positive experience for young people, and good coaching requires training.

What We Support

1. Sports programs, facilities and equipment, for both boys and girls, where youth populations are underserved.

2. After school and off-hours sports programs making better use of existing facilities.

3. Development of more and better coaches. 

Our Current focus

Programs, facilities and equipment, for both boys and girls, which are:

1. In rural areas

2. Serving minority groups such as Native Americans, Latinos, and other people of color

3. Serving ages 8-15 with special emphasis in getting younger children introduced to the value of sports for lifelong participation.

     Culture

What We Believe

Culture includes art, music, dance, literature, theater, ethnic and regional heritage. Positive experiences in culture are essential in educating the whole person and should be an integral part of the lives of youth. Young people can use cultural experiences as creative resources to build self-esteem, promote personal growth, and preserve traditions. Arts and culture programs in the schools are being reduced or eliminated, and many communities, both urban and rural, have limited access to cultural resources.

What We Support

1. Cultural programs in underserved areas.

2. Active participation of young people in music, art, dance, literature.

3. Projects that celebrate the heritage and cultural diversity of a community.

Our Current Focus

1. Projects where youth are interactively engaged in the production of some art form or event.

2. Programs where youth are producing cultural programs for others.

      Education

What We Believe

All young people should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Education happens best when youth direct their learning and engage in compelling problem-solving and critical thinking. Teachers need support to play a vital role in assisting youth to investigate their passions and explore new interests. Rural schools often have less access to resources and curricula than urban schools. Both public and private schools need support.

What We Support

1. Programs that require the active engagement of students in learning that has significance and meaning through students’ eyes.

2. Innovative programs which can supplement and enhance classroom learning and experience by engaging students in the world outside the school.

3. Developing and testing programs that can become models for use in other schools.

4. Efforts in rural school districts, small schools, and public school districts doing innovative work.

5. Programs that engage students in understanding and applying workplace standards in meaningful ways and assessing the quality of their own school work.

Our Current focus

1. Student-directed or inquiry-based learning where students have a clear role in designing and evaluating projects and learning activities.

2. Support for teachers to learn and apply new methods of performance assessment and teaching models for student directed learning.

3. Programs that promote skills for critical thinking, problem-solving and applied learning.

4. Promotion of youth voices in the governance of schools, classrooms, and the community.

5. Programs that build a strong sense of community in a school by developing mutual responsibility, accountability, and loyalty among student, parents and staff.

  WILDLIFE AND HABITAT PRESERVATION 

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What We Believe

As development pressures increase, the stewardship of vital ecosystems is critical for protecting wildlife populations and habitat. The effort must be based on solid conservation biology, recognizing the complexity and interdependence of all life. Conservation of critical habitat and species requires comprehensive strategies and collaboration among partners working in the region, recognizing the limitation of funds available. Stewardship is the shared responsibility of empowered citizens, engaged scientists, collaborating foundations, informed business and property owners, and an accountable government. Wildlife and habitat must be preserved through sound government policies and other conservation approaches including acquisition and easements.  The principle of sustainability requires that environment, economics and equity are considered together to protect the quality of life at every level.

What We Support

1. Only those organizations whose missions are dedicated to preservation, protection or perpetuation of wildlife and/or habitat.

2. Projects that are part of an established or larger design addressing ecosystem health.

Our Current focus

1. Engage the public and stakeholders in projects that can demonstrate measurable improvements in conservation of habitat and wildlife.

2. Energize grassroots action in projects to own and solve protection challenges in critical watersheds and habitats.

3. Projects that protect and preserve marine and estuarine habitat.

4. Projects that protect and preserve freshwater resources that support wildlife and habitat.
    

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