Nike, Inc. and the newly renamed Nike Community Impact Fund announced the latest round of grant recipients as well as the expansion of the program in 2016, from a Portland- and Southwest Washington-based fund to a countrywide one.
Aligned with its goal of collaborating with local organizations to create strong, active communities, the fund has awarded 28 nonprofit organizations and schools in the greater Portland area and Southwest Washington a total of $300,000. This cycle features a wide range of recipients, including Tigard, Oregon-based Mobility Impaired Golf Association; Portland’s Kúkátónón Children's African Dance Troupe; Oregon’s McMinnville School District; and Cascadia School in Vancouver, Washington.
“Each of these 28 projects is dedicated to improving the health and vitality of our kids and communities particularly ones where there are barriers to activity,” explains Kathy Webb, Community Impact Manager for Nike Inc. “We’re proud to support the important work that these organizations are doing in our community.”
Grants are one-year awards totaling between $5,000 and $20,000 each. These grant awards primarily support organizations and projects that are creating a world where physical activity, play and sports are highly valued, with some of the grants awarded to support organizations and projects that address community challenges through innovative community-based solutions. Since its launch in 2010, the fund has provided more than 275 grants to area organizations and schools, totaling over $3 million and serving more than 646,000 community members.
Given the success of the Fund, Nike is expanding the program in 2016 as the renamed Nike Community Impact Fund with grants totaling $750,000 a year. In the new year, in partnership with The Oregon Community Foundation, the Fund will continue to support organizations in the Portland metro region and expand its reach to support nonprofits from across the country, to be directed by Nike Community Store Ambassadors and representatives. These new grants will reflect and expand community impact in other locations where Nike has Community Stores. Information regarding the grant application process for these Community Store grants will be available in early 2016.
