A total of $25,000 in grants will be awarded:

• The organization with the most votes in each category will receive $5,000 each
• The organization with the second (2nd) most votes in each category will receive $2,000 each
• The organization with the third (3rd) most votes in each category will receive $1,000 each
• One honorable mention will receive $1,000

Winners will be announced on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All winners are required to dispense the winning funds by April 1, 2025. 
• All winners are required to report to WinterKids on the use of funds by April 15, 2025. 

Grant funds can be utilized to promote outdoor activities and physical engagement among children in your organization. Here are a few examples:

• Outdoor equipment for your school or playground

• Field trips for outdoor, active fun

• Outdoor gear or clothing

• Special outdoor physical activity programs

• Hiking trips

• Nature excursions

• Learn a new sport or outdoor activity (i.e., skiing, skating, rafting, ropes courses, etc.)

ALSO GOOD TO KNOW:

• All winners are required to dispense the winning funds by April 1, 2025.
• All winners are required to report to WinterKids on the use of funds by April 15, 2025.

Organizations that qualify for the WinterKids Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund ballot must meet the following criteria: 

• Applicant organizations must be a Maine registered 501(c)(3) OR Maine public school OR public parks and recreation department for a community within Maine;
• If your organization has received any of the following between June 1, 2023-May 31, 2024, it is not eligible to apply:
  • Cash award as a Downhill 24 beneficiary
  • Cash award as a Mountain Mayhem beneficiary
  • Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund grant (excluding honorable mentions)
  • Gold medal in the WinterKids Winter Games
• All funds must be used to help get kids outside and active;
• Applicant organizations must have non-discriminatory programs open to all and be nonsectarian and
• Applicant organizations must have offices in Maine.

Additional Rules and Regulations:

WinterKids will review each application to ensure compliance with the above eligibility criteria.  WinterKids reserves the right to independently verify the eligibility status of any applicant organization and reject any applications that, in WinterKids’ sole discretion, do not meet the eligibility requirements or otherwise are not consistent with WinterKids’ purpose or mission. 

By applying, each applicant organization agrees to cooperate with reasonable information requests from WinterKids to verify eligibility status and comply with all General Rules, including any amendments that WinterKids deems necessary. 

WinterKids does not provide financial support for political organizations or candidates, religious organizations, or activities for sectarian purposes, and any applications from such organizations will be denied.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Aside from basic contact and organizational information, here are some important things you should pull together in preparation for the June 3-14 application window:

• Intended use of funds. (150 word limit)
• Your organization’s logo (if applicable)
• A photo that best represents the work your organization does
• A copy of your organization’s 501(c)(3) letter (if applicable). If your company is a 501(c)(3), you will need to include a digital copy of your 501(c)(3) letter (.jpg, .png, or .pdf all work great)

Frequently asked questions:

Q: We are a childcare facility. Are we eligible?

A: If your childcare facility is registered as a 501 c 3 nonprofit, it is eligible to be on the ballot. The Downhill 24 Outdoor Fund is currently focused on distributing grants strictly within the not-for-profit sector in Maine.

Q: Do grant funds have to go toward winter-specific programs?

A: WinterKids’ mission is primarily to encourage children to embrace winter outdoor activities. However, we strongly believe that promoting physical movement, education, and exploration in the natural environment year-round is vital for enhancing the overall health and well-being of children throughout Maine.

Therefore, we are dedicated to supporting diverse programs that facilitate outdoor engagement among kids, regardless of the season. By broadening our grant allocations, we ensure that any initiative aimed at getting more children active and outdoors is eligible for funding.

Q: We are concerned that our organization’s community is smaller than other organizations on the ballot. How can we compete with other larger organizations?

A: To promote fairness, the vote is divided into three categories (public schools, nonprofits, and parks & rec departments), enabling organizations to compete with others of similar types. Additionally, the community vote approach ensures that organizations are not necessarily judged based on their communities’ size but rather on their work to get out the vote.

We offer a comprehensive toolkit designed to assist organizations in generating support and maximizing the community vote. This toolkit includes strategies and resources to facilitate outreach efforts within their communities and beyond. We understand that significant effort may be required, but we aim to provide support and guidance to help organizations navigate the process successfully.

Ultimately, you can’t win if you don’t enter. We hope you will apply and give it a shot, regardless of the size of your community.