For Release: September 19, 2024
Boston Athletic Association supports local organizations health and fitness programs
BOSTON – The Fall 2024 B.A.A. Gives Back Grant recipients have been announced with ten non-profit organizations across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts receiving a share of $125,000. The grants are awarded to support programing in line with the B.A.A.’s mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running.
Development Manager at the B.A.A. Tandy Bryant said, “We are very happy to be able to support ten organizations with funding in our fourth round of the B.A.A. Gives Back Grant Program. Once again, we received a record number of applications, and our committee had a challenging time selecting from so many deserving organizations. Our focus remains on supporting organizations across the Commonwealth that deliver much needed health and wellness opportunities for their community.”
Rochelle Solomon, Board Member of Black Unicorn Marathoners, Inc. said: “We are honored to receive the B.A.A. Gives Back Grant. This support allows us to continue bridging communities like Roxbury with the Boston Marathon, while celebrating and uplifting BIPOC marathon athletes. Through our events and initiatives, we aim to inspire runners of all ages, strengthen community connections, and create pathways from track and field to distance running.”
Bob Scannell, President & CEO of Boys and Girls Club Dorchester said: "We are incredibly grateful for this meaningful grant from the B.A.A. This funding will help to support our Challenger Program and help create many more inclusive opportunities for those we serve. This funding strengthens our commitment to ensuring that every young person, regardless of ability, can thrive, grow, and reach their full potential."
Kerry Jackson-Lee, Executive Director, YMCA Greater Boston said: “This grant award will enable us to enhance our teen physical activity programs by combatting social isolation and fostering healthy habits they can carry into adulthood. We desire that all teens have a place where they can feel welcomed, have a place to belong and have the support to achieve their greatest potential. This grant will help us grow our impact in these areas.”
Fast Facts:
- Since the B.A.A. Gives Back Grant program launched in Spring 2023, more than $520,000 has been distributed through three rounds of funding.
- To date, 50 grants have been awarded and 37 unique organizations have benefitted from the B.A.A. Gives Back Grant program.
- 18 of the grantees have their work focused specifically in Boston; the other 17 grantees have a broader reach across Massachusetts.
- The B.A.A. Gives Back Grant program awards monetary grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 through an application process open to all nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria:
- The Organization is a registered 501(c)(3) or a public agency.
- The Organization is not political.
- The organization's program advances the B.A.A.'s mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running, in order to build healthy communities.
- The organization is located in and serves residents of Massachusetts.
- The next round of grant applications will launch in the spring 2025.
In the last three years, aside from and in addition to the B.A.A. Gives Back Grant Program, the B.A.A. has given nearly $500,000 in additional funding to other local projects and organizations to further support our mission. This includes the B.A.A.’s decade-long partnership with the Dimock Center’s annual Road to Wellness 5K; USA Track and Field - New England Association to support track & field; assisting the Department of Conservation and Recreation with winter snow clearance along the Charles River pathway; and supporting organizations that make up the Boston Running Collaborative.
B.A.A. Gives Back Grants – 2024 Fall Recipients
- Adaptive Sports New England*
- The Boston Bulldogs Running Club*
- Youth Enrichment Services*
- Black Girls RUN! Foundation *
- Black Unicorn Marathoners, Inc.
- Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester
- Spaulding Rehabilitation *
- Special Olympics Massachusetts *
- The Heather Abbott Foundation *
- The YMCA of Greater Boston
* Organizations that also received a grant in the 2023
More information:
A full list of fall recipients and more information on the program can be found HERE.
Learn more about some of our inaugural recipients HERE.
ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (B.A.A.)
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A. manages the Boston Marathon, presented by Bank of America, and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round programming. The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Starting in 2024, the Boston Marathon’s presenting partner will be Bank of America. The 129th Boston Marathon is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 21, 2025. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Lorna Campbell
Head of Public Relations
lcampbell@baa.org
Chris Lotsbom
Director of Race Communications & Media
clotsbom@baa.org