COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The USA Triathlon Foundation today announced the recipients of $80,000 in 2019 grant funding to support youth, paratriathletes and Olympic hopefuls — the Foundation’s three focus areas. The funds will be dispersed among 43 organizations and individuals, including recipients of both the annual Foundation Pillar Grants and the new Bridget Inspires Grant.

This year’s grant period saw more than 150 applications submitted and over $550,000 in funds requested, a significant increase from the 66 applications submitted and $250,000 requested in 2018. 

The grant awardees, selected through an application process, each reflect the USA Triathlon Foundation’s mission of transforming lives by opening pathways to triathlon for all — particularly those for whom it may not otherwise have been possible. The Foundation’s annual grants ensure that the next generation of aspiring young triathletes and paratriathletes enjoy the same opportunities and experiences as the many donors who made this funding possible. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded $2.4 million in total grant funding, including its Pillar Grants, specialized grants, NCAA Emerging Sport for Women grants, and high school grants.  

“Each recipient of this year’s grant funding embodies the mission of the USA Triathlon Foundation in one or multiple ways,” said John Cassimatis, President of the USA Triathlon Foundation Board of Trustees. “By providing opportunities for athletes of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and goals to experience the sport, these programs are the backbone of an inclusive and sustainable multisport movement in the U.S.”

“The USA Triathlon Foundation is proud to award grant funding to so many impactful organizations thanks to the generous support of donors nationwide,” said David Deschenes, Executive Director of the USA Triathlon Foundation. “Our 2019 recipients will introduce hundreds of young people to multisport, enable physically challenged athletes to pursue paratriathlon, and encourage current and aspiring elite athletes to chase their Olympic dreams. Still, there were many more worthy applicants than funds to disburse. With continued support from the multisport community, we look forward to increasing the grant pool in the future.”

The Pillar Grant recipients will grow and inspire the multisport community in a variety of ways, including engaging children in lifelong healthy habits; introducing the sport of paratriathlon to physically challenged individuals; and holding camps and events for aspiring youth and Olympic and Paralympic-hopeful triathletes. The funding will help offset the costs of equipment, uniforms, facility rentals, race entry fees, coaching services and more. 

For the first time in 2019, the USA Triathlon Foundation is also partnering with the Dawson family to offer the Bridget Inspires Grant in memory of Bridget Dawson. Bridget was an accomplished age-group athlete and member of Team USA who passed away in 2016. She was known for her strength, confidence, passion for triathlon and quiet fierceness on the race course. The Bridget Inspires Grant will provide funding to young women pursuing competitive success in triathlon and other multisport endeavors during the 2019 competition year and beyond.

The 2019 USA Triathlon Foundation Pillar Grants were awarded to the following organization and individuals:

Pillar Grants: Youth

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield (Stoneham, Mass.)
• Challenged Athlete Foundation (San Diego, Calif.)
• CORE Foundation (Reston, Va.)
• DelMoSports LLC (Wildwood, N.J.)
• Exceeding Expectations (Cathedral City, Calif.)
• Ironhawk Junior Triathlon Club (Omaha, Neb.)
• I-tri: Inspirational Triathlon Racing International (East Hampton, N.Y.)
• Memphis Thunder Racing (Germantown, Tenn.)
• Mississippi Kid’s Triathlon (Madison, Miss.)
• Mullica Hill Women’s Triathlon Club (Swedesboro, N.J.)
• Naugatuck YMCA (Naugatuck, Conn.)
• Pillars of Promise (Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.)
• Sanford Health (Tempe, Ariz.)
• Team CJ for KIDS!!! (Lewisburg, Pa.)
• Time to TRI Youth Foundation (Griswold, Conn.)
• Tri 4 Schools- Greater Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Wis.)
• United Community Center (Milwaukee, Wis.)

Pillar Grants: Paratriathlon

• Achilles International/Paratriathlon Program (New York, N.Y.)
• Adaptive Sports USA (Littleton, Colo.)
• Bennefield Multisport Coaching, LLC (Rio Rancho. N.M.)
• Camp No Sight No Limits (Encinitas, Calif.)
• Dare2Tri Paratriathlon Club (Chicago, Ill.)
• Gaylord Hospital (Wallingford, Conn.)
• IM ABLE Foundation (Wyomissing, Pa.)
• USA Paratriathlon (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
• USA Triathlon (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

Pillar Grants: Olympic Hopefuls

• Austin Hindman (Tempe, Ariz.)
• Chase McQueen (Tempe, Ariz.)
• Duncan Reid (Tempe, Ariz.)
• Erik Armes (Tempe, Ariz.)
• Joshua B. Sweeney (Hillsboro, Ore.)
• Kevin Bishop (Los Altos, Calif.)
• Luis Ortiz (Orlando, Fla.)
• Major League Triathlon (Charlotte, N.C.)
• Queens University of Charlotte (Charlotte, N.C.) 
• Renée Tomlin (Ocean City, N.J.)
• USA Triathlon Project Podium (Tempe, Ariz.) 

The following recipients of the Bridget Inspires Grant embody Bridget Dawson’s spirit and will use grant funding to continue her legacy: 

Bridget Inspires Grant

• Brynn Sheeley (Solon, Iowa)
• Ella Sheeley (Solon, Iowa)
• HSTRI Club (Lake St. Louis, Mo.)
• Katie Patrick (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
• Kelsey Norby (Bend, Ore.)
• Sophia Ziliak (Seattle, Wash.)

Visit usatriathlonfoundation.org to learn more about the USA Triathlon Foundation and the programs it supports, or to make an online, tax-deductible donation. For gifts-in-kind and bequests, email info@usatriathlonfoundation.org. One hundred percent of all 2018 donations go to supporting aspiring multisport athletes and programs. 

About the USA Triathlon Foundation
The USA Triathlon Foundation was created in 2014 by the USA Triathlon Board of Directors as an independent tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity. Under the leadership of its Trustees and Committee members, the Foundation serves as a means to create a healthier America through triathlon and seeks to transform lives by opening up new pathways to the sport for all, especially those who are otherwise underserved. The USA Triathlon Foundation operates with the belief that every child should have the chance to participate, every paratriathlete should have the opportunity to compete, and every aspiring elite athlete should be able to chase his or her Olympic dream. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $1.9 million has been provided to worthy causes and organizations that support its mission. Donations to the USA Triathlon Foundation ensure America's youth are introduced to the benefits and fun of a multisport lifestyle, athletes with disabilities receive the training, support and gear to be able to participate and excel, and the best aspiring young athletes have a chance to pursue their Olympic Dreams. Visit usatriathlonfoundation.org to learn more and donate today.

About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).