Aquatic Center Grant Program

List of Aquatic Centers

2012-13 Aquatic Center Grant Application Renewal Package

Contractor Information

  1. Reimbursement Claim - Equipment Summary Form
  2. Reimbursement Claim - Scholarship Summary Form
  3. Reimbursement Claim - Training Summary Form
  4. Reimbursement Claim - National Safe Boating Week Summary Form
  5. Aquatic Center Grant Program Manual

General Information

One of the primary missions of the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is to promote a safer and more enjoyable boating environment. In support of this mission, the department makes grants available to non-profit organizations, colleges, universities and local agencies operating in California that offer on-the-water training to enhance basic boating safety education.

Following are frequently asked questions about this program.

Mission

The Department of Boating and Waterway’s (DBW) mission is to provide safe and convenient public access to California's waterways and leadership in promoting the public's right to safe, enjoyable and environmentally sound recreational boating.

As part of its mission, DBW manages the Aquatic Center Grant Program to enhance boaters’ knowledge of boating laws, practical handling of vessels on the water, weather and water conditions, rules of the road, equipment requirements and environmental stewardship.

Funding is provided to organizations that offer on-the-water training to the general public that includes all of the above-mentioned topics.

The following questions are typical of those DBW receives concerning the Aquatic Center Grant Program and should provide valuable information for grant applicants.

Who may apply for funds?

Section 668.2 of the Harbors and Navigation Code allows DBW to distribute funding to local public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and colleges and universities operating within California.

When can I apply for funds?

Usually every two years, the department has an open application period in the fall. During this period, dates and deadlines are posted on the department’s Web site.  Please visit the Web site for updates since the application period can change.

What does the department look for in awarding a grant to an organization?

The department will consider awarding grant funds to public agencies, colleges, universities and non-profit organizations that can provide on-the-water programs for enhancing boating safety education.  The grant process is competitive in nature.  The organization must have a positive boating safety record, must have adequately trained staff and have a safe environment in which to teach.

In addition, ideal candidates for funding would have several of these attributes:

  • Program goals that support DBW’s mission.
  • Self sufficient program that does not totally depend on DBW funding.
  • Adequate permanent staff to ensure continuity of programming.
  • Located in sites where boating is prevalent, but there are limited opportunities to receive boating education.
  • Year-round courses where weather and water conditions permit.
  • Comprehensive and cost-effective boating safety training courses for a large segment of the general public.
  • Training for underserved populations.
  • Basic non-competitive boating safety education.

Safety training for boating activities associated with accidents.

Scoring

To be considered for funding, an applicant must:

Achieving a minimum score does not guarantee complete or partial funding. The entire applicant pool will be evaluated to determine which applicants best meet the above-listed attributes.

What type of equipment can be purchased with grant funds?

Vessels, and/or associated equipment that provide for basic non-competitive boating safety education are eligible for grant funding.  Examples include but are not limited to sailboats, trailers, water ski boats, canoes, kayaks, rafts, stand-up paddle boards, windsurfing equipment, boat engines, safety boats, and associated safety equipment, such as life jackets, radios, and wetsuits.  Life jackets must be worn by all participants during any training paid for by grant funds or when using any vessels purchased with grant funds.  (A vessel purchased with grant funds may be used in a competitive event such as a regatta, as long as the vast majority of time the vessel is used is for basic non-competitive boating safety education.)

Additionally, applicants may apply for associated portable equipment such as storage sheds, equipment racks and portable docking systems.

What types of scholarships are available through grant funds?

Scholarships are available for basic non-competitive boating safety education.  Scholarship funding can be used to lower the overall cost of a course in order to make it more affordable to all participants if it is estimated that the majority of people in an area cannot afford the actual tuition.  Scholarship funding can also be used to partially or completely fund the tuition of individual students or specific groups of students such as school groups, outreach clubs, etc.  Funding is available for disabled students as well.

What are some of the contractual requirements that would be included in the grant agreement?

There are both general terms and conditions that are required by all state contracts as well as specific terms and conditions that apply to this grant program that all organizations must be able to comply with in order to be considered for funding.  These include:

Prospective applicants should ensure that they can comply with both the general and specific terms and conditions.

DBW retains legal ownership of the equipment purchased under the program.  Any vessel or trailer that is required to be registered by the Department of Motor Vehicles shall have the Department of Boating and Waterways listed on the registration as the lien holder.  The organization must request prior permission from DBW before disposing any equipment purchased during the term of the contract.  DBW must be given prior notice if the equipment is to be used in any activity other than for boating safety training.

What are some of the steps DBW follows after my agency submits an application and proposal for review?

After the department receives an application, it is reviewed to see how closely the applicant’s program funding request aligns with the Aquatic Center Grant Program’s goals and objectives.  Usually a site visit is conducted in order to further evaluate the program.  All applications are reviewed and scored, and only the most qualified are granted funding.

If the application is approved, a contract is sent to the grant recipient for signature, and then it is processed through DBW’s Administrative Services Unit and signed by the director.  Additional contractual approval occurs at both the Department of General Services Office of Legal Services and the Office of Risk Insurance Management.

What happens after a grant is awarded?

After a contract is awarded, follow-up visits are periodically scheduled between the organization and DBW representatives.  Such visits include a review of the program’s goals and inventory of the equipment purchased with department funds.

Additionally, the contractor will ensure that the contractual requirements are met such as attending one Aquatic Center Directors’ Conference each year and completing an annual program report.

How long must I continue to provide annual and inventory reports to DBW?

Reports are required from contractors receiving scholarship, training, and National Safe Boating Week funds each year they receive funding for the stated program requirements.  Since the department retains ownership in vessels and engines purchased with equipment grant funds, annual reports and inventory forms are required as long as the equipment remains in use or until it is approved by the department to be sold and/or replaced.

How do I receive the funds I have been awarded?

No money is awarded upon approval of the contract; all funds are distributed through reimbursement only.  Reimbursement requests must be submitted in accordance with the specific terms and conditions listed in Exhibit B of the contract and must be accompanied by proof of payment.  Purchase orders from manufactures/dealers will not be accepted in place of invoices when requesting reimbursement from the department. 

The length of time to receive reimbursement varies.  Contractors should ensure that they carefully follow the billing instructions to ensure maximum speed of payment.  Once the correctly completed request for payment leaves DBW, it goes to the California State Controller’s Office where the actual check is processed and mailed to the contractor.  This process generally takes several weeks to complete.  Programs without sufficient funds to cover payments while waiting for reimbursement should not apply for grant funding.

For more information regarding DBW’s Aquatic Center Grant Program, contact the following individuals:

Amy Rigby Joleane King
(916) 263-8190 (916) 263-8187

Aquatic Center Director's Meetings

Aquatic center director meetings provide an opportunity for aquatic center directors throughout the state to come together and discuss boating-related topics. (Meetings are open to the public.)

Topics of discussion have included:

  • Aquatic programs for children, including youth at-risk programs
  • Ways to make program dollars go further
  • Programs for the disabled
  • Sharing instructional videos and manuals
  • Grant writing workshops
  • How aquatic centers can form valuable partnerships with municipal governments and other area organizations
  • Role of the Internet in aquatic center programs

Meeting attendees get the chance to network with others who direct programs similar to theirs, affording them a chance to share ideas and find ways to offer better, safer and often cheaper programs.

The meetings are held twice a year, in spring and fall. The spring meeting takes place in Northern California, usually in the month of March. Southern California's meeting takes place in October. Agencies participating in the grant program volunteer to host a meeting. The meeting lasts two days and occasionally includes a third day, which involves a boating activity.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Event: Fall 2013 Aquatic Center Director's Meeting
Date: October 15-16, 2013
Place: Channel Islands Boating Center (CSU Channel Islands, host)
3880 Bluefin Circle
Oxnard, CA 93035

For meeting information, please contact Amy Rigby at arigby@dbw.ca.gov.

How do I appeal the denial of a permit, license or application?

Contact the Acting Director of the Department of Boating and Waterways at:

E-mail: Margarita Sanchez, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Acting Director
Call: (888) 326-2822
Write: Lucia Becerra, Acting Director
2000 Evergreen St., Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95815