Mammoth Lakes, CA (January 15, 2012) – The Kelly Clark Foundation (TKCF), a registered nonprofit organization that provides youth with the resources and opportunities to achieve their highest potential through snowboarding, announced today the distribution of its first round of grant awards through its new Snowboard Passport Program. A total of $6,000 will be divided between this year’s grant recipients, Stoked Mentoring, an action sports youth development agency, and The Station Camp, a youth transforming and empowering snowboarding camp.
“My goal with establishing The Kelly Clark Foundation was to give youth the opportunity to achieve their snowboarding dreams,” said Clark, an Olympic Gold medalist and Founder of TKCF. “With the Snowboard Passport Program we are able to expand our reach and by partnering with like-minded organizations, like Stoked Mentoring and The Station Camp, to help more kids make their dreams a reality.”
The Kelly Clark Snowboard Passport Program funds nonprofits and community groups who engage in multi-week snowboard programs aimed at teaching life skills and mentorship while snowboarding. The program seeks to inspire disadvantaged youth to succeed in life through the introduction to the snowboard lifestyle and culture.
Funds awarded are project specific and must be applied to food, equipment, transportation, lift tickets, or any aspect of taking disadvantaged youth snowboarding at a ski resort during the 2013 winter season. Criteria includes a qualified 501(c)(3) organization with a valid IRS Tax ID, the organization encourages youth outdoor participation, the organization teaches life skills specifically through snowboarding to empower youth to be successful adults, there are quantifiable projects with specific goals, objectives, and action plans, with a clear measure for evaluating success. Both Stoked Mentoring and The Station Camp met these requirements.
Clark, a three-time Olympian: 2002 Gold, 2010 Bronze medalist in halfpipe, is widely considered one of the greatest female riders in history. The West Dover, Vermont-native has won every major snowboarding title and event in the history of the sport including the Olympics, U.S. Open, Winter X Games among others. Her competition schedule for the 2012-2013 is due to include the U.S. Grand Prix series, Winter Dew Tour, Winter X Games and U.S. Open.
