OK, it’s put-up-or-shutup time. Masters athletes, clubs and organizations have been invited to apply for a share of $220,000 in “challenge grants” from USA Track & Field. This apparently is part of the program telegraphed at the last annual convention. It’s not under the USATF Foundation, which snipped “masters” out of its mission statement. Complete info is here. But here is the key element: “Any individual, institution, club, association, committee or other entity can apply. Applications must be submitted by a member of USATF.” One idea: Helping underserved regions put on masters track meets. Go get ’em! Deadline is May 15.

Here’s the whole press release:

$220,000 in Excellence Challenge Grants available

INDIANAPOLIS – Applications are being accepted and considered for USATF’s Excellence Challenge Grants. USA Track & Field will fund a total of $220,000 in Excellence Challenge Grants to support advancing performance excellence in five specific areas: Race Walking, Youth, Masters, Long Distance Running and Disabled Athlete Programs. The objective of these grants is to stimulate innovative proposals that will result in sustained improvement in competitive excellence across these disciplines, consistent with USATF’s strategic plan.

“We believe that these grants will have an profound impact on the Youth, Masters, Race Walking, Long-Distance Running and Disabled disciplines of our sport and will revolutionize how programs are created and administered”, USATF CEO Doug Logan said. “Groups that may in the past have felt overlooked, or at least under-funded, will each have between $20,000 and $50,000 in grant money earmarked for them.”

Any member of USATF is eligible to apply for a grant, with the amounts ranging from $20,000-$50,000. Proposals must be for a one-time expenditure such as a capital expenditure, seed money for a subsequently self-sustaining endeavor, funding for a one-time event, etc. and applications must be submitted in electronic format only using the online application form.

The application deadline for the Excellence Challenge Grants is May 15, 2010 and the grant recipients will be announced June 28, 2010.

For more information and to apply online, visit http://www.usatf.org/about/programs/challengeGrants/index.asp.

And here’s the rest of the info from the challenge grants site:

The 2010 budget will fund a total of $220,000 in Excellence Challenge Grants to support advancing performance excellence in five specific areas: Race Walking, Youth, Masters, Long Distance Running and Disabled Athlete Programs. The objective of these grants is to stimulate innovative proposals that will result in sustained improvement in competitive excellence across these disciplines, consistent with USATF’s strategic plan.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2010

Application Review: May 15-June 27, 2010

Announcement of Awards: June 28, 2010

Grant Amounts: $50,000 (Race Walking, Youth, Masters, Long Distance Running); $20,000 (Disabled Athlete Programs)

APPLICATION CRITERIA

* Any individual, institution, club, association, committee or other entity can apply. Applications must be submitted by a member of USATF.
* Applications must be submitted in electronic format only using the online application form. Attachments and supplemental material should be sent to Shayna.Sangster@usatf.org.
* Proposals must be for a one-time expenditure such as a capital expenditure, seed money for a subsequently self-sustaining endeavor, funding for a one-time event, etc.
* Proposals must demonstrate ongoing support of USATF’s strategic plan and outline the benefits to the sport and specific discipline applied for.
* Proposals for ongoing programmatic support that might be otherwise requested through the USATF annual budget process will not be considered.
* Proposals must include adequate calculations and supporting documentation (quotes, bids, pricing research, etc.) for the amount requested.
* Preference will be given to the following applications:
o Those that are for the full $50,000 (or $20,000 for Disabled Athlete Programs)
o Those that leverage the USATF Excellence Challenge grant with other revenues or support, with USATF dollars being the last in.
* Application must outline how USATF will be acknowledged as an official supporter.
* Application must outline how success will be measured and reported back to USATF.

ADMINISTRATION

* It is USATF’s preference that all grants be awarded and processed through direct payment to vendors or other third parties with supporting invoices, receipts, etc.
* All grantees must provide a written report by December 31, 2010 back to the USATF Board of Directors.
* USATF reserves the right to conduct an Audit at any time throughout the execution of awarded grants, or any time for up to one year thereafter.