Water sports foundation will collaborate with marine industry leaders and trade press to amplify boating and paddling safety messages

Federal Cooperative Agreement Summary

The U.S. Coast Guard awarded a Cooperative Agreement valued at $134,833 to Water Sports Foundation, Inc. under the National Nonprofit Organization Recreational Boating Safety Grant Program (CFDA 97.135) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The Foundation will execute a comprehensive boating and paddling safety initiative that combines retailer-targeted outreach, live events, and a coordinated public relations campaign to amplify safety messaging across the recreational boating community. The project leverages the Foundation's established relationships with marine industry leaders and trade press to expand safety awareness and promote responsible boating practices.

The initiative will integrate multiple outreach channels and stakeholder engagement strategies to reach both general boating populations and vulnerable segments including new boaters, Spanish-speaking communities, and non-English proficient boaters. By coordinating with industry retailers, manufacturers, and paddlesports media companies, the Foundation will disseminate safety content designed to influence behavioral change and reduce accidents and fatalities on domestic waterways. This award represents part of the Coast Guard's broader $6.2 million investment across 26 cooperative agreements in the October 2025 funding cycle, which prioritizes national-scope recreational boating safety interventions delivered by eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

The initiative will combine retailer-targeted outreach, live events, and a public relations campaign to influence safer behaviors. By leveraging industry relationships, this project will expand safety awareness and promote responsible practices across the recreational boating community.