IM PROGRAM GRANT

SAFETY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALIFIER AND CONDITION OF THIS PROGRAM.

Implementation Requirements

Clubs must implement im according to the following guidelines:

At least 6 hours of pool time per week (of which at least 2.5 hours dedicated to im safe – for non-swimmers and beginners)
At least 1 hour of classroom time (im healthy and im successful) per week
Program must run between 8-10 weeks. Programs are encouraged to be longer if resources allow.

Specific distribution of hours and scheduling is at the discretion of the Club. The Club must provide a draft schedule of programming as part of its reporting.

Participation Requirements

Fifty (50) members total enrolled in im safe, im fun, and im fast [30 members of which must be enrolled in im safe (comfortable, moving and strong)].
Thirty (30) members enrolled in im healthy and im successful (encouraged to be same participants as in swimming portions, but non-swimmers are also welcome).

Safety Requirements

The following outlines required staffing qualifications and ratios that must exist in order to implement im. It is strongly encouraged that grant funding be used to hire additional staffing needed to ensure safety standards. (See budget section below for specifics). If you feel, even with grant funding, that you cannot meet or exceed the safety standards outlined in this RFP, please do not apply for the Michael Phelps Foundation grant.

Please review the following safety guidance as it relates to staffing your pool facility for im:

im safe (1 instructor to 6 members)

im safe focuses on new or beginning swimmers and requires a heightened level of safety attention as well as added direct one-on-one instruction time. Staffing requirements for sessions for im safe are as follows:

There must be a certified lifeguard on duty (one lifeguard for every 25 swimmers).
Class size will be 6 students or less for each in-pool instructor.
In addition to the lifeguard, an “on-deck” person must be on duty, whose sole responsibility is to ensure safety of the program and assist with flow of participants, classes and staying on schedule (one on deck for every 25 swimmers).

For example, if you have 11 participants during one single session of im safe, you would need 1 lifeguard, 2 in-pool instructors and 1 on-deck person.

fun

im fun (1 instructor to 10 members)

im fun will include a range of swimmers with varying ability who at minimum have received their Water Skills Review Medal. While some participants may still be beginners, im fun focuses on skill development while playing games and taking part in swim challenges.

There must be a certified lifeguard on duty (one lifeguard for every 25 swimmers)
Class size will be 10 students or less for each in-pool instructor.
In addition to the lifeguard, an “on-deck” person must be on duty whose sole responsibility is to ensure safety of the program and assist with flow of participants, classes, and staying on schedule (one on deck for every 25 swimmers).

For example, if you have 15 participants during one single session of im fun, you would need 1 lifeguard, 2 in-pool instructors, and 1 on-deck person.

fast

im fast (1 instructor to 15 members)

im fast focuses on more advanced stroke development and will involve swimmers that have graduated from the im strong component of the im safe bubble. Swimmers will be able to swim independently and perform a variety of strokes.

There must be a certified lifeguard on duty (one lifeguard for every 25 swimmers).
Class size will be 15 students or less for each in-pool coach.
In addition to the lifeguard, an “on-deck” person must be on duty, whose sole responsibility is to ensure safety of the program and assist with flow of participants, classes and staying on schedule (one on deck for every 25 swimmers).

Training Requirements

An im training, led by Michael Phelps Foundation and Michael Phelps Swimming, will be held in St. Charles, Illinois. A primary aquatics staff member site (aquatics director, lifeguard, instructor) from each club must attend the 2.5 day training. Travel costs (flights, hotel and food) are accounted for in the grant amount. There will be a one-hour call with Program Directors/Administrator prior to the Training.

Reporting Requirements

A final report is to be submitted to BGCA at the end of each grant cycle. The report will require each Club to share the program participant demographics, assessment of skill levels, program schedule, success stories, implementation strategies, and budget breakdown showing actual use of the grant. A draft of the prior year’s report – which may go through some alteration for 2016 – is attached as an example. All Clubs will be required to provide a certificate of insurance that includes coverage for your pool.

Budget Requirements

As part of the proposal, you must outline how you intend to use the grant funds to support the implementation in the following categories: pool maintenance, staffing, equipment/supplies, travel, transportation and other.

Grant Application and Report

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Michael Phelps Foundation are committed to the safety of Boys & Girls Club members through water-safety and health and wellness education. Our goal is for all members to be comfortable in and around water, advance their swimming skills, set and attain personal goals, and have good overall health.

We invite your organization to apply for a 2018 Michael Phelps Foundation im grant. Please read the grant application criteria very carefully; some of the requirements are very specific. Any Club that applies should feel confident in their ability to meet all of the requirements.

BGCA and the Michael Phelps Foundation are looking to fund Clubs to participate in one cycle of im (summer and/or fall). Each cycle is between 8-10 weeks but clubs are encouraged to continue to provide the program, as resources are available.

One Cycle Grant Structure:

Year one: $5,500
Year two: $3,500
Year three and beyond: $1,000