Ssa Announces Grants For Clubs & AffiliatesThe SSA is offering grants to help clubs and affiliates grow soaring!
SSA is making $100,000 available as seed money for this program. If you have a project ready to take flight, we’re inviting you to apply today.

The application window runs from April 1 through April 30. All applications will be considered by the SSA’s Special Projects Committee which is chaired by Chris Carter.

The Special Project Committee reserves the right to request amplification or clarification of applications, to set specific guidelines or requirements for grants, and to make such awards as it deems appropriate in its discretion.

Guidelines

SSA Special Projects grants are for SSA clubs and affiliates to promote programs that grow soaring.

To qualify for a grant, the club or affiliate proposing a project must agree to provide at least one-half of the total funding needed for their project.

Applicants should:

  • Describe the proposed activity to be supported
  • Indicate by name (with contact information) the individual(s) who will assume responsibility for the project
  • Provide a detailed project budget and a project timetable

The grant program is not intended to fund the purchase of major capital assets, such as aircraft, buildings and runways.
The Committee views projects with the following goals as examples of the sort of programs that may warrant support, though grant applications need not be limited to the following subjects:

  1. Growing SSA club membership (marketing outreach efforts, demo-flight events).
  2. Increasing the number of flight instructors (CFIG training programs, importing instructor trainers, financial incentives to obtain CFIG).
  3. Supporting instructional camps, projects and events (cross-country training days, completion camps for near-solo and near-license students, tow pilot recruitment and training).
  4. Demonstrating new technologies relevant to supporting or expanding soaring.
  5. Encouraging more women to participate in soaring.
  6. Identifying solutions to common tow plane and glider maintenance and repair issues, and disseminating information to other clubs and operators on the lessons learned.
  • Grants are for programs that demonstrate or model new ideas, activities and processes in soaring that will likely help grow the sport.
  • Grants are not for maintenance or repairs of equipment or facilities.
  • Grants are not for routine expenses.
  • Grants should be for a single, fixed sums amount. Grant requests for ongoing, periodic payments (weeks, months or years) as disfavored and likely to be disapproved.

Grant Application

Please be reminded of the following Guidelines: Projects cannot be for maintenance or purchase of capital assets. Review the full Guidelines document before completing your request. Requestors must provide 50% of the funding. Please complete and submit your request by April 30th 2026.