After 20 years of Boating Safety and Clean Water grants awarding more than $1 million, the Foundation is re-launching the programs to make it easier for organizations to receive funding for their most innovative projects. The new Grassroots Grants program encompasses both Boating Safety and Clean Water projects in a single application and both will be awarded at the same time.

The new application in now available and the deadline for submission is February 28th. Funding up to $4,000 is available for projects that educate the boating public on safety and environmental issues. Guidelines, instructions and sample project ideas are also available online.

Nighttime boating can be a fun way to enjoy your boat. But there are several extra precautions that nighttime boaters should take to stay safe on the water. Not only is it important to understand what you see when looking at the lights from other boats and navigation aids, but you need to make sure those other boats can see you clearly.

To help you stay safe on your nighttime voyage, we tested several different options for navigation lights on the water as well as some simple solutions for making your existing lights more visible. Read more about the recent Foundation Findings on navigation lights - We See the Light.

We strive to make an impact on all boater’s lives because we hear from them every day. But there is only one way boaters can give back and help themselves at the same time -- and that is by making a donation to the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. The Foundation needs your support to continue critical boating safety and clean water programs. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation before December 31.

Last summer boaters from across the country submitted photos of their kids in loaner life jackets for the Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Photo Contest. The best photos have been selected and are now featured in a 2010 Calendar. Available in 3 different sizes and starting at $18.95, a portion of each sale will benefit the Kid's Life Jacket Loaner Program.

The Kid's Life Jacket Loaner Program loans out child-size life jackets from more than 500 locations nationwide, an average of 90,000 times each year. Click here for more on the program.

Got your eye on one of those shiny new models you saw at the boat show but not sure what to do with your old boat? Why not donate it to the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water?

The Foundation has partnered with Action Donation Services to help boat owners who want to donate their boats or PWCs to an organization devoted to boating safety and clean water. With this new partnership, the Foundation can accept donations of boats from almost anywhere in the country. Click here to learn more.

Our new Giving Marketplace features great gift ideas and everyday products that you can purchase to help support the work of the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety & Clean Water. From photo albums and calendars to custom photo stamps and lighthouse checks, every purchase benefits the Foundation and helps to keep our programs afloat!

Recycle your fishing line with the BoatUS Foundation! Did you know that it takes over 500 years for monofilament fishing line to decompose? Meanwhile, that discarded line can tangle itself around your boat prop or worse yet, marine life. To help keep line out of the environment, the BoatUS Foundation would like to partner with you and your local fishing or boating group to install a monofilament recycling bin at your favorite fishing spot, launch ramp or marina.

We will provide you with a FREE pre-made PVC monofilament bin and signage suitable for mounting outdoors. All we ask in return is that you monitor the bin, empty it when full, send the collected line to Berkley for recycling and let us know how much line you collected and returned. How easy is that? For more information, click here. Don’t delay we have a limited number of bins, and bin locations will be determined by geographic area and demonstrated demand for monofilament recycling.