Shade structure grants

The Academy grant program benefits schools and nonprofit organizations.

The Academy Shade Structure Grant Program awards grants to public schools and nonprofit organizations for installing permanent shade structures for outdoor locations that are not protected from the sun, such as playgrounds, pools and other recreation areas. Each shade structure grant is valued at a maximum of $8,000, which includes the cost for a shade structure and installation. The number of grants depends upon the availability of funding each year. In addition to the grant, the Academy also provides a permanent sign near the shade structure.

Eligible applicants

The grant program is open to 501(c) nonprofit organizations that provide services, programs and curricula to children and teenagers 18 and younger. To be considered, applicants must:

• be a nonprofit organization or public school;
• provide services for children ages 4–18 years old;
• demonstrate an ongoing commitment to sun-safety/skin cancer awareness within their organizations (an awareness program must be in place at least one year prior to the grant application);
• be recommended by an Academy member dermatologist (a list is available on www.aad.org);
• be considering a shade structure that meets the stringent shade requirements of the Academy.

A shade structure is defined by the Academy as being a permanent structure with a continuous roof made of protective materials, such as textiles, metal or wood, and supported by permanent columns or posts. The current grant application period ends Feb. 1, 2013.