Field of Interest- David Wiitanen and Slim McLean Memorial Youth Hockey Fund Grant

The David Wiitanen and Slim McLean Memorial Youth Hockey Fund aims to promote youth ice hockey programs in the Copper Country region. Established in memory of Sheriff Slim McLean, the fund supports initiatives that enhance skills and opportunities for young players. Grants are awarded to nonprofits, schools, and municipalities for various purposes including facility maintenance, equipment assistance, and youth participation in tournaments, ensuring inclusivity and non-discrimination in its funding processes.

Background
In 2022 a newly created fund in memory of sheriff Slim McLean, dedicated to youth hockey, merged into the existing Copper Country Youth Hockey Fund, to create the David Wiitanen and Slim McLean Memorial Youth Hockey Fund.
The primary purpose of this field of interest fund is to promote and support youth ice hockey programs throughout the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association territory and to expand opportunities for youth to further develop the skills necessary to participate in ice hockey.
Such support may include, but not be limited to, financial assistance for the operation and maintenance of skating facilities; the support of hockey and referee instructional programs for youth of all ages; the support of hockey equipment procurement or exchange programs; registration fee assistance for those individuals who, because of a family economic situation, would otherwise be unable to participate in junior hockey activities; and the support of local junior hockey team participation in state or national tournaments.
The David Wiitanen and Slim McLean Memorial Youth Hockey Fund periodically awards grants to help support the goals of the fund. This fund will be granted according to the guidelines established by KCF and the advisory committee. Grants must support youth ice hockey programs throughout the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association territory and to expand opportunities for youth to further develop the skills necessary to participate in ice hockey. Grants will be made to organizations or for programs previously demonstrating successful outcomes; new, innovative organizations; or programs with clear potential for positive outcomes.

Eligibility

Grants must directly benefit KCF’s service areas of Keweenaw and Houghton counties.Grants are only made to: non-profit organizations that are tax-exempt, school districts, municipalities and other governmental units.Grants must be used for charitable purposes.The Foundation operates without discrimination as to age, race, religion, disability, sex or national origin in the consideration of grant requests, and will award grants only to grant seekers that do not discriminate.

Ineligibility

No grants may be used for any political campaign or to support attempts to influence any governmental body other than by making the results of nonpartisan analysis, studies or research publicly available.