Run Seal Beach Grant Program

Run Seal Beach Grant Program

Funder: Run Seal Beach, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Geographic Scope: Greater Los Alamitos Unified School District area, including Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, and Rossmoor, California

Program History: Since 2003, Run Seal Beach has distributed over $1,800,000 to the community, representing more than 118 organizations. The non-profit charter has existed since 1999, though the organization has sponsored runs for 45+ years.

Focus Areas

• Primary Focus: Recreation and fitness programs and services
• Grants support programs that directly and substantially increase access or program components to individual participants

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a qualified non-profit organization
• Must have valid 501(c)(3) status
• Must be focused on fitness and recreation
• Must be located in the greater Los Alamitos Unified School District area (Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor)
• Must develop concrete requests with specific, measurable outcomes
• Prior grant recipients must submit a "proof of performance" explanation demonstrating how previous grant funds were used as requested

Application Timeline

• Grant requests typically due: May 15 each year
• Notification of status: Typically by mid-June (within 60 days of race)
• Grant funds must be used within the year granted; funds cannot be carried over to future years

Award Structure

• Grants are awarded annually based on funds raised from the annual Run Seal Beach event
• Awards are made within 60 days of the annual race
• Not all applicants receive grants due to volume of requests
• Director's Awards: Discretionary awards given by the Run Seal Beach Board of Directors (cannot be applied for)
• All net proceeds from the Run Seal Beach event are returned to the community through grants

How Funds are Distributed

Historical distribution (over 16 years): 12% to Los Alamitos-based organizations; 15% to City of Seal Beach (Police and Marine Safety); 12% to other Seal Beach organizations; 27% to Los Alamitos High School booster clubs; 34% to Los Alamitos Schools and non-booster programs

Organization Background

• Run Seal Beach is a 100% volunteer-planned, managed, and executed organization
• No salaries are drawn for administration, ensuring 100% of proceeds go back to the community
• Annual race generates funds distributed through the grant program
• Established as a non-profit charter in 1999

Contact Information

• Email: grants@runsealbeach.com
• Website: www.runsealbeach.com
• Grant Program Information: www.runsealbeach.com/grant-program