RBFF announces 2017 George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar™ Education Fund grantees
Feb 7th, 2017 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Feb 7th, 2017 at 12:00 AM
RBFF and the George H.W. Bush Vamos a Pescar™ Education Fund today announced recipients for the second round of grant donations to organizations bringing conservation, education and fishing and boating experiences to Hispanic families. A total of $35,000 in grants were awarded to 12 fishing and boating programs in six states through the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar™ Education Fund. The six state agencies will fully-match the grant funds provided by the Education Fund, effectively bringing the total amount of funding to $70,000 for the 2017 round of grantees.
“As the Hispanic audience continues to gain significance and influence, it will be up to programs like the George H.W. Bush Vamos a Pescar™ Education Fund to engage this emerging audience,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We are encouraged by the work that has been done as a result of this fund so far and are excited to welcome a new round of grantees for 2017.”
The Hispanic audience is currently 57 million strong, making up 18% of the population. Perhaps more importantly, the Hispanic audience accounted for over 48% of the U.S. population growth between 2010 and 2015 and are projected to reach 65 million individuals by 2020. The following programs will go a long way to ensure that fishing and boating are an important part of this population’s identity in the future.
GRANTEE PROGRAMS FOR 2017:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission –
Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society
California Department of Fish and Wildlife –
East Bay Spanish Speaking Citizen’s Foundation
Hispanic Access Foundation
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection –
Hartford Police Activities League
Fishing Northeast
Iowa Department of Natural Resources –
Iowa Latino Community Center, Inc.
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism –
Fishing’s Future – Salina Chapter
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department –
Fishing’s Future – Central Texas Chapter
Fishing’s Future – Clear Lake/Galveston Chapter
Fishing’s Future – Houston Chapter
Fishing’s Future – South Padre Island Chapter
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Funds provided to these grantee organizations will enable them to organize programs that will introduce fishing and boating to youth and families, providing hands-on experiences to help develop their skills. Attendees of grantee programs will also be taught water safety and safe boating behaviors and will take part in conservation and aquatic stewardship activities.
In 2014, Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO Johnny Morris donated $125,000 to RBFF to start an Education Fund in honor of his friend, President George H.W. Bush’s 90th birthday. Soon after the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar™ Education Fund was launched, The Walt Disney Company, Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and RBFF came on board with their financial support. The Education Fund carries out its mission of engaging Hispanic families across the United States in fishing and boating through hands-on experiences and conservation activities.
More information about the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar™ Education Fund is available at takemefishing.org/educationfund. Learn more about how you or your organization can donate to the fund here.