BAJA Grant Committee
The BAJA Board of Directors established the Grant Committee in 2022 and the first grants were awarded in 2023. The Grant Committee is to consist of 1 Board member, 2 BAJA Ambassadors, and 3 at-large members and focus on supporting youth sports.
Our Mission:
It is the goal of the BAJA Grant Committee to support youth sporting activities. Annual grant monies will be made available to support a variety of sporting opportunities for youth. Applicants for grant monies will provide an explanation as to how these funds will enable youths to better participate in sporting activities. These activities should provide the opportunity to learn lifetime skills, such as: physical and teamwork skills, sportsmanship, goal setting, self-confidence, positive attitude, leadership, the value of practice and growing friendships. An additional positive outcome would be for these youths to continue a lifetime of healthy and active living.
Who Can Apply:
- Geographical Area: Applicants must be from within the I-19 corridor from the northern boundary of Sahuarita, south to Green Valley, Amado, Rio Rico, Nogales, and contiguous area.
- It is our intention that our grants will encourage young athletes by supporting sporting opportunities leading to an active and productive lifestyle.
- Previous recipients of grant awards are eligible to apply.
How to apply:
- To apply for a BAJA youth grant, applicants must download and complete the application.
- Click to download: BAJA Youth Grant Application - 2027
- The completed applications should be returned to BAJA Sporting Club c/o the Grant Committee (P.O. Box 1341, Green Valley, AZ 85622) between September 1 and December 1 of 2024.
- The Grant Committee will review all submitted applications and make a presentation to the BAJA Board of Directors for final selection of the grantees for 2025.
- The BAJA Grant Committee will notify applicants whether or not applicants have been awarded a BAJA grant. Disbursements for the 2025 calendar year will be in January, 2025.
- All grant funds must be spent in accordance with the submitted application during the 2025 calendar year.
- A representative from each awarded organization will be asked to attend the BAJA Annual General Membership luncheon in February of 2025. Representatives will have an opportunity to explain how the BAJA Grant assisted the youth in their organization.
For more information:
For questions or comments about BAJA’s youth grants, contact the BAJA Grant Committee Coordinator, Bob Hoyler: bobajoja@aol.com
The 2024 BAJA Grant Recipients
| Youth Group | Contact | How funds were used in 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Amado Youth Center | Amy Bass, Loralin Ahumada | Bowling outing, ping pong, soccer, basketball equipment |
| Copper Hills Little League | Nicole Yslas | Help with equipment for 540 kids, including new girl’s team |
| First Tee Green Valley Country Club | Vicky Gonzalez | Participation fees for kids to participate in year-long program |
| Girl’s Golf of Green Valley | Marvol Barnard | Equipment and rewards for good behavior and work |
| Nogales Parks & Recreation | Renee Travers | Serving 240+ kids golf, archery, basketball, and little league |
| Rio Rico Youth Sports | Oscar Pena | Development of program in former Sr. Center-TBA |
| Tubac Rotary | Shawn Smith | Supporting Amado Youth Center and Rio Rico youth programs |
| USA Youth Sports | Ed Payan | Youth activities utilizing Anamax-TBA |
Want to donate to the Grant Committee??
Mail Grant Committee donations to:
BAJA Sporting Club, PO Box 1341, Green Valley, AZ 85622
Please make check payable to BAJA Sporting Club. In lower left corner of your check, please write 'For BAJA Grant Committee'
OR you may now donate using ZELLE.
It is so easy to give now to the wonderful Youth Grants Committee to help fund the grants that the committee gives out each year to groups in our geographical area who encourage young athletes by supporting sporting opportunities leading to an active and productive lifestyle. 100% of the funds go toward these youth groups.
Here’s how:
1. Determine if your bank or credit union offers Zelle.
2. Look for Juillene Hewitt (BAJA Treasurer) Enrolled as BAJA Sporting Club INC.
3. You may have to create a contact under Juillene Hewitt with the email as juillenej@yahoo.com. Juillene, our club treasurer, created this link to our BAJA Sporting Club Southwest Heritage Bank account.
4. Enter the amount you wish to donate and annotate “Youth Grants Committee”
5. Juillene will verify that the donation has been received.
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