COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The USA Swimming Foundation today announced that it has awarded $898,184 to learn to swim programs across the country through its 2022 grant program – the largest ever dollar amount awarded through its grant program for swim lesson providers. A gift of $200,000 from Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Foundation (PHTF) committed to safer swim education and drowning prevention, along with an additional $80,000 approved by the USA Swimming Foundation Board of Directors, helped bring youth learn to swim grant awards to the largest amount in USA Swimming foundation history.

The USA Swimming Foundation, the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming, vetted 184 youth grant applications through a competitive annual review process, selecting 102 programs across 29 states to receive $763,184 in funding as part of its 2022 grant program for swim lesson providers. These grants will support youth programs offering free or reduced-cost swim lessons, providing an estimated 19,870 children with the opportunity to learn how to swim.

A strong advocate of USA Swimming Foundation, Step Into Swim’s donation helps the Foundation continue to save lives and build champions. 

“Learning to swim from a qualified instructor drastically reduces the risk of childhood drowning by 88%. The more awareness we bring to the importance of swim instruction, the more lives we can save,” said three-time Olympic gold medalist and VP of Partnerships and Development for PHTA Rowdy Gaines. “Step Into Swim is proud to collaborate with an organization like the USA Swimming Foundation, whose efforts to support learn-to-swim programs is important, life-saving work.”

For the first time, the USA Swimming Foundation has also awarded grant funding to programs that focus on adult learn-to-swim efforts, granting $135,000 to 39 adult learn-to-swim programs across 22 states, providing an estimated 2,007 adults the opportunity to learn how to swim.  Earlier in 2021, U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) moved its fundraising efforts for adult learn-to-swim programs from its Swimming Saves Lives Foundation to the USA Swimming Foundation, bringing all learn-to-swim fundraising efforts under the USA Swimming Foundation. U.S. Masters Swimming continues to own and administer adult learn-to-swim curriculum and certification for instructors, as well as provide resources to programs offering adult lessons throughout the United States. 

The following programs have been awarded 2022 USA Swimming Foundation grant funding: 

Youth Learn to Swim Programs

Adult Learn to Swim Programs

The USA Swimming Foundation works to strengthen the sport of swimming by raising funds to support programs that save lives and build champions. To learn more about the USA Swimming Foundation, including how to find a learn-to-swim program in your area and grant opportunities, please visit www.usaswimming.org/foundation.

Since its inception, the Step Into Swim program has provided nearly 300,000 children with free swimming lessons. To learn more about this initiative, please visit www.stepintoswim.org.

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About USA Swimming

As the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the United States, USA Swimming is a 400,000-member service organization that promotes the culture of swimming by creating opportunities for swimmers and coaches of all backgrounds to participate and advance in the sport through clubs, events, and education. Our membership is comprised of swimmers from the age group level to the Olympic Team, as well as coaches and volunteers. USA Swimming is responsible for selecting and training teams for international competition, including the Olympic Games, and strives to serve the sport through its core objectives: build the base; promote the sport; achieve competitive success. For more information, visit www.usaswimming.org.

Contact: Jessica Delos Reyes (719-439-8707/ [email protected])  

About USA Swimming Foundation

The USA Swimming Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming. Established in 2004, the Foundation works to strengthen the sport by saving lives and building champions. Whether we’re equipping our children and adults with the life-saving skill of learn-to-swim, or providing financial support to our heroes on the U.S. National Team, the USA Swimming Foundation aims to provide the wonderful experience of swimming to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, across the country. Learn more at www.usaswimming.org/foundation.

Contact: Jessica Delos Reyes (719-439-8707/ [email protected]

About Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with nearly 3,500 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

Contact: Janay Rickwalder (703-357-3918) / [email protected])

About Step Into Swim

Step Into Swim^TM is an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and its foundation committed to safe swim education and drowning prevention. By investing in the next generation of swimmers through learn-to-swim programming, the Step Into Swim initiative instills confidence, empowers long-term participation in water activities, touts the positive benefits of water play, and advocates for safe practices. Since its inception in 2012, Step Into Swim has played a role in reducing drowning fatalities and has gifted swim lessons to more than 285,000 children with support from community organizations, partners, industry advocates, members and more. For more information, visit www.stepintoswim.org.