Foundation Seeks Applications For Funding For Projects And Programs In Seven Program Areas

Each year the Wolf Aviation Fund provides grants for a number of individuals and organizations doing great work in general aviation. To date more than 330 awards have been given, providing worthy applicants the funding and recognition that is so vital for folks working on new ideas.

This year's deadline for applications is December 15. Applications must meet certain criteria and fit into the Fund's seven major program areas, which are: Developing Public Policy and Airports; Networking and Mutual Support; Development and Alternative Resources; Communications, Media, and Community Relations; General Aviation Technology, Safety, and Noise; Improving Public Understanding and Perception; and Aviation and Space Education.

To give you an idea of the variety and scope of the work being supported, please note just a few of the proposals which received support last year:

• Doug Stewart of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), Inc. received a grant to form a new Aviation Educator Hall of Fame to recognize those having made significant contributions to aviation education.
• The Atlantic Aviators Chapter of Women in Aviation International are building a custom designed aviation themed playground at New Bedford Regional Airport in Massachusetts.
• Prior recipient Penny Rafferty Hamilton, Ph.D. will research, write, and publish a Flight Instructor Communication Manual presenting proven and effective communication techniques for providing instruction to women wishing to be involved in General Aviation. This is a follow on to a successful prior project researching factors that have led to such a historical low participation by girls and women in aviation. 
• The Fund helped sponsor Teachers’ Day at AirVenture 2012, an event organized by Build a Plane's Lyn Freeman designed to educate teachers how to use aviation in the classroom to motivate students to learn STEM subjects
• A grant supported the Arizona Pilots Association in organizing its first  Annual Arizona General Aviation Accident Reduction and Mitigation Symposium (GAARMS) - especially the production and distribution of a follow-up report with recommendations designed to enhance safety in the state.
• John Zapp of the Flying Musicians Association wanted to develop a passion for aviation among young people involved in music programs, believing these activities all contribute to a well rounded set of experiences. His project involves organizing career fairs and related events supporting the Association's objectives. 
• The Fund provided support to a new venture called Flying High Coffee in support of bringing its high quality product to the marketplace, with a portion of the proceeds being set aside to fund worthy nonprofit organizations. A specific objective of this grant was to be the Official Coffee of EAA’s AirVenture 2012 and sell brewed coffee by the cup to expo attendees.
• Denise Waters, president of the Association forWomen in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM), proposed developing maintenance and technical tips for all GA pilots and students.
• Startup funding was provided to theUpset Prevention & Recovery Training Association (UPRTA), a new nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing Loss of Control in Flight, which is the number one cause of General Aviation fatalities.
• Hank Grudberg of Renaissance E.M.S. in the south Bronx applied for a grant to support the planning, integration and implementation of aviation and aerospace programs with the Education, Music, & Sports programs of the school.
• Women Take Flight 2011 received Fund support. It was a day-long event at the New England Air Museum bringing extraordinary women involved in aviation and aerospace to share their experiences with Museum visitors, especially young women considering careers in aviation.

These are just a few of the many proposals received last year. They provide a glimpse of the remarkable goals and accomplishments of the grant recipients and the value of their contributions, often as volunteers leading teams of other volunteers in their communities. They all deserve our recognition, support, encouragement, and thanks for working so hard to build the future of aviation.

Proposals often received partial support, because by providing partial funding as challenge grants the recipients then may use the honor and recognition of a Wolf Aviation Fund grant to approach others and seek additional funding. This approach permits more projects to receive grants and has proven quite successful. We encourage all aviation supporters to look for those who have won Wolf Aviation Fund awards and display our logo, and to provide them additional support.

Not all proposals could be funded, thus the Foundation is working to increase the funding available for projects. Your support could help make more projects happen.

FMI: www.wolf-aviation.org