The BoatUS Foundation's Grassroots Grants Program, which provides funding for local projects that educate boaters on boating safety and clean-boating topics, kicks off today with some changes designed to identify new, innovative grant proposals. The program also now gives the public a vote in who receives funding.

"After more than 20 years and providing over $1 million in funding, we're making significant changes to find the most creative project ideas and to make our grant program more interactive for applicants and the boating public," said Program Manager Alanna Keating. "We hope our new approach will give us a chance to see what new types of ideas organizations have to reach boaters and what boaters think of these ideas."

Traditional boating organizations as well as local groups, clubs, school and college nonprofit organizations are eligible for grants for up to $4,000. The application deadline is April 1. Interested groups may apply at http://boatus.com/Foundation/Grants/ and a total of $50,000 is available for the 2011 Grassroots Grant cycle.

New to the grant program this year, applicants are encouraged to upload photos and videos showcasing their proposed project ideas or anything else that will convey their vision. Once the grant applications are received in early April, the Foundation will post the most creative applications online where the public will vote to decide which projects receive funding later this spring.

Groups interested in applying for one or more grants may go to BoatUS.com/Foundation/Grants to view photos of previous grant projects, review official guidelines and learn more about the program. You can follow the Foundation on Facebook - Facebook.com/BoatUSFoundation to be notified when voting begins.