Grant Opportunity
Drennen's Dreams - Swim Lessons and Life Jacket Grant Program
Empowering aquatic facilities and community organizations to provide life-saving education and equipment through specialized grant funding for swim lessons and life jacket accessibility.
Background & Purpose
The Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP) is proud to partner with Drennen’s Dreams Foundation to offer grants for life jackets and swim lessons. Drennen’s Dreams Foundation was established in memory of Drennen O’Melia, who accidentally drowned at the age of 12 while at swim practice. The foundation’s mission is to keep children safe in and around the water by providing education and resources to aquatic professionals and the public.
AOAP Goals
- Promote drowning prevention education through structured swim lesson programs.
- Increase the accessibility and consistent use of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
- Support community-based water safety initiatives with targeted grant funding.
- Strengthen partnerships between aquatic facilities and safety advocacy organizations.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Local municipalities, universities, and swim lessons providers must be a current member of the Association of Aquatic Professionals for at least 1 full year. (Members for 1 full cycle and registered for a second) You must be a non-profit organization in order to receive the life jackets or swim lesson grants and own and operate your own swimming pool/pools or aquatic venues.
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Applicants must submit a completed application explaining how they will utilize the grant funds.
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Applicants will identify how the life jackets provided to them will be used in promoting drowning education within their learn-to-swim programs.
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Life jackets received must be continually used in a learn-to-swim program and not given away.
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They must also be available during open swim times at no charge for weak or non-swimmers to use.
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AOAP will provide at least 400 life jackets annually to aquatic facilities that offer water safety education programs. (Maximum of 50 per organization)
Agencies awarded a grant are expected to sign contracts with the AOAP before funds are disbursed. They will also be required to submit reports, including innovative measurement methods, throughout the grant cycle.
Program Evaluation
Agencies awarded a grant will be required to—
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Fill out a post-program survey to show how the grant program has aided them in providing drowning education to the public.
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Provide quantitative and qualitative feedback to the association regarding the effectiveness of the grant program.
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Provide a written report based on how the funds were used and how many children benefited from the grant.
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Provide photos of the life jackets in use for promotional purposes for the grant program.
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To submit a final evaluation of the program that will be presented to the AOAP Board of Directors.
Based on feedback from the evaluations, the AOAP Board will review and make recommendations for further changes or enhancements to the grant program annually.
Program Timeline
Grant Award Deadlines
The Drennen’s Dreams Grant cycle deadlines are March 1 and August 1 annually, with recipients notified within 30 days and distributed as soon as orders are received.
Swim Lesson Grants: All qualified non-profit partners are encouraged to submit early to ensure consideration for funding for the spring and fall sessions.
Life Jackets must be kept by the facility and used during swim lessons and offered for free to weak or non-swimmers during open swim times. Swim lesson grant recipients must complete the swim lesson grant forms to ensure the grants benefit local families who might not be able to afford lessons without them.