Since inception, the Ironman Foundation has provided more than US$28.5 million in charitable givebacks to support global non-profit initiatives. With a focus on giving back to the communities that host and support Ironman races, the Ironman Foundation Community Fund is distributing grant funds to the Mont-Tremblant community in Québec, Canada, and the greater Madison, Wisconsin, community.
Mont-Tremblant
The Ironman Foundation will distribute US$100,000 in grant funding to initiatives in the greater Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, community in conjunction with the 2014 Subaru Ironman 70.3 World Championship triathlon taking place on Sunday 7 September.
The Ironman Foundation’s contribution will provide support to non-profit needs and initiatives within the local community. With the 2014 donations from the Ironman Foundation, over US$222,000 has been given to support the needs of the community since the first Ironman event took place in Mont-Tremblant.
The Ironman Foundation will donate US$50,000 to support the development of the multi-purpose aquatics center in Mont-Tremblant. This brings the pledge to a total of US$150,000 to support the build of the community aquatic center. Additionally, the Foundation will provide the remaining US$50,000 in grant funds to support the needs of organizations within the community.
“The Ironman Foundation is involved in an important project for our citizens with the development of the aquatic complex,” said Luc Brisebois the Mayor of the City of Mont-Tremblant. “I thank warmly the Ironman Foundation and its executive director, Dave Deschenes, for the contributions to the development of our community. This allows us to offer a training destination all year long, including to Ironman athletes.”
“Not only does Ironman bring inspirational athletes to a community, but we hope to inspire individuals in the community to live healthy lifestyles and aspire to become Ironman athletes as well,” said David Deschenes, Executive Director for the Ironman Foundation. “We hope to be able to help in these aspirations by supporting the initiative to build the aquatics center in Mont-Tremblant.”
Madison
The Ironman Foundation Community Fund will distribute US$79,400 in grant funding to initiatives and groups in the greater Madison, Wisconsin, community in conjunction with the 2014 Ironman Wisconsin triathlon also taking place on Sunday 7 September. The Ironman Foundation’s contribution will provide support to non-profit needs and initiatives within the local community.
The Ironman Foundation, in partnership with the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation (FHSPSF), will donate US$14,400 to the City of Madison Fire Department to show support of first responder groups. This donation will be used to procure a total of six rapid intervention team packs, which will help protect and save firefighters’ lives during an emergency.
Division Chief Michael Dibble said, “Instead of having just one engine east and another west of our city able to respond as ‘Rapid Intervention Team Engines’, we will have the capability to respond city-wide. This will give our firefighters more confidence to mitigate emergencies, knowing we will always have a safety team available if they find themselves in trouble. This grant will increase the odds of survival city-wide for our firefighters who put their lives on the line daily to serve the Madison Community.”
“Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, along with The Ironman Foundation, is grateful for the opportunity to give back to those who loyally serve our communities,” said Robin Peters, Executive Director of FHSPSF. “As Ironman athletes prove that ’Anything is Possible,’ we feel that the mantra also represents what can be done to support the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting others.”
In addition to the FHSPSF grant partnership, The Ironman Foundation will give back US$65,000 in volunteer and community grants in and around Madison, Wisconsin, through the Ironman Foundation’s Community Fund.
Through 215 Ironman Wisconsin Foundation race slots, athletes have helped raise additional funds to support The Ironman Foundation Community Fund. Additionally, through Ironman Wisconsin Race for Free fundraising entries, eight athletes raised over US$25,000 to support the Community Fund.
The proceeds from the Community Fund then provide grant opportunities to non-profit organizations in the communities where US Ironman events are held, and provided support to 36 community groups with a volunteerism component last year.
The Ironman Foundation also provides registered athletes with the platform to fundraise for the Foundation or a non-profit beneficiary of their choice as they train for their Ironman event. These athletes have signed up to participate in the Ironman Foundation’s Your Journey, Your Cause fundraising program. Through their participation with the Foundation these athletes have been touched by something greater than themselves and are giving back to non-profit organizations to make their race experiences more than just crossing the finish line – they are racing for a cause.
Ironman Wisconsin Your Journey, Your Cause athletes have raised more than US$80,000 for their respective causes in 2014. The Foundation’s overall Your Journey, Your Cause program has collectively raised over US$430,000 to benefit a range of non-profit organizations this year.
www.ironmanfoundation.org
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