Tony Hawk Foundation Spring 2007 Grant Awards Announced

5/8/07 (Vista, CA) - The Tony Hawk Foundation has announced its Spring 2007 skatepark grant awards. Collectively worth $210,000, the 23 grants were awarded by the Foundation's Board of Directors to help build free, quality public skateparks. Grant recipients were selected based on a number of criteria set out by the Tony Hawk Foundation, including the local median income and demonstrated need of the community where the skatepark will be located, the scope and quality of the skatepark design, the degree to which skaters themselves are involved in all aspects of the project (including planning, fundraising, and design), and other factors.

The Spring 2007 Tony Hawk Foundation Grant Recipients include the following communities: Nederland, Colorado ($25,000) New Braunfels, Texas ($25,000) Fowler, California ($15,000) Cedaredge, Colorado ($15,000) Coos Bay, Oregon ($15,000) Barstow, California ($10,000) Spirit Lake, Iowa ($10,000) Duluth, Minnesota ($10,000) Poteet, Texas ($10,000) Clifton Forge, Virginia ($10,000) Redlands, California ($5,000) Hart, Michigan ($5,000) Keewatin, Minnesota ($5,000) Crookston, Minnesota ($5,000) New Madrid, Missouri ($5,000) Newport, New Hampshire ($5,000) Hugo, Oklahoma ($5,000) Echo, Oregon ($5,000) Pendleton, Oregon ($5,000) Spearman, Texas ($5,000) Almira, Washington ($5,000) Durbin, West Virginia ($5,000) Viola, Wisconsin ($5,000)

The Tony Hawk Foundation awards grants for the construction of public skateparks in low-income areas. Twice annually, its Board of Directors meets to review applications. Since it was established in 2002, the Tony Hawk Foundation has awarded more than $1.7-million to 336 public-skatepark projects across the United States.

The Tony Foundation welcomes two new members to its staff. Scott Taylor joins the Foundation as Programs Manager and is the primary contact for the Foundation's Grant and Technical Assistance Programs. Scott spent the past decade working in the skateboarding industry, most recently as Web Editor for Skateboarder Magazine. C.C. Flashman is the Foundation's new Development Associate, and will be working with our team to further develop sponsorship and fundraising programs. C.C. has extensive experience in sales, marketing, and event planning.

Applications for the next round of Tony Hawk Foundation grants are due October 1, 2007. For more information about the Tony Hawk Foundation and its Grant Program, visit www.tonyhawkfoundation.org.

A charitable, non-profit organization, the Tony Hawk Foundation was established in 2002 by its namesake, professional skateboarder Tony Hawk, to promote and provide funds for high-quality public skateparks throughout the United States‹with an emphasis on the word "quality." Since then, the Foundation has awarded $1,712,334 to 336 communities. The Foundation focuses on working with local officials and grassroots, community-based organizations that plan to hire designers and contractors with strong experience designing and building skateparks. The Tony Hawk Foundation was established by a gift from Tony Hawk. Its directors raise additional funds through events, industry donations, and continuing contributions from Tony and other entities. In addition to skateparks, the Foundation also makes donations to other children-related charities, as chosen by its Board Of Directors. For more information or to make a donation, visit the Foundation's Web site at www.tonyhawkfoundation.org.