The IRONMAN Foundation Gives Back to the Greater St. George Community

The IRONMAN Foundation® will distribute $49,000 in charitable giveback to non-profit initiatives and groups in the greater St. George, Utah community in conjunction with the 2016 IRONMAN® 70.3® North American Pro Championship St. George triathlon taking place on Saturday, May 7, 2016. The IRONMAN Foundation Community Fund provides community and volunteerism grant opportunities to non-profit organizations where IRONMAN events are held. In 2016, The IRONMAN Foundation will distribute more than $1.6 million in grant funding to support the needs of IRONMAN race communities across North America.

Community Grants
The IRONMAN Foundation provides charitable support to a variety of local non-profit organizations that recognize citizens in need and support The Foundation’s mission. The Foundation works with community leaders to identify projects and initiatives and to provide funding in order to support worthwhile causes. This year, The IRONMAN Foundation Community Fund will distribute over $32,000 in grants to eight deserving organizations making a positive impact within the St. George community. One featured grant recipient, Girls on the Run Southern Utah, will receive an $11,730 grant to provide scholarships and proper footwear for up to forty-three underserved girls.

“Girls on the Run Southern Utah continues to expand each season and our growth is very much tied to the support of The IRONMAN Foundation. Their commitment to our community will have a long lasting impact, especially with the young girls we serve in our program,” said Melissa Miller, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Southern Utah.

Another featured recipient, Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah, will receive a $3,500 grant to revitalize their website. “We are so appreciative of this support from The IRONMAN Foundation,” said Linda Baker, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Southwest Utah. “Because of this funding, our new website will provide us with improved connections to our community, our donors, and volunteers regarding events and home builds.”

“Grant funding is one way that the IRONMAN Foundation leaves a lasting legacy in the communities where IRONMAN races take place,” said Dave Deschenes, Executive Director of the IRONMAN Foundation. “We are thrilled to support the greater St. George community with these community grant awards.”

The IRONMAN Foundation will recognize this year’s community grant recipients at the athlete briefing taking place at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at the IRONMAN Village in the St. George Town Square.

Volunteerism Grants
Within IRONMAN’s race communities, The IRONMAN Foundation provides a grant program to support organizations that have a volunteerism component. This year, The IRONMAN Foundation’s Community Fund will provide over $15,000 in volunteer grant donations for the IRONMAN 70.3 North American Pro Championship St. George triathlon. “We are thrilled to continue our support of so many tremendous organizations that selflessly serve the St. George community,” said Christine Perkins, Community Relations Manager for The IRONMAN Foundation. Last year, volunteer grant funding was distributed among 29 community groups in the region.