Application
Eligibility
Established in 2006, the Seacoast Half Marathon has consistently aimed to leverage the race as a means of generating funds and spotlighting various nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving communities of the New Hampshire Seacoast. Our race tagline, "Caring for the Coast, One Step at a Time," succinctly encapsulates the core mission of the Seacoast Half Marathon.
Beneficiary applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be an approved 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
- Provide services in the Seacoast of NH (which may include York County, Maine).
- Serve as the fiscal agent for the Seacoast Half Marathon for the year the organization is the beneficiary. This involves processing all accounts receivables (race registrations and sponsorships) and payables (race expenses). The beneficiary must have a credit card reader to process registrations during packet pickup on the day before the race and on race day.
- Send a representative to race committee meetings (generally held monthly).
- Have 1-2 staff members and/or volunteers available for packet pick up and registration.
- Secure approximately 25–40 volunteers to help out on race day morning.
- Have a staff member, board members, or volunteers who are willing and able to solicit sponsorships for the race — the number of sponsor dollars raised to help offset race expenses will have a direct impact on the amount of money the beneficiary realizes at the end of the race.
- Promote the Seacoast Half Marathon (promotion may include social media, newsletters, email blasts, press releases, etc.)
- Not have been a Seacoast Half Marathon beneficiary in any of the previous five years.
The following organizations are generally NOT eligible for support:
- Religious or faith-based organizations or programs.
- Political organizations or programs.
- Organizations that discriminate in any way.
- Public or private schools.
Grant Priorities
- Improving the quality of life on the Seacoast.
- Assisting the socio-economically underserved.
- Organizations that provide health and human services.
Application Process
Application Due: February 1, 2024
All revenue after race expenses will be retained by the selected beneficiary. Each year the amount varies, but in prior years it has ranged between $35,000 and $120,000, based on race registrations, sponsorships, and out-of-pocket race expenses. In addition, grants of $500 are made to each of our five nonprofit groups who continue to support our event by running our water stops.
Funding will be considered for general operating income, new programs, or capital projects.
The Beneficiary Application Summary details the information and documents you'll need to provide to complete the Beneficiary Application. Your completed Beneficiary Application must be submitted online by February 1, 2024. The required supplemental documents can be submitted using the Application Attachments form, which requires you to log in with a Google account. As an alternative, you may email the supplemental documents as attachments to racedirectorshm@gmail.com.
A small group of prospective beneficiaries will be selected in February as finalists and at that time additional information may be requested. Finalists may be invited to meet with the race committee. Site visits may be requested for the finalist organizations. One organization will be selected by early to mid-February as the race beneficiary.
