USA Curling awarded grant from The Chicago Community Trust

STEVENS POINT, Wis. - The Chicago Community Trust has once again awarded a grant to USA Curling to further assist in the growth of the Olympic sport.

The Trust has awarded grants to the association every year since 2006. Past grants have been used to help foster growth by studying demographics and producing media and marketing materials. This year's funds will be used to support several projects, including:

* Production and distribution of one or more ready-to-air TV commercials to be offered to all USCA-member clubs for broadcasting in their home area.

* Production and distribution of a supply of curling informational and how-to brochures to all USCA-member clubs.

* Regional Member Services conferences to bring educational and instructional resources directly to existing members and newcomers around the country.

* Staging of learn-to-curl camps around the country, both for able-bodied and disabled individuals.

* Coordination of a "Rocks and Rings" program (curling in the schools program) with the hosts of the 2010 USA Curling Nationals, in Kalamazoo, Mich.

* Ongoing leadership training of USCA senior and management staff to further our skills and business management abilities.

* Facilitation of a second shipment of deferred-purchase stones from the World Curling Federation.

* Continued focus on utilizing electronic media and social networking outlets.

"USA Curling is very appreciative of the support The Chicago Community Trust continues to provide through the Darwin Curtis Fund to help us meet one of our top priorities, which is to grow the sport," said Rick Patzke, USA Curling chief operating officer. "This grant will help us stimulate growth in areas where curling has taken root just recently, from California to Kalamazoo, as well as in new areas surely to be inspired to toss stones after the Vancouver Olympics."

Since the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, the sport of curling has grown substantially across the United States thanks to the success of Team USA and the TV coverage of the sport on NBC Sports. USA Curling's membership has grown nearly 22 percent since the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, with a 12 percent increase alone in the season immediately following the 2006 Olympics in Torino.

USA Curling and its member clubs and regions have helped to form close to 30 new clubs around the country since 2002, including in Arizona, California, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Vermont, among others states.

Funds for The Chicago Community Trust grant originate from the Darwin Curtis fund.  Curtis was a prominent Chicago area curler in the mid-20th century.  The proceeds from his bequest must be used for projects intended to increase public participation in curling in the United States.

About the Trust

For 94 years, The Chicago Community Trust, our region's community foundation, has connected the generosity of donors with the needs of the community by making grants to organizations working to improve metropolitan Chicago. In 2008 the Trust made over $100 million in grants. From strengthening community schools to assisting local art programs, from building health centers to helping lives affected by violence, the Trust works to enhance our region. Learn more at www.cct.org.

USA Curling is sponsored by AIT Worldwide Logistics, bitRail, CurlingZone and Nike.