For those of you with Wing jobs, consider putting your Wing or one of your wings projects in for the annual Walmart Foundation State Grants. The Walmart Foundation makes several $25,000 grants per state to state/region-wide non-profit organizations. Applications for this year's state grants are due by 4/22.
Details: http://walmartstores.com/CommunityGiving/8168.aspx (http://walmartstores.com/CommunityGiving/8168.aspx)
Be aware! Walmart only considers proposals if they align with their foundation's giving priorities. Those priorities are: Education, Workforce Development/ Economic Opportunity, Environmental Sustainability and Health and Wellness. The Cadet Program, and possibly Aerospace Education, fall under their education giving priority. Therefore, I would not submit any emergency services or operational funding grant requests. Some Ideas:
- fully fund a wing cadet educational activity: flight academy + ground school; NCOA+COS and pay for solid speakers and use of a good facility, etc.)
- host Aerospace Awareness Days around your state and invite all the local schools. Pay for materials, travel, professional displays, etc.
- buy PT equipment such as mats, stopwatches, measuring wheels, etc. for every squadron (Health & Wellness giving priority)
- fund a wing-wide model rocketry competition or program
- buy a professionally-made aerospace education or cadet recruiting display and pay for booth space at major statewide events (homeschooling conventions, state fairs, science fairs, etc)
- pay for additional orientation flights
- buy projectors, pull-down screens, and classroom supplies for all squadrons needing it
I'm sure you could find solid ideas for spending $25K on cadet programs and/or AE in your wing. Good luck.
You noted health and wellness. If you have an active unit with members in first aid, or RNs and such, maybe you can get past that. But this is awesome. Wal-mart does a lot of charity stuff. (Former Wally world employee)