West Marine seeks applications for fall BlueFuture grants

National marine retailer West Marine will begin accepting online applications Sept. 1 for its next round of 2017 BlueFuture grants. Recipients of the $1,500 grants are free to use the funds as they see fit. Encouraged to apply are nonprofit youth-focused community-based organizations that teach sailing, powerboating, fishing, paddling or boatbuilding skills; foster aquatic sustainability and conservation practices; and encourage learning in the marine sciences. West Marine created the nonprofit BlueFuture fund in May 2015 to provide funding to charities across North America. The company accepts donations through its website and conducts three annual in-store fundraisers to support BlueFuture’s growth: National Safe Boating Week in May; World Oceans Day in June; and the Month of Giving in December. The fall grant cycle will run through Oct. 1. Grant recipients will be announced in November.