The Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) is once again making funds available for promoting boating in the Northwest; deadline to apply is Oct 31, 2025.

The Northwest Marine Trade Association’s (NMTA) Grow Boating Program serves the NMTA’s core purpose—to increase the number of boaters in the Northwest and to encourage year-round participation in recreational boating.

Since its inception in 2003, the NMTA has invested over $2 million in the promotion of boating in the Pacific Northwest. Funding for the NMTA’s Grow Boating Program is generated through a surcharge on rented square footage at the annual Seattle Boat Show, held each January.

The NMTA Grow Boating Committee is responsible for managing and allocating the regional Grow Boating fund, making strategic decisions on programs, events, and promotions to encourage boating across the Northwest. One of its central roles is to evaluate and award multiple grants, and determine ways to further engage the boating public.

The NMTA is pleased to announce the continuation of its Grow Boating grant program for 2025–2026, once again offering ten $1,000 grants to organizations that help get new boaters on the water, promote diversity and inclusion, and encourage current boaters to go boating more often.

The application process is now open and closes October 31, 2025. Grants will be announced in December 2025 and funds will be distributed to grantees in the spring of 2026. Please consider applying on behalf of your own organization, and help NMTA spread the word by forwarding the application details to any organizations you think might be interested.

The application and more information about the Grow Boating initiative, the grant program, types of programs funded can be found at the NMTA’s website. 

nmta.net/boating/growboating/