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Sports Backers Blog

Sports Backers Launch ActiveRVA.org as Community Fitness Resource

The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation awards one-to-one challenge grant up to $100,000;
Local swimmer Courtney Paulk jumpstarts fundraising efforts

RICHMOND, VA –ActiveRVA.org is a one-stop shop for residents to learn about physical activity and fitness opportunities available in the Richmond region. ActiveRVA.org is a site that provides comprehensive information on fitness programs, local gyms, participatory events and races, as well as youth sports available in the region.

After 20-plus years of supporting the Richmond community to prioritize and celebrate physical activity through their iconic events, the Sports Backers launched Active RVA as a community-wide initiative to improve quality of life for all Richmonders through active living. ActiveRVA.org will be a platform for businesses and schools, nonprofits and advocates, elected officials and community champions to promote and leverage their programs, driving Richmond to become the most active community in the nation.

The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation awards up to $100,000 for ActiveRVA.org

The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation has awarded the Sports Backers a one-to-one challenge grant up to $100,000 to build out the Active RVA website, making it an interactive, dynamic, virtual resource center. These funds will allow for a constant flow of new content, the development of a crowd-funding mechanism for specific community projects related to physical activity, a volunteer portal to recruit volunteers for local fitness events, and a fitness finder to match individuals to fitness opportunities near them.

“The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation is pleased to support a project that has the potential for a truly transformational impact on the health of Richmond region residents,” said Amy P. Nisenson, executive director of The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation.

The Sports Backers are now raising funds to designate towards this matching grant opportunity. To make a donation that will be matched by The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, click here. The fundraising window will continue through November 2014.

Local swimmer Courtney Paulk jumpstarts Active RVA fundraising efforts

As local open water marathon swimmer Courtney Paulk sets her sights on her next swimming adventure on September 2, 2014 – the 20-mile Plymouth to Provincetown, Massachusetts (P2P) Swim, which is also known as the Cape Cod Bay Swim across the American Channel – she plans to fundraise for Active RVA. This will jumpstart the fundraising efforts for the one-to-one challenge grant from The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation. The P2P Swim has been completed by only 6 individuals in history.

“I believe that by raising money for a charity, I will have the extra motivation I need to get across Cape Cod Bay,” said

Paulk. “My goal is to raise $10,000, which would be matched by The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation for a total of $20,000.”

In September 2013, Paulk became the 79th individual and only the 29th woman to complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming. The Triple Crown consists of the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (28.5 miles around Manhattan), the Catalina Channel (20.2 miles between Catalina Island and the mainland of California) and the English Channel (21 miles from Dover, England to Cap Gris Nez, France).

Follow her journey on her blog, Swim and Tonic. To support Paulk by donating to Active RVA, click here.

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About Active RVA

Sports Backers launched Active RVA in 2012 to build momentum to make active living a regional priority. Active RVA is convening and coordinating projects to help every corner of our community get active. www.activerva.org

About the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation

The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation was founded in 1988 by Mrs. Mary Morton Parsons as a private, non-operating foundation to support the capital needs of charitable organizations.  To date, the Foundation has awarded approximately $73 million to qualified grantees. http://www.mmparsonsfoundation.org/

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