In 2005, the AMA Executive Council approved a new program designed to grant immediate financial assistance to AMA chartered clubs that have flying sites damaged by natural disasters. This program was titled the Disaster Relief Grant, and it was designed to assist clubs in clearing debris and/or making repairs so that the field is once again accessible and usable by club members.
Since the grant's inception, the AMA Foundation has provided $106,000 in Disaster Relief Grant funding to clubs across the country. Chartered clubs negatively impacted by natural disasters can apply for this grant year-round and have the chance to receive financial assistance of up to $1,000.
The AMA Foundation wants nothing more than to assist AMA clubs where it can. When natural disasters strike, please apply for a Disaster Relief Grant and take advantage of the financial funding that we have to offer! We're happy to assist where we can and ensure that club members feel safe and secure at their flying fields.
If your club field has been damaged by a natural disaster, apply for a Disaster Relief Grant here.
For an example of what Disaster Relief Grant funding can be used for, read about the Zephyrhills Can-Am Flyers' car ports below:
In the closing months of 2024, the Zephyrhills Can-Am Flyers applied for and received a Disaster Relief Grant of $1,000. Based in AMA District V's San Antonio, Florida, this club's field was damaged by Hurricane Milton. Paul Langevin, the club's treasurer, wrote the following in the club's grant application: "We had four carports. After Hurricane Milton, two were destroyed beyond repair. We want to replace them with matching carports. Some of the runway safety fence sections were damaged, along with many of the chairs."
The Zephyrhills Can-Am Flyers received funding to assist with purchasing and installing their new carports earlier this year! Their president, Randy Leapley, stated the following: "Thank you, AMA!!! Paul Langevin, treasurer for the Can-Am Flyers in San Antonio, Florida, is holding a check received from the AMA Foundation for damages that occurred from Hurricanes Helene and Milton!! Some of our shelters sustained great damage and so forth, so this will help out immensely!! Again, thanks to AMA for helping our club out!!"
