Partnerships

The Corps Foundation recognizes that many organizations and the private sector have important roles to play in meeting visitor demands and provide continued access to the lakes and waterways. The following partnerships are examples of the many ways the Corps Foundation helps leverage limited funds and human resources.

Private and Non-Profit Partners

The following partnerships are examples of the many ways the Corps Foundation helps leverage limited funds and human resources.

Discover Your Northwest – Improving Education and Infrastructure

The Hiram M. Chittenden/Ballard Locks are the Nation’s busiest locks and a major tourist attraction for Seattle. Educational facilities at the Fish Ladder had not been updated since 1976 leading to public misinformation and negative impressions. The Corps Foundation partnered with Discover Your Northwest (a regional non-profit), Jones & Jones Architects and the Seattle District Corps of Engineers to develop a Master Plan, public awareness website and a Partnership agreement to raise over $1 million dollars for major renovations to the Fish Ladder viewing room. This includes updated educational programs and facilities, with improved seating, safety and comfort. Significant fund raising continues via donations to a Salmon Legacy wall and other fund raising activities. For updates check out www.ballardlocks.org.

“Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns” Boating and Water Safety Campaign

The Corps Foundation works in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to promote this award-winning campaign and save lives on our nation’s lakes and rivers. The Foundation has received over $1 million in grant funds from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Foundation, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard to help support this campaign. Campaign materials are available at PleaseWearIt.com and by following Please Wear It on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Bass Pro Shops- Enduring Service Volunteer Award

Bass Pro’s sponsorship of the Corps Foundation’s Enduring Service Award and Volunteer medallion program has been invaluable in the recognition of volunteers involved with natural resource management activities for the US Army Corps of Engineers(USACE). Since the beginning of the award in 2016, the Corps Foundation has partnered with Bass Pro Shops to annually recognize the long-term service and accomplishments by volunteers at USACE lakes who have achieved results in such areas as fisheries, conservation, education, recreation, safety and community engagement. We greatly appreciate Bass Pro Shops’ investment recognize the long term service of these outstanding volunteers.

Innovations Program

In June 2016, the Innovations Program was created using a unique approach true to its name! A partnership between U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (OSU) was formed as an incubator for new ideas, products and services that benefit the public and management of USACE lands and waters. Using OSU expertise in computer science, the partnership developed a number of innovations using technology for use by Park Rangers and other field employees. This partnership led to the development of an “Innovations Store” where completed products and ideas can be accessed by anyone within the Corps. The Corps Foundation supported this collaboration by serving as the initial host of the Store on our website.

The Innovations Program and Store are growing! As a result the Store is in the process of being migrated to a different website and we will post the new location on our website under the News tab when it becomes available.

Benefits to Our Partners

Increases public relations and a general feeling of goodwill
Strengthens the environmental, social and economic health of communities
Potential marketing to reach out to new customers
Enjoyment of helping to serve lake and river enthusiasts

Program Support

The Corps Foundation is committed to facilitating local involvement and encouraging grassroots participation in the stewardship of our Corps Lakes. The participation in the stewardship of our Corps Lakes. For field units without a local non-profit partner, the Foundation will step in and serve as that partner for grants and other fundraising opportunities. The Foundation also provides consulting and grant support for friends groups to increase the flow of philanthropic dollars to their projects. Please contact us to learn more about this program.

Please begin our conversation by telling us about your Project and how we can contact you.

Cooperating Association Toolkit

Since our inception the Corps Foundation has made it a priority to network with the cooperating associations, friends groups, and partners that support U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) sites around the country – and to explore ways to support and expand these valuable partnerships. This Toolkit is developed as a reference for these organizations to help clarify the requirements and benefits of developing a cooperating association partnership with USACE. Additionally, the Toolkit provides a useful reference for Corps of Engineers staff working with interested groups in forming, supporting and maintaining a strong cooperating association program.

It is our hope that the Toolkit will provide a valuable reference guide for those who wish to support the growth and development of local friends groups and cooperating associations. Please feel free to widely distribute the Toolkit to anyone you think may have an interest in forming a non-profit organization to support the project sites and natural resource management program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Click the image below to access the full Toolkit PDF.