I can't believe that I am in the middle of my second semester as the intern for the Texas Chapter of Speedway Childrens Charities. This experience has been one that I will never forget.

 I've been able to watch a child's face light up as we brought them Christmas gifts during Holiday of Smiles, met some great people that are here to help children and made friends for a lifetime.

Right now were gearing up for our annual AutoTrader.com Gears and Greens Golf Classic, Aaron's Fandango Coin Collection, Aaron's Fish & Fun at the Races, our Live NASCAR Memorabilia Auction, and Track Walk. We're going to have one busy race week but it'll be worth every second because in the end, we are helping children who need us and that's what we are all about.

I hope to see you all out here helping us raise money for children in need.

Kayla James
Intern
Speedway Children's Charities-Texas

Strong direction and initiative on the part of the Board of Trustees of Speedway Children's Charities - Texas has redefined the way that funds are now granted.

We have developed two types of grant funding, while remaining true to our mission: To care for children in educational, financial, social and medical need in order to help them lead productive lives.

The first funding opportunity, the Partners Grant, is similar to our core initiatives in the past and will be for non-capital related projects. The Partners Grant requests must be a minimum of $5,000. The application for this type of funding is now available and is due in its entirety on May 30, 2009.

The second funding opportunity, the Founders Grant, has been designed as an impact grant and is named in honor of four of our distinguished leaders of the Texas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities: O. Bruton Smith, Chairman of the Board of SMI, Inc and founder of Speedway Children's Charities; General Tom Sadler, National Executive Director of Speedway Children's Charities; Eddie Gossage, President of Texas Motor Speedway; and, Betty Rutherford, founding President of the Texas Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities.

Four Founders Grants will be awarded in 2009 and will range between $125,000 and $150,000. Capital projects will be considered in the Founders Grant process. By creating this funding opportunity, it is the intent of the Board of Trustees to assume an even larger presence in Tarrant, Denton, Dallas and Collin Counties by expanding programs and services to children in need. The application for Founders Grants is now available and the first round of the application process will close May 1, 2009.

Both grants are for 501 (c) 3 non profit organizations operating and serving the direct needs of children located in Collin, Dallas, Denton or Tarrant counties. For more information please click on the Grants tab located at the top of this page.

Jaime Carlin
Executive Director
Speedway Children's Charities - Texas