#USA #Sumitomo Mitsui #American Camp Association #Camp-School Partnership #Martinsville

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Supports Camp-School Initiatives

The Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Global Foundation has made a significant step toward enhancing educational opportunities for youth through its generous support of the American Camp Association (ACA). With an impressive grant of $500,000, the foundation aims to strengthen partnerships between camps and schools, a move that is expected to have a lasting impact on communities.

Grant Initiative Overview

The initiative, known as the Camp-School Partnership Project, is set to provide one-year grants to various nonprofit camps during the summer seasons of 2025 and 2026. The overarching goal of this project is to enhance the capacity of these camps to deliver high-quality programming in collaboration with educational institutions and community partners. By doing so, it strives to increase access to meaningful camp experiences, especially for underserved communities.

Henry DeHart, interim president/CEO of ACA, spoke on the importance of this initiative: "Research indicates that camp-school partnerships are effective in getting children to summer camps who would otherwise miss out on these enriching experiences. The backing from the SMBC Global Foundation is crucial for camps aiming to reach more children. Those who participate in these partnerships often leave with unforgettable memories that positively influences their academic journeys."

The Impact of the Grants

For the upcoming summer of 2025, ACA will allocate $280,000 to eight select organizations, which were chosen from a competitive pool of nearly 120 applications, showcasing the depth of interest and need. The organizations awarded this year include:

• - Fiver Children's Foundation (NY)
• - Guided Discoveries (CA)
• - Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco — Camp Mendocino (CA)
• - Camp Herrlich (NY)
• - Camp Abilities Tucson (AZ)
• - Camp CENergy (TX)
• - Camp Fire Long Beach (CA)
• - Princeton-Blairstown Center (NY)

Through these grants, the ACA expects to support programming for approximately 550 campers each summer, focusing specifically on youth from lower socio-economic backgrounds, thereby promoting inclusivity and access to vital camp experiences.

Future Application Opportunities

The application window for the next grant cycle, concerning the summer of 2026, will open in fall 2025. ACA is eager to welcome applications from camps nationwide, particularly prioritizing those that serve youth in regions where SMBC employees live and work, including New York, New Jersey, Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas.

In addition to funding the Camp-School Partnership Project, the SMBC Global Foundation will also support campership opportunities at the grantee camps, further enhancing access to impactful camp experiences for youth across these regions.

About the American Camp Association

The American Camp Association (ACA) is a well-established national organization representing over 15,000 camps in the United States, which together serve approximately 26 million campers annually. ACA is committed to promoting quality camping experiences as well as providing advocacy and professional development opportunities. The organization stands as the sole independent national accrediting body for camps, ensuring a focus on health, safety, risk management, and overall camper well-being. For further details, interested parties are encouraged to visit ACAcamps.org or contact them directly.

About SMBC Group

SMBC Group is a premier global financial institution headquartered in Tokyo, boasting a rich 400-year history. It offers a wide spectrum of financial services, including banking, leasing, and consumer finance, and has established a significant presence across nearly 40 countries. The group’s North American operations include various entities providing commercial and investment banking services tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients. To learn more about SMBC Group, individuals can visit smbcgroup.com.